Cricket news round-up – December 16: India outplayed as Hope, Hetmyer take West Indies to 1-0

India were batted out of the contest, their failure to take wickets rubbed in, as Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer helped West Indies to an easy eight-wicket win in the first ODI in Chennai. Elsewhere, there was finally some play in Rawalpindi, Australia coast to a big win against New Zealand, and Ben Stokes is named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

India outplayed as West Indies go 1-0 up

West Indies had a largely comfortable evening at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, securing an eight-wicket victory in the first ODI against India to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

India had posted a seemingly defendable 287/8, thanks to half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, and Kedar Jadhav’s late 35-ball 40.

However, the Indian spinners’ failure to take wickets meant West Indies were under no pressure in the middle overs. Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer scored contrasting centuries to take the visitors across the line with 13 balls to spare.

Match draw, but there’s play finally at Rawalpindi

The first Test in Pakistan in over a decade, against Sri Lanka, finally had a sustained spell of play on the fifth day, after rain relented.

In that time, Sri Lanka declared at 308/6, after Dhananjaya Silva reached 102* off 166, and Pakistan were allowed to bat, in front of a applauding fans.

Shan Masood was then dismissed in the first over, but centuries from Abid Ali (109) and Babar Azam (102) meant Pakistan could go in at stumps at 252/2 in 70 overs, after finally being able to offer their adoring fans some cricket.

Australia complete win against New Zealand within four days

Australia eased to 1-0 in the three-match Test series against New Zealand with a 296-run win in the day-night Test in Perth.

Australia resumed the day at 167/6 and went on to set New Zealand a target of 468 on the fourth day, after declaring their second innings at 217/9.  

However, New Zealand were bundled out for 171 in their chase, with BJ Watling’s 40 the highest their batsmen individually managed. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon both took four-wicket hauls as Australia cruised to a big win.

Ben Stokes named BBC Sports Personality of the year

Ben Stokes won BBC’s coveted Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday, December 15 after a public vote.

In a good night for cricket, Jos Buttler’s run out of Martin Guptill in the World Cup 2019 final was voted Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year, and England were crowned Team of the Year for their World Cup win.

“It is an individual award but I play in a team sport and the best thing about that is you get to spend special moments with teammates, backroom staff and management,” said Stokes. “I’m up here receiving this award but I’m not just up here by myself. Without the efforts that you (the team) put in this summer, I wouldn’t be up here. Thank you so much.”