Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee of the ICC on Tuesday rejected the proposal to drop the toss from Tests, saying it will remain the fundamental starting point of the match.&nbsp

The committee decided not to abolish the spin of coin in the game's traditional format, calling it an integral part of the narrative.

It also made a slew of recommendations with regard to poor behaviours of players and announced to take tough measures.&nbsp

It also called for greater sanctions for players indulging in ball tampering.

"The committee discussed whether the toss should be automatically awarded to the visiting team but felt that it was an integral part of Test cricket which forms part of the narrative of the game," the ICC said in a release.

The abolition of toss became a contentious issue as most of the former players and stakeholders termed it a negative step.

The committee also recommended a change in points system to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee.&nbsp

They recommended that points should only be awarded for each match and not a series win.

It was also agreed to propose a reserve day for the ICC World Test Championship final to enable any time lost through bad weather to be made up.&nbsp

 
&nbsp

It also called for greater sanctions for players indulging in ball tampering.

Anil Kumble-led Cricket Committee of the ICC on Tuesday rejected the proposal to drop the toss from Tests, saying it will remain the fundamental starting point of the match. The committee decided not to abolish the spin of coin in the game's traditional format, calling it an integral part of the narrative. It also made a slew of recommendations with regard to poor behaviours of players and announced to take tough measures. It also called for greater sanctions for players indulging in ball tampering. "The committee discussed whether the toss should be automatically awarded to the visiting team but felt that it was an integral part of Test cricket which forms part of the narrative of the game," the ICC said in a release. The abolition of toss became a contentious issue as most of the former players and stakeholders termed it a negative step. The committee also recommended a change in points system to the ICC Chief Executives' Committee. They recommended that points should only be awarded for each match and not a series win. It was also agreed to propose a reserve day for the ICC World Test Championship final to enable any time lost through bad weather to be made up.

'Toss' to remain as starting point in Test match: ICC

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on Friday won the toss and elected to bat in the 4th and final test against tainted Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.

Th Proteas entered the ground with the same playing eleven as in the previous match, which witnessed many ups and downs, including the infamous ball-tampering scandal.

"We're looking to have a bat. It looks a little different to normal. A few cracks have started to appear and perhaps by the fourth day it should open up. It does definitely look browner and normally we do not even think of playing a spinner here. We've been extremely pumped ever since we lost the first Test and are aware that Australia will come back hard. No changes, we're playing the same eleven."

The match will be Morne Morkel‘s final Test of his cricketing career. Morkel had announced prior to the series that this would be his last as he wishes to focus on his family.&nbsp;

For Australia, Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, opening for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final earlier this week, replaced David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

And Peter Handscomb was included in Steven Smith's No. 4 position.

Tim Paine became Australia's 46th Test captain after Smith stepped down for the position.

In addition, fast bowler Chadd Sayers was given a debut in Australia's only unforced change of the Test, in place of Mitchell Starc, who has tibial bone stress in his right leg.

Cricket Australia (CA) slapped former skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner with one year-ban each for tampering with the ball in the third Test.

South Africa: 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 Faf du Plessis (capt), 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Morne Morkel

Australia: 1 Joe Burns, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Peter Handscomb, 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Tim Paine (capt, wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Chadd Sayers, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Tim Paine became Australia's 46th Test captain

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on Friday won the toss and elected to bat in the 4th and final test against tainted Australia at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Th Proteas entered the ground with the same playing eleven as in the previous match, which witnessed many ups and downs, including the infamous ball-tampering scandal. "We're looking to have a bat. It looks a little different to normal. A few cracks have started to appear and perhaps by the fourth day it should open up. It does definitely look browner and normally we do not even think of playing a spinner here. We've been extremely pumped ever since we lost the first Test and are aware that Australia will come back hard. No changes, we're playing the same eleven." The match will be Morne Morkel‘s final Test of his cricketing career. Morkel had announced prior to the series that this would be his last as he wishes to focus on his family. For Australia, Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw, opening for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield final earlier this week, replaced David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. And Peter Handscomb was included in Steven Smith's No. 4 position. Tim Paine became Australia's 46th Test captain after Smith stepped down for the position. In addition, fast bowler Chadd Sayers was given a debut in Australia's only unforced change of the Test, in place of Mitchell Starc, who has tibial bone stress in his right leg. Cricket Australia (CA) slapped former skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner with one year-ban each for tampering with the ball in the third Test. South Africa: 1 Dean Elgar, 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 Faf du Plessis (capt), 6 Temba Bavuma, 7 Quinton de Kock (wk), 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Morne Morkel Australia: 1 Joe Burns, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Usman Khawaja, 4 Peter Handscomb, 5 Shaun Marsh, 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 Tim Paine (capt, wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Chadd Sayers, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

4th Test: South Africa win toss, opt to bat

South African pacer Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket to break a promising Australian partnership on the second day of the third Test at Newlands on Friday.&nbsp;

Aussies were 150 for the loss of five wickets at tea in reply to South Africa&#39;s 311 runs in their first innings.

Morkel, who announced to retire from international cricket after the series, took three of the first four Australian wickets to fall.

With the record, he became the fifth South African to join the 300 club.

Morkel dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in his first spell, then came back to break a 78-run stand between Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh when Marsh flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind.

33-year-old Morkel was playing in his 85th Test and became the 32nd bowler in the world to achieve the feat.

Earlier, Kagiso Rabada was hit for five boundaries in a row by David Warner but won a duel with the Australian opening batsman when he sent Warner&#39;s off stump cartwheeling.

Warner was bowled for 30. He hit three fours off the last three balls of Rabada&#39;s second over, then hooked the first ball of Rabada&#39;s next over for six.&nbsp;

He sliced a no-ball for four, then was bowled by a ball which went between bat and pad with Warner stuck on his crease.

Rabada, who had a two-match ban for making contact with Australian captain Steve Smith overturned before the Test, ran down the wicket to celebrate but did not go near the batsman.

But Warner appeared to react to a comment from a spectator in the members&#39; pavilion, stopping and turning as he climbed the steps to the dressing room.

South African opening batsman Dean Elgar equalled a world record when he carried his bat through a completed innings for the third time.

Elgar finished unbeaten on 141. Only Desmond Haynes of the West Indies had previously batted through a Test innings on three occasions.

Elgar and Rabada frustrated the Australians for 50 minutes as they took South Africa&#39;s overnight total from 266 for eight. They shared a partnership of 50 before off-spinner Nathan Lyon had Rabada caught by Smith at slip for 22 off his first ball of the day.

Elgar batted for 434 minutes, faced 284 balls and hit 20 fours and a six.

33-year-old Morkel was playing in his 85th Test

South African pacer Morne Morkel took his 300th Test wicket to break a promising Australian partnership on the second day of the third Test at Newlands on Friday. Aussies were 150 for the loss of five wickets at tea in reply to South Africa's 311 runs in their first innings. Morkel, who announced to retire from international cricket after the series, took three of the first four Australian wickets to fall. With the record, he became the fifth South African to join the 300 club. Morkel dismissed Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith in his first spell, then came back to break a 78-run stand between Cameron Bancroft and Shaun Marsh when Marsh flashed at a wide ball and was caught behind. 33-year-old Morkel was playing in his 85th Test and became the 32nd bowler in the world to achieve the feat. Earlier, Kagiso Rabada was hit for five boundaries in a row by David Warner but won a duel with the Australian opening batsman when he sent Warner's off stump cartwheeling. Warner was bowled for 30. He hit three fours off the last three balls of Rabada's second over, then hooked the first ball of Rabada's next over for six. He sliced a no-ball for four, then was bowled by a ball which went between bat and pad with Warner stuck on his crease. Rabada, who had a two-match ban for making contact with Australian captain Steve Smith overturned before the Test, ran down the wicket to celebrate but did not go near the batsman. But Warner appeared to react to a comment from a spectator in the members' pavilion, stopping and turning as he climbed the steps to the dressing room. South African opening batsman Dean Elgar equalled a world record when he carried his bat through a completed innings for the third time. Elgar finished unbeaten on 141. Only Desmond Haynes of the West Indies had previously batted through a Test innings on three occasions. Elgar and Rabada frustrated the Australians for 50 minutes as they took South Africa's overnight total from 266 for eight. They shared a partnership of 50 before off-spinner Nathan Lyon had Rabada caught by Smith at slip for 22 off his first ball of the day. Elgar batted for 434 minutes, faced 284 balls and hit 20 fours and a six.

Morne Morkel's 300th wicket jolts Australia

Opener Murali Vijay and skipper Virat Kohli showed lot of grit on a treacherous track as India reached 100 for 4 against South Africa at lunch on the third day, thereby extending their overall lead to 93.

Vijay was out at the stroke of lunch when Kagiso Rabada&#39;s yorker cleaned him up after he showed a lot of patience scoring 25 off 127 balls during his three hour and 14 minutes vigil at the crease.

