Southee steps down as New Zealand test captain, Latham takes over
Tim Southee has stepped down as test captain of New Zealand after struggling for form and has been replaced by opening batsman Tom Latham ahead of the India series.
County Kane Sport News
Tim Southee Replaced By Tom Latham As New Zealand Test Captain
Tim Southee stood down as New Zealand captain on Wednesday in the wake of their heavy Test series defeat in Sri Lanka and will be replaced by Tom Latham. Less than two years after inheriting the role from Kane Williamson, veteran seam bowler Southee said it is "best for the team" that he focus on his contribution as a player and wished Latham well. Opening batsman Latham, who has led the Black Caps in nine Tests, will take charge full-time on the three-Test tour of India starting in Bangalore on October 16.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights: Sri Lanka Win By An Innings And 154 Runs
SL vs NZ 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights: Sri Lanka on Sunday defeated New Zealand by an innings and 154 runs in the second and final Test at Galle International Stadium. With it, the Dhananjaya de Silva-led side also completed 2-0 clean sweep over their guests as Sri Lanka had won the first game by 63 runs at the same venue. In the first innings of the match, Kamindu Mendis anchored the hosts to a formidable 602 for 5 before the side decided to declare the innings. New Zealand were dismissed for 88 and then asked to follow-on. The Blackcaps were bowled out for 360 in their second innings, thus losing the game by an innings margin. (Scorecard)
2nd Test, Day 2: Sri Lanka Scent Series Victory As New Zealand 199-5 After Follow-On
Sri Lanka were just five wickets away from a crushing second Test and series victory over New Zealand on Saturday with the tourists 199-5 at stumps on third day, having followed on after collapsing to 88 all out in their first innings. Tom Blundell was not out 47 and Glenn Phillips on 32 when bad light forced an early end to play in Galle after debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris took three top-order wickets. Devon Conway, battling to save both his team and his place in the side, joined forces with former captain Kane Williamson in a dogged 97-run partnership for the second wicket.
"Don't Think Steve Smith Or Joe Root Or Kane Williamson...": Ex-India Star's Massive Virat Kohli Comparison
India star Virat Kohli's lean patch in international cricket continues. The right-handed batter failed to fire in the recently-concluded first Test against Bangladesh held in Chennai. In both innings of the Test, Kohli delivered subpar scores of 6 and 17. Kohli's poor form has put him under harsh criticism. However, former India opener Parthiv Patel has backed the underfire batter. Parthiv said that Kohli is facing the pressure of expectations because of the standards he has set for himself. Pathiv added that neither of Joe Root or Kane Williamson or Steve Smith -- the rest three members of the 'Fabulous 4' -- will be facing the kind of pressure that Kohli has been subjected to.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 2 Live Score Updates
SL vs NZ Live Updates, 2nd Test Day 2: Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 602/5 before declaring on Day 2 in the second Test against New Zealand at Galle. Kamindu Mendis stayed unbeaten on a fabulous 182, while Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal also notched up fantastic hundreds. In response, New Zealand got off to a shaky start, losing openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway cheaply. They ended Day 2 on 22/2, with the experienced Kane Williamson and nightwatchman Ajaz Patel at the crease, but firmly on the back foot. (Live Scorecard)
Sri Lanka Star Kamindu Mendis Breaks Vinod Kambli's 30-Year-Old Record, Equals Don Bradman In Elite Test List
New Zealand were flailing at 22-2 and trailing by 580 on Friday against a dominant Sri Lankan batting attack that saw middle-order maestro Kamindu Mendis reach 1,000 runs from just eight Test appearances. Sri Lanka declared at 602-5 shortly before stumps on day two in Galle after a 200-run partnership between Kamindu and Kusal Mendis -- the third century-plus stand of the innings. The tourists then lost their openers inside nine overs, with Tom Latham caught on the fifth ball of the innings for two and Devon Conway dismissed for nine.
Sri Lanka vs New Zealand Live Score Updates 1st Day 2
SL vs NZ Live Updates, 1st Day 2: Dinesh Chandimal's century in Galle powered Sri Lanka to 306-3 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand. The veteran batter, who scored his 16th Test century, by Glenn Phillips in the final session after hitting 15 boundaries in his knock of 116 -- his sixth Test century at the picturesque venue and his 16th overall. Angelo Mathews (78) and Kamindu Mendis (51) will resume for the hosts on the second day. (Live Scorecard)