Since our last issue back in September, a lot has happened in the world of cricket. From World Cups to franchise leagues to the Test arena, here’s everything that’s been going on in our absence.
AUSTRALIA WON THE WORLD CUP
Ever the team for the big occasion, the Aussies defeated host nation India by six wickets in the final in Ahmedabad to add a sixth World Cup title to their trophy cabinet and cap off a memorable 2023 that also saw them crowned World Test Champions and retain the Ashes. The 13th edition of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, held between October 5 and November 19, saw ten teams battling it out in the round robin group stage with the top four making it through to the semi-finals. Defending champions England had a tournament to forget, finishing seventh and only winning three of their nine games. Virat Kohli finished as the tournament’s top run-scorer, hitting 765 in 11 innings at an average of 95.62, while his teammate Mohammad Shami was on fire with the ball as he took 24 wickets at 10.70 in just seven appearances. However, it was Australia’s Travis Head who proved the difference in the final, striking 137 from 120 balls, sharing a partnership of 192 for the sixth wicket with Marnus Labuschagne (58*), as the Aussies got home with seven overs to spare.
AUSTRALIA ALSO WON THE UNDER-19 WORLD CUP
Australia picked up yet more silverware during the winter as their Under-19 side lifted their own World Cup trophy in South Africa. Like their senior counterparts, they also defeated India, coming out on top by 79 runs. England finished second in Group B before coming fourth in their group in the Super 6s and ultimately not making it through to the knockout stages. South African left-arm pace bowler Kwena Maphaka was named Player of the Tournament after taking 21 wickets at an average of 9.71, including three five-wicket hauls - the most by a player in a single tournament in the competition’s history.
ENGLAND’S WHITE-BALL TOUR OF THE WEST INDIES
Back in December, England visited the Caribbean for three ODIs and five T20Is and ended up losing both series; 2-1 and 3-2 respectively. Shai Hope was the West Indies’ star man in the ODIs, hitting 192 runs at an average of 96 across three innings, including an excellent unbeaten 109 in the first ODI at North Sound as the Windies chased down 326 with four wickets and seven balls to spare. The T20Is were a much closer affair, with the Windies clinching the series decider at Tarouba by four wickets after 3-24 from Gudakesh Motie helped restrict England to 132 all out before an unbeaten 43 from the in-form Hope saw the hosts over the line.
WEST INDIES MADE HISTORY AT THE GABBA
West Indies pulled off one of the greates