Kohli as usual showed his class with some crisp on drives as he reached 27 off 49 balls at the break having added 43 runs for the fourth wicket after KL Rahul (16) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1) were dismissed early in the morning.

However, the talk of the morning was about the uneven bounce of the Wanderers track with some of the cracks on good length and short of it opening up. 
With deliveries rearing up and keeping low from the same spot from the Corlett Drive End, it became difficult for the batsmen with on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould inspecting a few spots on the track.

First, Kohli was hit on the right hand in the 31st over.

Then, Vijay was hit on the left hand in the 35th over. Kagiso Rabada (1-31) was the bowler on both occasions.

At the second instance, the umpires and both captains had a long chat in the middle as well.

Michael Holding on air called it a pitch which he rated as &quot;2 out of 100&quot; and called for ICC sanction.

In fact the former West Indies paceman went ahead and felt that some of the batsmen could be seriously hurt as everyone does not have the technique and big heart like Kohli.

&quot;I understand Virat Kohli wants to play but not everyone can handle what he can,&quot; said Holding.

In the morning Rahul (16) chased one off Vernon Philander (2-21) and was caught at the second slip.

Three overs later, India were reduced to 57/3 as Cheteshwar Pujara (1) was caught at second slip too, this time off Morne Morkel (1-13). The ball just reared up off length and took the bat&#39;s shoulder and Pujara could do nothing about it.

This brought Kohli and Vijay together, and the duo batted out 18.5 overs. Initially, they went through a tough passage with a lot of plays and misses.

Kohli (on 4) got a life, when Aiden Markram couldn&#39;t latch on to a tough half-chance at short leg off Morkel. The ball was hit straight to his hands but the reaction time was too short to make it a proper chance.

The Indian skipper then settled down and opened up to play a few more attacking shots. Vijay was down for the grind too and, for the first time in the series, held up one end for India in really tough conditions.

India crossed 100 in the 40th over. Five balls later, Rabada got the breakthrough the Proteas were looking for.

After fending length balls on a tough pitch, Vijay was bowled off a yorker that took an inside edge, ricocheted off his backfoot and onto the stumps.

Kohli as usual showed his class with some crisp on drives as he reached 27 off 49 balls at the break having added 43 runs for the fourth wicket after KL Rahul (16) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1) were dismissed early in the morning.

Opener Murali Vijay and skipper Virat Kohli showed lot of grit on a treacherous track as India reached 100 for 4 against South Africa at lunch on the third day, thereby extending their overall lead to 93. Vijay was out at the stroke of lunch when Kagiso Rabada's yorker cleaned him up after he showed a lot of patience scoring 25 off 127 balls during his three hour and 14 minutes vigil at the crease. Kohli as usual showed his class with some crisp on drives as he reached 27 off 49 balls at the break having added 43 runs for the fourth wicket after KL Rahul (16) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1) were dismissed early in the morning. However, the talk of the morning was about the uneven bounce of the Wanderers track with some of the cracks on good length and short of it opening up. With deliveries rearing up and keeping low from the same spot from the Corlett Drive End, it became difficult for the batsmen with on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould inspecting a few spots on the track. First, Kohli was hit on the right hand in the 31st over. Then, Vijay was hit on the left hand in the 35th over. Kagiso Rabada (1-31) was the bowler on both occasions. At the second instance, the umpires and both captains had a long chat in the middle as well. Michael Holding on air called it a pitch which he rated as "2 out of 100" and called for ICC sanction. In fact the former West Indies paceman went ahead and felt that some of the batsmen could be seriously hurt as everyone does not have the technique and big heart like Kohli. "I understand Virat Kohli wants to play but not everyone can handle what he can," said Holding. In the morning Rahul (16) chased one off Vernon Philander (2-21) and was caught at the second slip. Three overs later, India were reduced to 57/3 as Cheteshwar Pujara (1) was caught at second slip too, this time off Morne Morkel (1-13). The ball just reared up off length and took the bat's shoulder and Pujara could do nothing about it. This brought Kohli and Vijay together, and the duo batted out 18.5 overs. Initially, they went through a tough passage with a lot of plays and misses. Kohli (on 4) got a life, when Aiden Markram couldn't latch on to a tough half-chance at short leg off Morkel. The ball was hit straight to his hands but the reaction time was too short to make it a proper chance. The Indian skipper then settled down and opened up to play a few more attacking shots. Vijay was down for the grind too and, for the first time in the series, held up one end for India in really tough conditions. India crossed 100 in the 40th over. Five balls later, Rabada got the breakthrough the Proteas were looking for. After fending length balls on a tough pitch, Vijay was bowled off a yorker that took an inside edge, ricocheted off his backfoot and onto the stumps.

India vs South Africa, 3rd Test: Vijay, Kohli extend India's lead on a treacherous track

International cricket legends Allan Donald and VVS Laxman slammed the selectors today for dropping Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of India&#39;s XI for the second Test against South Africa.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/BhuviOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BhuviOfficial</a> left out..you are kidding me??????
&mdash; Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllanDonald33/status/952085015826980865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Don&rsquo;t understand how you can leave a bowler out that don&rsquo;t have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant,&quot; tweeted Donald. &nbsp;

&quot;Bhuvi has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It&rsquo;s like leaving out Vernon Philander,&quot; read his tweet.&nbsp;

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Don&rsquo;t understand how you can leave a bowler out that don&rsquo;t have more bounce than a taller bowler <a href="https://twitter.com/ImIshant?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImIshant</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/BhuviOfficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BhuviOfficial</a> has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It&rsquo;s like leaving out <a href="https://twitter.com/VDP_24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VDP_24</a>!
&mdash; Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllanDonald33/status/952130800065171456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Bhuvi&#39;s omission also left former Indian cricketer, VVS Laxman, surprised.&nbsp;

&quot;I am surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first test, he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets)showing skill in using the new ball &amp; batted quite well-showing patience and resilience. Am I missing something here,&quot; tweeted Laxman.

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Iam surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first test,he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets)showing skill in using the new ball &amp; batted quite well showing patience nd resilience.Am I missing something here ????
&mdash; VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) <a href="https://twitter.com/VVSLaxman281/status/952140494519156736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Selections for India&#39;s XI for the 2nd Test against South Africa included other trimmings.

Parthiv Patel replaced wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha as the latter suffered an injury.&nbsp;

Shikhar Dhawan was dropped and replaced by KL Rahul.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Selections for India's XI for the 2nd Test against South Africa included other trimmings as well

International cricket legends Allan Donald and VVS Laxman slammed the selectors today for dropping Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of India's XI for the second Test against South Africa. @BhuviOfficial left out..you are kidding me?????? — Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) January 13, 2018 × "Don’t understand how you can leave a bowler out that don’t have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant," tweeted Donald. "Bhuvi has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It’s like leaving out Vernon Philander," read his tweet. Don’t understand how you can leave a bowler out that don’t have more bounce than a taller bowler @ImIshant. @BhuviOfficial has so much skill and accuracy that he brings. It’s like leaving out @VDP_24! — Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) January 13, 2018 × Bhuvi's omission also left former Indian cricketer, VVS Laxman, surprised. "I am surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first test, he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets)showing skill in using the new ball & batted quite well-showing patience and resilience. Am I missing something here," tweeted Laxman. Iam surprised not to find Bhuvi in the playing XI today. In the first test,he took the most number of wickets (6 wickets)showing skill in using the new ball & batted quite well showing patience nd resilience.Am I missing something here ???? — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 13, 2018 × Selections for India's XI for the 2nd Test against South Africa included other trimmings. Parthiv Patel replaced wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha as the latter suffered an injury. Shikhar Dhawan was dropped and replaced by KL Rahul.

Allan Donald, VVS Laxman surprised over Bhuvneshwar Kumar's omission

South Africa built a sizeable second-innings lead after reaching 65 for two against India at the close on day two of the opening test at Newlands on Saturday but were sweating over another potential injury blow for experienced seamer Dale Steyn.

Hashim Amla (four not out) and night-watchman Kagiso Rabada (two not out) will seek on day three to extend the home side&#39;s advantage of 142 runs with eight second innings wickets remaining after they bowled India out for 209 on a lively wicket offering plenty of assistance for the bowlers.

Steyn (2-51) left the field during the innings having bowled 17.3 overs and went for scans on a bruised heal. He was later seen limping as he came back to the ground and his participation in the rest of the match -- and the series -- is in doubt.

Steyn returned to test cricket for the match after 14 months on the sidelines with a career-threatening shoulder injury.

South Africa&#39;s Aiden Markram (34) was the first wicket to fall in their second innings, having looked fluent at the crease until he top-edged a rising delivery from Hardik Pandya (2-17) to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at a deep point.

Dean Elgar (25) was scratchy throughout his stay at the crease and became Pandya&rsquo;s second victim when he edged to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.

Pandya earlier ensured India stayed in the contest with a brilliant, fighting 93 from 95 balls, including 14 fours and a six as he alone provided resistance to the venomous home attack.

