Black Caps eye Proteas’ spot
New Zealand can overtake South Africa in the ICC Test Team Rankings if they beat the Proteas by 2-0 or better in the upcoming three-match home series starting in Dunedin on Wednesday.
A 2-0 win for fifth-placed New Zealand will take them level with South Africa on 102 points but ahead on decimal points while the Black Caps could go up from 98 points to 103 points and third place with a 3-0 win.
South Africa will be on 101 points in such a scenario, equal with England but behind on decimal points, in fifth position.
On the other hand, South Africa can go up to 111 points on the points table with a 3-0 win in the series. India and Australia, who are currently engaged in a four-Test series, hold the top two positions with 121 and 109 points, respectively.
In the ICC Rankings for Test Batsmen, the Proteas squad boasts of Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock in sixth and ninth positions, respectively, while Kagiso Rabada (fifth) and Vernon Philander (ninth) are its bowlers from the squad in the top-10.
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson, who is in fourth position, will be the highest-ranked batsman from either side, while pace bowlers Neil Wagner, Trent Boult and Tim Southee are the leading bowlers for New Zealand at 11th, 12th and 13th positions, respectively.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh will have a chance to overtake the West Indies in the points table if it is able to pull off a victory in a two-Test series against Sri Lanka that starts in Galle on Tuesday.
A 1-0 win will take Bangladesh one point clear of the West Indies with 70 points to eighth position while a 2-0 series win could take it to 72 points. On the other hand, Sri Lanka could go up to 93 points with a 2-0 win but will remain in seventh position.
In the absence of Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal will be Sri Lanka’s leading batsman at 31st rank while captain Rangana Herath will be the leading bowler in the series at fourth position. For Bangladesh, Mominul Haque is the leading batsman at 19th position while Shakib Al Hasan (15th) is the top-ranked bowler.
Latest
-
NewsChris Cairns on the road to recovery after revealing he suffered spinal stroke
The former New Zealand all-rounder has expressed his gratitude to the medical teams who saved his life and to his many well-wishers.
-
NewsStuart Broad committed to Ashes amid concerns over England’s trip to Pakistan
The ECB is set to make a decision about whether to make the expedition to Pakistan, which precedes the T20 World Cup and Ashes campaigns.
-
NewsSam Billings hails ‘magic’ Jordan Cox after Kent win Vitality Blast
Cox’s half-century was outshone by his own spectacular piece of boundary fielding in the 25-run win over Somerset.
-
NewsKent crowned Vitality Blast champions after beating Somerset in eventful final
Jordan Cox shone in the field for the Spitfires in the showpiece match at Edgbaston.
-
NewsDaniel Bell-Drummond and Darren Stevens shine as Kent set up final with Somerset
Stevens won this competition with Leicestershire in 2004.
-
NewsSomerset through to Vitality Blast final after edging out Hampshire in thriller
Chasing Hampshire’s 150 all out, Somerset won by two wickets with two balls remaining.
-
NewsRavi Shastri intends to stand down after an India Twenty 20 World Cup win
The head coach does not want to outstay his welcome.
-
NewsSam Billings wants a winning end to the summer to set him up for a busy winter
The Kent captain is aiming to lift the team to their first silverware since 2009.
-
NewsEngland return to Pakistan in doubt after New Zealand call off tour of country
Both England’s men’s and women’s sides are scheduled to play back-to-back Twenty20 double headers in October.
-
NewsEngland’s trip to Pakistan in doubt after New Zealand abandon tour
The Black Caps pulled out of their series on the morning of the first scheduled ODI due to security concerns.