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.
January 16
Jimmy Neesham doesn't need to learn Punjabi
How good is Jimmy Neesham? Good enough to guess the right answer in a poll in a language he doesn't speak. We are in awe.
I don't even know what any of this means but I think I should win https://t.co/YwW09mde2n
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) January 16, 2020
What song represents your 2019?
For us, it would be Springsteen's "The Ties That Bind"...
(Sound On!) Britney Spears, Tame Impala, Tiesto...just to name a few!
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) January 16, 2020
Find out the songs Aussie cricketers think best represents their play style.
What song best represents your year!? Don't forget to get your votes in for the triple j Hottest 100: https://t.co/Ki9TV8irSQ pic.twitter.com/nhIrJaMIs9
Charulata Patel, 87-year-old India fan, passes away
At the World Cup last year, 87-year-old Charulata Patel was spotted by TV cameras blowing a horn in support for India and soon became an internet sensation when captain Virat Kohli went to meet her in the stands. She passed away on January 13.
Charulata Patel, always in our hearts pic.twitter.com/nNZ9GRDMmF
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 16, 2020
January 15
Aw, Mahela Jayawardene's being a bit harsh here. Everyone knows it's the best way to beat jet lag. Murali's just helping out a friend.
While you're here, check out our 25 Questions with Jayawardene, in which he talks some more about Murali (Best prankster or worst? What did Jayawardene think at slips as Murali ran in to bowl?).
January 14
What is Glenn Maxwell's favourite Aussie jersey?
Coloured uniforms haven't even been around for three decades but when it comes to nostalgic favourites, there's so much to pick from. Glenn Maxwell plumps for an Australian kit from the '90s. Which is your favourite?
Look good, play good!
— ABC Grandstand (@abcgrandstand) January 14, 2020
Take a trip down memory lane with @Gmaxi_32, as he dissects some of @CricketAus's most memorable kits from the short format.
What's your favourite? Which ones did we miss? #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/CbDZobLGSl
R Ashwin's personal cheer squad comes to Chepauk
You know how visiting players talk about first experiencing the noise level at Indian stadiums? This is what they were referring to. Who says first-class cricket doesn't have spectators?
#TNvsMum pic.twitter.com/XrbUxQKnqW
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) January 14, 2020
It was a busy morning for R Ashwin, who was 32 not out overnight in Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy game against Mumbai in Chennai.
Lost for words to describe this moment!
— Gen-Next Cricket Institute (@gennextcricket) January 14, 2020
Has to resume batting at 9 am in Chepauk. What does he do? Comes to Loyola at 6, mentors kids till 730 & leaves directly to Chepauk to play the Ranji Trophy.
To quote Nas Hussain, "No way! No, No way! You cannot do that, Ben Stokes!" pic.twitter.com/KFCnGfeMQI
January 13
George Bailey signs an autograph for an unimpressed kid
Just before the start of the Big Bash game between Hobart Hurricanes and Perth Scorchers in Hobart, a miked-up George Bailey from the home side jogged up to one of the several kids waiting for autographs on the outfield and tried to engage him in conversation while he signed the kid's Hurricanes cap. The kid, Cody (although, like Bailey, we aren't certain of the spelling), wasn't particularly interested in the small talk. A desperate Bailey persisted.
Bailey: "You a Hurricanes fan?"
Cody: "Umm, not really."
Bailey: "Jeepers... are you from Western Australia? Do you even like cricket?"
Cody: "Sometimes my brother forces me."
Bailey: "Yeah? It's been lovely chatting with you. Have a lovely evening."
The commentators, now chortling, suggested the kid was a plant from Tim Paine, Australia captain and Hobart local, also in the commentary box. Paine, in fact, had the last laugh, teasing the new national selector about his skills. "Bails, that was terrific, mate. I know there's been a lot of talk recently about selectors and their communication. I thought you were outstanding."
The game hadn't even started and George Bailey was already working hard #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/edkE1J8NwY
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 13, 2020
Missed all the chatter last week? Catch up on it here.