The all-rounder had watched as his side slipped to 92 for seven but instead of playing for survival, Pandya took to the attack against the South African seamers.

He had his fair share of luck, dropped at gully by Elgar off Steyn when he had 15 and then providing a stumping chance for wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock that was spurned.

Having been roughed up by a barrage of short-pitch bowling from the excellent Rabada (3-34), the latter ended Pandya&rsquo;s stay at the wicket as he induced an edge to De Kock.

The rest of the batsmen found it difficult to score against the fast, accurate home bowling.

Cheteshwar Pujara led a stout rearguard of a different kind in the morning session, reaching 26 from 91 balls at lunch, but was out first ball after the interval as he edged a Vernon Philander (3-33) delivery to Faf du Plessis at second slip.

Kumar (25) was the only other India player to get past 20 before he nicked a Morne Morkel (2-57) delivery to De Kock.

South Africa host India in three tests this month with the next two to be played in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Hashim Amla (four not out) and night-watchman Kagiso Rabada (two not out) will seek on day three to extend the home side's advantage of 142 runs with eight second innings wickets remaining after they bowled India out for 209

South Africa built a sizeable second-innings lead after reaching 65 for two against India at the close on day two of the opening test at Newlands on Saturday but were sweating over another potential injury blow for experienced seamer Dale Steyn. Hashim Amla (four not out) and night-watchman Kagiso Rabada (two not out) will seek on day three to extend the home side's advantage of 142 runs with eight second innings wickets remaining after they bowled India out for 209 on a lively wicket offering plenty of assistance for the bowlers. Steyn (2-51) left the field during the innings having bowled 17.3 overs and went for scans on a bruised heal. He was later seen limping as he came back to the ground and his participation in the rest of the match -- and the series -- is in doubt. Steyn returned to test cricket for the match after 14 months on the sidelines with a career-threatening shoulder injury. South Africa's Aiden Markram (34) was the first wicket to fall in their second innings, having looked fluent at the crease until he top-edged a rising delivery from Hardik Pandya (2-17) to Bhuvneshwar Kumar at a deep point. Dean Elgar (25) was scratchy throughout his stay at the crease and became Pandya’s second victim when he edged to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha. Pandya earlier ensured India stayed in the contest with a brilliant, fighting 93 from 95 balls, including 14 fours and a six as he alone provided resistance to the venomous home attack. The all-rounder had watched as his side slipped to 92 for seven but instead of playing for survival, Pandya took to the attack against the South African seamers. He had his fair share of luck, dropped at gully by Elgar off Steyn when he had 15 and then providing a stumping chance for wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock that was spurned. Having been roughed up by a barrage of short-pitch bowling from the excellent Rabada (3-34), the latter ended Pandya’s stay at the wicket as he induced an edge to De Kock. The rest of the batsmen found it difficult to score against the fast, accurate home bowling. Cheteshwar Pujara led a stout rearguard of a different kind in the morning session, reaching 26 from 91 balls at lunch, but was out first ball after the interval as he edged a Vernon Philander (3-33) delivery to Faf du Plessis at second slip. Kumar (25) was the only other India player to get past 20 before he nicked a Morne Morkel (2-57) delivery to De Kock. South Africa host India in three tests this month with the next two to be played in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

South Africa gain advantage over India, Pandya emerges a star

Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team&nbsp;is on the top spot in the ICC Test ranking after whitewashing Sri Lanka at home but now they have to prove themselves against South Africa in the upcoming Freedom Series Trophy. It is believed that the conditions are likely to assist bounce and pace.

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Indian captain Virat Kohli said on Saturday that his Indian team have the ability to gain a first series win in South Africa.

&quot;We have the right kind of bowling attack and the right kind of balance to win Test matches in any conditions we play in,&quot; he said at the Indian team&#39;s arrival press conference.

Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis unveil Freedom Series Trophy in Cape Town. The first of the three Test matches start at Newlands in Cape Town on January 5th.

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1 day to go. Are you ready? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreedomSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreedomSeries</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/3WKss7R0c5">pic.twitter.com/3WKss7R0c5</a>
&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/948822559591575552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;A lot of our players have played here before. But it&#39;s about the number of games we had played then and the number we have played now,&quot; said Kohli. &quot;We all understand our own games so much better. As a team, we have confidence in our personal skills set.&quot;

Kohli said team spirit was the outstanding feature of the touring party. &quot;There&#39;s a sense of intelligence and awareness and that provides the excitement. We know exactly what we need to do come game time. We know how to win Test matches.&quot;

Kohli said India had made the right decision to cancel a scheduled two-day warm-up match, opting instead for intensive middle-wicket practice at a local club.

Kohli said his players expected to be challenged by South Africa&#39;s fast bowlers on pitches with pace and bounce but they were confident in their own ability.

&quot;Come the fifth of January we will be ready for it,&quot; he said.

Coach Ravi Shastri said, &quot;This team is up for the challenge. If you had asked me four years ago I would have said no. But this team has gained experience. The beauty of this team is that it doesn&#39;t matter which opposition. We look at the pitch and adapt to the conditions. Every game is a home game. It&#39;s as simple as that.&quot;

&quot;This will be a contest. I can sense our players want this Test match to start as soon as possible&quot;, he added.

Line up

India: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Parthiv Patel, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Lokesh Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Chris Morris, Vernon Philander, Theunis de Bruyn

&nbsp;

Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis unveil Freedom Series Trophy in Cape Town. The first of the three Test matches start at Newlands on January 5

Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team is on the top spot in the ICC Test ranking after whitewashing Sri Lanka at home but now they have to prove themselves against South Africa in the upcoming Freedom Series Trophy. It is believed that the conditions are likely to assist bounce and pace. × Indian captain Virat Kohli said on Saturday that his Indian team have the ability to gain a first series win in South Africa. "We have the right kind of bowling attack and the right kind of balance to win Test matches in any conditions we play in," he said at the Indian team's arrival press conference. Virat Kohli and Faf Du Plessis unveil Freedom Series Trophy in Cape Town. The first of the three Test matches start at Newlands in Cape Town on January 5th. 1 day to go. Are you ready? #FreedomSeries #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/3WKss7R0c5 — BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2018 × "A lot of our players have played here before. But it's about the number of games we had played then and the number we have played now," said Kohli. "We all understand our own games so much better. As a team, we have confidence in our personal skills set." Kohli said team spirit was the outstanding feature of the touring party. "There's a sense of intelligence and awareness and that provides the excitement. We know exactly what we need to do come game time. We know how to win Test matches." Kohli said India had made the right decision to cancel a scheduled two-day warm-up match, opting instead for intensive middle-wicket practice at a local club. Kohli said his players expected to be challenged by South Africa's fast bowlers on pitches with pace and bounce but they were confident in their own ability. "Come the fifth of January we will be ready for it," he said. Coach Ravi Shastri said, "This team is up for the challenge. If you had asked me four years ago I would have said no. But this team has gained experience. The beauty of this team is that it doesn't matter which opposition. We look at the pitch and adapt to the conditions. Every game is a home game. It's as simple as that." "This will be a contest. I can sense our players want this Test match to start as soon as possible", he added. Line up India: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Parthiv Patel, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Lokesh Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Chris Morris, Vernon Philander, Theunis de Bruyn

India vs South Africa: The real 'test' for India starts at Newlands

England were 233 for five at the close on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Dawid Malan was unbeaten on 55 with Jonny Bairstow out in the day&#39;s final over for five.

England skipper Joe Root again missed out on an elusive first century in the series as Australia fought back with two late wickets on the opening day of the fifth Test on Thursday.

Root was out to a superb diving catch by Mitchell Marsh at square leg for 83 in the day&#39;s penultimate over before Jonny Bairstow was caught behind in the final over.

Root slumped to his haunches after missing out on a hundred following his fourth half-century of the series.

&quot;It was great to get the late reward as a bowling group for our hard toil,&quot; Marsh said.

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Australia roar back late in the day with two wickets with the new ball to leave England 233/5 at Stumps on Day 1 of the 5th Test. 
 
SCORECARD: <a href="https://t.co/zIa7LHi9S8">https://t.co/zIa7LHi9S8</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvENG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvENG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashes</a> <a href="https://t.co/SI4eae33vQ">pic.twitter.com/SI4eae33vQ</a>
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Root and Malan recovered England&#39;s first innings with a 133-run stand after the tourists had slumped to 95 for three following the loss of Melbourne double-centurion Alastair Cook.

At the close, England were 233 for five with Malan left unbeaten on 55 off 160 balls when Bairstow was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for five.

&quot;It sort of sums up where we&#39;ve been in on this tour, we&#39;ve been on top for so long in games and then make a couple of mistakes and let the Aussies back in,&quot; Malan said.

Malan, on 28, cut towards backward point and there was confusion over the run but the throw from wicketkeeper Tim Paine was off target and bowler Nathan Lyon was unable to affect the run out with Malan well out of his ground. He also survived on 34 when&nbsp;Smith dropped a sharp ankle-high chance at slip off Lyon.

