New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field against India in the inaugural World Test Championship final at Southampton on Saturday. After rain meant Friday’s opening day was washed out without a ball bowled, the sky remained overcast with the Hampshire Bowl’s floodlights already on — conditions that promised to favour […]
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Cricket’s David and Goliath face off in Test Championship final
India face New Zealand in the inaugural World Test Championship final on Friday in a match that could have a profound influence on cricket globally. New Zealand are battle-hardened thanks to a 1-0 series win against England completed on Sunday with a dominant eight-wicket win at Edgbaston after a draw at Lord’s. “Ideal preparation, having […]
India, New Zealand name squads for WTC final
New Zealand and India on Tuesday announced 15-man squads for the World Test Championship final, with Black Caps captain Kane Williamson included after recovering from injury. Williamson missed New Zealand’s triumph against England at Edgbaston, which sealed a 1-0 series win, with an elbow injury. Wicket-keeper BJ Watling is also included in the squad for […]
New Zealand to apologise for ‘racist’ historic police raids
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday she will offer a formal apology to New Zealand’s Pacific community over “demeaning” police raids that targeted them in the 1970s. Ardern said the notorious “dawn raids” were carried out by police and immigration officials seeking to identify and deport visa overstayers. In addition, she said Pacific islanders were […]
Advantage New Zealand but India ‘not worried’, says Pujara
India’s players are positive ahead of the World Test Championship final against a New Zealand side primed for the encounter after a successful series in England, said batsman Cheteshwar Pujara. Friday’s final in Southampton comes after two years of Test series to determine the world’s top two teams. The Blackcaps are coming off a confidence-boosting […]
Broad strikes for England as Conway holds firm in second Test
Stuart Broad removed stand-in New Zealand captain Tom Latham before the tourists kept England at bay in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Friday. New Zealand were 43-1 in reply to England’s first innings 303, a deficit of 260 runs, at lunch on the second day. Devon Conway, fresh from his stunning 200 […]
New Zealand’s Watling out of England series finale
New Zealand wicket-keeper BJ Watling has been ruled out of the second Test against England at Edgbaston after failing to overcome a sore back, team management have announced. Watling’s withdrawal was made public less than half an hour before Thursday’s scheduled touch, with Wellington Firebirds wicket-keeper/batsman Tom Blundell taking the gloves and batting at six […]
New Zealand Olympic rowing great Drysdale retires
Two-time Olympic gold medal-winning rower Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand announced his retirement Thursday, admitting “time has beaten me” after failing to make the team for the Tokyo Games. Drysdale, 42, has competed at four Olympics, beginning in Athens in 2004, collecting three medals including back-to-back golds in the single sculls in London and Rio. […]
New Zealand captain Williamson out of 2nd Test against England
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second and final Test against England at Edgbaston with a left elbow problem. However, the Blackcaps are confident he will be fit to lead the team in the inaugural World Test Championship final against India starting on June 18. Williamson, who captained New Zealand […]
England suspend Robinson pending racism probe
Ollie Robinson will miss next week’s second Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston after being suspended from all international cricket pending an investigation into racist and sexist Twitter messages, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced Sunday.Sussex quick Robinson made an impressive on-field England debut in the drawn first Test at Lord’s concluded Sunday.But […]