In Case You Missed It: The World Cup comes back to life
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
24-Jun-2019
The lion sweeps tonight: Lasith Malinga takes a bite out of England • Getty Images
The sun is out in England, literally and figuratively. Last week, it looked like the favourite four teams of the World Cup were going to sleep-walk into the semi-finals, leaving a trail of dead rubbers in their wake. But a grey, comatose tournament came roaring back to life, first with Sri Lanka's resounding defeat of England, and then with Afghanistan and West Indies putting a real scare into India and New Zealand with two nail-biting finishes. If you haven't really been following the World Cup - here's a cheat sheet from our correspondents to bring you up to speed - now is a good time to get stuck in.
Sri Lanka's new chapter of cricketing incomprehensible
England's shock defeat to Sri Lanka has been this World Cup's biggest upset so far. Andrew Fidel Fernando tries to explain how a team ringing with chaos and ranked ninth beat the top-ranked ODI behemoth on the planet. Alan Gardner can't get enough of the monster they call Mali, while George Dobell wonders if England need to go for the aggressive option every single time. For Ian Chappell, this win shows that ODIs don't have to be high-scoring to be exciting. So does this mean Sri Lanka are now top contenders for the semi-final four? Not quite.
England's shock defeat to Sri Lanka has been this World Cup's biggest upset so far. Andrew Fidel Fernando tries to explain how a team ringing with chaos and ranked ninth beat the top-ranked ODI behemoth on the planet. Alan Gardner can't get enough of the monster they call Mali, while George Dobell wonders if England need to go for the aggressive option every single time. For Ian Chappell, this win shows that ODIs don't have to be high-scoring to be exciting. So does this mean Sri Lanka are now top contenders for the semi-final four? Not quite.
Brathwaite, Bishop, Neesham and what gets remembered
It seemed impossible, but Carlos Brathwaite so nearly pulled off the second World Cup upset of the week. From both sides the skills on show were incredible, says Sidharth Monga. The internet was really feeling Brathwaite's heartbreak too.
It seemed impossible, but Carlos Brathwaite so nearly pulled off the second World Cup upset of the week. From both sides the skills on show were incredible, says Sidharth Monga. The internet was really feeling Brathwaite's heartbreak too.
How Mohammad Nabi almost hustled a big upset for Afghanistan over India
And in the third what-might-have-been, Nabi took the chase for Afghanistan against India right down to the wire before being skittled by Mohammed Shami, who became only the second Indian to take a hat-trick in the World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah, though, was the star of India's bowling attack, even as the batting middle order, led by MS Dhoni, fell in a heap.
And in the third what-might-have-been, Nabi took the chase for Afghanistan against India right down to the wire before being skittled by Mohammed Shami, who became only the second Indian to take a hat-trick in the World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah, though, was the star of India's bowling attack, even as the batting middle order, led by MS Dhoni, fell in a heap.
Eoin Morgan: Beyond the sixes, the heartbeat of 'new' England
Earlier in the week though, Afghanistan took a beating at the hands of England, and none more than Rashid Khan, whom Eoin Morgan despatched to every corner of the ground as he collected his 17 sixes. England struck Afghanistan where it would hurt them most - by ruthlessly attacking the man who represents their cricket, says Sharda Ugra.
Earlier in the week though, Afghanistan took a beating at the hands of England, and none more than Rashid Khan, whom Eoin Morgan despatched to every corner of the ground as he collected his 17 sixes. England struck Afghanistan where it would hurt them most - by ruthlessly attacking the man who represents their cricket, says Sharda Ugra.
Bangladesh - winning hearts, games, and new fans at the World Cup
With wins against South Africa and West Indies and competitive showings in other matches, the crowd support, increasing with every day and every match, makes Mashrafe Mortaza's men extremely useful tourists for the organisers. Mohammad Isam takes notes.
With wins against South Africa and West Indies and competitive showings in other matches, the crowd support, increasing with every day and every match, makes Mashrafe Mortaza's men extremely useful tourists for the organisers. Mohammad Isam takes notes.
New David Warner, same old wheelhouse
He's not quite been himself since returning from his ban, and he's been weirdly subdued in the Powerplay. But he's still the same player deep down, says Jarrod Kimber
He's not quite been himself since returning from his ban, and he's been weirdly subdued in the Powerplay. But he's still the same player deep down, says Jarrod Kimber
'Once you realise you'll survive without the game, you'll enjoy it for what it is'
Jimmy Neesham fell into a funk after a rack of injuries and missing out on the last World Cup, but he's back in love with cricket now.
Jimmy Neesham fell into a funk after a rack of injuries and missing out on the last World Cup, but he's back in love with cricket now.
Archer's a hit, Russell a flop - the World Cup trends
What's hot and what's not - the camaraderie, Bangladesh's breaking of the chasing duck, the Rohit factor, and other talking points at the halfway mark.
What's hot and what's not - the camaraderie, Bangladesh's breaking of the chasing duck, the Rohit factor, and other talking points at the halfway mark.
It's 40 degrees, night has fallen. Do you know where your cricket's at?
In the summertime, when the weather ain't fine, people across Ahmedabad organise themselves into leagues to play night cricket. Sharda Ugra goes along to take a look.
In the summertime, when the weather ain't fine, people across Ahmedabad organise themselves into leagues to play night cricket. Sharda Ugra goes along to take a look.
'Fitter fielders mean faster fielders. That means saving more runs'
R Sridhar, India's fielding coach, explains to Nagraj Gollapudi how and why India have become a top fielding unit.
R Sridhar, India's fielding coach, explains to Nagraj Gollapudi how and why India have become a top fielding unit.
Fifty shades of grey
Andrew Fidel Fernando goes looking for colour around the World Cup, and finds mostly one hue.
Andrew Fidel Fernando goes looking for colour around the World Cup, and finds mostly one hue.