Only last week in Melbourne Smith put down two catches in Alastair Cook&#39;s unbeaten double century.

Cook, who carried his bat through the England first innings in the fourth Test for an unbeaten 244, looked on his way to another big score until Hazlewood struck in the 33rd over.

Hazlewood&#39;s leg before wicket appeal was turned down on-field, but on review, the ball was found to be just pitching in line and Cook was given out for 39 off 104 balls.

It was the third time in the series Cook has fallen lbw and it left him just five runs short of 12,000 career Test runs in his 152nd Test match.

Fellow opener Mark Stoneman earlier hit some nice drives before he nicked a rising Pat Cummins delivery to Tim Paine for a run-a-ball 24 in the 10th over.

James Vince looked set after 82 minutes at the crease before he shaped for a square cut at a Cummins delivery only to be caught behind for 25 in the 29th over.

Australia has already clinched the Ashes with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.

&nbsp;

Joe Root gave a terrific start but falls short of elusive century, late wickets hand Australia advantage on day 1 of the final Test

England were 233 for five at the close on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. Dawid Malan was unbeaten on 55 with Jonny Bairstow out in the day's final over for five. England skipper Joe Root again missed out on an elusive first century in the series as Australia fought back with two late wickets on the opening day of the fifth Test on Thursday. Root was out to a superb diving catch by Mitchell Marsh at square leg for 83 in the day's penultimate over before Jonny Bairstow was caught behind in the final over. Root slumped to his haunches after missing out on a hundred following his fourth half-century of the series. "It was great to get the late reward as a bowling group for our hard toil," Marsh said. Australia roar back late in the day with two wickets with the new ball to leave England 233/5 at Stumps on Day 1 of the 5th Test. SCORECARD: https://t.co/zIa7LHi9S8 #AUSvENG #Ashes pic.twitter.com/SI4eae33vQ — ICC (@ICC) January 4, 2018 × Root and Malan recovered England's first innings with a 133-run stand after the tourists had slumped to 95 for three following the loss of Melbourne double-centurion Alastair Cook. At the close, England were 233 for five with Malan left unbeaten on 55 off 160 balls when Bairstow was caught behind off Josh Hazlewood for five. "It sort of sums up where we've been in on this tour, we've been on top for so long in games and then make a couple of mistakes and let the Aussies back in," Malan said. Malan, on 28, cut towards backward point and there was confusion over the run but the throw from wicketkeeper Tim Paine was off target and bowler Nathan Lyon was unable to affect the run out with Malan well out of his ground. He also survived on 34 when Smith dropped a sharp ankle-high chance at slip off Lyon. Only last week in Melbourne Smith put down two catches in Alastair Cook's unbeaten double century. Cook, who carried his bat through the England first innings in the fourth Test for an unbeaten 244, looked on his way to another big score until Hazlewood struck in the 33rd over. Hazlewood's leg before wicket appeal was turned down on-field, but on review, the ball was found to be just pitching in line and Cook was given out for 39 off 104 balls. It was the third time in the series Cook has fallen lbw and it left him just five runs short of 12,000 career Test runs in his 152nd Test match. Fellow opener Mark Stoneman earlier hit some nice drives before he nicked a rising Pat Cummins delivery to Tim Paine for a run-a-ball 24 in the 10th over. James Vince looked set after 82 minutes at the crease before he shaped for a square cut at a Cummins delivery only to be caught behind for 25 in the 29th over. Australia has already clinched the Ashes with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.

Ashes: Root, Malan keep Australia at bay on Day 1

South Africa is not known for producing spin-friendly tracks and that&#39;s why Sachin Tendulkar wants Indian pacers to create &quot;enough rough&quot; on the Newlands pitch for R Ashwin, something that Zaheer Khan did for Harbhajan Singh in 2010-11.

India will play the opening Test in Cape Town starting on Friday, and Tendulkar recalled how that pitch was made conducive for Harbhajan by the Zaheer-led Indian pace attack.

&quot;During the Cape Town Test of 2010-11, Harbhajan got seven wickets in the second innings (7/120 in 38 overs). Zaheer and Lonwabo Tsotsobe being left-armers created enough rough. Ishant and Sreesanth also came round the wicket and the rough helped when Bhajji bowled to right-handers,&quot; Tendulkar recollected during an exclusive interview with PTI.

The maestro wants a repeat of the teamwork from the current pace battery. &quot;The conditions will be more challenging for Ashwin and the wicket may be a bit damp. But our Indian pacers will need to help Ashwin by creating enough rough for him,&quot; Tendulkar explained.

The legend has high expectations from Virat Kohli&#39;s men as they have the luxury to play three fast bowlers, apart from an all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, who is very much in the mix.

&quot;This time, we have the luxury of playing three fast bowlers plus a fourth pace bowling all-rounder (Pandya), who can bowl at 138-140 kmph and also bat effectively at No 7 or 8. Hardik has done it in Sri Lanka.

&quot;In my 24-year career, I never had the luxury of the fourth fast bowler who is an all-rounder. Of course, we had Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar but they were among the top three pacers,&quot; Tendulkar said.

&quot;In 2010-11, we played some really good cricket and should have won the Cape Town Test had Harbhajan got some support from the other end. Then Kallis and Boucher also had a good partnership (103 runs),&quot; he remembered.

There is still some debate on whether the Indian team management should play Rohit Sharma as the extra batsman or go with the belief that Pandya has good enough technique to survive the second new ball batting at No 6, a position that VVS Laxman had made his own for a decade.

Tendulkar made it clear that it is a decision of the team management and he will never compare one player with another.

&quot;That&#39;s a big call (Hardik or Rohit) but I would not like to comment on who should be playing. It depends on the team management, what kind of track is being provided, how much grass is on offer. There are a lot of factors and sitting here, I shouldn&#39;t be making a comment,&quot; Tendulkar said.

 
Similarly, he did not wish to comment on who between KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan should open with Murali Vijay.

&quot;All these boys are very close to me. I am in touch with all of them, they discuss their cricket with me and it is not fair on my part to give my opinion on who should play and who should not. I have never liked comparisons,&quot; said international cricket&#39;s highest-ever run-getter.

Tendulkar has watched Jasprit Bumrah from close quarters growing into a potent white-ball bowler at the Mumbai Indians and is confident that he would do well as and when he gets a chance in Tests.

&quot;He (Bumrah) is a bright prospect. He is sharp and got the temperament to the highest level. But then Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been regular members for some time. So we will have to assess that,&quot; the 43-year-old said.

Tendulkar&#39;s duel with Dale Steyn during the Cape Town Test of 2010-11 is a part of cricketing folklore and the legend termed it the most challenging track on which he had played.

&quot;The Cape Town pitch of the 2010-11 was the most challenging track. I remember while fielding, I told Rahul Dravid that this was a proper seaming track. You never felt settled even after scoring runs. You had to play on the rise,&quot; said Tendulkar.

Asked about the secret of success for batsmen on challenging tracks, Tendulkar referred to his double hundred in Sydney, where he was an epitome of patience not hitting a single cover drive till he got to the double ton.

&quot;The Australian pacers during that innings were bowling straight and into the wicketkeeper&#39;s gloves. I told myself, &#39;Good, you people want to bowl where you want, I would wait and make you bowl, where I want&#39;,&quot; he recalled.

&quot;A good batting line-up is the one which makes a bowling unit bowl where they want to. Each wicket has a certain character where you should know which shots to play and which ones not to,&quot; he elaborated.

But is it that easy? &quot;Not exactly easy but that&#39;s what you work hard for. There will be days when you would let your instincts take a call and days when your mind takes a call,&quot; he signed off.

