England suffer heavy ODI defeat to lift Australia’s spirits
from Cricket https://ift.tt/neEcmZJ
from Cricket https://ift.tt/neEcmZJ
England suffer heavy ODI defeat to lift Australia’s spirits
Friday, November 13, 2026
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
The obscure records Pakistan didn’t break despite their slew of half-centuries in Rawalpindi
The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi left fans reaching for the record books as the home side posted a sensational five half-centuries in their first innings. They came close to making it six 50-plus scores, but Ghazi Ghori was dismissed for 48.
Racking up that many 50-plus scores in a single innings is a testament to incredible batting depth, yet it falls just short of the pinnacle of collective team scoring. In the long and storied history of Test cricket that benchmark belongs to a tier even more exclusive.
On three distinct occasions, teams have pushed past the limit to record a mind-boggling seven half-centuries in a single team innings.
Here’s a look back at those legendary batting displays where almost the entire line-up refused to get out before passing fifty.
England vs Australia (Manchester, 1934)
The first time the world witnessed seven batsmen cross the 50-run mark in a single innings happened during the 1934 Ashes series at Old Trafford.
England’s batting unit put on a clinic against their oldest rivals, relentlessly wearing down the Australia bowlers to post a monumental first-innings total of 627 runs.
Unlike modern teams that rely on rapid, explosive scoring, this vintage English performance was built on stubborn endurance.
The onslaught featured centuries from Maurice Leyland and Ken Farnes, alongside heavy-duty fifties from Patsy Hendren, Cyril Walters, Herbert Sutcliffe, Bob Wyatt, and Hedley Verity.
This collective masterpiece ensured that every phase of the innings had a well-settled batsman anchoring the crease, setting a historical benchmark that would stand unequalled for more than seven decades.
Also read: What is Usman Khawaja really thinking with his Sandpapergate admissions? The damage is already done
Pakistan vs India (Karachi, 2006)
When the seven-fifties milestone was finally replicated in January 2006, Pakistan did it in a fashion that remains unique to this day. Facing fierce rivals India in Karachi, Pakistan found themselves under immense pressure.
In their explosive second innings, they responded by becoming the only team in Test cricket history to have their top seven batsmen score 50-plus runs in sequence.
The historic, scorecard read like a dream for the home fans:
- Salman Butt (52)
- Imran Farhat (57)
- Younis Khan (77)
- Mohammad Yousuf (97)
- Faisal Iqbal (103)
- Shahid Afridi (60)
- Abdul Razzaq (90)
This unparalleled top-order display allowed Pakistan to declare at a staggering 599 for 7, deflating the Indian bowling attack and propelling the hosts to a massive 341-run victory.
Sri Lanka vs England (Lord’s, 2006)
Amazingly, just a few months after Pakistan broke the 72-year drought, Sri Lanka added their names to this elite list during a dramatic Test match at Lord’s.
Forced to follow on after a disappointing first-innings display, the Sri Lankan batting line-up staged one of the greatest rear-guard actions ever recorded.
Led by a brilliant, patient captain’s knock of 119 from Mahela Jayawardene, the rest of the line-up rallied around him. Sri Lanka batted for an exhausting 199 overs to compile 537 for 9, frustrating the English bowlers to safely secure a famous draw.
Alongside Jayawardene’s century, six other batsmen crossed fifty to round out the historic seven.
Read next: Why Virat Kohli is unequivocally the best chaser of all time in ODI cricket
The post The obscure records Pakistan didn’t break despite their slew of half-centuries in Rawalpindi appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/BlnfX5E
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Glenn Maxwell retires – five memorable moment’s from the international career of ‘The Big Show’
Australian cricket icon Glenn Maxwell has officially called time on his incredible 14-year international career.
After being omitted from the upcoming T20I squad to face England, the 38-year-old all-rounder announced his complete international and state-level retirement on The Final Word podcast.
Leaving the global stage with 7,226 runs and 136 wickets across 286 international appearances, Maxwell will go down as one of the most destructive, unorthodox, and entertaining white-ball cricketers the world has ever seen.
