There was not very much in it for the bowlers in the Chattogram Test and not for the first time. Angelo Mathews, in particular, delivered a timely reminder of his quality with the bat, falling just one run short of a double century in Sri Lanka’s first innings. Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim struck centuries […]

England has not been a happy hunting ground for Shan Masood when representing Pakistan. He has scored only 250 runs in total across nine innings in England, with 156 of those coming in one superb knock when Pakistan last toured the country. In his other eight innings, he has failed to record a score of […]

The abject performance of the Test team has been the defining story in English cricket over the last 18 months. The summer of 2020 was reasonably positive for England as they beat the West Indies 2-1 and Pakistan 1-0, before recording a dominant 3-0 win away from home against Sri Lanka. They even got the […]

South Africa, having been challenged for the first four days, ultimately recorded a very comfortable win over Bangladesh in the first match in Durban. But Bangladesh have been in fine form in recent months and will surely be determined to hit back in this second and decisive Test. Who will come out on top? Read […]

After a historic victory over South Africa in South Africa in the ODI series, Bangladesh now take on the Proteas in a two-match Test series starting on 31st March 2022 with Tests to be played at Kingsmead, Durban and St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth. So we here at LWOC are looking back at the statistical […]

What a difference a few months can make. At the start of December, Bangladeshi cricket was in disarray after a miserable T20 World Cup and a humbling a Test series against Pakistan. Now the side look renewed after drawing away in a Test series against New Zealand and beating their current hosts in an ODI […]

West Indies walked over the boundary line towards the pavilion feeling the elation of victory. Over the first two Tests, the West Indies did not really match England blow to blow, but they were still standing and ready to bring the fight. England can hardly say the same after another dismal showing. On a pitch […]

It has been, for the most part, a confidence-building series for both the West Indies and England when their batting units were both in desperate need of just that. But all that confidence may well wash away if either side falls at the final hurdle here. Who will come out on top in this series […]

Though a historic occasion, it has, for the most part, been a disappointing series between Pakistan and Australia. There have been some fine individual displays with the bat, with both sides having piled on the runs, but there has been very little in it for the bowlers so far. Will that change enough in Lahore […]

After the first Test of the series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium ended in a hard-fought draw, both the West Indies and England will be hoping to take a crucial series lead in Bridgetown. Both sides also have reasons to feel confident, at least in their batting, after their efforts in Antigua, but who […]

You’re a guest at someone’s house and refuse cake. Yet they tell you it’s the best tasting cake in the world. Why refuse? Likewise, why did Sri Lankan cricket do the same on the first day of the second Test against India in Bengaluru. It is mind-numbing that over the four years since Rangana Herath […]

Sri Lanka, not for the first time, were comprehensively beaten by India in the first match of the series, in no small part thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Ravindra Jadeja. The Sri Lankans will now have to dust themselves off and try to find a way to go again in a match in […]

After a historic occasion gave way to a rather dispiriting match in Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Australia will renew hostilities in Karachi in this second Test of the series. Pakistan had the better of the first match, and will feel confident of their chances of knocking Australia over here. But Pat Cummins’ side are a force […]

There is no arena more demanding in cricket than a Test match. Unfortunately for both the West Indies and England, they have been found wanting more often than not of late in this format. But this series represents a chance to get back on the right track for both sides as a result. Who will […]

During the post-series press conference after South Africa and India’s riveting battle in January, Dean Elgar explained how after the heavy defeat in the first Test match he provided a challenge to batters. While the exact parameters of the challenge weren’t given, Elgar did make it clear that “there were harsh talks and frank discussions”. […]

India have responded to the disappointment of defeat against South Africa by ringing the changes for this series against Sri Lanka. Will that prove a tonic to their fortunes or will the tourists, themselves somewhat in need of a reset, find a way to win a famous victory? Read on for our full India vs […]

One of the chief criticisms levelled at the County Championship in recent years is that it fails to prepare English batters for Test cricket. The reason for that is that the green-tinged pitches and the playing conditions allow medium-pacers to run riot, giving the Counties little to no incentive to play genuinely quick bowlers or […]

Abdul Samad has perhaps done Indian Cricket its biggest favour in recent times. Introducing Umran Malik as a net bowler to the Sunrisers Hyderabad squad in 2020, eventually paved the way to international recognition for India’s latest (and fastest) bowling sensation. Meet Umran Malik: the Jammu Express. The speedster is able to rack up speeds […]

The first English foray into Franchise Cricket was along way from being a success. The considerable cash reserves built up by the ECB over the years were frittered away on the Hundred without many obvious benefits in return. Of course, the Hundred is not without positives. It certainly shouldn’t be overlooked that it provided a […]

The raising of Jos Buttler’s bat followed by the removal of his helmet is becoming an increasingly routine sight for fans of T20 cricket. The Rajasthan Royals and England opening batter has long been one of the stars of the T20 world stage. But even by his high standards, he has been in particularly destructive […]

Both Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore have made a solid start to IPL 2022, but with only four play-off places available, the pressure is on both sides to haul themselves out of mid-table into that top four. Currently, Delhi are in seventh – albeit having played only four matches – with Royal Challengers in […]

Mumbai Indians endured a disappointing campaign in 2021, but were widely expected to bounce back this year. So far, however, their season has been little short of a disaster. Lucknow Super Giants, meanwhile, have made an assured start in their inaugural season and will be targeting a valuable win here. But who will come out […]

After a poor start to the season, 2021’s last-placed team Sunrisers Hyderabad have found some form of late to spark life into their 2022 campaign. Kolkata Knight Riders, by way of contrast, turned in a below-par performance last-time out. But who will come out on top here? Read on for our full Sunrisers Hyderabad vs […]

It has been a week of surprise results so far in the Indian Premier League, with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s upset of Gujarat Titans followed by Chennai Super Kings getting the better of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai Indians, now the only team yet to win a match in IPL 2022, will be hoping that pattern continues when […]