Page 38 - Icc World Test Championship

WTC Points Table: Australia take top spot, India drop to second place

Australia, following their eight-wicket win in the third and final Test against Pakistan at Sydney are on 56.25 percentage points and have pushed India to the second spot in the latest World Test Championship (WTC) standings issued by ICC on Saturday. Pat Cummins' side is 2.09 percentage points ahead of Rohit Sharma's India, who have 54.16 points. India, though, have played just four Tests during the current WTC cycle, while Australia have played eight. India had taken the top spot following their memorable seven-wicket win against South Africa in Cape Town earlier this week, but Australia crushed Pakistan on Saturday at the SCG to displace India at the top. Australia are the reigning World Test champions, having beaten India in the final at The Oval last summer. Australia will next play a two-Test series against the West Indies at home, while India will be up against England in five home Tests.

AUS vs PAK 2023: How Aamer Jamal became find of Pakistan's Australia tour

Aamer Jamal has taken 18 wickets and scored 125 runs in the series in five innings of three Tests

IND vs SA 2nd Test: List of all Test matches that ended in two days

India's seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second Test at Cape Town on Thursday was the 25th instance when a Test match ended inside two days, dating back to 1882. This was also the third time India were involved in a two-day Test, with the other two being their match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru in 2018 and against England at Ahmedabad in 2021. Here's the complete list of Tests that ended within two days previously. * England vs Australia, Oval, 1882 It was the ninth Test match in history. Australia were bundled out for 63 but managed to limit England to 101 in their first innings with Fred 'Demon' Spofforth taking seven wickets. The Aussies could only muster 122 with Hugh Massie scoring a 55. England were again humbled by 'Demon' despite WG Grace's 32. Spofforth took seven for 44 as Englishmen were ousted for 77 and conceded a seven-run defeat. * England vs Australia, Lord's, 1888 Australia made 116 and 60 in two innings and then shot out England for 53 and 62 at th

Three-Test series an absolute minimum: CA chief Hockley after SA -NZ crisis

South Africa's decision to send a second-string side for Tests in New Zealand was a "wake-up call", said Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley, adding that CA will continue to advocate for series containing a minimum of three matches as part of the World Test Championship (WTC). South Africa faced heavy backlash from current and former players after it named a shadow side for the two-Test tour of New Zealand reserving their top players for the the second season of the SA20 -- launched by CSA and IPL investors last year. While the two Tests in New Zealand are scheduled from February 4 to 17, the SA20 is slated to start from January 10. "That's been a wake-up call for everyone," Hockley told SEN. "The role of T20 [in] bringing new kids and new people into the game can't be underestimated. The belief is that the two can coexist. This was suboptimal scheduling," said Hockley. "I think we in Australia - it's very clear that throughout the whole period the Big Bash has been around - have

Construction activity led to 23 wkts on Day 1? Bizzare theory by SA coach

In the press conference after the first day's play, Prince said that a lot of construction work adjacent to Newlands might have also affected the Cape Town pitch's character.

IND vs SA 2nd Test: Gavaskar surprised over Proteas decision to bat first

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar on Wednesday expressed surprise at South African skipper Dean Elgar's decision to bat first in the second Test against India. Elgar's decision backfired as South Africa were bundled out for 55, their lowest total against India. India were on course for a big lead until losing their last six wickets for no run to be all out for 153, limiting their first innings advantage to 98 runs. "Well, I tell you what, I was a bit surprised by what happened," Gavaskar said in his match analysis on Star Sports. "Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a big deal about what the pitch is gonna be..." Having annihilated India inside three days in the opening Test, South Africa had the perfect opportunity to take the upper hand by inserting them in on a fresh pitch, Gavaskar opined. "I think you've also got to look at the psychology of the Indian team, having been defeated in three days, having batted so poorly in the second innings and going to be batting fir

IND-SA: Have to get them out for minimum score- Siraj on Day 2 strategy

Mohammed Siraj is delighted to have started the 2024 with career-best figures in Test cricket but after day one of the second Test, the India pacer was more pleased about rectifying the mistakes he committed during the series opener against South Africa. Siraj had figures of 2/91 in South Africa's only innings in the opening Test but returned with six for 15 from nine overs to bundle out the hosts for 55 in first innings as 23 wickets fell on day one. Did he think he will come out to bowl twice in a day? Did you think so? he chuckled with a counter question. We didn't think also. We had put our feet up but this is cricket. You see both good and bad things, he added philosophically. But he was visibly happy after having one of his best days in his 23 Test career. You want the New Year to go well, the affable Hyderabadi said with satisfaction written all over his face. I realised what I missed in the last game and wanted to compensate and I executed my plans accordingly. I wanted

