In Case You Missed It: Test cricket is great again
Our best content of last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
10-Dec-2018
This could go one of two ways • Getty Images
The year's most anticipated Test series has kicked off in Adelaide, and India have just ground Australia down to a slow-burn win. Neighbours New Zealand have returned triumphant from their first away series win in 49 years, leaving Osman Samiuddin to pen an elegy to Pakistan's four-hour-49-minute meltdown. It's a good time to be a cricket fan, and here's your catch-up on the most exciting things to happen last week.
Pakistan's Yasir Shah fastest to 200 Test wickets, breaks 82-year-old record
The legspinner took just 33 Tests to reach the landmark as compared to Clarrie Grimmett's 36, and players past and present chimed in in a moment of cheer, even as Pakistan lost the Abu Dhabi Test to New Zealand.
The legspinner took just 33 Tests to reach the landmark as compared to Clarrie Grimmett's 36, and players past and present chimed in in a moment of cheer, even as Pakistan lost the Abu Dhabi Test to New Zealand.
After 49 years, New Zealand conquer Pakistan away
William Somerville and Ajaz Patel took three wickets each to help bowl Pakistan out for 156 and seal the series 2-1. And while captain Kane Williamson's batting was inarguably great, credit goes to the team pulling together and making New Zealand greater than the sum of its parts.
William Somerville and Ajaz Patel took three wickets each to help bowl Pakistan out for 156 and seal the series 2-1. And while captain Kane Williamson's batting was inarguably great, credit goes to the team pulling together and making New Zealand greater than the sum of its parts.
Wasim Khan unveiled as PCB's new managing director
Leading light of English cricket administration heads for Lahore with a remit to revamp Pakistan's domestic and international ambitions.
Leading light of English cricket administration heads for Lahore with a remit to revamp Pakistan's domestic and international ambitions.
Khawaja's brother arrested over fake terror plot
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja's brother Arsalan Khawaja was charged with attempting to pervert justice, and forgery, by making a false document.
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja's brother Arsalan Khawaja was charged with attempting to pervert justice, and forgery, by making a false document.
How Channel Seven is looking to change television commentary in Australia
Moving away from a roster full of former players, the new broadcasters of the game down under want to bring in a conversational style of coverage - Channel Seven just debuted in-game interviews in Tests. But Daniel Brettig says they have a tough fight ahead of them - Australia's first day of Test cricket on Seven and Fox Sports recorded a combined average of fewer than 1 million viewers nationally at peak time in the final session.
Moving away from a roster full of former players, the new broadcasters of the game down under want to bring in a conversational style of coverage - Channel Seven just debuted in-game interviews in Tests. But Daniel Brettig says they have a tough fight ahead of them - Australia's first day of Test cricket on Seven and Fox Sports recorded a combined average of fewer than 1 million viewers nationally at peak time in the final session.
The Commandment of Che
Playing shots is not the only way to be positive. Cheteshwar Pujara laid down the blueprint to keeping his side alive in the first Test - and cricketers at large thought it was a commandment everyone should follow.
Playing shots is not the only way to be positive. Cheteshwar Pujara laid down the blueprint to keeping his side alive in the first Test - and cricketers at large thought it was a commandment everyone should follow.
The summer of Kohli
Win or lose, hundreds or ducks, Virat Kohli will be the centrepiece of this Australia season. Before the summer of Kohli, Sidharth Monga looks at the making of Kohli. Matt Cleary, meanwhile, sees a bit of Australia in Virat.
Win or lose, hundreds or ducks, Virat Kohli will be the centrepiece of this Australia season. Before the summer of Kohli, Sidharth Monga looks at the making of Kohli. Matt Cleary, meanwhile, sees a bit of Australia in Virat.
Five takeaways from the T10 League
Cricket's fast-food format just wrapped up its second season and Barny Read is taking stock. A T10 century? The format in the Olympics? A young man's game? Probable, possible, and not quite true
Cricket's fast-food format just wrapped up its second season and Barny Read is taking stock. A T10 century? The format in the Olympics? A young man's game? Probable, possible, and not quite true
Gavaskar to BCCI: 'Why aren't Dhoni, Dhawan playing domestic cricket?'
The former India captain said more questions will be asked of Dhoni's World Cup spot if he doesn't do well in Australia and New Zealand.
The former India captain said more questions will be asked of Dhoni's World Cup spot if he doesn't do well in Australia and New Zealand.
Harmanpreet, Mandhana urge BCCI to keep Powar as coach
India's captain and vice-captain have told in a letter to BCCI that they see no reason to replace Ramesh Powar as head coach, and that the decision to drop Mithali Raj during the World T20 semi-final had been unanimous. Just a day before though, Harmanpreet and Raj had met for a pow-wow over their supposed feud.
India's captain and vice-captain have told in a letter to BCCI that they see no reason to replace Ramesh Powar as head coach, and that the decision to drop Mithali Raj during the World T20 semi-final had been unanimous. Just a day before though, Harmanpreet and Raj had met for a pow-wow over their supposed feud.
Shannon Gabriel, a fast bowler transformed
Over the last two years, the Trinidadian has turned himself into a threat so hostile he reminds Courtney Walsh of Patrick Patterson and Ian Bishop.
Over the last two years, the Trinidadian has turned himself into a threat so hostile he reminds Courtney Walsh of Patrick Patterson and Ian Bishop.
The enigma of Gautam Gambhir
Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last week. Was he a potential great who underachieved for most of his career, or was he a good Test cricketer who enjoyed one glorious spell of over-achievement? Karthik Krishnaswamy takes a look.
Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last week. Was he a potential great who underachieved for most of his career, or was he a good Test cricketer who enjoyed one glorious spell of over-achievement? Karthik Krishnaswamy takes a look.
Why have Test batsmen scored less this year?
Is it a trend, an anomaly, the influence of T20 batting, or to do with more even pitches and better bowlers? Jarrod Kimber investigates.
Is it a trend, an anomaly, the influence of T20 batting, or to do with more even pitches and better bowlers? Jarrod Kimber investigates.
Why the Johri investigation has been a kick in the gut for women
The way the investigation of BCCI CEO Rahul Johari's misconduct unfolded and how the accusers were turned into the accused has been shocking, says Sharda Ugra.
The way the investigation of BCCI CEO Rahul Johari's misconduct unfolded and how the accusers were turned into the accused has been shocking, says Sharda Ugra.