In Case You Missed It: Testing times down under
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
17-Dec-2018
More than words: Both Virat Kohli and Tim Paine are letting the cricket do the talking • Getty Images
India's second Test against Australia is currently underway at the shiny new Perth Stadium - which has left a WACA-shaped hole in Sidharth Monga's life - and it's been absolutely riveting. So much so that few eyes are on neighbours New Zealand, who are bringing everything to their Test series against Sri Lanka at home. There's plenty of cricket coming up as the year winds down - IPL auctions are looming, Bangladesh are taking on the West Indies in T20Is after cleaning them out 2-1 in ODIs - so here's a quick catch-up on everything that happened in the week gone by.
Bumrah stars but Australia's tail makes India sweat for famous victory in first Test
Australia's lower order conjured thoughts of a remarkable victory but India held on to take the series lead. This is the first time since the victorious New Zealand tour of 1968 that India have three wins outside the subcontinent in a calendar year. For some, it brought back memories of 2003 (and some others of 2007-08), a lot of praise deservedly going Cheteshwar Pujara's way. How has Pujara overcome his weaknesses overseas? Sanjay Manjrekar has a few thoughts.
Australia's lower order conjured thoughts of a remarkable victory but India held on to take the series lead. This is the first time since the victorious New Zealand tour of 1968 that India have three wins outside the subcontinent in a calendar year. For some, it brought back memories of 2003 (and some others of 2007-08), a lot of praise deservedly going Cheteshwar Pujara's way. How has Pujara overcome his weaknesses overseas? Sanjay Manjrekar has a few thoughts.
Bat, breathe, bat: The essence of Virat Kohli
He is the only batsman dragging his team forward. He is facing a superb attack. History isn't with him. And yet Virat Kohli always looked like he was having the time of his life in Perth, team selection notwithstanding.
He is the only batsman dragging his team forward. He is facing a superb attack. History isn't with him. And yet Virat Kohli always looked like he was having the time of his life in Perth, team selection notwithstanding.
'I want to go to Australia and India and win a match'
Sri Lanka are in New Zealand, meanwhile and fighting an uphill battle against the hosts. Captain Dinesh Chandimal spoke to Andrew Fidel Fernando and took stock of his 18 stop-start months in charge of SL. Fernando also chronicles the successes and frustrations of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, the country's greatest batsman no one is talking about.
Sri Lanka are in New Zealand, meanwhile and fighting an uphill battle against the hosts. Captain Dinesh Chandimal spoke to Andrew Fidel Fernando and took stock of his 18 stop-start months in charge of SL. Fernando also chronicles the successes and frustrations of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, the country's greatest batsman no one is talking about.
Akila Dananjaya found to have illegal bowling action
The offspinner stands suspended from bowling in international cricket, but, with the consent of SLC, he can still bowl in Sri Lanka's domestic competitions.
The offspinner stands suspended from bowling in international cricket, but, with the consent of SLC, he can still bowl in Sri Lanka's domestic competitions.
Make match-fixing a criminal offence - ICC to governments
The move comes amid a renewed focus on a problem that refuses to go away. Chief executive David Richardson says the ICC is also trying to facilitate a dialogue between the BCCI and WADA.
The move comes amid a renewed focus on a problem that refuses to go away. Chief executive David Richardson says the ICC is also trying to facilitate a dialogue between the BCCI and WADA.
Yuvraj, Steyn, Malinga in pool of 346 players for IPL auction
The second IPL auction of the year goes live on Dec 18, when franchises will look to look to plug gaps and pick back-up players. Nine overseas players have opted for the maximum base price of 2 crore, with none of the Indians choosing that category.
The second IPL auction of the year goes live on Dec 18, when franchises will look to look to plug gaps and pick back-up players. Nine overseas players have opted for the maximum base price of 2 crore, with none of the Indians choosing that category.
How many players have made their Test debuts captained by their brothers?
Also, who has scored the most runs in Tests without ever being out for a duck? Steven Lynch knows.
Also, who has scored the most runs in Tests without ever being out for a duck? Steven Lynch knows.
Watch: 'If I had to pick between Sachin and Lara, I'd pick Sachin in my team'
We asked Viv Richards 25 questions: about his favourite batsman, the bowler who gave him sleepless nights, and the song currently stuck in his head.
We asked Viv Richards 25 questions: about his favourite batsman, the bowler who gave him sleepless nights, and the song currently stuck in his head.
'India are a powerhouse because cricket is in their blood. We shouldn't be jealous of that'
Nasser Hussain looks at the state of the world (and English) game.
Nasser Hussain looks at the state of the world (and English) game.
Welcome to sandy land
We are dreaming of the sun in our hair, sand between our toes, and the thwack of ball on bat on the beach in this photo feature.
We are dreaming of the sun in our hair, sand between our toes, and the thwack of ball on bat on the beach in this photo feature.
Gavaskar: two Thursdays
Twice on a tour of Australia in 1980, on the last Thursday of November and first Thursday of December, Sunil Gavaskar was out, for no runs each time, to no-name bowlers. Christian Ryan relives a forgotten time.