Here’s a review of the defining chapters and highlights that shaped the phenomenal career of the the man they call ‘The Big Show’:
1. The dynamic debut and format versatility (2012)
Maxwell burst into international cricket in August 2012, quickly earning a reputation for his fearless 360-degree stroke-play. While limited-overs cricket was undeniably his kingdom, he also achieved the ultimate dream of wearing the Baggy Green.
Though he only played seven Test matches for Australia, his career path included a magnificent maiden Test century (104) against India in Ranchi in 2017. This feat made him one of only five Australian men to score a century in all three international formats.
2. Double ODI World Cup glory (2015, 2023)
Maxwell was an indispensable engine room for Australia’s 50-over dominance, helping lift the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup trophy in both 2015 and 2023. Over his 149 ODIs, he racked up 3,990 runs at a staggering career strike rate of 126.43, alongside 77 wickets.
He routinely turned games on their head with his explosive lower-order hitting, dependable off-spin, and electric fielding.
3. The Miracle of Mumbai – 201 vs Afghanistan (2023)
Widely celebrated and debated by fans as probably the greatest ODI knock of all time, Maxwell’s unbeaten 201 off 128 balls against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup is etched in history.
Battling severe, full-body cramps that left him practically unable to walk, he single-handedly rescued Australia from a disastrous 91-7 to chase down a target of 292.
4. Blasting the fastest World Cup century (2023)
During that same golden 2023 World Cup campaign in India, Maxwell showcased his terrifying power against the Netherlands. He shattered the record for the fastest century in 50-over World Cup history, reaching his hundred in a mere 40 balls.
The innings perfectly encapsulated his unique ability to manipulate fields and manufacture boundaries out of thin air.
5. T20 royalty and world record 100s
Maxwell finishes his career as a true titan of the shortest format. He spearheaded Australia’s maiden T20 World Cup title in 2021, famously hitting the tournament-winning runs in the final.
Over 130 T20Is, he blasted 2,897 runs at a ferocious strike rate of 154.42, bowing out as Australia’s third-highest run-scorer in history.
He leaves the international game sharing a spectacular world record with India’s Rohit Sharma for the most T20I centuries (5).
While his days in Australian gold are officially over, fans can look forward to seeing his signature switch-hits for a few more years; he remains contracted to play domestic franchise cricket with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.
Read next: How South Africa beat Australia and what this means for their series against England
The post Glenn Maxwell retires – five memorable moment’s from the international career of ‘The Big Show’ appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/Ansy1uK
Brendan Taylor is old, but doesn’t crack the nod for this list of Test cricket’s oldest Test centurions
Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor scored a superb century for his country on the opening day of the first Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah.
At almost 41 years old, Taylor’s knock of 131 came eight years after his previous Test ton. But does the knock make him the oldest ever Test centurion?
While Taylor’s incredible longevity and skill have earned him a special place in modern cricket lore, he still has a way to go before making his way into this list.
Let’s take a look at the seven oldest Test centurions of all time to see how Taylor compares against the grand masters of the game.
1. Sir Jack Hobbs (England) – 46 years, 82 days
• The knock: 142 vs Australia (Melbourne, 8 Mar 1929)
The legend: Known affectionately as “The Master,” Sir Jack Hobbs stands alone at the top of this list. Scoring a Test century against a fierce Australian bowling attack is a monumental task for any youngster, let alone a man approaching his fiftieth birthday.
This particular innings in Melbourne cemented his status as cricket’s ultimate timeless batsman. Hobbs also holds the record for the most first-class centuries in history, proving that class truly never expires.
2. Patsy Hendren (England) – 45 years, 151 days
• The knock: 132 vs Australia (Manchester, 6 Jul 1934)
The legend: Elias “Patsy” Hendren was one of the most beloved and entertaining figures of the golden era of cricket. Renowned for his quick wit and unique headwear, Hendren was deadly serious when it came to his batting.
His magnificent 132 against the old enemy, Australia, at Old Trafford proved that his sharp eyesight and masterful footwork remained completely untouched by the passage of time.
Also read: Is it time to place Temba Bavuma among the greatest captains in Test cricket ever?
3. Warren Bardsley (Australia) – 43 years, 202 days
• The knock: 193* vs England (Lord’s, 26 Jun 1926)
The legend: The first Australian on our list, Warren Bardsley was a resilient opening batsman who loved nothing more than wearing down English bowling line-ups.
