Australia toppled India at the top of the ODI rankings after securing a 4-1 win over the visiting South Africans in their 5-match series as another busy week of international cricket came to an end.
The Kangaroos will now change their clothes to whites as they prepare for the Indian battle and they have named a strong team for the first Test which starts on December 4th.
Steven Smith’s 2nd ODI century helps Australia secure the series
A fluent century from all-rounder Steve Smith helped Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets in the 4th ODI at Melbourne on 21st of November.
Earlier, South African captain AB de Villiers won the toss and decided to bat first. Riding on the skipper’s 91-run innings, the visitors posted a decent total of 267-8 runs on the board in 50 overs. For Australia, James Faulkner and Pat Cummins struck two wickets apiece, while Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Glenn Maxwell got a wicket apiece. In response, the Australians rode on a sublime ton from Steve Smith (104) to chase down the target with 6 balls to spare.
Thrilling final ODI regains the number one ranking for Australia
Australia returned to the top of the world one-day rankings after surviving a dramatic late batting collapse to beat South Africa by 2 wickets at the SCG on 23rd of November.
A classic 82 from Shane Watson, a superb 76 from Aaron Finch and Steve Smith’s 67 looked to have laid the platform for a comfortable victory as the hosts looked well set to reach their rain-adjusted target of 275. An inspired spell of bowling by left-arm spinner Robin Peterson (4 for 32) saw Australia slump from 4 for 264 to 8 for 267 before James Faulkner (6*) hit the winning runs at the start of the final over. An excellent 107 from South Africa opener Quinton de Kock and some powerful lower-order batting from Farhaan Behardien (63) helped the Proteas finish on 280 for 6 at the end of their 50 overs.
Pakistan vs New Zealand – 2nd Test ends in an exciting draw
Pakistan drew the second Test against New Zealand in Dubai to maintain 1-0 series lead after the Kiwis put up a strong batting resistance in both innings.
Tom Latham and Ross Taylor scored centuries in the 1st and 2nd innings respectively for the visitors while Sarfraz Ahmed stroked a valuable ton in the 1st innings for Pakistan. New Zealand made 403 in their 1st innings and the hosts replied with 393. The Kiwis scored 250 for 9 declared in their 2nd batting essay giving a target of 261 to chase but the Pakistani batsmen could only muster 196 for 5 at close of play on day 5.
Bangladesh record two easy wins over Zimbabwe
Bangladesh continued to dominate their home series against Zimbabwe as they took a 2-0 lead against the visitors in their 5-match ODI series.
The 1st ODI played on November 1st in Chittagong saw Shakib Al-Hasan smash a brilliant century as the hosts won their 1st ODI match of the year beating the African nation by 87 runs. In the 2nd ODI match, Tamim Iqbal and Anamul Haque constructed a mammoth 158-run opening partnership which helped Bangladesh beat Zimbabwe by 68 runs on 23rd of November in Chittagong.
Sachithra Senanayake retested in Chennai
Sri Lanka Cricket announced that off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake who is currently facing a ban on his bowling action had his official retest conducted at an ICC Official testing site in Chennai (India) over the weekend (23rd November, Sunday). The results of the retest are expected to be made available by the ICC in (14) days’ time.
Sri Lanka squad for the first three ODIs
Sri Lanka Cricket have named a 15-member squad for the first three One Day Internationals against England which starts on 26th November.
Jeevan Mendis, Thilina Kandamby and Dilruwan Perera make their comeback into the national team while Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chathuranga de Silva and Ashan Priyanjan, who were all part of the Indian sojourn, find themselves out due to poor performances. Wicket-keeper batsman, Kusal Perera, retains his place despite modest outings in India. Rangana Herath, who was rested for the Indian series is back.
Squad for first three ODIs: Angelo Mathews (captain), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Gamage.
Australia name squad for the Brisbane Test against India
Michael Clarke has been named in Australia’s 12-man squad to face India in the first Test in Brisbane subject to a fitness test. Clarke has been battling a hamstring injury that saw him miss most of the recent one-day series against South Africa, which Australia won 4-1 but the selectors have kept faith with the skipper as he works to prove his fitness for the first of four Tests against India starting at the Gabba on December 4.
Squad: Michael Clarke (captain),Brad Haddin (vice-captain), Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Assad Fudadin replaces Darren Bravo
Guyana left-hander Assad Fudadin will replace Darren Bravo in the 15-man Test squad for the tour of South Africa. The 29-year-old Fudadin played three Tests in 2012 and has mainly campaigned with West Indies ‘A’ since then. Fudadin gets his chance following Bravo’s decision to pull out of the squad for personal reasons. The elegant left-hander wrote chief selector Clive Lloyd requesting that he not be considered for the Test series.
