Specials – Recalling the best of Alex Cusack

Plucky Irish all-rounder Alex Cusack decided to call it quits yesterday after an eight-year career that coincided with Ireland’s rise as an international force to reckon with. Known for his stifling medium-pace and useful lower-order batting, the 34-year-old Brisbane-born cricketer was part of quite a few memorable wins for his adopted country. Cusack […]

Specials – Best of the ODIs : India v Zimbabwe

With the three-match ODI series between hosts Zimbabwe and India getting underway today, let us go back in time to relive the most memorable ODI matches between the two nations. Since their first meeting in the 1983 World Cup, the two teams have met each other in 57 ODIs, with India winning 45 […]

Famous Test Matches – England v Australia, Lord’s, 1888

Prior to this match, Australia had lost seven successive times to England. The streak began with the deciding fifth Test of the 1884-85 Ashes, followed by three matches in 1886, two in 1886-87 and one in 1887-88. Moreover, Australia had not yet won an Ashes Test in England; their only win in the […]

Specials – Eleven Test records that may never be broken

Throughout its glorious history, Test cricket has produced many world-class players, and many records have been bettered time and again. However, there are a few astonishing numbers that have stood the test of time, and it is quite possible that they will forever remain unchallenged. The cliché says that ‘records are meant […]

Specials – M.E. Pavri: The first great Indian cricketer

In his late 19th-century book A Chronicle of Cricket, writer Shapoorjee Sorabjee vividly described how the Parsis began playing cricket: ‘Some enthusiastic boys at first only gleefully watched from a distance the game played at Fort George, and then hunted after and returned the balls from the field to the players. For such gratis […]

Specials – The very best of Richie Benaud’s playing career

The legendary Richie Benaud, who passed away aged 84 on April 10, was one of the most influential figures in post-war cricket. He was a champion leg-spinner, an inspirational captain, an eminent writer and arguably the finest commentator of our time. Held in immense regard by cricket lovers across the world, Benaud, who […]

Specials – Australia’s semi-final heroes over the years

Australia are set to play their seventh World Cup semifinal when they take on India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. The winner of this much-awaited encounter will face New Zealand in the grand final at Melbourne. The Australians have contested six semifinals till date, and not once have they finished on […]

SPECIALS – A look back at World Cup clashes between New Zealand and South Africa

The fierce rugby union rivalry between the All Blacks and the Springboks is well-known, with the two sides having fought many an epic battle over the years. New Zealand’s all-conquering side have always considered South Africa as their toughest competitors, and it remains the most captivating game in the rugby calendar. In […]

SPECIALS – Revisiting trans-Tasman clashes at the World Cup

One of the most awaited matches of the 2015 World Cup will be played between New Zealand and Australia, the co-hosts of the tournament, at Auckland’s Eden Park on 28th February. Remarkably, this will be the first complete ODI between the two neighbours since the 2011 World Cup. On the eve of the […]

SPECIALS – The greatest World Cup matches, Part 2

Continuing from Part 1 of this two-part post, let us look at five more great matches in the history of the World Cup that left many a viewer enthralled. Australia v West Indies, Final, Lord’s, 1975 The final of the inaugural World Cup was akin to a drama full of twists and turns. […]