In Case You Missed It: Pakistan, England, West Indies romp to famous wins
Our best content from the week gone by
Deepti Unni
13-Feb-2021
Pakistan beat South Africa for only the second time in a Test series • AFP via Getty Images
Only Pakistan stood in the way of a tourist takeover of the subcontinent last week, as England and West Indies romped to famous wins in India and Bangladesh. South Africa had no such luck, as Pakistan steamrolled them to a 2-0 loss in the Test series, and then beat them by three runs in the first T20I. While Bangladesh and India both look for redemption in their second ongoing Tests, here's your catch-up of the week.
Kyle Mayers 210*, Nkrumah Bonner 86 script West Indies' historic chase
A dream debut for Kyle Mayers whose 210 not out helped West Indies pull off the fifth-highest successful chase in Test cricket. He became only the sixth batsman in Test history to score a double-hundred on debut, but who is Mayers, exactly? Mohammad Isam has the lowdown. Isam also asks, in the light of Bangladesh's defeat at home, is it time for the team to rethink their spin-first strategy?
A dream debut for Kyle Mayers whose 210 not out helped West Indies pull off the fifth-highest successful chase in Test cricket. He became only the sixth batsman in Test history to score a double-hundred on debut, but who is Mayers, exactly? Mohammad Isam has the lowdown. Isam also asks, in the light of Bangladesh's defeat at home, is it time for the team to rethink their spin-first strategy?
James Anderson and Jack Leach consign India to rare home defeat
Virat Kohli's 72 was in vain as England wrapped up 227-run win for their sixth straight away victory, with Jack Leach and James Anderson taking seven wickets between them on the final day. Matt Roller writes about how Leach overcame a mauling by Rishabh Pant to rise to the challenge again. Varun Shetty says Pant's rollicking 88-run 91 was straight out of the Pant playbook in the fourth innings, while Anderson's magical over to Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane conjured up memories of Andrew Flintoff in 2005 for Andrew Miller. This was India's only second home defeat in eight years, and Sidharth Monga thinks what India need is better control from the bowlers and more luck for the batsmen, but England played near-perfect cricket, says George Dobell. And it wouldn't have been possible without Joe Root, who did all the right things against India's spinners in Chennai - Aakash Chopra has that list.
Virat Kohli's 72 was in vain as England wrapped up 227-run win for their sixth straight away victory, with Jack Leach and James Anderson taking seven wickets between them on the final day. Matt Roller writes about how Leach overcame a mauling by Rishabh Pant to rise to the challenge again. Varun Shetty says Pant's rollicking 88-run 91 was straight out of the Pant playbook in the fourth innings, while Anderson's magical over to Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane conjured up memories of Andrew Flintoff in 2005 for Andrew Miller. This was India's only second home defeat in eight years, and Sidharth Monga thinks what India need is better control from the bowlers and more luck for the batsmen, but England played near-perfect cricket, says George Dobell. And it wouldn't have been possible without Joe Root, who did all the right things against India's spinners in Chennai - Aakash Chopra has that list.
Karun Nair on his triple against England in Chennai: 'You have to just grind yourself out of the tough times'
The last time England were in India, the hosts won four of the five Tests, including an epic one in Chennai. The only Indian batsman to convert his maiden Test ton into a 300-plus score looks back at that innings from four years ago.
The last time England were in India, the hosts won four of the five Tests, including an epic one in Chennai. The only Indian batsman to convert his maiden Test ton into a 300-plus score looks back at that innings from four years ago.
Hasan Ali ten-for gives Pakistan first series win over South Africa since 2003
Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma's stubborn resistance gave the visitors hope before they unravelled against the new ball. Markram made a second-innings 108, but was "more hurt" at South Africa's loss than satisfied with his own performance. And with Pakistan now sealing their second series victory over South Africa, could they be dark horses for the 2023 World Test Championship? Danyal Rasool notches up takeaways from the win.
Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma's stubborn resistance gave the visitors hope before they unravelled against the new ball. Markram made a second-innings 108, but was "more hurt" at South Africa's loss than satisfied with his own performance. And with Pakistan now sealing their second series victory over South Africa, could they be dark horses for the 2023 World Test Championship? Danyal Rasool notches up takeaways from the win.
Jofra Archer, and the IPL to Test cricket transition
The thing about great fast bowling, says Andrew Miller, is that it transcends formats and conditions and nobody embodies this better than Archer, who has more than a few skills to be transferred in either direction, from the shortest format to the longest.
The thing about great fast bowling, says Andrew Miller, is that it transcends formats and conditions and nobody embodies this better than Archer, who has more than a few skills to be transferred in either direction, from the shortest format to the longest.
Pat Cummins: 'Once we knew Virat was going to miss the last three Tests, Pujara was the big wicket for me'
Daniel Brettig has Pat Cummins relive the final day of the Brisbane Test against India and his key battles of the series against India's batting mainstay, Cheteshwar Pujara.
Daniel Brettig has Pat Cummins relive the final day of the Brisbane Test against India and his key battles of the series against India's batting mainstay, Cheteshwar Pujara.
Kohli, Smith or Root: who's the most consistent of them all?
Himanish Ganjoo looks at how evenly (or not) a batsman's good scores are spread across.
Himanish Ganjoo looks at how evenly (or not) a batsman's good scores are spread across.
From brink of elimination to lifting the crown, 'The Record' powerfully captures the champions' journey
A documentary on Australia's T20 World Cup 2020 success showcases the rise of women's sport.
A documentary on Australia's T20 World Cup 2020 success showcases the rise of women's sport.
Ollie Pope: 'AB de Villiers was in this ridiculous zone where he had no doubts, no worries'
The England batsman looks back to an innings he wishes he'd played: the fastest ODI century ever.
The England batsman looks back to an innings he wishes he'd played: the fastest ODI century ever.
Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo