Steve Smith’s highlights and unusual sidelights of the 2019 Ashes
What a paradox – Australia losing The Oval Test and celebrating as they had earlier retained the Ashes. Regardless of the outcome, Steve Smith's…
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Kersi Meher-Homji is the author of 15 cricket books including The Waugh Twins, Cricket’s Great Families, Cricket's Great All-rounders, Six Appeal, Nervous Nineties, Cricket's Conflicts and Controversies (foreword by Greg Chappell). Recently he published From Bradman to Kohli (forewords by Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar). Kersi has been writing for The Roar since 2009.
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What a paradox – Australia losing The Oval Test and celebrating as they had earlier retained the Ashes. Regardless of the outcome, Steve Smith's…
India has jumped to the top of the table in the 2019 Cricket World Cup thanks to magnificent batting by Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli…
Now to the final episode, climaxing with the World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand in 2015. Call it a finale. Shenwari’s sixes…
There were three more nailbiters played in 2011. Third thriller in eight days as England wins, Chennai 2011 England’s luck changed as they defeated…
The 2007 Cricket World Cup provided three thrillers. Malinga’s mesmerising spell, Guyana, 2007 With Tillakaratne Dilshan Dilshan (58 runs) and Russel Arnold (50) adding…
Despite a brilliant effort this Thursday, the West Indies lost to Australia by 15 runs. Sixteen years ago, they also lost to Sri Lanka…
This is the seventh instalment in my series looking at the cliff-hanging matches of Cricket World Cups. Shoaib’s speed like fire against Australia tilt…
This series continues on the subcontinent in 1996, with an Aussie nail-biter against hosts India. Mark Waugh behind Australia’s nerve-racking win over India in…
What a match on Monday night, as Pakistan defeated England by 14 runs, despite quick centuries by Joe Root and Josh Buttler. Thrilling, but…
On Sunday night I stayed awake until 3am EST to watch Bangladesh beat the mighty South Africans by 21 runs at The Oval, London.…
The first few matches of the 2019 Cricket World Cup have been one-sided, so let’s go back memory lane and revisit two more thrill-packed…
After looking back on 1975 yesterday, below are more World Cup nail-biters in this series. England beats New Zealand by nine runs in Manchester…
As I watched the one-sided Cricket World Cup 2019 opener between England and South Africa on Thursday night, I recalled some exciting cliff-hangers from…
Yesterday I selected the Best World Cup XI from the southern hemisphere. Today I’ll try my hand at the Best World Cup XI (plus…
With the 12th Cricket World Cup starting in England within eight weeks, cricket lovers and experts are busy selecting their World Cup XIs, either…
I am against changing rules which have stood the test of time for centuries. But the following rule has frustrated me for decades. Let…
With cricket’s World Cup starting in England on May 30, let us select the best all-time great Australian XI. It will be based mainly…
Although played over 9000 kilometres and 43 days apart, the one-day internationals between Australia and India in Melbourne and Hyderabad provided striking similarities. This…
Humiliated in Australia only 19 days ago, Sri Lanka created shock waves by defeating South Africa in South Africa 2-0 in a Test series.…
Being locked one-all in the current Test series, Australia and India are about to resume their rivalries in the Boxing Day Test starting in…
A superb piece of writing, both emotional and logical. Lack of sleep did not rob you of your analytical skill, Anindya. Did you switch TV channels every over / game change as I and millions did that night?
The curious case of the Sunday night angst
Full credit to the NZ fast bowlers Matt Henry and Trent Boult who utilised the wet conditions perfectly. Indian bats are not used to playing on wet pitches. Also I think it was wrong of Kohli to send in newcomer Pant and Karthik at numbers 4 and 5. It was crisis time and India needed an experienced hand like Dhoni. He was sent in too late and another experienced all-rounder Jadeja at no. 8. Absurd. Those veterans brought India close to victory. If only they had batted earlier.
I am not being wise after the event. I have been saying something on those lines for a week.
All in all, NZ was a better side on the day and deserved to win.
India on top of World Cup 2019 table despite selection blunders
Certainly have more than one wicket-keeper in an XI, if they score runs as Jonny Bairstow does for England. What have Pant and Karthik achieved as batsmen in the CWC 2019? Pant has scored 84 runs at an average of 28.00. Karthik has scored 8 runs at 8.00. Neither has scored a 50.