IND vs SA 2nd Test, Day 1 Highlights: 23 wickets fall as India lead by 36

India vs South Africa 2nd Test, Day 1 LIVE SCORE Updates: It was a bowler's day out on Newlands as 23 wickets fell, joint-most on a single day in South Africa. At 62/3, Proteas trailed by 36

India vs South Africa 2nd Test Playing 11: Two changes in India's XI

IND vs SA Playing 11: Ravindra Jadeja has replaced R Ashwin while Shardul Thakur paves the way for Mukesh Kumar. Disney+Hotstar will provide the live streaming of the match in India

IND vs SA - Test cricket, ultimate challenge and must be protected: Rohit

Indian captain Rohit Sharma feels that it is each and every ICC member's duty to protect the sanctity of Test cricket as it remains the ultimate format. Cricket South Africa selected seven uncapped players, including an inexperienced first timer Neil Brand, for the upcoming tour of New Zealand to accommodate top stars for the cash-rich SA20, which is coinciding with the Test series. All the SA20 franchises are owned by IPL team owners and the move to prioritize franchise cricket has earned widespread criticism. For me, Test remains ultimate challenge and we would like to see best players playing that format but everyone has own problems to deal with and make sure there is a reason behind it, Rohit reacted when asked about the CSA move. But he was clear that he always wants top players to play Tests. I don't know what the reason is (for SA not picking senior players) and in Test cricket you want to see best players being available but like I said I don't know what internal discussi

India vs South Africa 2nd Test: Have to show trust in Prasidh - Rohit

India skipper Rohit Sharma said he is not ready to lose faith in Prasidh Krishna's ability to withstand the rigours of five-day cricket despite his lacklustre debut in the opening Test against South Africa. Krishna was hammered for 93 runs in 20 overs on debut during the Centurion Test which India lost by an innings and 32 runs. "We had brief chat with management as to what we want from this game from bowlers, we haven't exactly finalized our eleven, all our players are fit and available. We will sit down and decide," Rohit said when asked about potential changes and whether Mukesh Kumar has a chance to play. It seemed he wants to persist with Prasidh, who is not exactly known for his economy rate and has been leaking runs across formats. "Having said that I know we have a little bit of inexperience in bowling and when that happens, you got to show trust in them. That can happen with any team. Post last match, I said about Prasidh playing his first game. We all get nervous when you

India cricket team over-rated in Test and T20 cricket: Kris Srikkanth

India is an "overrated" team in the longest format as many players in the current Test set-up have not performed to their potential, feels former opener Kris Srikkanth. Srikkanth's comments comes a few days after India suffered an embarrassing innings defeat in the first Test match against South Africa at Centurion. The 64-year-old acknowledged the success that India achieved under Virat Kohli but said they can't live on past laurels. "Test cricket, we are over-rated," Srikkanth said on his youtube channel. "I think it was a phase of 2-3 years...when Virat Kohli was the captain of the team, we were outstanding. We dominated in England, we fought hard in South Africa, we won in Australia. We had a good phase for 2-4 years," Srikkanth said. India have reached the finals in the last two editions of the World Test Championships but Srikkanth feels it is time to forget about the ICC rankings. "We have to forget ICC rankings. We are always 1-2, 1-2. It's a combination of having over-r

IND vs SA 2nd Test preview: Bowlers face tall task; Rohit seeks redemption

Rohit Sharma, the leader, will need to channelise the champion tactician that resides in him as India look to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Championship points table when the second Test starts here on Wednesday. Ravindra Jadeja, India's "Most Valuable Player" across formats, will come back to add the requisite middle-order batting balance and steady overs with the old Kookaburra but it will be the skipper's choice of third and fourth speed merchants that will define the embattled team's response. As harsh as it might sound, no one knows more than Rohit that Prasidh Krishna is pretty undercooked to counter the vagaries of Test cricket and Shardul Thakur's bits and pieces talent will not win him much on most days. But with three top-order batters, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer compounding the team's worries with their ineptitude while dealing with the bouncer barrage, Shardul's presence gives the side an assumption of ...

