Pictures of the week: From Nathan Lyon's valour to Ben Stokes' gallant brawn

The final week of June witnessed some crazy moments in the world of cricket. Several tournaments have been going on around the world, but the one tournament that grabbed immense attention is the Ashes, both men’s and women’s. While Australia picked up another victory in the men’s Test series to make it 2-0, Australia women grabbed a magnificent win in the first T20I to take a 6-0 lead. Apart from the Ashes series, the World Cup Qualifiers also saw joyous and heartbreaking moments.

Here are the best pictures to roundoff an entertaining week in cricket

1. Australia triumph in historic Women's Ashes Test

The first-ever five-day Women’s Test saw dominant Australia clinch a magnificent victory over England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. At the start of Day 5, England needed 152 runs to win while Australia needed five wickets. Ashleigh Gardner picked up all remaining wickets and finished with an eight-wicket haul, thereby leading her side to a win. Skipper Alyssa Healy lifted the trophy upon winning the game.

2. Chamari Athapaththu leads Sri Lanka from front

Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu played a crucial role in the team’s success in the first ODI against New Zealand. Her magnificent century helped Sri Lanka kick-off the ODI series with a win, as the hosts took a 1-0 lead over the visitors.

3. Sophie Devine, Amelia Kerr shine in New Zealand’s victory

Having lost the first ODI, New Zealand bounced back in style to win the second game. Skipper Sophie Devine played a masterful knock of 137(121), and all-rounder Amelia Kerr assisted her brilliantly as she notched up 108 runs off 106 deliveries. Their whirlwind performances helped New Zealand level the series.

 4. Bairstow’s muscle power

On Day 1 of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, a protestor invaded the pitch at the start of play, but England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow picked him up in a hilarious manner and walked till the boundary rope to escort him out of the field.

5. Mitch Starc’s catch causes collective uproar

In the final innings of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, Mitchell Starc’s catch to dismiss English batter Ben Duckett was adjudged not-out, as the move sparked debate. As per MCC’s rules, a catch is completed only when the fielder has complete control over the ball and the ball can not touch the ground before that. In Starc’s case, he was seen sliding while the ball rubbed the ground.

6. Standing ovation for Nathan Lyon at Lord’s

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon received a standing ovation and a huge round of applause when he walked out to bat on Day 4 of the second Test. Just when it looked like Australia’s innings had ended after the fall of their ninth wicket, Lyon hobbled into the field in pain so as to contribute towards Australia’s total.

7. Spirit of Cricket questioned with Jonny Bairstow’s dismissal

The entire cricketing fraternity got talking on Sunday, July 2, when Australia’s wicketkeeper Alex Carey dismissed England’s Jonny Bairstow. Bairstow let go off the final delivery of the over bowled by Cameron Green and started walking towards skipper Ben Stokes on the other end, assuming that the ball was dead. Carey smartly threw the ball towards the stumps and dislodged the bails when the batter left his crease, which led to him walking back to the pavilion.

8. From one skipper to another

England skipper Ben Stokes notched up a magnificent century on the final day of the Lord’s Test, which kept the hosts hopeful of winning the game. But Stokes’ dismissal led to a batting collapse as things kept worsening and England eventually lost the game. While Josh Hazelwood celebrated the wicket when the England skipper stood on the ground dejected, opposition skipper Pat Cummins patted Stokes for his efforts when he started walking.

9. Pathum Nissanka leads Sri Lanka on the World Cup route

It was a rollercoaster ride for Sri Lanka, who finally made their way into the top 10 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is scheduled to be hosted by India in October-November. Winning the Qualifiers, Sri Lanka confirmed their spot in the final 10 as Pathum Nissanka notched up a brilliant ton and got his side en route to the mega event.

10. A record crowd turns out at Edgbaston to witness a thrilling T20 series opener

The first match of the T20I series of the ongoing Women’s Ashes 2023 witnessed a record number of crowd turning up to support their teams. Almost 20,000 spectators were present at the venue as they cheered for England in the best way possible, but Beth Mooney’s heroic knock and Ashleigh Gardner’s cameo saw Australia clinching a final-over thriller.

11. Logan van Beek’s belligerence scripts a historic win for the Dutch

The World Cup qualifiers game between the Netherlands and the West Indies witnessed the Dutch side clinching an enormous victory in the super over. Logan van Beek notched up a record 30 runs in the super over, the highest ever in an ODI super over, and smashed Jason Holder for three fours and as many sixes. He returned to bowl the super over too and picked up two wickets as West Indies’ game came to a close.

12. West Indies crash out of World Cup 2023 race

Scotland handed the West Indies a disappointing defeat and the Caribbean side was knocked out of the race to the final 10. For the first time in the tournament’s history, West Indies have failed to qualify. After the defeat in their qualifier game, the dejected and heartbroken players were seen walking off the field with their heads down.

13. Steve Smith enters record books, again

In the first innings of the second Test, Steve Smith notched up a century and etched his name in the Lord’s honor boards. Notably, it was his 32^nd Test ton, as he equaled Steve Waugh on the list of players with the most tons for Australia. His century eventually led to Australia’s victory and Smith was adjudged Player of the Match.