A surprisingly level World Cup
The on-pitch levelling of the WC, breaking Namibian hearts in 2003, & Rafiq's battle against racism.
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A World Cup for everyone
Why this WC actually feels global, PAK aren’t convincing & three great interviews.
ESPNcricinfo’s Andrew Fidel Fernando writes about how a more level than usual tournament has this World Cup actually feeling like a global event.
Pakistan beat Canada by 7 wickets to keep their Super 8 hopes alive. ESPNcricinfo’s Danyal Rasool was not convinced by the performance and asks when Pakistan will get serious, while an uncredited Revsportz piece says the rot starts with Pakistan’s succession of incompetent PCB chiefs going back years.
Cricket.com’s Gaurav Nandan Tripathi writes about how Canada’s Aaron Johnson figured out a tricky New York pitch, and ESPNcricinfo’s Sidharth Monga profiles the Punjabis who have found themselves on the pitch for their new country.
The Nepal-Sri Lanka game was washed out, putting both teams on the brink of elimination while ensuring South Africa’s qualification. Indian Express’ Venkata Krishna B had a nice piece on Nepal cricket’s resurgence.
Wisden’s Katya Witney thinks England should drop Jonny Bairstow & Indian Express’ Venkata Krishna B thinks India should drop Ravindra Jadeja.
THREE AWESOME INTERVIEWS: Cricket.com’s Aakash Sivasubramaniam talks to New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell about his return from a devastating injury, Cricket Australia’s Louis Cameron talks to Namibia Cricket President (and physio) Rudie Van Vuuren about his experiences playing against Australia in 2003, & Cricbuzz’s Smit Patel talks to USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar about balancing his tech job and winning Super Overs against Pakistan.
Rafiq never wanted the spotlight
Rafiq on battling Yorkshire, a T20 Blast roundup, & Flintoff’s son is in the ENG U-19s.
The Guardian’s Emma John talks to Azeem Rafiq about his battle against Yorkshire’s institutional racism, his new-found profile in cricket and society, and his upcoming memoir.
The Guardian’s Gary Naylor has a roundup of the week’s T20 Blast action.
16-year old Rocky Flintoff, son of famed English cricketer Andrew, has been called up to an England U-19 side packed with sons, siblings & nephews of former and current international cricketers.
The Aussies & English are interviewing the Americans
Aaron Jones talks to Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan, & the best batters when facing elite bowlers.
Club Prairie Fire have their first big interview of the World Cup with breakout American star Aaron Jones. I think it’s just hitting me that this World Cup is actually in America watching Gilchrist & Vaughan seriously interview an associate cricketer. It’s awesome.
Strike Rate’s Dan Weston & Jack Hope go through the numbers to figure out which batters can successfully take on elite bowlers. [Apple Podcasts]
Editor’s Note
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