In Case You Missed It: The underdogs fight back
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
04-Mar-2019
Soumya Sarkar's 149 almost brought it home for Bangladesh • Getty Images
It's been the year of the underdog. West Indies continue to challenge England, Bangladesh put up a solid fight against New Zealand's highest-ever total, and Sri Lanka… have lost their first ODI after winning the Test series against South Africa, but it's only the first game of five. Could this herald a bunch of upsets at the World Cup? Here's everything that happened last week.
Bangladesh posted 'a massive challenge' - Kane Williamson
New Zealand found themselves in a tough fight despite posting their highest ever Test total of 715. The New Zealand captain was impressed with Bangladesh's counterattack against the short-ball barrage, and expects a tough scrap in the second Test. New Zealand have also risen to No. 2 in the Test rankings for the first time, helped by Sri Lanka's 2-0 defeat of South Africa.
New Zealand found themselves in a tough fight despite posting their highest ever Test total of 715. The New Zealand captain was impressed with Bangladesh's counterattack against the short-ball barrage, and expects a tough scrap in the second Test. New Zealand have also risen to No. 2 in the Test rankings for the first time, helped by Sri Lanka's 2-0 defeat of South Africa.
Tahir, du Plessis, de Kock headline dominant win for South Africa
Faf du Plessis led a resounding comeback in the grand scheme of the tour after South Africa's 0-2 loss in the Tests, utterly dominating Sri Lanka in the first ODI for their first win against the visitors. Imran Tahir's three-for helped bowl Sri Lanka out for 231 before the batting duo made light work of the chase.
Faf du Plessis led a resounding comeback in the grand scheme of the tour after South Africa's 0-2 loss in the Tests, utterly dominating Sri Lanka in the first ODI for their first win against the visitors. Imran Tahir's three-for helped bowl Sri Lanka out for 231 before the batting duo made light work of the chase.
Faster, bigger... Jos Buttler and Chris Gayle scorch the record books
In a match for the ages, there were hundreds for Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and Chris Gayle, and a record 46 sixes, as England just about managed to defend 418. England smoked 24 sixes (also a record) as 154 runs came from the final ten overs of their innings in Grenada
In a match for the ages, there were hundreds for Jos Buttler, Eoin Morgan and Chris Gayle, and a record 46 sixes, as England just about managed to defend 418. England smoked 24 sixes (also a record) as 154 runs came from the final ten overs of their innings in Grenada
Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni haul India over the line
After being whitewashed in the T20I series, India looked in trouble in the first ODI against Australia, falling to 99 for 4, but a well-paced 141-run stand between the Dhoni and Jadhav saw them home.
After being whitewashed in the T20I series, India looked in trouble in the first ODI against Australia, falling to 99 for 4, but a well-paced 141-run stand between the Dhoni and Jadhav saw them home.
Duanne Olivier to quit South Africa after signing Kolpak deal with Yorkshire
South Africa have lost their 43rd cricketer to a Kolpak deal when the fast bowler landed a three-year county contract after impressing while at Derbyshire last season. CSA, who offered him a two-year contract, are not happy.
South Africa have lost their 43rd cricketer to a Kolpak deal when the fast bowler landed a three-year county contract after impressing while at Derbyshire last season. CSA, who offered him a two-year contract, are not happy.
Sanath Jayasuriya banned for two years after ICC anti-corruption unit investigation
The former Sri Lanka captain has been sanctioned for failing to co-operate with investigators, but Jayasuriya insists that he hasn't engaged in any corrupt activity; rather he has chosen to accept the ban for the love of cricket.
The former Sri Lanka captain has been sanctioned for failing to co-operate with investigators, but Jayasuriya insists that he hasn't engaged in any corrupt activity; rather he has chosen to accept the ban for the love of cricket.
Pujara, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Maxwell and Lanning win ESPNcricinfo awards for 2018
Indian players have pipped the competition in five out of 12 categories, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah picking up awards for their performances in the historic series in Australia, and Kuldeep Yadav winning in two limited-overs categories for performances on India's tour of England.
Indian players have pipped the competition in five out of 12 categories, with Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah picking up awards for their performances in the historic series in Australia, and Kuldeep Yadav winning in two limited-overs categories for performances on India's tour of England.
'You can't become a good spinner if you don't get over the fear of getting hit'
More Kuldeep: he spoke to Shashank Kishore about his craft, the disappointment of Lord's 2018, and taking tips from Shane Warne
More Kuldeep: he spoke to Shashank Kishore about his craft, the disappointment of Lord's 2018, and taking tips from Shane Warne
Before and after Lahore 2009: Pakistan's cricket in numbers
Osman Samiuddin looks at the decade before the team were forced into exile in the UAE, and the one since.
Osman Samiuddin looks at the decade before the team were forced into exile in the UAE, and the one since.
Turning up the stump mics isn't the way to deal with sledging
The ICC says it will help viewers feel part of the action, but they are actually trying to tackle verbal abuse, which needs to be dealt with in other ways, says Ian Chappell.
The ICC says it will help viewers feel part of the action, but they are actually trying to tackle verbal abuse, which needs to be dealt with in other ways, says Ian Chappell.
How can India best use Dhoni in the World Cup?
He is neither the accumulator nor the enforcer he used to be. There is a role for him, but it depends on the circumstances of the game. Himanish Ganjoo crunches some numbers.
He is neither the accumulator nor the enforcer he used to be. There is a role for him, but it depends on the circumstances of the game. Himanish Ganjoo crunches some numbers.
Sri Lanka can totally win the World Cup (if SLC continues to screw up)
Wins extracted from the depths of chaos, players stealing away mid-series... Andrew Fidel Fernando looks back at February in cricket, which tells us everything we need to know about the near future.
Wins extracted from the depths of chaos, players stealing away mid-series... Andrew Fidel Fernando looks back at February in cricket, which tells us everything we need to know about the near future.
Sandeep Lamichhane, Nepal's first global T20 icon
In the three years since his international debut against Namibia, the 18-year-old has become a household name T20 name, having played in leagues in India, Pakistan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the UAE and the West Indies. Umar Farooq profiles the legspinner, whose message to Nepal's next generation of cricketers is "If I can do it, you can too".
In the three years since his international debut against Namibia, the 18-year-old has become a household name T20 name, having played in leagues in India, Pakistan, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the UAE and the West Indies. Umar Farooq profiles the legspinner, whose message to Nepal's next generation of cricketers is "If I can do it, you can too".
Meet Hazrat Zazai, Afghanistan's Chris Gayle
He came up in cricket idolising the West Indian batsman. Last year, he equalled Gayle's record for fastest T20 fifty. Last week, he made 162 not out in a game. Sidharth Monga meets Afghanistan latest superstar.
He came up in cricket idolising the West Indian batsman. Last year, he equalled Gayle's record for fastest T20 fifty. Last week, he made 162 not out in a game. Sidharth Monga meets Afghanistan latest superstar.
'We can be proud we're finishing this season in a much better place than we started'
Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts assesses his first few months in office, which included the release of the damning cultural review and some high-profile resignations
Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts assesses his first few months in office, which included the release of the damning cultural review and some high-profile resignations