Our best content from the past week
You’d better not shout, you’d better not cry (even if you’re 36 outside) and we tell you why – there are three tests today. Last week India found themselves on Santa’s bad list and got the coal test with Australia when they fell to the lowest ever test number in the first game. They have three Tests to make up, but they are also without key players. South Africa will be dreaming of a whitewash to end the year at home, but Sri Lanka will enter the Test series with confidence from past winners against them. Pakistan have a lot to prove but they are also up against a New Zealand side whose hair is far from the No. 1 Test rankings. – a year in which it feels like a small miracle that cricket happened at all. Here is your catch of that week.
Australia ran to victory after India’s lowest in Tests
It was India’s game to win in the first innings after the Australian mattresses were limited to 191 before falling to the lowest ever test number when they Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins eliminated them before the floods even progressed properly. Did you miss the carnage? This is a blow-by-blow. How bad was it? Well, not a single Indian bat made it to double figures – and Steven Lynch it is known how often this has happened before. Sidharth MongaBut, to say that you can’t really blame India – there’s not much they can do despite such a quick bowling.
Mohammad Rizwan is 89 out of 59 at the heart of Pakistan’s victory
Pakistan lost the T20I series against New Zealand 2-1, but the blitz with Rizwan, previously deemed unsuitable for T20, took the visitors to one of the best T20I winners ever and the fourth highest successful chase in the form.
From the demolition of Galle to the miracle of Durban
South Africa will be looking for some Christmas cheer at home but may not find it, he said Anndra Fidel Fernando. They have met Sri Lanka four times in Trials since 2018 – and Sri Lanka have won all four games. The Proteas are pumping the side with some fresh blood – seven newcomers are expected to take advantage in both trials; Firdose Moonda describing the youth ‘uns. For South Africa, is Aiden Markram ready to pay back their faith?
BCCI will approve IPL teapot from 2022 at the AGM in Ahmedabad
In the 2021 edition, however, scheduled for April-May, the same eight teams will be with this year with the short lead time.
Ajinkya Rahane showers captain shining to stamp out plateau career
With Virat Kohli on his father’s leave, Rahane takes over the captain of the Trial at a difficult time for India. Sidharth Monga take it.
Aakash Chopra, in the meantime, bats for India opener led by Prithvi Shaw, and says he could move in secret ways, but should still have a chance to succeed or fail before he is written off. Apparently Shubman Gill, a No. 297 test cap, replaced Shaw in the Boxing Day Test. Also on the first try, Mohammed Siraj took 2 for 40. Here’s all you need to about the tennis ball cricketer turned Indian archer.
While we’re on the topic, what do you think is the best Australia-India Test played down? Melbourne 1981? Adelaide 1992? Adelaide 2003? Our panellists Sambit Bal, Andrew McGlashan and Siddhartha Vaidyanathan debate.
Wade and Green are looking to leave a stamp on the series as Warner returns a loom
For Australia, Matthew Wade and Cameron Green showed glimpses of their potential but not for long, with a focus on the shortening of India in Adelaide. Wade will be after a strong showing either to hang on to his opener’s place or return to Green’s current middle-ranking position, says Daniel Brettig. One person who has hit his step and is not showing slowness is Australian captain Tim Paine, who has challenged the curse of the midfielder who will beat wicketkeepers in their mid-thirties. Paine, however, seems to be getting better.
Do not block the bouncer, set a batting method instead
As consensus events grow in cricket, John Chappell states that the focus must shift from the concussion-sub debate to batting tactics.
Earl Eddings: ‘We need to play 10-20 strong test nations, not three or four’
Daniel Brettig there is a long end-of-year conversation with the chairman of Cricket Australia about the 2020 drama, the new ICC chair, the future of test cricket, the BBL, continuity issues and the rapidly changing media landscape.
Steven Finn: ‘The length of Ambrose’s bowling looked so uncomfortable in the face’
In our new series, Wish I’d Done That, England’s fast bowler talks about performance from history that he would like to be against a name.
Space invaders
This month’s picture looks at how spectators have poured into the playing field over the years.
Mumbai’s hand in Mahmudullah’s batting revival
Mahmudullah’s star turn with the bat gave the Bangabandhu cup to the Khulna Gemcons in the final last week. Performance analyst Chandrasekaran helped him get there by making modifications that gave immediate results. Mohammad Isam telling the story.