A look at the major highlights from the world of international cricket in the week gone by.
Anjali Chand’s magical spell of bowling
For the first time in the history of cricket, a bowler picked up a six-wicket haul without conceding a run.
Nepal seamer Anjali Chand finished with figures of six for none as opponents Maldives were bowled out for 16 at the South Asian games in Pokhara. Step aside Deepak Chahar!
There was also a slight matter of this game being Maldives’ first ever international match. However, cricket is a great leveller – Anjali Chand was making her debut too.
Nepal’s chase lasted five deliveries as they won the game by ten wickets.
Australia beat Pakistan without using Head
During the second Test between Australia and Pakistan, Travis Head didn’t get to bat or bowl. Not even a catch came his way as Australia completed an emphatic victory by an innings and 48 runs in four days.
Head is only the 15th player in Test history to not contribute to the scoreboard in any way at the end of a Test match.
It was also only the 16th match where a team had won when less than half the side actually batted in the match.
This was also Pakistan’s 14th consecutive loss in Australia, thereby getting the dubious record for the most consecutive Test defeats in a particular country.
Joe Denly’s drop of the year
The second Test between England and New Zealand was heading towards a draw after Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson had seemingly weathered the storm with just 27 overs to go on the final day.
While the dropped catch by Joe Denly itself may not have had a significant impact on the game, it would have certainly helped Jofra Archer, who was already celebrating as the ball left Williamson’s bat.
It had to be England 🤣🤣🤣
— FOX SPORTS Australia (@FOXSportsAUS) December 3, 2019
Joe Denly with the worst dropped catch you'll ever see #NZvsENG pic.twitter.com/xNDUarT7lN
The pacer had toiled for 72 overs across two Tests and had managed only one wicket. To be denied of a wicket by an absolute clanger from a fielder after such a tough series, he must have felt hard done by.
Joe Denly could have been juggling knives while riding a unicycle as Kane Williamson pushed the ball towards him at midwicket and he still should have been able to catch it.
The wizard named Tabraiz Shamsi
Wrist spin is a difficult skill. So when one manages to pick up a wicket with it, what is wrong with some theatrics to celebrate the success?!
South Africa’s left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed Wihan Lubbe during a T20 match in South Africa before taking out a red handkerchief from his pocket and turning it into a stick.
Kerchief mask celebration✅
— Mzansi Super League 🔥 🇿🇦 🏏 (@MSL_T20) December 5, 2019
Shoe phone call celebration✅
Magic trick✅
What you got lined up next @shamsi90❓ #MSLT20 https://t.co/kOpQYdCbae pic.twitter.com/w9OElOUsMH
Too bad the magic didn’t last long as Shamsi’s team Paarl Rocks failed to defend a total of 195 in that game against Durban Heat and lost the game by six wickets.