Two of the most accomplished wicket-keeping captains in this new millennium, Brendon McCullum and MS Dhoni finished off 2014 in fascinating yet opposing ways during the final week of the year. Brendon smashed a superb 195 to lead New Zealand to victory while Dhoni announced his retirement from Test cricket.
New Zealand wins 1st Test despite Dimuth’s heroic ton
New Zealand recorded an 8-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first Test played at Christchurch during the final week of 2014 to cap off their most successful year in Test match cricket.
Brendon McCullum smashed the fastest New Zealand Test century to decimate the Lankan bowlers as the Kiwis posted 441 thanks to their skipper’s belligerent 195. Trent Boult and Tim Southee bundled out the visitors for 138 in their 1st innings with only their captain Angelo Mathews scoring a half-ton.
After being asked to follow-on, Sri Lanka staged a superb rear-guard effort with opener Dimuth Karunarathne stroking his best knock in tests (152 in 363 balls) yet Sri Lanka failed to put up a substantial score to defend. New Zealand opening bowling pair of Southee and Boult shared 13 wickets amongst them in the match.
India fight hard to draw Boxing Day Test at MCG
An intense battle between the bat and the ball on the final day saw India draw the 3rd Test at Melbourne, after a surprisingly delayed Aussie declaration. India were set a near-impossible target of 384 to chase down in 70 0vers at the MCG and when play closed India had reached 174 for the loss of 6 wickets.
Earlier in the match, Steven Smith continued his purple patch with yet another superb knock of 192 which helped Australia post 530 in their 1st innings. India made 465 thanks to two brilliant centuries by Ajinkya Rahane (147) and Virat Kohli (169).
Rain spoils 2nd Test in Port Elizabeth
Persistent rain and a wet outfield intervened for most of the second Test between South Africa and West Indies in Port Elizabeth which ended in a draw. No play was possible on the final day and the match ended with the West Indies on 275 for 9 in their first innings, in reply to South Africa’s 417 for eight declared.
MS Dhoni retires from Test cricket
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has retired from Test cricket last week shocking the cricketing world. The decision came after India drew the third Test in Melbourne. Out of the 90 Tests he played, Dhoni led India in 60 matches. Dhoni finished with most Test wins as India captain (27), beating the previous best of 21 wins held by Sourav Ganguly. Virat Kohli will lead India in the fourth and final Test against Australia in Sydney from January 6.
Dav Whatmore appointed Zimbabwe coach
Australian Dav Whatmore has been named as the new head coach of Zimbabwe. The Sri Lankan-born 60-year-old has agreed to a contract until the end of the World Cup in March 2015. Whatmore, who coached Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996, will take charge of his fourth international side having also led Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Sri Lanka name their ODI squad for New Zealand series
Sri Lanka recalled medium-pacer Nuwan Kulasekera for the 7-match ODI series against New Zealand which starts on January 11th in Christchurch. The 32-year-old was dropped from the side for the home ODI series against England in November. Lasith Malinga, who skipped both the India tour late October-November and the England series due to injury, is also making a comeback.
Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Thilakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirinanna, Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Jeevan Mendis, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekera, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Shaminda Eranga.
Saeed Ajmal pulls out of World Cup squad
Saeed Ajmal, the suspended Pakistan off-spinner, has withdrawn from the World Cup squad because he has no chance of getting his action cleared before the tournament. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials met last week and decided that all-rounder Mohammed Hafeez, who is also suspended from bowling in international cricket, will travel to the southern Indian city of Chennai for a test.
“If Hafeez clears the informal test, then we will apply to the International Cricket Council [ICC] to hold his official test for his bowling action to be cleared,” the PCB said in a statement. Ajmal, who was named in the preliminary squad, will continue remedial work on his action and play domestic cricket until he has satisfied himself he can take the ICC test.
Pragyan Ojha banned from bowling
Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has been banned from bowling in competitive cricket after his bowling action was found to be illegal. Ojha’s action was analyzed by the ICC authorized testing center in Chennai and it was found that his elbow was bent beyond the permissible 15 degrees.
Ojha was tested after requests by his state cricket board, Hyderabad Cricket Association. Ojha has played 24 Tests and 18 ODIs for India but his last international appearance was way back in November, 2013. It is reported that Ojha’s action was under scrutiny for more than a year now.
Ashton Agar added to squad for Sydney Test
Western Australian left-arm spinner Ashton Agar has been added to the Australian squad for the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Agar joins the 13-man squad that regained the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2-0 following a draw in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
