Weekly CRICKET Review - LXXVii | TEST CRICKET
Hello, fellow Cricket Enthusiasts,
You already know I am sharing a weekly wrap-up of what is happening within the Cricket community. It's the 77th edition now. After the last week's post, there are many interesting series are going on now! Especially the remaining matches of WTC. So, let's see what's happening!!
India tour of Australia, 2024-25
Well, two of the greatest Cricket nations right now are in charge of the Broder-Goverskar trophy, for 5 Tests. After the dominant home run, it was a great test for India against Australia. And the home team is looking to lock their spot in the WTC final.
With the absence of Rohit, Bumrah took the lead for India at the first Test in Perth. This venue is known for being pace-friendly, which proved from the start. India started the batting, and Australian pace trio, Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood got their rhythm correct. Starc began the wicket hunting, and India's top-order was sent back quickly. With some contributions from Pant, and Reddy, India barely reached 150/10 inside 50 overs.
But the chase was not easy for the Aussies as well in their backyard. Bumrah came and just toyed with the Aussie batters. Siraj and the debutant Harshit Rana aided him well. Only two players could cross even the 15-run mark. Bumrah trapped Steven Smith for a golden duck for just the second time in his career. Australia was all-out for 104 runs.
Then India played their second inning in a different tone. Jaiswal(161) and Rahul(77) put up a 201-run partnership for the first wicket. Jaiswal showed his class once again, proving his bright future ahead. And it was satisfying to watch that Kohli, smashed his 81st International hundred as well. India declared the inning for 487/6, giving a target of 534 runs.
- Bumrah started taking a wicket in the first over, and 17/4 after the first 06 overs with a heavy target on the shoulder. Eventhough Head, Marsh, & Carey tried with a few partnerships it was too much. The Aussies were all out for 238 runs, and India had a famous win by 295 runs.
England tour of New Zealand, 2024
It's a 3-match Test series. Williamson returned for the Kiwis, and Jacob Bethelldebuted for England in the first match, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
NZ started the batting, and they lost Conway early. Anyway, with a decent effort from Latham, Kane, Rachin, and later Phillips with the tail, the Kiwis put in a comfortable score, 348/10.
The chase was also not easy for England as well. They lost Zak Crawley for a duck and then continued to fall regular wickets. Once they were 71/4, but once again another young sensation stepped up. Harry Brook. Do you believe that this guy already has seven centuries in just 22 Test matches? He paired up with Ollie Pope (77) and Ben Stokes (37*) to add 151 runs and 160 runs for the sixth and seventh wickets. Brook scored 171 runs off just 197 balls. England scored 499 runs in the 1st inning.
- Being 151 runs behind, Kiwis couldn't do much challenge. They scored just 254 runs with fifties from Kane and Mitchel. Brydon Carse got six wickets, overall 10 in the match. The target was just 104 runs for England, which they chased down with 8 wickets remaining in 12.4 overs.
Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2024
Well, we came to the series with the hope of the WTC final. But I have to admit, we don't deserve that place if we continue the rhythm in the first match.
The first match was in Kingsmead, Durban, where Kusal Perera pulled off a miracle last time. SA started the batting and Sri Lankan pacers did well to control them. Wickets started to fall early, and unless Bavuma took the opportunity from drop catches Proteas would have been in a big trouble. Anyway with his 70 runs, SA ended up scoring 191 runs, in 49.4 overs.
But what do you think happen for Sri Lanka against, Rabada, Jansen, and Coetzee? Well, here it is.
Sri Lanka registered their lowest Test total. They were all out for just 42 runs. The best score was 13 from Kamindu. Marco Jansen was the hero taking 7 wickets for just 13 runs in 6.3 overs.
- Well, the match was already gone for Sri Lanka at that moment, but Proteas replied with a brutal batting performance. They declared at 366/5 giving a target of 51 runs. Bavuma and Stubbs entertained the crowd for centuries. Anyway, we lost early wickets and it continued to happen at regular intervals. Chandimal and Dhanajaya added the fifties, but all out for just 282 runs. SA had a comprehensive win of 233 runs.
2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship points table
- India tour of Australia, 2024-25
- England tour of New Zealand, 2024
- Sri Lanka tour of South Africa, 2024
So, that's it for today!! Until the next time! Enjoy!
Thank you.
Best Regards!