All the world's cricketers walked into a bar. The LOLs, the chatter, and the occasional mini-brawls, they were endless. And the news cycle was never the same again! Welcome to ESPNcricinfo's Social Buzz, your go-to destination for all the bantz, the jousts, and little bit of eavesdropping from the social media playground and beyond.
October 26
Another World Cup knockout match. England v New Zealand. And, well, it's 2019, so how do you think it went?
YEEESSSS @EnglandRugby! Good luck in the final! #CarryThemHome https://t.co/21zqn1cFBK pic.twitter.com/c8zXoyg9Pa
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 26, 2019
Sorry, @BLACKCAPS, but it had to be done. #CarryThemHome pic.twitter.com/ByPRqMhrFU
— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) October 26, 2019
Wow! How special was that from @EnglandRugby
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) October 26, 2019
Cancel all plans next Saturday morning- we're watching a World Cup Final!!
I think that just about covers it. pic.twitter.com/IAetFuXk4W
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) October 26, 2019
What a game of rugby! Incredible @EnglandRugby
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) October 26, 2019
Fifty-four Indian meals for Jimmy Neesham
Abhishek Nayar, the Indian domestic giant who played three ODIs in 2009, has hung up his boots. For Jimmy Neesham, who has worked with Nayar at Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL 2019, that just means more food.
Congrats @abhisheknayar1 , hopefully you've managed to get the knee swelling to settle down. I pray we can tour again so I can have 54 Indian meals in a row
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) October 23, 2019
October 25
Dhoni gets a visit from Pant
MS Dhoni may be missing on the field but there's certainly plenty of him on social media. The latest Dhoni sighting comes courtesy Rishabh Pant, who visited the former captain at his home in Ranchi, for a wicketkeepers' confab, no doubt. Also on site, probably doing some fielding practice, in stealth mode if the camo coat is any indication, was Dhoni's Belgian shepherd Sam.
Good Vibes Only @msdhoni pic.twitter.com/sjtqTSU21f
— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) October 25, 2019
October 24
MS Dhoni gets some help to clean his big car
MS Dhoni recently bought a car, a Nissan Jonga, in which he drove to the JSCA Stadium for the India-South Africa Test, and he needs all the help he can get to maintain its shiny new-car feel.
Prime Minister Morrison carries drinks for the Prime Minister's XI
Teams going on international tours get to play a warm-up game or two before the real stuff begins. In countries like England and New Zealand, it's one of the counties or the regional sides, while in Asia it's some form of the "Board President's XI" or the "Board XI". South Africa's Nicky Oppenheimer XI is unique, and so is Australia's long-standing tradition of the Prime Minister's XI playing the visiting side.
Look who's bringing out the drinks for the Prime Minister's XI: Australia PM @scottmorrisonmp https://t.co/oVKlkwtxUn #PMXIvSL pic.twitter.com/ymXoPI1uHh
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 24, 2019
What all this means is sometimes puzzling to fans new to the sport. Does the prime minister captain this XI? Or is he just the selector? Does he turn up at the toss? For possibly the first time, we might have the definitive answer, with the actual Australian prime minister Scott Morrison running drinks for his XI during their tour game against Sri Lanka. Now that the precedent has been set, no pressure, future prime ministers.
Oh and did we just say Indian Board President's XI? Does that mean Indian fans will get to see Sourav Ganguly on the field once again? Can't wait.
MS Dhoni makes it to a 'most dangerous celebs' list
MS Dhoni has made it to a lot of lists over his career, though this latest one might not quite make it to his biography. Cybersecurity firm McAfee recently released a list of the most dangerous celebrities to search for online, and Mahi found himself right on top, with Sachin Tendulkar and Harmanpreet Kaur for company in the top ten.
This study reveals which celebrities generate the most dangerous search results that could expose consumers to malicious websites.https://t.co/DaJKTP3bIB
— Deccan Chronicle (@DeccanChronicle) October 22, 2019
The list is meant to highlight searches that most often land users on websites that harbour malware and viruses. Sportspersons invariably find themselves on the list as users search for pirated livestreams and match clips and McAfee says users may not be aware of the malicious content they are exposing themselves.
Well, you know exactly where you can find comprehensive and safe content on Dhoni *wink wink nudge nudge*
October 23
Let's share custody of the World Cup
England are touring New Zealand for a full series, so be prepared to endure World Cup gags like this for the next month or so.
The ACC would like to welcome Eoin Morgan and the @ECB_cricket team to New Zealand and hereby formally request shared custody of the Cricket World Cup... pic.twitter.com/AbbXO5tZGP
— The ACC (@TheACCnz) October 22, 2019
Auckland Cricket offer up free workspace for displaced workers
On Tuesday, thousands forced to evacuate central Auckland because of a major fire that started on the under-construction roof of the SkyCity convention centre. To help out many such people and companies working in the city's Central Business District, Auckland Cricket offered up its Bert Sutcliffe Lounge at Eden Park for free. As a bonus, the workers can watch the ongoing Plunket Shield game at the ground between Auckland and Central Districts during their coffee breaks.
As many companies in the Auckland CBD have been affected by Tuesday's Convention Centre fire, Auckland Cricket would like to offer up our Bert Sutcliffe Lounge, at @edenparknz, as a free workspace for Thursday. pic.twitter.com/MQpoceC8SW
— Auckland Cricket (@aucklandcricket) October 23, 2019
October 22
India wrapped up the third Test in just over three days, and with the series over, there was plenty of time to take it all in. With this being Ranchi, there was a famous visitor in the dressing room.
When in Ranchi...
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 22, 2019
(: @BCCI) pic.twitter.com/YJ8FH06mdX
...and naturally, questions followed at the press conference. Virat Kohli flat-batted them all expertly, and even doled out an invitation to join them for the celebrations.
The Indian dressing room had a visitor, and the questions were all about him #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/EdHU4Vi7IJ
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 22, 2019
Adam Zampa reviews cricket's most iconic hairstyles
Recently, ABC Grandstand had Adam Zampa sitting judgement on some of the most memorable coiffures seen on cricketers. On review were Michael Clarke's frosted tips, Jason Gillespie's and Shane Warne's mullets, Colin Miller's Smurf rinse, KP's funky skunk, and Lloyd Pope's "big ginger salad". Who gets a thumbs up? Whose hairstyle makes Zampa recoil in horror? Who's had a perm? Watch the video for answers.
Take a walk down the cricket haircut Hall of Fame/Shame with the unofficial @CricketAus expert on the matter, Adam Zampa.
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) October 22, 2019
Sorry in advance to @KP24, @MClarke23, @ShaneWarne, Colin 'Funky' Miller and 'Floyd Dope'! pic.twitter.com/7B2AvtAO5Z
Missed all the chatter last week? Catch up on it here.