To score a near-double century at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s, is the stuff of dreams. To carry your bat through the entire innings and finish unbeaten on 193 at over 43 years of age is pure sporting immortality.
4. Dave Nourse (South Africa) – 42 years, 291 days
• The knock: 111 vs Australia (Johannesburg, 12 Nov 1921)
The legend: “Grand Old Man” Dave Nourse was the bedrock of early South African cricket. A true all-rounder who played 45 consecutive Tests for his nation, his endurance was legendary.
His grit was on full display in late 1921 in Johannesburg, when he defied a lethal Australian attack to compile a magnificent 111, securing his legacy as one of South Africa’s toughest pioneers.
5. Frank Woolley (England) – 42 years, 61 days
• The knock: 154 vs South Africa (Manchester, 27 Jul 1929)
The legend: Frank Woolley is widely remembered as one of the most elegant, graceful left-handed batsmen to ever walk out of a pavilion. His fluid stroke-play looked entirely effortless, a trait that helped him survive decades at the crease.
In the same legendary 1929 English summer that saw Hobbs dominate, Woolley dismantled the South African bowling attack at Old Trafford with a beautiful, majestic 154.
6. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 42 years, 47 days
• The knock: 114 vs England (Lord’s, 14 Jul 2016)
The legend: The only modern-era player to breach the top seven, Misbah-ul-Haq’s century at Lord’s in 2016 is iconic.
Captaining his side through turbulent times, the calm, calculated veteran celebrated his incredible hundred by dropping to the historic turf to do ten push-ups – a tribute to the military trainers who helped prepare the squad.
It proved that age is just a number, both in terms of skill and fitness.
7. Eric Rowan (South Africa) – 42 years, 6 days
• The knock: 236 vs England (Leeds, 26 Jul 1951)
The legend: Rounding out our list is South Africa’s fiery opening batsman, Eric Rowan. Known for his combative personality and refusal to back down from a fight, Rowan celebrated his 42nd birthday by playing the innings of his life at Headingley.
His marathon 236 remains the highest individual Test score ever recorded by a batsman over the age of 40, a masterclass in sheer mental fortitude.
The post Brendan Taylor is old, but doesn’t crack the nod for this list of Test cricket’s oldest Test centurions appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/vWABgLQ
Why Virat Kohli is unequivocally the best chaser of all time in ODI cricket
Wednesday’s first ODI encounter between New Zealand and India will long be remembered, not just for the visitor’s comprehensive victory but for the historic milestone that unfolded during the chase.
Veteran Indian batsman Virat Kohli anchored his side’s winning chase with an impressive 74 runs from just 51 deliveries. In doing so, he officially became the highest all-time run scorer in One Day International second innings.
Long regarded as the master of the chase, the former Indian skipper has proved time and again that pressure is merely fuel for his greatness. No batsman in the history of ODI cricket has now accumulated more runs while chasing than India’s modern icon.
To celebrate this monumental achievement, let’s take a look at the legendary batsmen he has passed along his way to the summit of this impressive list.
1. Virat Kohli (India) – 8,741 runs
Sitting comfortably at the top of the mountain, Virat Kohli has turned the second innings chase into an art form. His match-winning knock against New Zealand pushed his total to a staggering 8,741 runs.
What makes Kohli the undisputed king of the chase is his tactical brilliance, physical endurance, and a remarkable ability to calculate required run rates in his head. He has anchored dozens of successful chases, earning the nickname of the Chase Master.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 8,720 runs
For decades, Sachin Tendulkar held this record with a phenomenal 8,720 runs. The Little Master set the standard for modern batting, carrying the expectations of a billion people whenever India bowled first.
While Tendulkar laid the foundation and established the previous gold standard, he has now passed the torch to his compatriot.
Also read: Rated – Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma alongside Test cricket’s other most successful captains
3. Rohit Sharma (India) – 6,801 runs
A third former India captain, Rohit Sharma, claims the third spot with 6,801 runs. Known for his effortless timing and unparalleled ability to hit sixes at will, Sharma provides a perfect counter-balance in the modern era.
