Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant has set a unique batting record in Australia by becoming the first visiting batsman to score over 25 runs in nine consecutive innings. Pant went past Wally Hammond (England), Rusi Surti (India) and Viv Richards (West Indies), who scored 25+ runs in eight consecutive innings. During the third day’s play in the third Test between India and Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Pant surpassed another milestone as he crossed the 400-run mark in the country. Playing his ninth innings in Australia, Pant now averages over 58 in the country. Pant's only century in Australia (159*) came during the Sydney Test of 2019. Overlooked for the first Test at Adelaide Oval, Pant replaced Wriddhiman Saha for the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. He scored a vital 29 in the first innings, a knock that played a small part in India’s memorable win at the venue. However, the southpaw has been under fire for his shoddy glovework. Earlier in the Sydney Test, he dropped Will Puckovski twice as the debutant registered his maiden fifty. Australian legend Ricky Ponting, who is also incidentally Rishabh Pant’s coach at Delhi Capitals in the IPL, criticised the southpaw for his wicketkeeping, stating that no keeper has dropped as many catches since his debut.
NZ take No 1 spot in Tests for 1st time
New Zealand grabbed the No 1 position in the ICC Test rankings for the first time in history after decimating Pakistan by an innings and 176 runs in the second Test in Christchurch, recently. The comfortable series-clinching victory, shaped by captain Kane Williamson’s double century, pushed the Kiwis to top of the heap as they became the sixth country in the past 10 years to be ranked No 1 in Test cricket. Overall, they are the seventh side in the world to hold the No 1 spot. New Zealand came close to reaching the summit in the last couple of years but stayed second on the table. They now have 118 points, two more than Australia and four clear of India.
Amre named DC assistant coach
Delhi Capitals announced the appointment of Pravin Amre as the team’s assistant coach for two seasons of the Indian Premier League. Amre, who served as Delhi Capitals’ head talent scout between 2014-2019, will join the existing coaching staff of Delhi-based franchise.
Oldest FC cricketer Burgess dies
The world’s oldest living first-class cricketer Alan Burgess has passed away at the age of 100, New Zealand Cricket announced. A right-hand batsman and slow left-arm bowler, Alan appeared in 11 first-class matches for Canterbury from 1940/ 41 to 1951/52 and also for New Zealand Services in England in 1945. He took 6-52 on debut against Otago.
South Africa complete series win over Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne’s century could not prevent South Africa from completing a 2-0 series win on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Wanderers Stadium recently. South Africa won by 10 wickets after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 211 in their second innings. Set to make 67 runs to win, the hosts sealed their victory half an hour after lunch. Karunaratne, the Lankan captain, made 103 after starting the day on 91. His dismissal started a collapse in which Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for 35 runs. Lungi Ngidi took four for 44 and Lutho Sipamla ripped through the tail to take three for 40.
