New Zealand made a strong start to their bid for a consolation victory in the third and final Test against England at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Saturday, reaching lunch on the opening day on 93 without loss.
New Zealand must adapt quickly, says Daryl Mitchell as spin-friendly surface beckons at Pune
Brydon Carse took six for 42 before England comfortably chased down their 104-run victory target in the first Test against New Zealand
England took charge of the first Test against New Zealand on Saturday, riding Harry Brook's 171 to a first-innings lead of 151 before reducing the Black Caps to 155/6 on Day 3.
Washington Sundar jumped seven places to move to 46th on the same list for Test bowlers.
Senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that a chase of around 150 won't be very easy for the Indian batters on a not-so typical Wankhede turner, where the track is behaving differently at two ends.
England finally faced some resistance from New Zealand in the shape of Tom Blundell's defiant century but dismissed the Black Caps for 259 to wrap up a thumping 323-run victory on the third day of the second Test on Sunday.
'So there was some good fight there and they got some rewards late in the day. So yeah, I think both teams will be pleased with their efforts.'
Harry Brook continued his remarkable form in New Zealand with a second century of the series to drive England to 280 before the tourists reduced the Black Caps to 86 for 5 at the close of play on Friday, the first day of the second Test.
India will look for the right balance as they aim for a series-levelling victory against a spunky New Zealand in the must-win second Test.
IMAGES from the Day 1 of the third Test played between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 1st Test played between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, on Friday.
The Australian bowling coach will work as an advisor for Pakistan's new National Cricket Academy in Lahore.\n\n\n\n
Mitchell Santner, Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra landed in Chennai on Saturday to join their team Chennai Super Kings.
Kane Williamson is a doubt for the Test series against India due to a groin injury sustained in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Kamindu Mendis maintained his red-hot form and struck a majestic 114 to power Sri Lanka to 302/7 on the opening day of the first Test.
New Zealand's bowlers exploited the favorable conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, decimating India's top order in the early overs.
Sri Lanka put themselves in a good position on the third day of the opening Test against New Zealand after Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal made half-centuries but the hosts lost some of their momentum to reach 237-4 at stumps in Galle on Friday.
Tom Latham and Kane Williamson led New Zealand's fightback with sparkling half-centuries as the Black Caps reached 255-4 on the rain-hit second day of their opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle
New Zealand beat India by 25 runs in Mumbai to complete an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep in India.
Woeful India dismissed for 46 as New Zealand pacers run riot
A spectacular seven-wicket haul by Mitchell Santner helped New Zealand dismiss India for 156 before the tourists reached 198-5 at stumps on day two of the second test in Pune on Friday to tighten their grip on the three-match series.
Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped away at the wickets to leave New Zealand reeling on 171/9 in their second innings at stumps on Day 2.
A turner in Pune exposed the soft underbelly of Indian batters' technique against slow bowling but as per the current team's philosophy, it has decided to take the bull by its horns by asking for a turner where the ball might turn at right angles from first hour.
Images from Day 3 of the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's 98 was a display of pure power and precision, laced with 10 boundaries and 3 towering sixes.
India has only minor concerns, but New Zealand's troubles across batting and bowling departments are more pronounced.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand?
Powered by awesome running from her team members Olympic 200m Gold medalist Gabby Thomas, 100m Bronze medalist Melissa Jefferson and Twanisha Terry, Sha'Carri Richardson ran a super fast final leg to ensure that the US won its first Olympic gold medal in the 4x100 relay since 2016.
IMAGES from the IPL 2024 match between Gujarat Titans vs Shubman Gill at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Images from Day 2 of the 3rd Test played between India and New Zealand, in Mumbai, on Saturday.
New Zealand on Monday named a strong squad, which includes five spin bowling options
Stationed at mid off, Du Plessis 'flew' with his right hand stretched out to pluck it out of the air. The 39 year old timed his jump to perfection as he was 2.3 metres off the ground when he grabbed the ball.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods when the two sides clash in an epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team for the IPL play-offs, in Bengaluru on Saturday.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on Monday.
A look at the best catches of the match...
IMAGES from Day 2 of the 1st Test played between India and New Zealand in Bengaluru, on Thursday.
In need of a victory to firm-up their position in the IPL play-offs race, Chennai Super Kings have the heavy task of nullifying a deeply hurt and frustrated Rajasthan Royals in Chennai on Sunday.
Despite being hit by the absence of key bowlers due to injuries as well as international commitments, Chennai Super Kings will still like to display their on-field ruthlessness while taking on wooden spooners Gujarat Titans in a 12th round IPL encounter in Ahmedabad on Friday.