timesofindia.indiatimes.com - India become No.1 team across formats

India become No.1 team across formats

The mammoth innings and 132-run win helped India dethrone the Aussies from the top spot in the longest format. Already the number one T20I side, India rose to the top spot in the ODI rankings last month when they whitewashed New Zealand 3-match series. India (115) are four rating points ahead of Australia (111) in the Test rankings and a win in the second Test, starting Friday, will not only consolidate their top spot but also aid their push for entering second consecutive World Test Championship Final.India need to win the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 or 3-0 to make the final.

Will do everything to be available for selection: Mitchell Starc

Starc, who got injured while fielding against South Africa in December has had his finger in a splint for weeks but despite the lingering effects of the injury, the 33-year-old is doing everything possible to be available for selection. After an embarrassing loss in the first Test, the Aussies parachuted left-armer Starc into the squad ahead of the second Test."I'd like to be a little further down the road," said Starc.

I did my best, if someone's doing better than that, it's fine: Shikhar Dhawan

World Cup at home later this year.One of the finest openers India have produced in the 50-over format, Dhawan was dropped from the side following a lean run which included the three games in Bangladesh in December.The southpaw had led the side in New Zealand in November when Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were rested.Shubman Gill came into the team at Dhawan's expense and the young opener has not looked back ever since, amassing four hundreds, including a double hundred in his last seven innings.

WPL: RCB name Ben Sawyer as head coach

The 45-year-old Sawyer has served as head coach of the Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) besides being assistant coach of Australia women and is now the coach of Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred."He (Sawyer) has won three World Cups with Australia. A fast-bowling expert. He has also won the BBL titles with Sydney Sixers. He has made it to the finals of The Hundred as well," RCB's Director of Cricket operations Mike Hesson said in a video posted on the team's twitter handle.

ICC Test rankings: Ashwin rises to 2nd spot, Jadeja makes significant gains

Ravichandran Ashwin on Wednesday jumped to the second spot in the ICC Men's Test Bowlers Rankings.Courtesy his player-of-the-match winning effort in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series-opener, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who made a successful comeback after almost five months due to a knee injury, has moved up to the 16th position.The spin duo haunted Australia in the first Test between by sharing 15 wickets between them as India won by an innings 132 runs inside three days.

Ben Stokes hopes counties take up 'Bazball' mantle

England have won nine of their last 10 Tests since captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum took charge last year and imbued the team's batsmen with an attacking mindset.The England Lions, the country's second-tier team, have taken up the mantle, with Jamie Smith smashing 126 from 82 balls in the first innings of the second unofficial Test against Sri Lanka 'A' last week.Opener Alex Lees, who was dropped from Stokes's England last year after struggling for runs, scored 97 from 113 balls in the same innings for the Lions in another knock straight out of the 'Bazball' playbook.

England's Stuart Broad returns for first Test against New Zealand

Stuart Broad on Wednesday for this week's first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, reuniting his strike partnership with veteran James Anderson.Broad, who has 566 Test wickets, will lead the attack alongside 40-year-old Anderson, England's all-time leading bowler with 675 dismissals and seamer Ollie Robinson.Skipper and all-rounder Ben Stokes, who will lead England in the country of his birth for the first time, will be the fourth seam option with spinner Jack Leach completing the bowling attack for the day-night encounter beginning Thursday.The 36-year-old Broad missed the 3-0 Test series win over Pakistan in December following the birth of his child.

New Zealand paceman Blair Tickner to make Test debut against England

Tim Southee has confirmed paceman Blair Tickner will make his Test debut against England at Mount Maunganui on Thursday but said selectors will wait until the morning of the match to finalise the team.Tickner gets his chance in the pink ball series opener with Kyle Jamieson sidelined due to injury, Matt Henry on leave for the birth of his first child and Trent Boult overlooked after opting out of his national contract.The 29-year-old Central Districts bowler has played in 17 T20Is and nine ODIs for the Black Caps but has a modest first class average of 35.17 in 61 matches.He is expected to slot into a pace attack featuring veteran quick Southee and Neil Wagner, and possibly one of either Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleijn if selectors go with a four-prong seam attack.

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Timesofindia.indiatimes.com Sport News

India become No.1 team across formats

Will do everything to be available for selection: Mitchell Starc

I did my best, if someone's doing better than that, it's fine: Shikhar Dhawan

WPL: RCB name Ben Sawyer as head coach

ICC Test rankings: Ashwin rises to 2nd spot, Jadeja makes significant gains

Ben Stokes hopes counties take up 'Bazball' mantle

England's Stuart Broad returns for first Test against New Zealand

New Zealand paceman Blair Tickner to make Test debut against England