Sri Lanka's Akila Dananjaya spun a web around New Zealand's batsmen, picking up all five wickets on a rain-shortened opening day of the first Test in Galle on Wednesday. Experienced batsman Ross Taylor held firm with an unbeaten 86 against the guile of Dananjaya to take the touring side to 203 for five when rain forced early stumps.
New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor's health would not be risked for the series-deciding one day international on Saturday as the team looks ahead to two Tests against England, coach Mike Hesson has said.
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Ross Taylor stands on the cusp of a coveted 100th Test of his career.
India captain Virat Kohli and senior batsman Rohit Sharma retained their number one and two position respectively in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen, while pacer Jasprit Bumrah remained at the third spot in the bowler's list.
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck three early blows to put the hosts on course for a series-clinching victory against New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
An ill Tim Southee and superb debut from Kyle Jamieson helped New Zealand to a tense 22-run victory over India in their second one day international at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday and clinch the three-match series with a game to spare. India were dismissed for 251 in 48.3 overs with Ravindra Jadeja (55) producing a superb rearguard fightback after he came to the crease with his side in trouble at 96-5 and almost won the game in partnership with fast bowler Navdeep Saini (45). New Zealand had scored 273-8 in their innings with Ross Taylor following up his century in the first match in Hamilton with 73 not out.
For Kohli, a trophy-less cabinet doesn't do justice to the champion performer that he has been for a decade.
Formula One offered fans a glimpse of the future on Thursday with a presentation of what cars will look like next season when the sport undergoes a rules revamp to make racing closer and more exciting.
Former Australia fast bowler Dirk Nannes has slammed his countrymen's ' horrendous sportsmanship' for failing to acknowledge Ross Taylor's inspiring 290-run knock in the second Test in Perth.
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The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and NATO have expressed concern on the new law and warned of retaliatory measures.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said that they will be primarily focussed on how to 'best combat' his Indian counterpart in the limited overs series, starting in Napier on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old clobbered left-arm spinner Karl Carver six times over the rope in the 16th over to join a select group that includes Garfield Sobers, Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh and Lancashire's Jordan Clark, who achieved it in a second-team game against Yorkshire.
Images from Day 3 of the first Test between India and New Zealand, at Green Park, Kanpur, on Saturday.
'They're the No. 1 team in the world, but we're obviously in conditions that we know, so let's get through the white-ball phase first before we get on to talking about that (Tests)'
Kane Williamson's burgeoning 215-run stand with Henry Nicholls, who was batting on 89, helped the hosts finish Day 2 on a strong 286-3 in reply to Pakistan's first innings total of 297.
'Williamson, Jamieson rested from T20s as Tests key priority.'
'It's a very special feeling, the first time in our history we've come away with a World title,' said New Zealand skipper Kane Wiilliamson after victory over India in the WTC final on Wednesday.
The squad will then be trimmed to 15 for the ICC World Test Championship final against India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton starting on June 18, as per ICC regulations.
Captain Kane Williamson returns to the side after missing the second Test
Kyle Jamieson wrecked India with the ball and opener Devon Conway compiled a half-century to put New Zealand in a commanding position in the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in Southampton on Sunday.
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Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme made themselves unavailable for selection due to the prospect of further time in bio-secure bubbles and Managed Isolation.
New Zealand made as many as six changes for the ongoing second Test, some forced and some rotated ahead of the World Test Championship final against India in Southampton from June 18.
The 29-year-old left-hander was on 117 with Kyle Jamieson on one at stumps at the Basin Reserve.
Tim Southee and Matt Henry removed both England openers as New Zealand reduced the tourists to 39-2 and took control of the second Test by the close of play on the second day at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.
Images from Day 5 of the first Test between India and New Zealand, at Green Park in Kanpur, on Monday.
Conway, who is among the three uncapped players in the 20-man squad, feels the camp back home in Lincoln ahead of the tour was ideal. New Zealand play with the Kookaburra at home.
Here's how the England players celebrated their triumph:
Skipper Kane Williamson smashed his fourth Test double-hundred while Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell notched up centuries to fuel New Zealand's bid for a 2-0 series sweep
It remains to be seen whether India stick to their combination of three specialist pacers and two spinners combination or bring in an extra spinner in Kuldeep Yadav to partner Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja.
A statement said 4,997 tests had been carried out on drivers, teams and personnel from July 10-16.
Barkley has not played since Oct. 19 due to an ankle injury.
Ross and Rachel end their super long break. Kate Winslet solves Easttown's grimmest mystery. Huma Qureshi gets political in Bihar. All this and more on OTT this week notes Sukanya Verma.
Jos Buttler was heard swearing at Vernon Philander through the stump microphone on day five as the South African batted to save the Test for the home side
The nominations for the Golden Globes have been announced.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson led from the front with a double century to guide the hosts to a huge total in their first innings on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies, at Seddon Park, in Hamilton, on Friday.
New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel claimed the rare honour of bagging all 10 wickets in an innings before India demonstrated their own bowling might to take control on Day 2 of the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday.