His inclusion high on this list showcases just how dominant Indian top-order batting has been over the past decade when chasing down targets.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 5,742 runs
The revolutionary Sri Lankan opener transformed the way teams approached the first fifteen overs of an ODI innings. Sanath Jayasuriya accumulated 5,742 runs in the second innings by putting immediate pressure on opposing bowlers.
His aggressive cutting and pulling dismantled bowling attacks and ensured that Sri Lanka frequently cruised through tough chases.
5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 5,575 runs
The epitome of resilience and technical perfection, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis accumulated 5,575 runs while chasing. As arguably the greatest all-rounder in the modern game, Kallis brought a sense of complete calm to the Proteas’ middle order.
He was the ultimate insurance policy during a second-innings pursuit, rarely throwing his wicket away.
6. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 5,559 runs
The Universe Boss terrorised bowlers around the world, scoring 5,559 second-innings runs. Chris Gayle relied on sheer power and intimidation, turning difficult run chases into effortless boundary-hitting exhibitions.
When Gayle stayed at the crease for more than ten overs, the opposition rarely stood a chance.
7. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 5,425 runs
Rounding out the elite list is the iconic Brian Lara with 5,425 runs. The elegant left-hander was known for his high backlift and ability to single-handedly steer the West Indies through complex targets.
Lara often had to fight solitary battles against the world’s best bowling attacks, making his placement on this chasing leaderboard incredibly impressive.
Read next: How South Africa beat Australia and what this means for their series against England
The post Why Virat Kohli is unequivocally the best chaser of all time in ODI cricket appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/yJD9BAf
What is Usman Khawaja really thinking with his Sandpapergate admissions? The damage is already done
Whether he intended to or not, Usman Khawaja’s recently published autobiography ‘Sabr’ is certainly causing a stir. It’s hard to believe that the former Australia opener didn’t know what was going to happen.
And it’s hard to believe that people are actually surprised by the revelations contained within its pages.
As much as the book addresses many issues and tells plenty of great stories, it is the Sandpapergate revelations that are generating the most comment and controversy.
In short, Khawaja implies that what happened in the wake of Cameron Bancroft being caught using sandpaper on the ball at Newlands in 2018 was a cover-up of giant proportions.
View this post on Instagram
Back in 2018, when Sandpapergate rocked the world, it was Bancroft, captain Steven Smith and deputy David Warner who took the fall for what happened.
Following what Warner has described as a hasty and rushed investigation, the trio took the blame and received suspensions and leadership bans. The rest of the team was exonerated. Khawaja says everyone knew.
Now, as much as he is the first person to admit to this, the reality is that we all knew. The fans, the media, the Australian Cricket Board and, yes, most definitely, the players who shared the field with the hapless Bancroft.
Also read: How South Africa beat Australia and what this means for their series against England
Think about it – you bowl, the batsman shoulders arms and the ball makes its way through to the wicketkeeper. By the time the ball makes its way back to the bowler, its condition has changed.
Bowlers work hard on the ball. They look at it before each delivery. They do things with it in terms of seam position and swing. How do you not notice that it has been returned to you at the top of your run-up in an altered state?
How do you not notice that you are generating unprecedented swing at an unusually early stage of proceedings? How does the wicketkeeper not notice?
View this post on Instagram
Khawaja is diplomatic in his book. He doesn’t name names. What he says has been endorsed wholeheartedly by Warner. Whether or not this was a matter that was formally discussed in a team meeting, it seems quite apparent that more than three or four players knew what was going on.
Why do people turn a blind eye? Largely because it is convenient. Whistle-blowing takes courage. It is easy to speak up against the weak. But to speak up against the world champions, to break away from the mighty Australian juggernaut and point a finger – that is hard.
Khawaja deserves a degree of credit for coming clean – although clearly, it is far too late.
But there needs to be consequences. The primary beneficiaries of Bancroft’s sacrifice are still playing today. The team that played at Newlands included Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.
Also in the mix were Tim Paine, Shaun Marsh and Mitchell Marsh. These are big names in Australian cricket. But just because they are big names, this doesn’t mean that they should not be held accountable.
Would it be a shame for some of the greatest careers to be ended with suspension? Yes, it would be. But Smith and Warner faced the music and were suspended.
They came back, of course, because there was time. If Starc and Cummins are suspended now, they may not play Test cricket again. It would be a shame. But cheating took place. And not just cheating, a conspiracy took place.
