In Case You Missed It: Pollard's record, and Bavuma's first
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
06-Mar-2021
Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard are the only batsmen to have hit six sixes in an over in international cricket • CWI/ESPNcricinfo
There hasn't been a dull moment in cricket this week, what with Kieron Pollard hitting six sixes in an over, the PSL being forced to postpone, Zimbabwe rolling Afghanistan over inside two days, and Temba Bavuma becoming South Africa's first permanently appointed black African captain. There are also three international series going on in India and New Zealand. Here's your catch-up.
How Kieron Pollard hit six sixes in an over
Pollard became just the third player to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket off the same bowler, Akila Dananjaya, who had rocked West Indies' chase just an over earlier with a hat-trick in the first T20I in Antigua
Pollard became just the third player to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket off the same bowler, Akila Dananjaya, who had rocked West Indies' chase just an over earlier with a hat-trick in the first T20I in Antigua
South Africa name Dean Elgar Test captain and Temba Bavuma ODI and T20I captain
Bavuma said he understood the significance of his appointment but doesn't want his legacy to simply be that of being the first black African captain.
Bavuma said he understood the significance of his appointment but doesn't want his legacy to simply be that of being the first black African captain.
Afghanistan implode as two-day Test goes to Zimbabwe
After India's two-day win over England in Ahmedabad, Zimbabwe achieved the same in Abu Dhabi over Afghanistan, dismissing them for 131 and 135, their seamers sharing 16 wickets among them. Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams, who made a match-winning 105, hailed his side's victory as a coming-of-age performance from a young group of players, and particularly important for his fledgling captaincy. Another notable event in the match was the presence of Ahmed Shah Pakteen, the first on-field umpire from Afghanistan to stand in a Test.
After India's two-day win over England in Ahmedabad, Zimbabwe achieved the same in Abu Dhabi over Afghanistan, dismissing them for 131 and 135, their seamers sharing 16 wickets among them. Zimbabwe captain Sean Williams, who made a match-winning 105, hailed his side's victory as a coming-of-age performance from a young group of players, and particularly important for his fledgling captaincy. Another notable event in the match was the presence of Ahmed Shah Pakteen, the first on-field umpire from Afghanistan to stand in a Test.
PSL 2021 postponed after more players test positive for Covid-19
It has not been a good week for the PSL: on Monday, Islamabad United's Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed tested positive for Covid-19 and the team's match against the Quetta Gladiators had to be postponed. By Thursday, five more players and a member of the Karachi Kings support staff had tested positive, forcing the Pakistan board to conduct an emergency meeting - a heated one, reportedly - with the franchises and decide to postpone the tournament. They could resume it in May, but that will mean clashing with the IPL. Speaking of the two leagues, Dale Steyn, in an interview this week, expressed his preference for the PSL over the IPL, saying he believed the excessive emphasis on the financial aspect of the IPL meant "the cricket gets forgotten".
It has not been a good week for the PSL: on Monday, Islamabad United's Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed tested positive for Covid-19 and the team's match against the Quetta Gladiators had to be postponed. By Thursday, five more players and a member of the Karachi Kings support staff had tested positive, forcing the Pakistan board to conduct an emergency meeting - a heated one, reportedly - with the franchises and decide to postpone the tournament. They could resume it in May, but that will mean clashing with the IPL. Speaking of the two leagues, Dale Steyn, in an interview this week, expressed his preference for the PSL over the IPL, saying he believed the excessive emphasis on the financial aspect of the IPL meant "the cricket gets forgotten".
Rishabh Pant's first home Test hundred cuts England down to size
The final India-England Test is underway and India have gained a first-innings lead thanks to an absorbing century stand between Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. How does Pant keep reeling off these valuable scores? He says: "I just see the ball and react to it, that's the USP of my cricket." India dismissed England for 205, and although fast bowler Mohammed Siraj only took two wickets in the innings, Karthik Krishnaswamy writes that watching Siraj bowl is to get the feeling that the batsman is being hurried into his decision-making with his pace, the lateness of his movement, and his bustling energy through the crease.
The final India-England Test is underway and India have gained a first-innings lead thanks to an absorbing century stand between Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. How does Pant keep reeling off these valuable scores? He says: "I just see the ball and react to it, that's the USP of my cricket." India dismissed England for 205, and although fast bowler Mohammed Siraj only took two wickets in the innings, Karthik Krishnaswamy writes that watching Siraj bowl is to get the feeling that the batsman is being hurried into his decision-making with his pace, the lateness of his movement, and his bustling energy through the crease.
Meanwhile, England will find unlikely supporters in the Australian team because a win for England in Ahmedabad will mean it will be Australia who face New Zealand in the World Test Championship final in June. India need a win or a draw to make it, but Virat Kohli said his team did not need the extra motivation to play the Test.
Kevin Pietersen: 'Since that Mumbai innings, I absolutely murdered left-arm spin'
Kevin Pietersen, Andy Flower, Gautam Gambhir and Jonathan Trott look back at KP's stunning 186 at the Wankhede in 2012.
Kevin Pietersen, Andy Flower, Gautam Gambhir and Jonathan Trott look back at KP's stunning 186 at the Wankhede in 2012.
Why are England batsmen taught to sweep instead of using their feet against spinners?
England were bowled out for 131 and 81 in the third Test. Ian Chappell wrote that when faced with a serious spin challenge, the England batsmen didn't trust their defence, which eventually resulted in panicked attempts to attack the Indian spinners. Aakash Chopra has advice on how to bat on such a pitch. Mark Nicholas digs into his memory of facing Derek "Deadly" Underwood to pass on tips on how to bat against Axar Patel and R Ashwin. And in this month's Briefing - it's satire, folks - Andrew Fidel Fernando accuses India of producing pitches unfit for Test batting.
England were bowled out for 131 and 81 in the third Test. Ian Chappell wrote that when faced with a serious spin challenge, the England batsmen didn't trust their defence, which eventually resulted in panicked attempts to attack the Indian spinners. Aakash Chopra has advice on how to bat on such a pitch. Mark Nicholas digs into his memory of facing Derek "Deadly" Underwood to pass on tips on how to bat against Axar Patel and R Ashwin. And in this month's Briefing - it's satire, folks - Andrew Fidel Fernando accuses India of producing pitches unfit for Test batting.
Freya Davies and Tammy Beaumont star as England seal series
Opener Beaumont's 63 combined with superb bowling efforts from Davies, Nat Sciver and Sarah Glenn helped England women win the second T20I against New Zealand Women and seal the three-match series in Wellington with one game to go. Sciver, who was the leading wicket-taker in the ODIs, also starred in the first T20I.
Opener Beaumont's 63 combined with superb bowling efforts from Davies, Nat Sciver and Sarah Glenn helped England women win the second T20I against New Zealand Women and seal the three-match series in Wellington with one game to go. Sciver, who was the leading wicket-taker in the ODIs, also starred in the first T20I.
Aaron Finch, Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar turn on the style to keep series alive
Left-arm spinner Agar broke his own record of best figures by an Australian in T20Is with 6 for 30 to give Australia a 64-run win against New Zealand in the third match of the series. Australia captain Aaron Finch made consecutive half-centuries and Australia also won the fourth match easily to set up a series decider on March 7.
Left-arm spinner Agar broke his own record of best figures by an Australian in T20Is with 6 for 30 to give Australia a 64-run win against New Zealand in the third match of the series. Australia captain Aaron Finch made consecutive half-centuries and Australia also won the fourth match easily to set up a series decider on March 7.