Yuvraj Singh has been denied the permission to make a comeback by the BCCI while the end of the year has brought delight for Kane Williamson as the Blackcaps skipper has moved to the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings for the batsmen.
Apart from this, injured Indian pacer Umesh Yadav is returning home while T. Natarajan has been roped in the side for the remainder of the Test series against Australia.
Here are the more updates from the day.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has surpassed Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to take the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for the batsmen. Williamson scored a fine double ton against West Indies at home and then scored a disciplined 129 runs in the first Test against Pakistan in Hamilton. The home side eventually won that match by 101 runs. The hundred against Pakistan gave Williamson 13 points taking his tally to 890. The right-handed batsman is now ahead of Kohli and Smith by 11 and 13 points respectively.
Umesh Yadav has been ruled out of the Test series against Australia after sustaining a calf injury during the second match in Melbourne. T. Natarajan has been included in the squad after Yadav’s departure. Natarajan made his limited-overs debut against Australia earlier on this tour. The four-match series between India and Australia is levelled at 1-1 after the visiting team won the second match by 8 wickets.
New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner will miss the Christchurch Test against Pakistan. Wagner had injured his toe during the first match of the series. The left-arm pacer showed exemplary intent and continued to bowl during the first encounter and even picked up the important wicket of Fawad Alam who scored a ton in the second innings. He eventually returned with figures of 2/55. "Neil was absolutely outstanding," Stead was quoted as saying by Reuters. "I don't think there are too many individuals who could do what he did in that test match.” "Neil hasn't travelled with us. The injections he was getting (to lessen the pain) were wearing off (quickly) and we can't let him go through that again." The second match between the two sides Is slated to begin on January 3 at Hagley Oval.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has turned down Yuvraj Singh’s permission to come out of retirement and play in the domestic circuit. The Punjab state team had requested Yuvraj to play for the domestic side and also mentor the young players. Talking to Asianet Newsable, Yuvraj’s father Yograj has said, “Meanwhile, besides playing, giving back to the boys and Indian cricket is very important. If he can produce four-five players for the country in the coming years, it would be great. I will be very, very happy. He continues to practice even today.”
Perth Scorchers defeated Adelaide Strikers by 7 wickets in Adelaide. Chasing 147 in 20 overs, Perth went over the line in the 18th over. Jason Roy struck 49 off 32 while Josh Inglis and Mitchell Marsh remained unbeaten at 44 and 38 respectively. Earlier, Jhye Richardson scalped three wickets for 19 in 4 overs for Perth. For Adelaide, it was Alex Carey who was the lone warrior for the side as he scored 82 in 49 balls.
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