If you are a die-heart cricket fan then the week gone by must have been a fantastic one for you. Variety of matches were played in the gentlemen's game which witnessed some nail-biting clashes along with some breathtaking individual performances. From Australia vs Pakistan to New Zealand vs England, International cricket was majorly dominated by the Test matches while blitz in the shortest format of the game were seen in domestic games and T20 leagues like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Mzansi Super League. Thrill of these clashes was also enhanced by some scintillating individual brilliance and below we'll look at five such performances. New Zealand Vs England, Live Cricket Score 2nd Test Match - Full ScoreCard.
Speaking of International cricket, West Indies opened their account in the ICC World Test Championship with their victory in one-off Test against Afghanistan. Whereas, Australia vs Pakistan and New Zealand vs England clash are still underway. In domestic matches, Karnataka lifted the title in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the second time in a row while Mzansi Super Leagues is heading towards its end part and all the teams are leaving no stones unturned to make a place in the next round. Talking about these matches, let's have a look at some splendid knocks and fiery spells from the week gone by. Australia Vs Pakistan, Live Cricket Score 2nd Test Match.
David Warner- 335* Against Pakistan in Adelaide
Riding on his good form, Warner mustered a terrific triple century in Australia vs Pakistan day-night Test. The pink-ball was expected to favour the pacers. However, the southpaw defied all the odds and played a memorable knock. He smashed the Pakistani bowlers to all the parts of the ground and brought up his highest individual score in the longest format of the game. Courtesy his brilliant effort, Australia mustered 589 runs in the first innings and their triumph looked inevitable at stumps on Day 3.
Yasir Shah- 113 Against Australia in Adelaide
After a dismal show with the ball in the first innings, the leg-spinner came good with the bat and registered his maiden Test ton. He came into bat when the visitors were reeling at 89/6. In completely unfavourable circumstances, Shah displayed great character against the potent Aussie bowlers and played an astonishing knock against the odds. His brilliance guided Pakistan to a respectable total of 302 runs in the first innings.
Mitchell Starc- 6/66 Against Pakistan in Adelaide
The left-arm made the ideal use of the pink cherry and ran through Pakistan's batting line-up in the first innings of the match. The Adelaide wicket looked ideal for batting as Warner scored a magnificent triple-ton in the first innings. However, Starc had some other ideas as he bowled a ferocious spell. He dismantled the opposition's top order and tightened Australia's grip over the match. His 12th five-wicket haul in Test cricket restricted the visitors to 302 runs in the first innings.
Rahkeem Cornwall- 7/75 Against Afghanistan in Lucknow
The heaviest cricketer in the World broke all the stereotypes and bowled a sensational spell against Afghanistan in the one-off Test. Cornwall wreaked havoc in the first innings of the match and claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Rashid Khan and Co looked completely clueless against the spinner's turning deliveries and were packed for 187 runs in the first innings. Cornwall took three more innings in Afghanistan's next innings and guided the Caribbeans to a nine-wicket victory.
Joe Root- 226 Against New Zealand in Hamilton
Root finally ended his dismal run in the longest format of the game and scored a magnificent double-ton. In reply of New Zealand’s 375 in the first innings, the England skipper came in when his side was tottering at 24/2. However, the 28-year old displayed great resilience against the likes of Niel Wagner and Tim Southee and registered his second double hundred in Tests. He powered England to a total of 476 runs and put his side on the driver’s seat.
Action in cricket is not going to be complacent in the upcoming week too as the results of Australia vs Pakistan Test and England vs New Zealand Test will come out in the next few days. Also, the T20I series between West Indies and India will get underway in the first week of December. So, fans of the gentlemen's game should buckle up to witness many more spectacular clashes and individual geniuses as well.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 02, 2019 09:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).