In Case You Missed It: Winning draws and auction action

You'd better not shout, India coach Ravi Shastri said to critics who called him out on the team selection for the Australia Tests. You'd better not cry, Australia's Aaron Finch told himself after splitting his finger in the last Test. You'd better watch out, Carlos Brathwaite told umpire Tanvir Ahmed on his no-ball calls. With Boxing Day Tests just around the corner, here's everyone who's been naughty or nice this week in cricket.

Smith returns to commercial fold with BBL ad campaign
The former Australia captain featured in an advertisement for a telecommunications company that leverages the Newlands controversy, which was aired during the BBL 2018-19 opener last Wednesday. In a press conference later, he opened up about the "leadership failure" that led to the ball tampering incident. Smith has been left out of this year's Bangladesh Premier League, with a majority of the franchises against his inclusion from outside the players' draft list as a replacement player.

Sam Curran and Jaydev Unadkat are IPL millionaires, Shimron Hetmyer to RCB
The second IPL auction rolled into town last week and Christmas came early for a few players who turned into millionaires overnight. Here's the complete list of sold and unsold players and how the teams stack up post the auction.

'I just stood there getting hit on the body' - Angelo Mathews
Sri Lanka pulled off an epic draw, thanks to rearguard Angelo Mathews and Kusal Mendis' record stand in their rain-hit first test against New Zealand. He reflects on his record partnership with Kusal Mendis, the advice he got from Kumar Sangakkara, and how he took bruises on his body to not get out, plus those very pointed push-ups on completing his outstanding hundred. It looks like Andrew Fidel Fernando's getting his wish for a competitive series.

Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc blow away lower order to level series for Australia
India stumbled as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins terrorised the tailenders and Australia wrapped up a 146-run win, Tim Paine's first as captain, and a very effective one at that. India copped much criticism for misreading the pitch and the strange bowler selection, but Kohli defended the no-spinner attack. How bad have India's top three batsmen been in the fourth innings this year, though? Even worse than you think.

Is KL Rahul's problem technical or mental?
He has given the impression of having a solid game for all formats. What has gone wrong in with the opener in Australia? Aakash Chopra takes a look. Sanjay Manjrekar says that for India to win in the next match, they need to pick an XI that makes sense.

Spurred by umpiring errors, West Indies seal T20I series against Bangladesh
At the end of close to three months in India and Bangladesh, West Indies finally had a trophy to take home, by winning the shortest and their most favourite format, despite controversial umpiring errors. Umpire Tanvir Ahmed, whose erroneous no-ball calls caused an eight-minute halt in play, has admitted that he had made a mistake, but WI captain Carlos Brathwaite said he was willing to risk sanctions in standing up against the decisions for the team.

Big Bash squads: how the teams stack up and who to watch out for
Australia's T20 league kicked off last week. Who could challenge Adelaide Strikers for this year's BBL title?

WV Raman appointed India women head coach
In the midst of BCCI's email leak drama, Raman, who played 11 Tests and 27 ODIs, and has had coaching stints at Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders apart from the NCA, has been appointed head coach. A hard taskmaster and unafraid of voicing an opinion, Raman still has a tricky road ahead of him, starting with mending the rift between Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur, the two limited-overs captains.

Arise Sir Alastair? Cook set for New Year's knighthood
Former captain set to become first England cricketer to be knighted since Sir Ian Botham back in 2007.

Has any pair of batsmen shared two double-century stands in the same Test?
Also: how many Test grounds does Australia have? Steven Lynch's last column for the year tackles some tough questions.

'The 2015 World Cup semi-final still gives me goosebumps'
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson answers 25 questions, on his favourite sportsperson outside of cricket, favourite batsman, bowler he'd like to face, and favourite food

Usman Qadir: lost in Pakistan, found in Australia
Son of Abdul Qadir, the 25-year old legspinner talks to Alex Malcolm about carrying the burden of his surname, his role model, and his aspirations to play for Australia

Australia, you beauty
Down under, the weather is harsh and the fines harsher, but there are also many postcard-perfect scenes to savour says Sidharth Monga in his picture-filled tour diary

Let these men fill your stockings
Crispin Andrews lines up former cricketers who could sell you something nice for Christmas this year.