&nbsp;

Sachin's master class for India team for the upcoming test series against South Africa

South Africa is not known for producing spin-friendly tracks and that's why Sachin Tendulkar wants Indian pacers to create "enough rough" on the Newlands pitch for R Ashwin, something that Zaheer Khan did for Harbhajan Singh in 2010-11. India will play the opening Test in Cape Town starting on Friday, and Tendulkar recalled how that pitch was made conducive for Harbhajan by the Zaheer-led Indian pace attack. "During the Cape Town Test of 2010-11, Harbhajan got seven wickets in the second innings (7/120 in 38 overs). Zaheer and Lonwabo Tsotsobe being left-armers created enough rough. Ishant and Sreesanth also came round the wicket and the rough helped when Bhajji bowled to right-handers," Tendulkar recollected during an exclusive interview with PTI. The maestro wants a repeat of the teamwork from the current pace battery. "The conditions will be more challenging for Ashwin and the wicket may be a bit damp. But our Indian pacers will need to help Ashwin by creating enough rough for him," Tendulkar explained. The legend has high expectations from Virat Kohli's men as they have the luxury to play three fast bowlers, apart from an all-rounder like Hardik Pandya, who is very much in the mix. "This time, we have the luxury of playing three fast bowlers plus a fourth pace bowling all-rounder (Pandya), who can bowl at 138-140 kmph and also bat effectively at No 7 or 8. Hardik has done it in Sri Lanka. "In my 24-year career, I never had the luxury of the fourth fast bowler who is an all-rounder. Of course, we had Kapil Dev and Manoj Prabhakar but they were among the top three pacers," Tendulkar said. "In 2010-11, we played some really good cricket and should have won the Cape Town Test had Harbhajan got some support from the other end. Then Kallis and Boucher also had a good partnership (103 runs)," he remembered. There is still some debate on whether the Indian team management should play Rohit Sharma as the extra batsman or go with the belief that Pandya has good enough technique to survive the second new ball batting at No 6, a position that VVS Laxman had made his own for a decade. Tendulkar made it clear that it is a decision of the team management and he will never compare one player with another. "That's a big call (Hardik or Rohit) but I would not like to comment on who should be playing. It depends on the team management, what kind of track is being provided, how much grass is on offer. There are a lot of factors and sitting here, I shouldn't be making a comment," Tendulkar said. Similarly, he did not wish to comment on who between KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan should open with Murali Vijay. "All these boys are very close to me. I am in touch with all of them, they discuss their cricket with me and it is not fair on my part to give my opinion on who should play and who should not. I have never liked comparisons," said international cricket's highest-ever run-getter. Tendulkar has watched Jasprit Bumrah from close quarters growing into a potent white-ball bowler at the Mumbai Indians and is confident that he would do well as and when he gets a chance in Tests. "He (Bumrah) is a bright prospect. He is sharp and got the temperament to the highest level. But then Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been regular members for some time. So we will have to assess that," the 43-year-old said. Tendulkar's duel with Dale Steyn during the Cape Town Test of 2010-11 is a part of cricketing folklore and the legend termed it the most challenging track on which he had played. "The Cape Town pitch of the 2010-11 was the most challenging track. I remember while fielding, I told Rahul Dravid that this was a proper seaming track. You never felt settled even after scoring runs. You had to play on the rise," said Tendulkar. Asked about the secret of success for batsmen on challenging tracks, Tendulkar referred to his double hundred in Sydney, where he was an epitome of patience not hitting a single cover drive till he got to the double ton. "The Australian pacers during that innings were bowling straight and into the wicketkeeper's gloves. I told myself, 'Good, you people want to bowl where you want, I would wait and make you bowl, where I want'," he recalled. "A good batting line-up is the one which makes a bowling unit bowl where they want to. Each wicket has a certain character where you should know which shots to play and which ones not to," he elaborated. But is it that easy? "Not exactly easy but that's what you work hard for. There will be days when you would let your instincts take a call and days when your mind takes a call," he signed off.

Pacers need to help spinners in South Africa, says Tendulkar

The Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) on Tuesday informed that India will host newly-promoted Afghanistan for their first-ever Test match in 2018-2019.

The decision was taken considering the historic relations between the two nations.

As per reports, Afghans were scheduled to take on Australia in their first test in 2019, but India decided to host them first considering the ties two countries share.

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India to host <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> for their first-ever Test match. The historic match that signifies strong bond that the two nations and their respective cricket Boards share will be held in upcoming home season (2018-19): BCCI <a href="https://t.co/V5sqWwvsPT">pic.twitter.com/V5sqWwvsPT</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/940473055767248896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Earlier this year, Ireland and Afghanistan were given the Test status in June to become the 11th and 12th Test nations respectively in the list.

BCCI, in its latest Future Tours Programme (FTP) announced that Afghanistan, a team that has made rapid strides despite the constant troubles back home, will play its first ever Test against India.&nbsp;

Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi became the first two Afghanistan cricketers to be bought at the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. In fact, leg-spinner Rashid has already established himself as a global star.

The decision was taken considering the historic relations between the two nations.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India(BCCI) on Tuesday informed that India will host newly-promoted Afghanistan for their first-ever Test match in 2018-2019. The decision was taken considering the historic relations between the two nations. As per reports, Afghans were scheduled to take on Australia in their first test in 2019, but India decided to host them first considering the ties two countries share. India to host #Afghanistan for their first-ever Test match. The historic match that signifies strong bond that the two nations and their respective cricket Boards share will be held in upcoming home season (2018-19): BCCI pic.twitter.com/V5sqWwvsPT — ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2017 × Earlier this year, Ireland and Afghanistan were given the Test status in June to become the 11th and 12th Test nations respectively in the list. BCCI, in its latest Future Tours Programme (FTP) announced that Afghanistan, a team that has made rapid strides despite the constant troubles back home, will play its first ever Test against India. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi became the first two Afghanistan cricketers to be bought at the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. In fact, leg-spinner Rashid has already established himself as a global star.

India to host Afghanistan in first-ever cricket Test

Medical experts are to examine whether India was right to hold a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/doctors-say-no-to-sport-in-delhi-as-cricketers-choke-in-smog-25923">Test match against Sri Lanka during hazardous smog in New Delhi</a>, the game`s world governing body said Friday.

The controversy will also be discussed at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in February.&nbsp;

&quot;The ICC has noted the conditions in which the Delhi Test was played and has already requested the issue is considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future,&quot; said an ICC statement.

Sri Lankan players wore masks while fielding during the match which ended in a draw on Wednesday. Bowlers from both sides were seen vomiting on the ground.

At its peak, concentrations of the smallest and most harmful pollution particles were at 18 times the World Health Organization`s safe limit, according to the US embassy website.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pollution-should-be-included-in-determining-playing-conditions-like-rain-poor-light-ima-to-bcci-26085">The Board of Control for Cricket in India has already said New Delhi</a> could be dropped from hosting internationals during its peak pollution season in November and December.&nbsp;

The ICC medical committee can make recommendations to the world body`s executive on &quot;any medical issues affecting international cricket&quot;.

It can also &quot;evaluate&quot; medical plans of countries hosting ICC sanctioned events.

The ICC statement said that the pollution &quot;is likely to be discussed in February`s ICC meetings&quot;.

Medical experts are to examine whether India was right to hold a Test match against Sri Lanka during hazardous smog in New Delhi, the game`s world governing body said Friday

Medical experts are to examine whether India was right to hold a Test match against Sri Lanka during hazardous smog in New Delhi, the game`s world governing body said Friday. The controversy will also be discussed at an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in February. "The ICC has noted the conditions in which the Delhi Test was played and has already requested the issue is considered by the medical committee for guidance should the situation arise in future," said an ICC statement. Sri Lankan players wore masks while fielding during the match which ended in a draw on Wednesday. Bowlers from both sides were seen vomiting on the ground. At its peak, concentrations of the smallest and most harmful pollution particles were at 18 times the World Health Organization`s safe limit, according to the US embassy website. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has already said New Delhi could be dropped from hosting internationals during its peak pollution season in November and December. The ICC medical committee can make recommendations to the world body`s executive on "any medical issues affecting international cricket". It can also "evaluate" medical plans of countries hosting ICC sanctioned events. The ICC statement said that the pollution "is likely to be discussed in February`s ICC meetings".

International Cricket Council to examine India pollution Test

In an intense cricket match between the neighbouring countries, India and Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan players, Dhananjaya and Chandimal performed well ensuring that their team gets past the 100 run mark, on the fifth day of the third and final test match in Delhi&#39;s Firoz Shah Kotla.

The two players&#39; 84 runs partnership off 151 balls has kept the scorecard ticking.

The visitors are four wickets down at 119, in pursuit of a mammoth target of 410 runs.

There are two more sessions to go and a minimum of 59 overs to be bowled.

The two settled players must bat strong to save the match against top-ranked India.

Sri Lanka resumed on Wednesday at 31 for three. 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka resumed on Wednesday at 31 for the loss of 3 wickets

In an intense cricket match between the neighbouring countries, India and Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan players, Dhananjaya and Chandimal performed well ensuring that their team gets past the 100 run mark, on the fifth day of the third and final test match in Delhi's Firoz Shah Kotla. The two players' 84 runs partnership off 151 balls has kept the scorecard ticking. The visitors are four wickets down at 119, in pursuit of a mammoth target of 410 runs. There are two more sessions to go and a minimum of 59 overs to be bowled. The two settled players must bat strong to save the match against top-ranked India. Sri Lanka resumed on Wednesday at 31 for three.

3rd Test, Day 5: Sri Lanka at 119/4 at lunch

Indian cricket&#39;s current &#39;Milestone Man&#39; Virat Kohli today became the first international captain to hit three successive hundreds in a three-Test series.

Kohli also completed his individual 5000 runs in the longest version of the game.

While many captains have had three or four Test tons in a five-match series, it is rarity that a batsman has scored three consecutive tons in a three-match series.

Kohli now has 11 international hundreds in a season -- one less than Sachin Tendulkar&#39;s 12.

