Specials – Vincentians to have played Test cricket for the West Indies

Promising Windward Islands batsman Sunil Ambris has deservedly found a place in the West Indian squad scheduled to play two Test matches in New Zealand in early December. Selected due to an impressive display for West Indies A in their recent first-class games against Sri Lanka A, 24-year-old Ambris hails from the island nation […]

Specials – Morocco’s tryst with ODI cricket

The only time top-tier international cricket was played in North Africa was in August 2002, when an ODI triangular series between Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka was contested in Tangier. This tournament was the brainchild of Abdul Rahman Bukhatir, the man instrumental in bringing cricket to Sharjah. It was a lucrative affair – […]

Specials – Moments from Australia v Bangladesh Test history

Australia and Bangladesh will be facing each other in whites after more than 11 years when they begin their two-Test series in Dhaka on August 27. The history between them in the longest format is brief – only four matches across two series have been played since 2003. Nevertheless, these Tests have had their […]

Specials – Revisiting Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign

Before the commencement of the long-awaited ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan was a team struggling for direction, representing a nation fighting for identity. The country has long been at the mercy of erratic politics and incessant terrorism that has left its sporting venues deserted and neglected for a major part of the last decade. […]

Specials – When the Women’s World Cup was last held in England

The Women’s World Cup, the final of which is being played at Lord’s today, returned to England after 24 long years. The 1993 tournament was the fifth edition and featured eight teams, then a new record. Interestingly, the 60-over format was persisted with, even as the men’s World Cup had shifted to the […]

Specials – India v Pakistan ODI finals over the years

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan are set to face each other in the final of the eighth edition of the Champions Trophy at the Oval today. Though this will be the first time that these two sides will contest an ICC ODI tournament final, they have often met in summit clashes over the years. Let […]

Specials – Recalling the best of the 2007 World Cup

It has been ten years since the ninth edition of the Cricket World Cup, which began in the Caribbean on 13th March, 2007 and featured a record 16 teams. The tournament drew considerable flak from many quarters for its long-drawn format and overpriced tickets, not to mention the embarrassing gaffe by the umpires in […]

Specials – When a bunch of amateurs nearly capsized the table-toppers

Ten years ago, a motley crew of amateurs from the Emerald Isle embarked upon a life-changing expedition to the Caribbean. They had among their ranks a teacher, an electrician, a postman, a fabric salesman and a handyman. Little did they know that over the next month and half, they were to become the new […]

Specials – Revisiting the best of Rachael Heyhoe-Flint

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, who passed away on 18th January at the age of 77, was a pioneer of women’s cricket and an undisputed great of the game. Due to her noteworthy achievements as a successful captain of England, an administrator and a vocal crusader of gender equality, she has left an indelible mark on the […]

Specials – Cricket’s Christmas XI

The silly season is upon us, and in keeping with the festive spirit, let us look at a team of eleven first-class cricketers with names having a Christmas connection. Here’s presenting our all-time Christmas XI. 1) Jacques Rudolph He may not be red-nosed, but South African southpaw Jacques Rudolph is an apt choice […]