In Case You Missed It: Series wins and an eye on the IPL
Our best content from the week gone by
Deepti Unni
27-Mar-2021
New Zealand made it three in three in the ODI series against Bangladesh • AFP/Getty Images
England drew level with India in their ODI series, New Zealand won against Bangladesh, and South Africa women against India. Elsewhere, Sri Lanka put up a fierce battle against West Indies in the first Test even if they couldn't bring it home. Can they find their mojo in time for the second Test? Plus, it's a little less than two weeks to go for the IPL and old hands and debutants alike are limbering up for it. Catch up on all the action in our weekly round-up.
Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell maiden centuries highlight massive New Zealand win
Devon Conway capped his debut ODI series with a brilliant 126 in New Zealand's 164-run win over Bangladesh. Jimmy Neesham claimed a career-best haul, while Matt Henry knocked over the top order with four wickets. New Zealand's series sweep was briefly threatened by Bangladesh's fighting 271 in the second ODI, but misfields and dropped catches swung the match, and series, in favour of the hosts.
Devon Conway capped his debut ODI series with a brilliant 126 in New Zealand's 164-run win over Bangladesh. Jimmy Neesham claimed a career-best haul, while Matt Henry knocked over the top order with four wickets. New Zealand's series sweep was briefly threatened by Bangladesh's fighting 271 in the second ODI, but misfields and dropped catches swung the match, and series, in favour of the hosts.
Debutants Prasidh Krishna and Krunal Pandya star in India's 66-run win
An unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 112 in 9.3 overs between Pandya and KL Rahul rescued India's innings in the first ODI after they were down five wickets for 205, following which Krishna picked up four wickets on debut to give India the win. India now have a squad brimming with talented debutants that could well be the envy of any side in cricket, says Sreshth Shah, while Andrew Miller says England's focus on learning is all good, but the formulaic nature of their defeat is a concern.
An unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 112 in 9.3 overs between Pandya and KL Rahul rescued India's innings in the first ODI after they were down five wickets for 205, following which Krishna picked up four wickets on debut to give India the win. India now have a squad brimming with talented debutants that could well be the envy of any side in cricket, says Sreshth Shah, while Andrew Miller says England's focus on learning is all good, but the formulaic nature of their defeat is a concern.
Nkrumah Bonner's maiden Test ton helps West Indies salvage draw
After Sri Lanka collapsed to 169 all out in the first innings, they came surging back in the second to make 476. It took a century stand from Bonner and Kyle Mayers to keep Sri Lanka's bowlers at bay on an unresponsive deck. For Andrew Fidel Fernando, the Test began as a reminder of why Sri Lanka's present was so hard to watch when players from the past were still making ripples in the Road Safety series concurrently, but Pathum Nissanka's carefully constructed century may have brought just a little cheer, along with the resurgence of the Lahiru Thirimanne everyone had hoped for.
After Sri Lanka collapsed to 169 all out in the first innings, they came surging back in the second to make 476. It took a century stand from Bonner and Kyle Mayers to keep Sri Lanka's bowlers at bay on an unresponsive deck. For Andrew Fidel Fernando, the Test began as a reminder of why Sri Lanka's present was so hard to watch when players from the past were still making ripples in the Road Safety series concurrently, but Pathum Nissanka's carefully constructed century may have brought just a little cheer, along with the resurgence of the Lahiru Thirimanne everyone had hoped for.
Who played how much (the pandemic edition)
How much cricket was played the year sport ground to a halt? A surprising amount, actually. The fourth of our global workload surveys looks at the past year in cricket and the players who racked up the numbers.
How much cricket was played the year sport ground to a halt? A surprising amount, actually. The fourth of our global workload surveys looks at the past year in cricket and the players who racked up the numbers.
Shafali Verma blitz ensures crushing consolation win for India
South Africa swept the series but managed only 112 in the final T20I and India cruised home with nine overs to spare. Firdose Moonda lists why South Africa women have been so successful in India - it comes down to a stable base and consistency, among others.
South Africa swept the series but managed only 112 in the final T20I and India cruised home with nine overs to spare. Firdose Moonda lists why South Africa women have been so successful in India - it comes down to a stable base and consistency, among others.
Marco Jansen, a kid who beat Virat Kohli in the nets, is now a Mumbai Indian
In 2018, a 17-year-old South African beanpole had Kohli raising his eyebrows in the Wanderers nets. Now he's been picked up by the Mumbai Indians for the 2021 IPL. Saurabh Somani has his story.
In 2018, a 17-year-old South African beanpole had Kohli raising his eyebrows in the Wanderers nets. Now he's been picked up by the Mumbai Indians for the 2021 IPL. Saurabh Somani has his story.
Robin Uthappa: 'The value of a wicket has gone down; the value of being explosive has gone up'
The former Rajasthan Royals batsman spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about his move to the Chennai Super Kings, his middle-order struggles, and finding his groove as an opener again.
The former Rajasthan Royals batsman spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about his move to the Chennai Super Kings, his middle-order struggles, and finding his groove as an opener again.
Which players have the most runs and wickets in India-England ODIs?
Also, which captain lost the toss but went on to win the match most often? Ask Steven Lynch, why don't you.
Also, which captain lost the toss but went on to win the match most often? Ask Steven Lynch, why don't you.
Ashwin or Rahane, Smith or Pant? Who will Delhi Capitals pick as captain this season?
Shreyas Iyer dislocated his shoulder during the first ODI against England and is set to miss the whole IPL. Who might take his place? Nagraj Gollapudi and Gaurav Sundararaman run the rule over the four frontrunners for the job.
Shreyas Iyer dislocated his shoulder during the first ODI against England and is set to miss the whole IPL. Who might take his place? Nagraj Gollapudi and Gaurav Sundararaman run the rule over the four frontrunners for the job.
Middlesex's Thilan Walallawita: from escaping the 2004 Sri Lanka tsunami to setting sights on England
Andrew Miller on the young Sri Lanka-born left-arm spinner aiming to build on his impressive debut during Covid-wrecked 2020 summer.
Andrew Miller on the young Sri Lanka-born left-arm spinner aiming to build on his impressive debut during Covid-wrecked 2020 summer.
Which players bucked cricket's statistical trends most notably?
Meet the innings specialists, the away artists, the conversion masters, the batting-order yo-yos, and more, who have gone against the grain of the game.
Meet the innings specialists, the away artists, the conversion masters, the batting-order yo-yos, and more, who have gone against the grain of the game.
Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo