In Case You Missed It: Storms, on and off the field
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
03-Dec-2018
Everybody's planning on playing nice this India-Australia Test series • Getty Images
'Tis the season to be squally - both the weather and cricket have seen some sudden storms last week. India watched the rain wash away a day of their warm-up in Sydney, Michael Clarke stirred a teacup tempest by suggesting the Australian team was going to lose if they played nice, and Mithali Raj brought a Category 4 hurricane to India women's cricket that all but blew away their T20 World Cup semi-final qualification. With India taking on Australia this week in the most anticipated Test series of the year, the forecast remains nice and stormy.
'We're not going to win s**t' - Michael Clarke hits out at 'nice' Australia
The former Australia captain endorsed David Warner's aggressive style, saying that the team needs to stop worrying about being liked, but old adversary Simon Katich said he's "missing the point". Australia's current captain, Tim Paine, though, shut down Clarke's criticism, insisting his team has no concerns with being liked by the opposition and that the focus lies on winning back the Australian public's trust this summer.
The former Australia captain endorsed David Warner's aggressive style, saying that the team needs to stop worrying about being liked, but old adversary Simon Katich said he's "missing the point". Australia's current captain, Tim Paine, though, shut down Clarke's criticism, insisting his team has no concerns with being liked by the opposition and that the focus lies on winning back the Australian public's trust this summer.
How the Mithali Raj v Ramesh Powar mudslinging saga unfolded
India women made it to the semi-finals of the World T20 for the first time, but that's a distant memory in the wake of the drama following star player Mithali Raj's omission from the playing XI. In an email to the BCCI leaked to the press, Mithali said she was "deflated, depressed and let down", hitting out at coach Ramesh Powar, but in a twist, Powar said Mithali threatened to retire if she couldn't open. The BCCI has now chosen not to extend Powar's tenure as coach.
India women made it to the semi-finals of the World T20 for the first time, but that's a distant memory in the wake of the drama following star player Mithali Raj's omission from the playing XI. In an email to the BCCI leaked to the press, Mithali said she was "deflated, depressed and let down", hitting out at coach Ramesh Powar, but in a twist, Powar said Mithali threatened to retire if she couldn't open. The BCCI has now chosen not to extend Powar's tenure as coach.
What's behind the Mithali-Powar saga?
The falling out of player and coach has been unseemly and has shown both in a bad light, but what does it say about the Indian board, asks Sharda Ugra.
The falling out of player and coach has been unseemly and has shown both in a bad light, but what does it say about the Indian board, asks Sharda Ugra.
'Everyone expects me to pick wickets in UAE' - Yasir Shah
Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah's match-winning haul of 14 for 184 against New Zealand in the second Test - in the first innings, NZ went from 50 for 0 to 90 all out in an hour - are the second-best figures for Pakistan, and coach Mickey Arthur is calling it "some of the best legspin bowling you'll see". With this record, Yasir joins a very select club, but forget being the best in the world, right now being Pakistan's best will do for the 32-year-old bowler.
Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah's match-winning haul of 14 for 184 against New Zealand in the second Test - in the first innings, NZ went from 50 for 0 to 90 all out in an hour - are the second-best figures for Pakistan, and coach Mickey Arthur is calling it "some of the best legspin bowling you'll see". With this record, Yasir joins a very select club, but forget being the best in the world, right now being Pakistan's best will do for the 32-year-old bowler.
'We're not one-trick ponies any more', says Joe Root after overseas triumph
On their victorious return home after whitewashing Sri Lanka 3-0 in the Test series, England's captain says he takes pride in watching his side grow, and singles out Ben Stokes for particular praise. Mark Nicholas, though, credits the tour and triumph to Root's decisive leadership, which, he says, manifested itself in a number of admirable ways.
On their victorious return home after whitewashing Sri Lanka 3-0 in the Test series, England's captain says he takes pride in watching his side grow, and singles out Ben Stokes for particular praise. Mark Nicholas, though, credits the tour and triumph to Root's decisive leadership, which, he says, manifested itself in a number of admirable ways.
Why India's bowlers are a threat in Australia, for a change
India go into the year's most anticipated Test series against Australia with a stellar bowling attack. Sidharth Monga says they have poor numbers from previous tours, but they are now fitter and better, individually and collectively. The batting, though, could use a bit of help and Aakash Chopra has just that - five things India's batsmen need to keep in mind in Oz. Mark Nicholas thinks Virat Kohli could be an example for Tim Paine's team, while two former Aussie bowlers Jason Gillespie and Ryan Harris think up ways to trip Kohli up.
India go into the year's most anticipated Test series against Australia with a stellar bowling attack. Sidharth Monga says they have poor numbers from previous tours, but they are now fitter and better, individually and collectively. The batting, though, could use a bit of help and Aakash Chopra has just that - five things India's batsmen need to keep in mind in Oz. Mark Nicholas thinks Virat Kohli could be an example for Tim Paine's team, while two former Aussie bowlers Jason Gillespie and Ryan Harris think up ways to trip Kohli up.
USA plan to launch their T20 league in 2021
If successful, the league could serve as a core revenue driver to fund all other operations of the board, says Peter Della Penna.
If successful, the league could serve as a core revenue driver to fund all other operations of the board, says Peter Della Penna.
Has a batsman ever been given out lbw by his own father?
And how often have Sri Lanka been whitewashed at home in a Test series? Ask Steven Lynch, why don't you?
And how often have Sri Lanka been whitewashed at home in a Test series? Ask Steven Lynch, why don't you?
The Briefing: Jonny v the imaginary villains, and other stories
November? Time for Andrew Fidel Fernando and everyone else to get their punching gloves on.
November? Time for Andrew Fidel Fernando and everyone else to get their punching gloves on.
'If Australia can get 350 occasionally, it will surprise a lot of people'
Will India be a one-man band again? Will Australia's bowling attack see them home? Ian Chappell and Sanjay Manjrekar look ahead to the Australia-India Tests.
Will India be a one-man band again? Will Australia's bowling attack see them home? Ian Chappell and Sanjay Manjrekar look ahead to the Australia-India Tests.
Hate to Love: Javed Omar, no, yes, sorry
Mohammad Isam charts a nation's - and his own - frustrated relationship with an admirable cricketer.
Mohammad Isam charts a nation's - and his own - frustrated relationship with an admirable cricketer.