The 2-0 series triumph over New Zealand has propelled England to the third spot in the ICC Test Rankings, just one point behind second-placed India. Sunday's win in Nottingham, coupled with the victory at Old Trafford and the draw at Lord's means England rises above South Africa in the Test Championship table into third position.
The bowling stocks looks good, but the major concern will be around the batting line-up, which struggled on the recent tour of England.
pace bowlers Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner emerged from the dressing room to check out the rainy day at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Friday.
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has made a full recovery from his knee injury and is set to play in Saurashtra's final Ranji Trophy match, which begins on January 24, to prove his match fitness.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson will be rested for the second Test against England due to a left elbow injury, with Tom Latham to lead the side in his absence.
-He has 30 five-wicket hauls in international cricket, the 10th highest in the format and the second highest by an Indian next to Anil Kumble (38). Muralitharan has the highest number of five-wicket hauls (77).
The postponement of the Test series between South Africa and Australia means New Zealand have become the first team to qualify for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final to be held in England from June 18 to 22, with June 23 as the reserve day.
India can jump two places to fourth in the LG ICC ODI Championship if it completes a clean sweep of ODI victories over Ireland, South Africa and Pakistan over the next two weeks or so.
Kohli congratulated Watling as both India and New Zealand stepped out to the field on the Reserve Day of the ongoing WTC final
Ponting said at the end of the day it comes down to individual preparation.
Pakistan women's cricket team captain Bismah Maroof has decided against skipping the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham despite the organisers denying accreditation to her infant daughter
The opening day of the ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand was called off due to persistent rain, in Southampton, on Friday.
Kohli has managed just 111 runs in three Tests against Australia but Ponting is not worried about lack of runs.
The five-match Test series between India and England, starting on August 4, will start the second cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
India face Australia in the WTC final on June 7 at The Oval in London.
Shastri wants both Ashwin and Jadeja in Indian playing XI for WTC Final
Virat Kohli is set to make history on Thursday as he takes the field against the West Indies
We are used to the Dukes ball having practised with it during IPL, says Axar ahead of WTC final
India and New Zealand will lock horns in the finals of WTC at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton
'It is about finding ways to score runs and contribute to the side in as many games as I can.'
The 1983 World Cup-winning skipper, however, said fans should not be too critical of the team's performance in the semifinals.
India missed out on second spot in the annual ICC Test Championship and a prize purse of USD 75,000 after they were pipped by South Africa by just a point following the Proteas' win over Australia in the third Test in Cape Town.
As per the existing format, a team is supposed to play six series in the WTC, three home and three away but they are not scheduled alternatively.
Purists may hope for a better balance between bat and ball compared to previous slugfests, and the big grounds and long boundaries may offer some relief for bowlers while putting a premium on fielding.
The ICC has also allocated a Reserve Day to make up for any lost time during the regular days of the Final, scheduled to be played from 18 to 22 June, with 23 June set aside as the Reserve Day.
'I know we've got a big series but we can worry about that in a couple days' time. You only get a few of these moments in your career where you can sit back, acknowledge a pretty special achievement and that's one of these times.'
Head coach Rahul Dravid and his team will assemble at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday to start preparations for the World Test Championship final in June.
The Indian team touched down in Southampton on Thursday where they will undergo quarantine before resuming their preparations for the ICC World Test Championship final.
The PCB chief said it was their right to demand this assurance and no one can keep Pakistan out of the World Cup.
Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop said Jasprit Bumrah's career can only be managed by picking and choosing tournaments amid the relentless schedule.
Ro will have his wish fulfilled with 4,000 fans permitted to attend the ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton from June 18 to 22.
India to play 38 Tests, 39 ODIs, 61 T20Is in next cycle
Ricky Ponting believes that India will play both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the World Test Championship final against Australia, starting June 7.
India and Australia are clubbed together in Group B along with Zimbabwe and East Asia Pacific qualifier Papua New Guinea, an ICC release read on Wednesday.
The collective brilliance of the Indian XI in the 2023 World Cup makes a compelling case for each player to be considered for inclusion in every World XI.
India dislodged arch-rivals Pakistan to claim the top spot in the ICC Test rankings following their series-clinching comprehensive 178-run win over New Zealand in the second cricket Test in Kolkata on Monday.
India pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar says he never realised the importance of adding pace to his bowling in his formative years but once he did, it helped him 'maintain that swing' which keeps batsmen guessing.
Pat Cummins produced a vicious bowling onslaught to leave India battered and bruised as Australia took a 296-run lead on day three.
The Indian players are currently on a break and will reassemble on July 14.
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