In Case You Missed it: The T20 World Cup in review, and an Australia-New Zealand final
The best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
13-Nov-2021
Some ghosts of the past put to rest for New Zealand, but a final is still to be won • ICC via Getty
Two semi-finals done and dusted, two tournament favourites knocked out - an unexpected Trans-Tasman final is now on the cards for this T20 World Cup. In the 15 times Australia and New Zealand have faced off in a tournament final, New Zealand have only ever won once - could this be the year they break the streak? Over in England, the fallout from the Yorkshire racism report is still rippling through the ranks, with the chief executive of the club resigning, and head coach Andrew Gale suspended. Catch up on the notable news and events of the week in our round-up.
Wade, Stoinis tee off at the close to put Australia in final
Pakistan's unbroken win streak came to an end as as pair put on 81 off 40 for the sixth wicket. David Warner - who Jarrod Kimber says is no longer a hitting machine but a smart cricketer - set up the chase before Matthew Wade, Australia's new finisher, finished Pakistan off in style. For Pakistan, it was a case of over-caution at the top, as Babar's low-risk approach left them wanting, but it wasn't a match short on heroics. Pakistan's top scorer, Mohammad Rizwan, spent two nights in the ICU recovering from a chest infection before playing the semi-final. Haris Rauf didn't quite fire in the game, but Umar Farooq has his eye on the "superstar Pakistan deserves", who snuck into an open cricket trial four years ago and hasn't looked back since.
Pakistan's unbroken win streak came to an end as as pair put on 81 off 40 for the sixth wicket. David Warner - who Jarrod Kimber says is no longer a hitting machine but a smart cricketer - set up the chase before Matthew Wade, Australia's new finisher, finished Pakistan off in style. For Pakistan, it was a case of over-caution at the top, as Babar's low-risk approach left them wanting, but it wasn't a match short on heroics. Pakistan's top scorer, Mohammad Rizwan, spent two nights in the ICU recovering from a chest infection before playing the semi-final. Haris Rauf didn't quite fire in the game, but Umar Farooq has his eye on the "superstar Pakistan deserves", who snuck into an open cricket trial four years ago and hasn't looked back since.
Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham pull off heist as New Zealand storm into final
New Zealand took down the other tournament favourites in the first semi-final in a match seemingly set to go England's way, in no small part due to Daryl Mitchell's epic unbeaten 72. Deivarayan Muthu looks at how the accidental opener took New Zealand to their first T20 World Cup final while Andrew Fidel Fernando says Jimmy Neesham, who walked in in the 16th over and revitalised his team's chase, finally got his moment after years of near-misses and heartbreak. For England, it was their imbalance that came back to bite them at the death as they missed their fourth seamer, and Eoin Morgan's future as captain of the team also remains up for discussion, says Matt Roller.
New Zealand took down the other tournament favourites in the first semi-final in a match seemingly set to go England's way, in no small part due to Daryl Mitchell's epic unbeaten 72. Deivarayan Muthu looks at how the accidental opener took New Zealand to their first T20 World Cup final while Andrew Fidel Fernando says Jimmy Neesham, who walked in in the 16th over and revitalised his team's chase, finally got his moment after years of near-misses and heartbreak. For England, it was their imbalance that came back to bite them at the death as they missed their fourth seamer, and Eoin Morgan's future as captain of the team also remains up for discussion, says Matt Roller.
Azeem Rafiq, the most stubborn man in Yorkshire, achieves his vindication
As Yorkshire settled the employment tribunal with Rafiq and a new chairman took the helm at the club, George Dobell says the fallout at county is bound to be painful, but necessary, after seismic few weeks for cricket.
As Yorkshire settled the employment tribunal with Rafiq and a new chairman took the helm at the club, George Dobell says the fallout at county is bound to be painful, but necessary, after seismic few weeks for cricket.
It's time to lol at India, and also kinda at Pakistan (and everyone else)
Andrew Fidel Fernando and Alan Gardner do a post-Super12s de-Briefing, featuring social-media cuteness, South Africa doing South Africa things, Sri Lanka being un-Sri Lanka.
Andrew Fidel Fernando and Alan Gardner do a post-Super12s de-Briefing, featuring social-media cuteness, South Africa doing South Africa things, Sri Lanka being un-Sri Lanka.
How Chris Gayle went from good batter to Universe Boss and beyond
Osman Samiuddin looks back at the career of the almost-but-not-quite retired batter, who when he reinvented himself near the start of the last decade ended up setting a template for an era of West Indies T20 cricket.
Osman Samiuddin looks back at the career of the almost-but-not-quite retired batter, who when he reinvented himself near the start of the last decade ended up setting a template for an era of West Indies T20 cricket.
Ish Sodhi 2.0: How a horror series against England turned the legspinner's career around
The New Zealand leggie spoke to Matt Roller about the advice he got from Mitchell Santner, his match-winning spell against India, and his friendship with Rashid Khan.
The New Zealand leggie spoke to Matt Roller about the advice he got from Mitchell Santner, his match-winning spell against India, and his friendship with Rashid Khan.
Data hasn't killed sixes, they've still got their magic
We may have come to take the shot for granted, but some of the ones in this World Cup have had astonishing visceral impact, says Osman Samiuddin.
We may have come to take the shot for granted, but some of the ones in this World Cup have had astonishing visceral impact, says Osman Samiuddin.
'If we create a brand that people love, cricket won't just be a white man's sport, it'll be a Namibian sport'
Captain Gerhard Erasmus and veteran T20 batter David Wiese tell Firdose Moonda that they have learned at this World Cup that Namibia belong at the highest level.
Captain Gerhard Erasmus and veteran T20 batter David Wiese tell Firdose Moonda that they have learned at this World Cup that Namibia belong at the highest level.
Wristspinners are key in T20, but are they losing their teeth in Tests?
There's too much emphasis on variations; and the defensive mindset from short-format cricket is an obstacle as well, says Ian Chappell.
There's too much emphasis on variations; and the defensive mindset from short-format cricket is an obstacle as well, says Ian Chappell.
$1.6 billion for two IPL franchises: does it add up?
When is a valuation fair and when is it overheated? Former IPL COO Sundar Raman weighs in.
When is a valuation fair and when is it overheated? Former IPL COO Sundar Raman weighs in.
T20 World Cup 2022: The roadmap for new-look India is a tricky one
India's 2021 World Cup dream may have ended but there's another one looming just a year away. Players need role clarity and a chance to fail, and IPL performances must be seen in the right context, says Gaurav Sundararaman.
India's 2021 World Cup dream may have ended but there's another one looming just a year away. Players need role clarity and a chance to fail, and IPL performances must be seen in the right context, says Gaurav Sundararaman.
Drift, swing, cramp: how fingerspinners are making a mark
Karthik Krishnaswamy on the arm ball and how Imad Wasim has excelled at stifling batters with deliveries that slide into them in this World Cup.
Karthik Krishnaswamy on the arm ball and how Imad Wasim has excelled at stifling batters with deliveries that slide into them in this World Cup.
Quiz: Who has the best win percentage as captain in T20Is?
And whose record did Rashid Khan break to become the youngest ever Test captain? Take our quiz on captains past and present.
And whose record did Rashid Khan break to become the youngest ever Test captain? Take our quiz on captains past and present.