Watch Video: Warner makes desperate plea to return missing Baggy Greens

Australia opener David Warner on Tuesday made an emotional plea on social media for the return of his Baggy Greens after the backpack containing the cherished possession was stolen in transit ahead of his swansong Test here. As a "last resort" the 37-year-old took to Instagram so that he can walk out wearing the Baggy Green -- the iconic cap worn by Australian Test cricketers -- in his final Test at his hometown. "Unfortunately, this is my last resort to do this. A couple of days ago, someone has taken my backpack out of my extra luggage," Warner said in a video post on his Instagram. "Inside this backpack was my Baggy Greens. That's sentimental to me. It's something that I would love to have back, in my hands, walking out there, coming this week." "If it's the backpack that you really wanted, I have a spare one here. You won't get into trouble. Please reach out to Creed Australia or myself via my social media and I'm happy to give this to you if you return my Baggy Greens. Thank

IND vs SA 2nd Test: Shreyas Iyer faces short ball barrage in net session

Virat Kohli looked a million dollars as he did extensive simulation for South Africa's left-arm pacer Nandre Burger but Shreyas Iyer's problems seemed to continue while facing a barrage of short balls at nets here on Monday. On the New Year's Day, it was business as usual for Kohli, who had an extended session lasting close to an hour. First, he was at the centre nets against bowlers and then he faced high-intensity throwdowns for about 20 to 25 minutes at outside nets. Kohli is known to come to nets with specific purpose and on Monday, it seemed he wanted to extensively bat against a left-arm pacer. Since the Indian team's pace bowling roster doesn't include a left-armer, a net bowler was summoned and Kohli faced a good 25 to 30 deliveries from him in between playing against Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, R Ashwin and Avesh Khan. Kohli was repeatedly seen putting in a big stride forward and at times walking a couple of steps to whip the bowler through mid wicket. However, the on

Test's future in hands of administrators: Dean Elgar on prioritising SA20

With nothing to lose on the eve of his final international outing, Dean Elgar didn't hold back while expressing his disgust about Cricket South Africa sending a third-string squad to New Zealand under an uncapped captain just because the series is coinciding with the cash-rich SA20. It is a situation the 36-year-old Elgar, the stand-in captain for the second, and final, Test against India at Newlands, termed as "not ideal." "I still think Test cricket will have a future and in speaking to the younger guys in the dressing room, they still live for the format," Elgar said on Tuesday during his last pre-match conference. "The situation we've been put in from a cricketing fraternity perspective isn't ideal and maybe the team that's selected to go to New Zealand isn't ideal for the conversation of how I see Test cricket," Elgar was straightforward in his observations. Neil Brand will lead the Proteas team with seven uncapped players and none with even 10 Test experience against a strong

AUS vs PAK 3rd Test Playing 11: Australia announce 13-player lineup

Australia vs Pakistan 3rd Test Playing 11: It was anticipated that one of their 3 primary pacers would receive a rest; Cummins stated that every one of them has recovered well and is ready to play.

Cricket Yearender 2023: Kohli's immortality to India's shattered dreams

It was a year which saw Virat Kohli hit 50 ODI centuries, India lose two world titles and Mitchell Starc get paid Rs 24.75 Cr in the IPL auction

IND vs SA 2nd Test: Gerald Coetzee ruled out due to pelvic inflammation

Gerald Coetzee was not at his best in the first Test, picking just one wicket in both innings combined and scoring only 19 runs with the bat

Pakistan played better cricket than Australia, says team director Hafeez

Despite succumbing to a 79-run series-losing defeat to Australia here on Friday, Pakistan team director Mohammed Hafeez said his side played better cricket than the Aussies in the second Test. Australia captain Pat Cummins took five wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 237 runs in their second innings while chasing 316 for a win at the MCG. "We played better cricket as a team. I'm proud of that. The way the team had the courage to attack this game in the best possible way. Our batting intent was better, and while bowling, we were hitting the right areas. "We made some mistakes that cost us the game but as a team I believe that there were a lot of positives, enough to win the game but unfortunately at the end we didn't win the game," Hafeez was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. In Australia's second innings, Abdullah Shafique had dropped Mitchell Marsh at slips when the home side was 46 for four. Marsh was 20 then. Marsh went on to make 96 and added 153 runs for the fifth wicket