Cricket Highlights: England Ends 15-Year Winless Streak in Australia
Cricketing Highlights of the Week
This week in cricket was marked by significant events, including England's long-awaited Test victory in Australia after 15 years, the impressive performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and notable achievements in T20I cricket.
England's Historic Test Victory
England concluded their 15-year winless streak in Australia with a thrilling four-wicket victory in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). This win marked their first Test triumph on Australian soil since January 2011. Set a target of 175 runs, England successfully chased it down in just 32.2 overs, with key contributions from Jacob Bethell (40), Zak Crawley (37), Ben Duckett (34), and Harry Brook (18*).
Controversies Surrounding England's Tour
Following their defeat in the Adelaide Test, reports surfaced about England players engaging in excessive drinking during a break in Noosa, Queensland. This controversy escalated when a viral video of opener Ben Duckett, appearing intoxicated and lost, prompted an investigation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Gede Priandana's T20I Milestone
In a remarkable achievement, Indonesian bowler Gede Priandana became the first player to take five wickets in a single over during a T20I match against Cambodia. His extraordinary performance included a hat-trick and concluded with figures of 5/1.
New Zealand's Dominance Over West Indies
New Zealand secured a commanding 323-run victory over the West Indies in the third Test at Bay Oval, concluding the series 2-0. Devon Conway's outstanding performance, scoring 227 and 101, earned him the Player of the Match title.
MCG Pitch Controversy
The pitch at the MCG faced criticism after 36 wickets fell during the Boxing Day Test, raising concerns about its suitability for play. Former England captain Michael Vaughan and current captains Ben Stokes and Steve Smith expressed their dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's Return
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made their much-anticipated return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with Rohit scoring 155 runs in his first match, while Kohli contributed 131 runs in his opening game.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Record-Breaking Performance
In a stunning display, 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored 190 runs off 84 balls in Bihar's opening match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, setting a new record for the highest total in List A cricket history.
Karnataka's Historic Chase
Karnataka achieved a remarkable feat by successfully chasing down a target of 413 runs against Jharkhand, marking the second-highest successful run chase in List A cricket history.
Women's T20I Series Against Sri Lanka
The Indian women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, secured a 3-0 lead in their T20I series against Sri Lanka with an eight-wicket victory, thanks to Shafali Verma's impressive innings.
Upcoming U19 World Cup
The BCCI announced the 15-member squad for the U19 World Cup, with India aiming to defend their title as they compete against teams like Bangladesh and New Zealand.
SA20 League Kicks Off
The fourth edition of the SA20 League commenced with MI Cape Town facing Durban Super Giants. The tournament features six teams competing for the championship.