In Case You Missed It: Sixes, boos, and rock 'n' roll
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Jun-2019
The catch that should not be: Ben Stokes takes a stunner • IDI via Getty Images
We're here, we're here, five games - four of them woefully one-sided - into the World Cup. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka have taken a beating so far, leaving Bangladesh to salvage some pride for Asia, but none have had it as bad as South Africa yet, who have lost their first two games running. A singing, dancing Australia, England, New Zealand are cruising, but the bigger battles are yet to come and India are waiting in the wings. It's all tremendously exciting. Just ask Alan Gardner. Have no idea what the World Cup is all about? Start here. Want all your World Cup action in one place? We got you.
So you want to know about the teams at this World Cup?
Before you jump into the tournament proper, Andrew Fidel Fernando has a handy guide that tells you exactly what to look forward to, and what will happen if any of the ten sides wins.
Before you jump into the tournament proper, Andrew Fidel Fernando has a handy guide that tells you exactly what to look forward to, and what will happen if any of the ten sides wins.
Five reasons why non-cricket fans NEED to watch this World Cup
Not a fan of cricket? No matter. Forget the rules, just enjoy watching athletes smash balls out of the park, soar and dive to take catches, and live out some of the most dramatic stories in all of sport.
Not a fan of cricket? No matter. Forget the rules, just enjoy watching athletes smash balls out of the park, soar and dive to take catches, and live out some of the most dramatic stories in all of sport.
England, Ben Stokes prove they are not one-trick ponies with nerve-settling win
The home team took the World Cup opening night with a 140-run win over South Africa. Captain Eoin Morgan says Man of the Match Stokes is "at the top of his game", as he proved with that impossible one-handed catch. Osman Samiuddin is feeling poetic about that other almost-MoM Jofra Archer who, six years ago, warned batsmen to buy two helmets. On his World Cup debut, he showed exactly why.
The home team took the World Cup opening night with a 140-run win over South Africa. Captain Eoin Morgan says Man of the Match Stokes is "at the top of his game", as he proved with that impossible one-handed catch. Osman Samiuddin is feeling poetic about that other almost-MoM Jofra Archer who, six years ago, warned batsmen to buy two helmets. On his World Cup debut, he showed exactly why.
Oshane Thomas and Andre Russell rout Pakistan
Pakistan crashed to their biggest World Cup defeat as West Indies cut them down with 36.2 overs to spare. Chris Gayle surpassed AB de Villiers to become the leading six-hitter in World Cup history. And Andre Russell, him of the effortless sixes, gave batsman a new reason to fear with his short, fast, fearsome balls.
Pakistan crashed to their biggest World Cup defeat as West Indies cut them down with 36.2 overs to spare. Chris Gayle surpassed AB de Villiers to become the leading six-hitter in World Cup history. And Andre Russell, him of the effortless sixes, gave batsman a new reason to fear with his short, fast, fearsome balls.
The kid from the sticks who will lead Australia in the World Cup
Aaron Finch is a lot more than the homespun journeyman you might think he is. And he just might be the leader Australia need, says Jarrod Kimber. With a newly focused Steve Smith in the team and a boo-proof David Warner, is this another World Cup-winning side?
Aaron Finch is a lot more than the homespun journeyman you might think he is. And he just might be the leader Australia need, says Jarrod Kimber. With a newly focused Steve Smith in the team and a boo-proof David Warner, is this another World Cup-winning side?
Bruised but not broken, Hamid Hassan is ready for one final ride
He was once the most feared Associate bowler before injury put the brakes on his career. Now he's back, looking for one last shot at glory with his country. Peter Della Penna has a chat with Afghanistan's Rambo.
He was once the most feared Associate bowler before injury put the brakes on his career. Now he's back, looking for one last shot at glory with his country. Peter Della Penna has a chat with Afghanistan's Rambo.
Cricket can't undo the horrors of the bombings, but it can be a balm to Sri Lanka
Andrew Fidel Fernando on how the game unites the country, cutting through race, religion, caste and class in the way few other things can.
Andrew Fidel Fernando on how the game unites the country, cutting through race, religion, caste and class in the way few other things can.
Will this be Glenn Maxwell's World Cup?
He has been a player out of time, but has Maxi the maverick finally found his groove in post-Newlands Australia? Melinda Farrell takes stock.
He has been a player out of time, but has Maxi the maverick finally found his groove in post-Newlands Australia? Melinda Farrell takes stock.
'When you play with emotion, that's when you become dangerous'
Kagiso Rabada talks to Nagraj Gollapudi about putting passion into his game, balancing instinct and technique when bowling, and how his IPL experiences might help him at the World Cup
Kagiso Rabada talks to Nagraj Gollapudi about putting passion into his game, balancing instinct and technique when bowling, and how his IPL experiences might help him at the World Cup
The World Cup horror XI
A weight-loss story, a World Cup winner's last bow, and a multiple-Ashes winner feature in our line-up.
A weight-loss story, a World Cup winner's last bow, and a multiple-Ashes winner feature in our line-up.
Who will win the World Cup?
And who will be the Player of the Tournament: Jos Buttler? Virat Kohli? Mitchell Starc? ESPNcricinfo reads the tea leaves.
And who will be the Player of the Tournament: Jos Buttler? Virat Kohli? Mitchell Starc? ESPNcricinfo reads the tea leaves.