Australia planned to cheat, they executed their plan and they covered it up as effectively as possible. Quite simply, that’s not okay.
If the investigation is only reopened in two years’ time, once all the protagonists have retired, what are the consequences?
They can’t be suspended. They probably can’t be fined. Nope, all that happens is that the ACB send a message to the next generation of players that it is okay to cheat – as long as you don’t get caught.
The ACB should use the momentum generated by the recent Test at Newlands and the admissions in Khawaja’s book to reopen the investigation and to act.
Read next: T20 ghosts – five IPL cult heroes who have never played international cricket
The post What is Usman Khawaja really thinking with his Sandpapergate admissions? The damage is already done appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/o1fAxqb
Monday, November 9, 2026
Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket – where does he rank among India’s greatest long-format seamers?
India’s premier fast-bowling unit has changed forever following the official retirement of veteran paceman Mohammed Shami from Test cricket.
Announcing his decision on 6 November 2026 – exactly 13 years after making his brilliant international debut, the 36-year-old quick brought down the curtain on a fantastic 64-match career.
Renowned for his flawless, perfectly upright seam position, fierce pace, and unmatched reverse swing, Shami was a core architect of India’s era of overseas dominance under Virat Kohli.
Here is a look back at the definitive moments, milestones, highs, and lows of a spectacular Test journey.
1. The dream debut at Eden Gardens (2013)
Shami made an instant impact on his Test debut against the West Indies on 6 November 2013. Ripping through the opposition with a masterclass in reverse swing, he claimed an incredible match haul of 9 for 118.
These remained his career-best match figures and instantly established him as a premier match-winner on the international stage.
2. Statistical greatness – by the numbers
Shami retires as one of the most prolific and efficient fast bowlers India has ever produced:
64 Matches, 229 Wickets: He finishes as India’s sixth-highest wicket-taking pace bowler in Test history, trailing only legends like Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan.
Average and strike rate: He maintained a superb career average of 27.71 alongside an exceptional strike rate of 50.2. Both excellent figures considering the wickets he played on at home were not always suited to his style of bowling.
The home fortress: Shami was lethal in Indian conditions, where he averaged 22.10 with a phenomenal strike rate of 42.6. Notably, India never lost a home Test series during his career.
Also read: How South Africa beat Australia and what this means for their series against England
3. Overseas masterclass – the second-innings demolition job
Shami earned a reputation as a terrifying second-innings weapon, frequently tearing through top orders when pitches flattened out. His historic 5 for 28 at Johannesburg in 2018 engineered a famous, gritty victory on a treacherous pitch against South Africa.
Later that year, he registered his career-best innings figures of 6 for 56 against Australia in Perth, highlighting his ability to trouble the world’s best batters on any surface.
4. The low point – Adelaide’s 36 all out and injury agony (2020)
Every legendary career faces hardships, and Shami’s lowest team point came during the infamous 2020 pink-ball Test in Adelaide, where India collapsed to 36 all out.
To compound the disaster, Shami was struck on the forearm by a short delivery, suffering a fracture that prematurely cut his tour short. Over his 13-year journey, his body frequently broke down, forcing him to undergo multiple complex surgeries.
5. Unsung batting heroics at Lord’s (2021)
Though picked for his lethal bowling, one of Shami’s most iconic highlights came with a bat in hand. During the 2021 Lord’s Test against England, India looked vulnerable on the final day.
Shami played a sensational, unbeaten counter-attacking knock of 56*, sharing a historic 89-run partnership with Jasprit Bumrah that turned the match on its head and set up an unforgettable Indian triumph.
6. The final bow – the WTC final (2023)
Though former teammates and analysts had hoped for one final comeback in the white jersey, Shami’s final Test match remains the 2023 World Test Championship Final against Australia at The Oval.
He bows out while still performing at the peak of his powers in domestic cricket for Bengal, choosing to preserve his body to extend his career in limited-overs formats.
Read next: T20 ghosts – five IPL cult heroes who have never played international cricket
The post Mohammed Shami retires from Test cricket – where does he rank among India’s greatest long-format seamers? appeared first on Cricket365.
from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/sG3QtJX