The Indian captain scored 104 not out in Kolkata followed by 213 in Nagpur before completing his hat-trick with his 20th Test hundred in his 63rd game here.

Incidentally, this is also Kohli&#39;s first ever Test hundred at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

His century off 110 balls and the half-century off 52 balls were his individual fastest landmarks in this format.

The 5000 runs came in 105th innings, which is the fourth fastest among the Indian batsmen after Sunil Gavaskar (95 innings), Virender Sehwag (98 innings) and Sachin Tendulkar (103 innings).

Kohli also completed his individual 5000 runs in the longest version of the game

Indian cricket's current 'Milestone Man' Virat Kohli today became the first international captain to hit three successive hundreds in a three-Test series. Kohli also completed his individual 5000 runs in the longest version of the game. While many captains have had three or four Test tons in a five-match series, it is rarity that a batsman has scored three consecutive tons in a three-match series. Kohli now has 11 international hundreds in a season -- one less than Sachin Tendulkar's 12. The Indian captain scored 104 not out in Kolkata followed by 213 in Nagpur before completing his hat-trick with his 20th Test hundred in his 63rd game here. Incidentally, this is also Kohli's first ever Test hundred at the Feroz Shah Kotla. His century off 110 balls and the half-century off 52 balls were his individual fastest landmarks in this format. The 5000 runs came in 105th innings, which is the fourth fastest among the Indian batsmen after Sunil Gavaskar (95 innings), Virender Sehwag (98 innings) and Sachin Tendulkar (103 innings).

Kohli first captain to score hat-trick of tons in 3-match series

Neil Wagner rated his career-best seven-wicket haul a &quot;horrible&quot; performance as New Zealand seized the honours on day one of the first Test against the West Indies in Wellington on Friday.&nbsp;But as the West Indies licked their wounds after being rolled in the first innings for 134, they believed they only were one wicket away from getting back into the game.

&quot;The big wicket is Ross Taylor. If we can get him early tomorrow morning, anything`s possible,&quot; coach Stuart Law said.

Taylor was not out 12 with Jeet Raval on 29 as New Zealand reached 85 for two at stumps -- 49 runs in arrears after Wagner ensured the West Indies were dismissed cheaply.

The South African-born left-armer, a fiery short-ball specialist, claimed seven for 39 and was twice on a hat-trick as he bettered his previous best of six for 41 against Zimbabwe last year.

But it was an innings-destroying performance that Wagner did not see coming after the West Indies, sent into bat, comfortably reached 59 without loss.

&quot;It was a bit of a bizarre day to be honest. I sort of got a bit worried at one stage, they were looking quite comfortable,&quot; he said. &quot;The pitch was not doing as much as we expected and I felt horrible to be honest. At the start I just felt like I didn`t have a great rhythm.&quot; &quot;I think I`ve bowled a lot better on other days and not get a wicket and then you get days like this and you end up getting a seven-for ... things don`t really tick but wickets just keep falling and it`s a just bizarre thing.&quot;

Law described the West Indies batsmen as being &quot;all bitterly disappointed&quot; with their effort but believed they were still in the game.

&quot;I know we`re a lot better than what we performed like out there today,&quot; he said.

&quot;It`s one of those things we tend to have habit of not starting a series very well but by no means are we dead and buried in this contest.

&quot;A 100 lead or 150 sounds lot but I believe if we put our minds to it that`s a pretty good batting wicket coming into day three and day four.&quot;

When New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss he hesitated in making the West Indies into bat on a green wicket. Despite the conditions, openers Kieran Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite safely progressed to 59 before Wagner engineered a collapse that saw all 10 wickets fall in 22 overs for only 75 runs.&nbsp;

By digging the ball in short and angling it towards the rib cage he had his first success in his third over when Brathwaite went for 24.&nbsp; On either side of the lunch adjournment, he ripped through the West Indies` new generation of specialist batsmen with three wickets in four balls.&nbsp;

Shimron Hetmyer (13) went on in the last ball before lunch, rising star Shai Hope fell on Wagner`s second ball after play resumed and debutant Sunil Ambris stepped back on his stumps with the first ball he faced in Test cricket. Wagner also removed Roston Chase (five) and Jason Holder with successive balls, with

Holder falling to a perfectly placed yorker and wrapped up the innings with the dismissal of Shannon Gabriel (10).

Shane Dowrich was run out for 18 while Trent Boult took the wickets of Powell (42) and Miguel Cummins (one).&nbsp;

Tom Latham was the first New Zealand wicket to fall for 37 and Williamson went cheaply for one before Raval and Taylor cautiously added 17 in 8.3 overs through to stumps.

Neil Wagner rated his career-best seven-wicket haul a 'horrible' performance as New Zealand seized the honours on day one

Neil Wagner rated his career-best seven-wicket haul a "horrible" performance as New Zealand seized the honours on day one of the first Test against the West Indies in Wellington on Friday. But as the West Indies licked their wounds after being rolled in the first innings for 134, they believed they only were one wicket away from getting back into the game. "The big wicket is Ross Taylor. If we can get him early tomorrow morning, anything`s possible," coach Stuart Law said. Taylor was not out 12 with Jeet Raval on 29 as New Zealand reached 85 for two at stumps -- 49 runs in arrears after Wagner ensured the West Indies were dismissed cheaply. The South African-born left-armer, a fiery short-ball specialist, claimed seven for 39 and was twice on a hat-trick as he bettered his previous best of six for 41 against Zimbabwe last year. But it was an innings-destroying performance that Wagner did not see coming after the West Indies, sent into bat, comfortably reached 59 without loss. "It was a bit of a bizarre day to be honest. I sort of got a bit worried at one stage, they were looking quite comfortable," he said. "The pitch was not doing as much as we expected and I felt horrible to be honest. At the start I just felt like I didn`t have a great rhythm." "I think I`ve bowled a lot better on other days and not get a wicket and then you get days like this and you end up getting a seven-for ... things don`t really tick but wickets just keep falling and it`s a just bizarre thing." Law described the West Indies batsmen as being "all bitterly disappointed" with their effort but believed they were still in the game. "I know we`re a lot better than what we performed like out there today," he said. "It`s one of those things we tend to have habit of not starting a series very well but by no means are we dead and buried in this contest. "A 100 lead or 150 sounds lot but I believe if we put our minds to it that`s a pretty good batting wicket coming into day three and day four." When New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss he hesitated in making the West Indies into bat on a green wicket. Despite the conditions, openers Kieran Powell and Kraigg Brathwaite safely progressed to 59 before Wagner engineered a collapse that saw all 10 wickets fall in 22 overs for only 75 runs. By digging the ball in short and angling it towards the rib cage he had his first success in his third over when Brathwaite went for 24. On either side of the lunch adjournment, he ripped through the West Indies` new generation of specialist batsmen with three wickets in four balls. Shimron Hetmyer (13) went on in the last ball before lunch, rising star Shai Hope fell on Wagner`s second ball after play resumed and debutant Sunil Ambris stepped back on his stumps with the first ball he faced in Test cricket. Wagner also removed Roston Chase (five) and Jason Holder with successive balls, with Holder falling to a perfectly placed yorker and wrapped up the innings with the dismissal of Shannon Gabriel (10). Shane Dowrich was run out for 18 while Trent Boult took the wickets of Powell (42) and Miguel Cummins (one). Tom Latham was the first New Zealand wicket to fall for 37 and Williamson went cheaply for one before Raval and Taylor cautiously added 17 in 8.3 overs through to stumps.

Neil Wagner's 'horrible' seven-wicket haul floors West Indies on day one

As <a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/cricket-india-two-wickets-away-from-crushing-win-against-sri-lanka-25236" target="_blank">India beat Sri Lanka</a> by an inning and 239 runs in the Nagpur Test today, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/ashwin-breaks-record-as-india-crush-sri-lanka-in-2nd-test-25259" target="_blank">spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 31,&nbsp;created&nbsp;history</a> by becoming the quickest to join the &quot;300 club&quot; in just&nbsp;54 matches, two matches shy of Australian pace bowler Dennis Lillee.

While he basks in glory, the Tamil Nadu spinner is not ready to rest on his laurels keen to&nbsp;double his record.

&quot;I really hope I can go on to double these 300 wickets. I&#39;ve only played 50 Tests,&quot; India&#39;s star spinner told AFP. At present, Ashwin has scalped&nbsp;150 ODI&nbsp;wickets in 111 matches and 52 wickets in 46 T-20&nbsp;matches.

Ashwin is ranked fourth among the top-10 ODI&nbsp;bowlers in world cricket.&nbsp;

The ace spinner was cheered and congratulated by fans and colleagues on Twitter, here&#39;s a look at some of the tweets!