Kedar Jadhav has averaged 40.00 with the bat with 52 as his highest.
After being kept as a 12th man in the first 8 matches Ravi Jadeja was at long last selected in the last match against Sri Lanka. He did not get a chance to bat but took one wicket at an Economy Rate of 4.00, the lowest among Indian bowlers. Jadeja, India’s most dynamic all-rounder in ODIs, should have been selected in more matches.
India on top of World Cup 2019 table despite selection blunders
Neel, India comfortably beat Pakistan last night. The “foes” have faced each other seven times in World Cup and India has won all those seven matches.
The 2019 World Cup is half way through and not one thriller so far.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 11
An enjoyable and interesting read, Anindya. Hope Ashleigh Barty also wins Wimbledon championship next month.
I am surprised that you have not included Margaret Court, Lew Hoad and Ken Rosewall among all time great Australian great players.
Fairytale of Ashleigh Barty: Indigenous, cricketer, Grand Slam champion
Neel, thank you very much for your encouraging comments. Only a few have appreciated this series and you are in the forefront.
Last night I was prepared to stay awake watching the NZ – Ind match but unfortunately it was rained off. You must be happy that NZ is unbeaten in this CWC, just as I am that Ind is unbeaten.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 11
Thank you, Sheeky. I think every decade had its highs and its lows.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 10
Hi Sheek. The 2015 final was one-sided but the semi-final between RSA and NZ was fantastic.
Hope you are keeping well.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 11
Thankyou, Warnie’s Love Child, comments like yours keeps me afloat.
Come on Roarers, give us favorite CWC match/es.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 11
Neel, I am pleased that you are enjoying my journey from 1975 to 2015. It comes to an end tomorrow. Oh what a feeling!
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 8
Thank you Neel. It’s so good to be appreciated. Although one has to work hard researching without becoming boring, a comment like yours makes it worth its while.
I watched the Australia-India high scoring match till the end; till 3.30am EST today. Apart from Dhawan’s splendid century, Kohli asking Indian fans not to boo Steve Smith was to me the highlight of the match.
The final part of my series, Part 11, will be published tomorrow morning.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 10
Thank you, Kangas.
And thanks Noel for going back memory lane.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 7
Thank you, Neel. I enjoyed both the World Cups.
Do keep reading the series, Roarers.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 6
Some of these thrillers I remember. But for most I have to do research, going through Wisden Almanacks and other publications. It’s hard work but worth it when some one like you enjoys the series. Thank you Warnie’s Love Child.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 6
You are so knowledgeable, Satz. I envy your memory.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 6
Thanks Anindya. Exciting days and nights are here again.
Kersi
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 4
Thank you all for your interesting additions. Keep them coming for my series on World Cup thrillers.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 2
Thank you Sheek for the correction.
Hope you enjoy the many-part series. Additions from you will be appreciated.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 1
Paul, Alan Crompton (not Compton) has written a book with Ronald Cardwell titled “The tied Test in Madras — Controversy, Courage and Crommo” which will be released later this month.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 2
Thank you Anindya. Keep reading!
Roarers, my updated Profile is as under:
Kersi is an author of 15 cricket books including The Waugh Twins, Crcket’s Great All-rounders, Six Appeal and Nervous Nineties. He writes regularly for Inside Cricket, Roar, The Indian Down Under and other publications. He has recently published his new book on From Bradman to Kohli — Best of Australia – India Test cricket with Forewords by Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar .
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 1
Possibly, Sam.
During early 2000s when Australian cricketers appeared invincible, a journalist asked Viv Richards as to what can stop the Aussies from winning. He reportedly answered, “Salmonella poisoning!”
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 1
Thank you Paul. “Ran out of luck” was a play of words as five Aussies got run out.
My favourite World Cup cliffhangers: Part 1
Point taken, Anindya. All six are my personal heroes: 1. Rosewall 2. Djokovic 3. Federer 4. Laver 5. Newcombe 6. Nadal.
In greatness: 1. Laver 2. Federer. The other four are joint number 3.
R.I.P. American tennis
I agree with Peter when he writes that a TV umpire should have the power to intervene when a rank bad decision is given by the on field umpire.
A review of cricket’s Decision Review System is overdue