In Case You Missed It: Steyn says goodbye, England, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh fare well
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
04-Sep-2021
Mutt obviously: Dale Steyn plans on trading yorkers for Yorkies in his retirement • Associated Press
A busy week of cricket paused for a moment to doff its hat in farewell to a legend - Dale Steyn called time on one of the most storied fast-bowling careers with a quiet tweet on August 31. Elsewhere cricket continued unabated - India were handed a drubbing by England in the second Test, while South Africa and New Zealand were ground down by hosts Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. New Zealand Women lost their eighth straight T20I to England in a 46-run defeat in Chelmsford, while South Africa Women took a 1-0 lead over West Indies in the second T20I after the first was washed out. Catch up on all the action in our round-up of the best stories of the week.
'No more sore toes' - Dale Steyn brings curtain down on illustrious career
Two years after stepping away from Test cricket, Steyn announced his retirement from all formats of the game. He might turn to coaching but, for now, the iconic South African quick just wants to be a "dog dad". Steyn was arguably the best Test bowler of his generation, but how good was he in white-ball cricket? Firdose Moonda examines his legacy.
Two years after stepping away from Test cricket, Steyn announced his retirement from all formats of the game. He might turn to coaching but, for now, the iconic South African quick just wants to be a "dog dad". Steyn was arguably the best Test bowler of his generation, but how good was he in white-ball cricket? Firdose Moonda examines his legacy.
England march to 1-1 with Ollie Robinson five-for
It was supposed to be a big showdown, but for India, it turned out to be a shambles as toothless bowling and out-of-form batters combined to give England an innings win. For England, five things came together to give them an easy victory - not least among them Joe Root's purple patch. Ian Chappell hopes India will take heart from the fact that they were undone by a master of his craft, Jimmy Anderson, while George Dobell sees a bowler for the long haul in Ollie Robinson.
It was supposed to be a big showdown, but for India, it turned out to be a shambles as toothless bowling and out-of-form batters combined to give England an innings win. For England, five things came together to give them an easy victory - not least among them Joe Root's purple patch. Ian Chappell hopes India will take heart from the fact that they were undone by a master of his craft, Jimmy Anderson, while George Dobell sees a bowler for the long haul in Ollie Robinson.
Living on the (inside) edge: Making sense of Kohli's lean patch
Virat Kohli's form has been the topic of much discussion this entire series. Sidharth Monga says he is not batting too differently to 2018, but how long can he trust his method and technique with the number of Tests without a century growing? Aakash Chopra found a silver lining in Cheteshwar Pujara's 91 in the second innings at Headingley - that he wasn't worrying about crease occupation shows he's back to focusing on what's important. And in Ajinkya Rahane's start-stop career - forever poised on the threshold of a stellar innings still to come - Osman Samiuddin sees the potential to be great.
Virat Kohli's form has been the topic of much discussion this entire series. Sidharth Monga says he is not batting too differently to 2018, but how long can he trust his method and technique with the number of Tests without a century growing? Aakash Chopra found a silver lining in Cheteshwar Pujara's 91 in the second innings at Headingley - that he wasn't worrying about crease occupation shows he's back to focusing on what's important. And in Ajinkya Rahane's start-stop career - forever poised on the threshold of a stellar innings still to come - Osman Samiuddin sees the potential to be great.
Avishka Fernando century sets the platform as Sri Lanka take 1-0 lead
No away team has ever successfully chased a total of over 300 in Sri Lanka, and so it was for South Africa, who fell short despite Aiden Markram's 96 and Rassie van der Dussen's 59 in the first ODI.
No away team has ever successfully chased a total of over 300 in Sri Lanka, and so it was for South Africa, who fell short despite Aiden Markram's 96 and Rassie van der Dussen's 59 in the first ODI.
Spinners, Mustafizur script Bangladesh's first-ever T20I victory over New Zealand
New Zealand were bowled out for their lowest-ever T20 score, 60, as Bangladesh won the series opener in Dhaka by seven wickets.
New Zealand were bowled out for their lowest-ever T20 score, 60, as Bangladesh won the series opener in Dhaka by seven wickets.
Mark Boucher and the alternative history of South Africa's champion side
Osman Samiuddin says the South Africa coach's statement, and the testimony of others at the social justice hearings, has shed light on historic systemic failures in the nation's cricket.
Osman Samiuddin says the South Africa coach's statement, and the testimony of others at the social justice hearings, has shed light on historic systemic failures in the nation's cricket.
It's time to admit that England vs India is just practice for the Ashes
Andrew Fidel Fernando has no time for these trifles in this month's Briefing, focusing instead on the cricket that actually matters.
Andrew Fidel Fernando has no time for these trifles in this month's Briefing, focusing instead on the cricket that actually matters.
Has anyone top-scored for their side in more consecutive innings than Joe Root?
And was Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts a big cricket fan? All the cricket questions you had but didn't know whom to ask answered by Steven Lynch in this week's Ask Steven.
And was Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts a big cricket fan? All the cricket questions you had but didn't know whom to ask answered by Steven Lynch in this week's Ask Steven.