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Congratulations India on a comprehensive victory. Many congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/ashwinravi99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashwinravi99</a> on becoming the fastest to reach 300 Test Wickets.
&mdash; VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) <a href="https://twitter.com/VVSLaxman281/status/935078192280252418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Ravichandran Ashwin Becomes Quickest To Reach 300 Wickets. (54 Matches). What A Great Achievement. Congrats <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashwin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashwin</a>.?????????<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndvSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndvSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvsSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvsSL</a> <a href="https://t.co/ChhMwshDBy">pic.twitter.com/ChhMwshDBy</a>
&mdash; Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) <a href="https://twitter.com/SirJadeja/status/935068927461269504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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To try something new when things aren&rsquo;t going your way is expected. But to try newer variations when things are going alright is what differentiates the best from the rest. Well done <a href="https://twitter.com/ashwinravi99?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashwinravi99</a> - what a feat! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashwin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashwin</a>
&mdash; RK (@RK_sports) <a href="https://twitter.com/RK_sports/status/935096981923483648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The man with intent and intensity <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashwin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashwin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashwin300?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashwin300</a> <a href="https://t.co/QMmsjgAKgJ">https://t.co/QMmsjgAKgJ</a>
&mdash; Kumar Gautam (@Kumargautamkg) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kumargautamkg/status/935110475062288384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashwin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashwin</a>(54 matches) becomes the fastest to 300 Test wickets beating <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DennisLillee?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DennisLillee</a>(56 matches) ????
&mdash; AKSHAY 2.0 (@akshay14793) <a href="https://twitter.com/akshay14793/status/935047925289250816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Here&#39;s congratulating Ravichandran Ashwin for his spectacular performance today.&nbsp;

While he basks in glory, the Tamil Nadu spinner is not ready to rest on his laurels keen to?double his record

As India beat Sri Lanka by an inning and 239 runs in the Nagpur Test today, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, 31, created history by becoming the quickest to join the "300 club" in just 54 matches, two matches shy of Australian pace bowler Dennis Lillee. While he basks in glory, the Tamil Nadu spinner is not ready to rest on his laurels keen to double his record. "I really hope I can go on to double these 300 wickets. I've only played 50 Tests," India's star spinner told AFP. At present, Ashwin has scalped 150 ODI wickets in 111 matches and 52 wickets in 46 T-20 matches. Ashwin is ranked fourth among the top-10 ODI bowlers in world cricket. The ace spinner was cheered and congratulated by fans and colleagues on Twitter, here's a look at some of the tweets! Congratulations India on a comprehensive victory. Many congratulations to @ashwinravi99 on becoming the fastest to reach 300 Test Wickets. — VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 27, 2017 × Ravichandran Ashwin Becomes Quickest To Reach 300 Wickets. (54 Matches). What A Great Achievement. Congrats #Ashwin.?????????#IndvSL #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/ChhMwshDBy — Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) November 27, 2017 × To try something new when things aren’t going your way is expected. But to try newer variations when things are going alright is what differentiates the best from the rest. Well done @ashwinravi99 - what a feat! #Ashwin — RK (@RK_sports) November 27, 2017 × The man with intent and intensity #Ashwin #Ashwin300 https://t.co/QMmsjgAKgJ — Kumar Gautam (@Kumargautamkg) November 27, 2017 × #Ashwin(54 matches) becomes the fastest to 300 Test wickets beating #DennisLillee(56 matches) ???? — AKSHAY 2.0 (@akshay14793) November 27, 2017 × Here's congratulating Ravichandran Ashwin for his spectacular performance today.

After bagging quickest 300 Test wickets, Ashwin eyes 'super 600'

Murali Vijay marked his return to the India side with an unbeaten half-century as the hosts marched steadily towards Sri Lanka&#39;s first innings total of 205 on the second day of the second test in Nagpur on Saturday.

India were 97 for one at lunch after denying Sri Lanka a wicket in the first session of play to remain 108 behind their opponents with nine wickets in hand and looking on course for a big fist innings total.

Vijay, who missed India&#39;s three-test series in Sri Lanka with injury and was left out of the drawn first match in Kolkata, was batting on 56 with Cheteshwar Pujara 33 not out at the other end.

Resuming the day on 11-1, both Indian batsmen were watchful during the first hour&#39;s play and waited for the bad balls for scoring opportunities.

Vijay square-drove the first ball of the morning and hit five more boundaries en route to his 16th half-century in tests.

Sri Lanka had a chance to dismiss him for 19 when the short-leg fielder floored a sharp chance off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and, on another occasion, the tourists could not run out the opener who was well out of his crease.

Pujara was typically poised at the other end, mostly leaving the deliveries outside his off-stump and offering a dead bat in defence.

Dilruwan Perera got the right-hander to edge one on 25 but the ball fell well short of Angelo Mathews at slip.

It was after the introduction of Perera that India managed to improve their scoring rate as both Vijay and Pujara attacked the off-spinner who went for 26 off his four overs.

Murali Vijay marked his return to the India side with an unbeaten half-century as the hosts marched steadily towards Sri Lanka's first innings total of 205 on the second day of the second test in Nagpur on Saturday

Murali Vijay marked his return to the India side with an unbeaten half-century as the hosts marched steadily towards Sri Lanka's first innings total of 205 on the second day of the second test in Nagpur on Saturday. India were 97 for one at lunch after denying Sri Lanka a wicket in the first session of play to remain 108 behind their opponents with nine wickets in hand and looking on course for a big fist innings total. Vijay, who missed India's three-test series in Sri Lanka with injury and was left out of the drawn first match in Kolkata, was batting on 56 with Cheteshwar Pujara 33 not out at the other end. Resuming the day on 11-1, both Indian batsmen were watchful during the first hour's play and waited for the bad balls for scoring opportunities. Vijay square-drove the first ball of the morning and hit five more boundaries en route to his 16th half-century in tests. Sri Lanka had a chance to dismiss him for 19 when the short-leg fielder floored a sharp chance off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and, on another occasion, the tourists could not run out the opener who was well out of his crease. Pujara was typically poised at the other end, mostly leaving the deliveries outside his off-stump and offering a dead bat in defence. Dilruwan Perera got the right-hander to edge one on 25 but the ball fell well short of Angelo Mathews at slip. It was after the introduction of Perera that India managed to improve their scoring rate as both Vijay and Pujara attacked the off-spinner who went for 26 off his four overs.

Vijay scores fifty as India dominate Sri Lanka before lunch

Indian middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara became the third Indian cricketer after Ravi Shastri and ML Jaisimha to have batted in all five days of a Test match&nbsp;against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens on Monday.

Cheteshwar Pujara equalled&nbsp;India&#39;s current coach Ravi Shastri&#39;s record set in 1984 against England at Kolkata and Jaisimha&#39;s record effort against Australia in 1960 in the same venue.

The other batsmen who have batted in all five days of a Test match include England&#39;s Geoff Boycott,&nbsp;Allan Lamb and&nbsp;Andrew Flintoff, Australia&#39;s Kim Hughes, West Indies great Adrian Griffith&nbsp;and South Africa&#39;s Alviro Petersen.

Jaisimha&#39;s 20 not out and 74 against Australia at Kolkata in January, 1960 was the first time a batsman had batted on all five days. &nbsp;Alviro Petersen was the last batsman in March, 2012 who created a similar record against New Zealand at Wellington.

The only batsman to have created the record against India was England&nbsp;all-rounder Andrew Flintoff at Mohali in March 2006.

Cheteshwar Pujara broke India's current coach Ravi Shastri's record set in 1984 against England at Kolkata and Jaisimha's record effort against Australia

Indian middle-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara became the third Indian cricketer after Ravi Shastri and ML Jaisimha to have batted in all five days of a Test match against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens on Monday. Cheteshwar Pujara equalled India's current coach Ravi Shastri's record set in 1984 against England at Kolkata and Jaisimha's record effort against Australia in 1960 in the same venue. The other batsmen who have batted in all five days of a Test match include England's Geoff Boycott, Allan Lamb and Andrew Flintoff, Australia's Kim Hughes, West Indies great Adrian Griffith and South Africa's Alviro Petersen. Jaisimha's 20 not out and 74 against Australia at Kolkata in January, 1960 was the first time a batsman had batted on all five days. Alviro Petersen was the last batsman in March, 2012 who created a similar record against New Zealand at Wellington. The only batsman to have created the record against India was England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff at Mohali in March 2006.

Kolkata Test: Pujara bats on all five days, equals Shastri, Jaisimha's record

Bangladesh beat Australia by 20 runs in the first Test today to record their maiden Test win against the Aussies at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

Australia chasing 265 to win were shot out for 244 on the fourth day even after Warner(112) hit a ton.

Shakib Al Hasan tore into&nbsp;the Australian batting picking up five wickets as the hosts celebrated their&nbsp;famous victory with&nbsp;Hazlewood&#39;s last wicket.

Warner led from the front hitting 112 in 135 balls studded with sixteen boundaries and a six but fell victim to Shakib&#39;s spin with Australia on 158/5. The Australians lost regular wickets after Warner&#39;s exit to fall short by 20 runs.

