IPL 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad are hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes after failing to make it to play-offs in the last three seasons.
New Zealand will play the World Cup-opener against England on Thursday without key pacer Tim Southee, who is yet to recover from his thumb surgery.
The WTC winners will collect US$1.6 million as the prize money, while the losing finalists will pocket $800,000.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test played between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG on Friday.
New Zealand and Bangladesh enter their final group match of the ICC Champions Trophy, in Cardiff, on Friday, with the knowledge that even a win may not be enough to see either of them into the semi-finals.
One of the biggest turning points of the July 14 final was the overthrow on the fourth ball of the final over bowled by Trent Boult.
Images from Day 2 of the first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur, on Friday.
Avesh Khan excelled with the ball to lift Lucknow Super Giants to a thrilling 12-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL 2022 match at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai on Monday.
'I think there's a lot of other people that had England and India in the final right from the start, so I think Australia will be proud of their efforts as well.'
There was poor communication and complete mismanagement between the stadium authority and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB). Rain had affected the buildup to the Test, the first between the two nations, with New Zealand not being able to complete a single practice session properly.
Tom Latham's first challenge as captain will be the three Tests in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai over the next three weeks, followed by hosting England for three matches at home.
'I think as a nation we all aged a year in that super over. I feel nothing but pride. What a team'
Almost out of reckoning for a place in the play-offs, bottom-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to play party-poopers when they take on an equally struggling Punjab Kings in the battle of laggards in the IPL in Sharjah on Saturday.
'If he couldn't plan a successful strategy for a home series, how will he manage in a more challenging away series?', asks veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
New Zealand debutant Devon Conway crafted a century on the opening day of the first Test against England on Wednesday, with his unbeaten knock of 136 leading the visitors to 246-3 at stumps at Lord's.
South Africa skittled New Zealand's tail to dismiss their hosts for 211 and take a shock first-innings lead of 31 runs on day two of the second Test at Seddon Park on Wednesday.
In India, 29 positive cases have been reported so far, including 16 Italian tourists. New Zealand Cricket said that the cricket board is in constant touch with the country's health, foreign affairs and sports ministry to get regular updates which will ensure health safety for its players.
India's Ravichandran Ashwin maintained his stronghold at the top of the ICC Test All-Rounder rankings while Ravindra Jadeja stayed fifth in the chart.
At the start of the auction on Sunday, Punjab Kings had the highest funds at Rs 110.5 crore, which decreased to Rs 10.9 crore before Day 2 on Monday.
Padded up and ready, Rahul Tripathi was all attention to what The Legend said ahead of hitting the nets.
Did you enjoy Noor Ahmad's superb showing with the ball?
'We leave it up to the players to decide whether or not they want to participate and request NOCs'
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.
Rashid Khan and Khaeel Ahmed ensured KXIP could never find any kind of momentum in a steep chase.
None of New Zealand's batters were able to build on their starts
Pant was appointed as the Delhi Capitals skipper following the injury to regular captain Shreyas Iyer,
Kane Williamson was looming as the difference between a comfortable Australian win in the second Test against New Zealand and a match situation that could tip the scales either way, according to both sides.
New Zealand were bundled out for 126
Sans Hardik, it's starting all over again for dominant India
The unbeaten streak of table-toppers Surisers Hyderabad would be up for a test when they take on third-placed Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League contest, in Mohali, on Thursday.
Showers are expected in the afternoon session and the groundsman will have a job in hand. But rain won't interfere in the post-tea session.
After hammering the Kiwis 3-0 in the Tests, the focus now shifts to white-ball cricket . New Zealand will be bolstered by the presence of star allrounder Corey Anderson as captain Kane Williamson looks to avenge the defeat in Tests. Also, MS Dhoni's men will need to win the ODI series by a 4-1 margin to claim third place on the ICC ODI Championship.
Mohammed Shami's 7/57 is the best figures by an Indian bowler in the World Cup.
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli rued the dropped catch of SunRisers Hyderabad batsman Kane Williamson at the fag end of the Indian Premier League Eliminator, in Abu Dhabi on Friday, saying the match could have gone in his side's way had the "difficult" chance been taken.
Hardik Pandya wished Team India luck for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand
A charged up Sunrisers Hyderabad will have revenge on their minds when they face an in-form Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, in Hyderabad, on Thursday.
The victorious New Zealand cricketers will carry the ICC World Test Championship Mace on a week-long, nationwide tour of the country, starting on July 26, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Wednesday.
Rachin Ravindra becomes youngest recipient of Sir Richard Hadlee Medal
Russell's eyes lit up immediately, much like a hungry tourist at a breakfast buffet, as he chomped through the deliveries, starting with two singles before finishing with three sixes off the final four deliveries.
Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus lamented the inability to execute plans with the ball in the death overs, saying it cost his side the T20 World Cup Super 12s match against New Zealand, in Sharjah, on Friday. He was, however, hopeful of an improved show against India in the teams' concluding league fixture.
