In Case You Missed It: series sweeps and a new No. 1
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
10-Jan-2021
It's a happy new year for New Zealand • AFP via Getty Images
There's a new No. 1 Test team, shepherded to the top of the rankings table by a new No. 1 batsman - Kane Williamson's New Zealand have had the best possible beginning to the year. Elsewhere, Sri Lanka lost the Test series against South Africa 2-0 after losing half their players to injury, and the body count is mounting in the India camp as well as they fight to stay afloat in the third Test against Australia. Here's what you may have missed in a busy week of cricket.
Kyle Jamieson fires New Zealand to massive innings win and No. 1 in the rankings
Pakistan collapsed in a heap against New Zealand's unrelenting pace and hostility, with Jamieson picking up 11 for 117. Only six Tests old, Jamieson already has four five-fors - how far could he go, wonders Danyal Rasool. Osman Samiuddin, meanwhile, has questions about why Mohammad Abbas' wicket-taking ability has declined.
Pakistan collapsed in a heap against New Zealand's unrelenting pace and hostility, with Jamieson picking up 11 for 117. Only six Tests old, Jamieson already has four five-fors - how far could he go, wonders Danyal Rasool. Osman Samiuddin, meanwhile, has questions about why Mohammad Abbas' wicket-taking ability has declined.
South Africa seal victory and 2-0 series win despite Dimuth Karunaratne's battling hundred
South Africa wrapped up a comfortable win over an injury-depleted Sri Lanka in just three days, with Karunaratne's century going in vain as Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 35 runs. A lot went right for South Africa, but some stuff still needs fixing, says Firdose Moonda. At least they've found a dependable batsman in Dean Elgar.
South Africa wrapped up a comfortable win over an injury-depleted Sri Lanka in just three days, with Karunaratne's century going in vain as Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 35 runs. A lot went right for South Africa, but some stuff still needs fixing, says Firdose Moonda. At least they've found a dependable batsman in Dean Elgar.
How soon will we need to reconsider how essential bouncers are to cricket?
Taking the nasty short ball out of the game might seem unthinkable, says Sidharth Monga, but we might soon be at the point where we're seriously considering it.
Taking the nasty short ball out of the game might seem unthinkable, says Sidharth Monga, but we might soon be at the point where we're seriously considering it.
India have been hobbled by injury this Australia series - Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja are the latest entries on that list - and have been without the services of their premier bowlers in Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami, but Jasprit Bumrah and R Ashwin adapted by laying a leg-side trap to choke Australia and make up for the missing fast bowlers. You know what else Ashwin's done that has made him the most effective spinner the series? The answer may surprise you, says Monga.
How much does the relative-age effect impact the careers of cricketers?
Matt Roller examines whether players born earlier in a selection year have a distinct advantage over those born later, and if those advantages carry over to later in their careers.
Matt Roller examines whether players born earlier in a selection year have a distinct advantage over those born later, and if those advantages carry over to later in their careers.
Has anyone taken 100 ODI wickets against a single country?
And which bowler's action was described as "all arms and legs… like a porn movie without the sex"? Ask Steven Lynch, why don't you?
And which bowler's action was described as "all arms and legs… like a porn movie without the sex"? Ask Steven Lynch, why don't you?
Quiz: How well do you know your ODI cricket?
ODI cricket is 50 years old this week. Can you score a 10/10 on this quiz?
ODI cricket is 50 years old this week. Can you score a 10/10 on this quiz?
Nicholas Pooran: 'West Indies' T20I ranking doesn't show how good our team actually is'
The West Indies batsman talks to Sreshth Shah about bio-bubbles, his personal aspirations for 2021, and why he opted out of the Bangladesh tour
The West Indies batsman talks to Sreshth Shah about bio-bubbles, his personal aspirations for 2021, and why he opted out of the Bangladesh tour
Jonty Rhodes: 'I can always coach somebody to catch. The difficulty is in getting them to the ball to catch it'
The former South Africa batsman and ace fielder talks to Shashank Kishore
The former South Africa batsman and ace fielder talks to Shashank Kishore
Modern batsmen don't focus on their feet and that's mostly okay
Aakash Chopra says their techniques have been shaped by the cricket they play the most, and challenging Test pitches don't often feature
Aakash Chopra says their techniques have been shaped by the cricket they play the most, and challenging Test pitches don't often feature
Ajinkya Rahane is brave, smart, calm, and he has the respect of his team
Ian Chappell comes away impressed by Rahane's captaincy. His contributions were central in ensuring India didn't crumble in Melbourne like they might well have done, he says.
Ian Chappell comes away impressed by Rahane's captaincy. His contributions were central in ensuring India didn't crumble in Melbourne like they might well have done, he says.
A stats review of 2020: Stokes' all-round brilliance, dominant fast bowlers, and Pollard's T20 blast
Despite having fewer matches on average, 2020 had plenty of stats highlights
Despite having fewer matches on average, 2020 had plenty of stats highlights
Suresh Raina: 'You have to believe you can do miracles, Sachin paaji told me'
In First Sportsperson I Wanted to Be, Raina tells Hemant Brar how he met Tendulkar as a fan, and found a mentor
In First Sportsperson I Wanted to Be, Raina tells Hemant Brar how he met Tendulkar as a fan, and found a mentor
Where does Bangladesh's 1999 World Cup win over Pakistan rank in the list of greatest upsets?
Anantha Narayanan analyses and ranks the great upsets in Tests and ODIs, based on the strengths of the two teams, their recent form, and the margin of victory
Anantha Narayanan analyses and ranks the great upsets in Tests and ODIs, based on the strengths of the two teams, their recent form, and the margin of victory