Man of the Match Shakib ended the Test bagging&nbsp;10 wickets.

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Shakib Al Hasan reacts after dismissing Australian batsmen Matthew Wade during the fourth day of the first Test against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. (AFP)
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Shakib Al Hasan tore through the Australian batting picking up five wickets

Bangladesh beat Australia by 20 runs in the first Test today to record their maiden Test win against the Aussies at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Australia chasing 265 to win were shot out for 244 on the fourth day even after Warner(112) hit a ton. Shakib Al Hasan tore into the Australian batting picking up five wickets as the hosts celebrated their famous victory with Hazlewood's last wicket. Warner led from the front hitting 112 in 135 balls studded with sixteen boundaries and a six but fell victim to Shakib's spin with Australia on 158/5. The Australians lost regular wickets after Warner's exit to fall short by 20 runs. Man of the Match Shakib ended the Test bagging 10 wickets. Shakib Al Hasan reacts after dismissing Australian batsmen Matthew Wade during the fourth day of the first Test against Australia at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. (AFP) ×

Dhaka Test: Shakib spins Bangladesh to victory over Australia

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets each as India beat Sri Lanka by 304 runs in the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/1st-test-jadeja-shami-keep-sri-lanka-at-bay-on-day-3-18348"> first Test </a>to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

Sri Lankan opener&nbsp;Dimuth Karunaratne fell just three-run short of a century.

He was dismissed by an Ashwin delivery.

&nbsp;Sri Lanka collapsed for 245 in their second innings.

While Ashwin finished with a figure of three for 65, Jadeja got three wickets&nbsp;for 71.&nbsp;

Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav also took a wicket each.

Virat Kohli (103) struck his 17th century.

India will now play Sri Lanka in the second test beginning August 3.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/1st-test-how-pujara-dhawan-put-slayed-lanka-380">Also see: How Dhawan, Pujara slayed Lanka</a>

India beat Sri Lanka by 304 runs in the first Test

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets each as India beat Sri Lanka by 304 runs in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday. Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne fell just three-run short of a century. He was dismissed by an Ashwin delivery. Sri Lanka collapsed for 245 in their second innings. While Ashwin finished with a figure of three for 65, Jadeja got three wickets for 71. Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav also took a wicket each. Virat Kohli (103) struck his 17th century. India will now play Sri Lanka in the second test beginning August 3. Also see: How Dhawan, Pujara slayed Lanka

Ashwin, Jadeja power India to victory against Lanka

Indian captain Virat Kohli today described the 2-1 triumph over Australia as his side&#39;s best series win so far, saying his highly motivated teammates give it right back when poked.

&quot;Regardless of whether we are on top or not, we speak, if something pokes us we speak and give it right back. All people don&#39;t digest it well but we take it very well and we give it back even better,&quot; Kohli told &#39;Star Sports&#39; after the fourth Test here, which he missed owing to a shoulder injury.

The feisty batsman was in the Australian media&#39;s line of fire after stopping just short of calling rival captain Steve Smith a cheat for his infamous DRS &#39;Brain Fade&#39;. Brushing the criticism aside, Kohli said he hardly cares for what was spoken or written about him Down Under.

&quot;Some people want to create some spice sitting at some part of the world. They don&#39;t confront such situations themselves. The easiest thing to do is to just sit at home and write a blog or speak on Mic but to go out there and bowl and bat is different,&quot; he said.

Kohli said he was thoroughly enjoying the responsibility of leading a motivated side.

&quot;I like taking responsibility, every game that I play for India is an opportunity to do something special with my skills. I like getting involved in the game. The workload is something that needs to be kept in mind in future but right now when the body is responding well I am fine,&quot; he said.

&quot;It&#39;s been unbelievable. This is our best series win so far. The way we bounced back from World number&nbsp;7 to number&nbsp;1 has been outstanding achievement and I am proud as a captain.

&quot;I thought (the series against) England was intense, but the way Australia gave us a fight it was amazing on their part but our guys kept bouncing back. We showed true character and maturity. The guys handled themselves well,&quot; he added.

He lauded stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane for the dominating eight-wicket win in the fourth Test, which concluded on the fourth day today.

&quot;Ajinkya led the team really well. It was very pleasing to see that from the outside.&quot;

Kohli said the fact his team&#39;s improved fitness helped has in taking the rigours of a long home season, which included series against South Africa, New Zealand and England.

&quot;The changes we made in our fitness regimen have paid off. Guys have been able to sustain the performance throughout the season,&quot; he said.

&quot;In the past, we have had sessions where we have given away the game easily. Not this season. It has been a team season. Not one or two individuals who have stood out.

Heaping praise on the pacers, Kohli said: &quot;Unbelievable, the kind of fitness and desire the fast bowlers have shown, it has been game-changing.&quot;

Speaking about his recovery from the shoulder niggle, Kohli said he will be back to full fitness in a few weeks. 
&quot;It&#39;s still a few weeks to go till I can be 100 per cent on the field. You have to take it in your stride and move forward,&quot; he said.

Rahane, on the other hand, credited the all-round team effort for the victory.

&quot;Really enjoyed the win. Credit to all the boys. Not only this series, but to whoever has played this season. I am really happy as a captain. I thought our bowlers, batsmen and fielders, they all did well,&quot; Rahane said.

An aggressive Rahane was on display today as he blasted two consecutive sixes off Pat Cummins even though India was chasing a paltry score of 106.

Asked about the sixes, Rahane said: &quot;In low-scoring games, you just need 30-40 quick runs in the middle. I was thinking of the Galle defeat when we got into our shell.&quot;

Adjudged Man of Match and Man of the series, Ravindra Jadeja was on cloud nine.

&quot;It really feels great to be the number&nbsp;1 Test bowler and being part of this champion Test side,&quot; he said.

&quot;When I batted, I was thinking to take my time and then Matthew Wade chirped from behind. That motivated me. If I can respond to him with runs, it will be great.&quot;

Jadeja also credited his coaches and captain for his performance and said he is happy to have answered his critics.

&quot;Coaches and captain have been telling me, I have the skill to bat long. I developed as a player overall. Some time ago people didn&#39;t consider me a Test bowler. This season is a good response to them,&quot; he said.

Talking about his combination with Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja said: &quot;Ashwin and I maintain pressure from both ends. The variation of off-spinner and left-arm spinner also works well. It is difficult for any team to play such a combination.

&quot;Hopefully we can continue this outside India too.&quot;

Known for his sword-wielding celebration, Jadeja said: &quot;I will try to get to a hundred next time, and celebrate with two bats as swords.&quot;

(PTI)

The feisty batsman was in the Australian media's line of fire after stopping just short of calling rival captain Steve Smith a cheat

Indian captain Virat Kohli today described the 2-1 triumph over Australia as his side's best series win so far, saying his highly motivated teammates give it right back when poked. "Regardless of whether we are on top or not, we speak, if something pokes us we speak and give it right back. All people don't digest it well but we take it very well and we give it back even better," Kohli told 'Star Sports' after the fourth Test here, which he missed owing to a shoulder injury. The feisty batsman was in the Australian media's line of fire after stopping just short of calling rival captain Steve Smith a cheat for his infamous DRS 'Brain Fade'. Brushing the criticism aside, Kohli said he hardly cares for what was spoken or written about him Down Under. "Some people want to create some spice sitting at some part of the world. They don't confront such situations themselves. The easiest thing to do is to just sit at home and write a blog or speak on Mic but to go out there and bowl and bat is different," he said. Kohli said he was thoroughly enjoying the responsibility of leading a motivated side. "I like taking responsibility, every game that I play for India is an opportunity to do something special with my skills. I like getting involved in the game. The workload is something that needs to be kept in mind in future but right now when the body is responding well I am fine," he said. "It's been unbelievable. This is our best series win so far. The way we bounced back from World number 7 to number 1 has been outstanding achievement and I am proud as a captain. "I thought (the series against) England was intense, but the way Australia gave us a fight it was amazing on their part but our guys kept bouncing back. We showed true character and maturity. The guys handled themselves well," he added. He lauded stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane for the dominating eight-wicket win in the fourth Test, which concluded on the fourth day today. "Ajinkya led the team really well. It was very pleasing to see that from the outside." Kohli said the fact his team's improved fitness helped has in taking the rigours of a long home season, which included series against South Africa, New Zealand and England. "The changes we made in our fitness regimen have paid off. Guys have been able to sustain the performance throughout the season," he said. "In the past, we have had sessions where we have given away the game easily. Not this season. It has been a team season. Not one or two individuals who have stood out. Heaping praise on the pacers, Kohli said: "Unbelievable, the kind of fitness and desire the fast bowlers have shown, it has been game-changing." Speaking about his recovery from the shoulder niggle, Kohli said he will be back to full fitness in a few weeks. "It's still a few weeks to go till I can be 100 per cent on the field. You have to take it in your stride and move forward," he said. Rahane, on the other hand, credited the all-round team effort for the victory. "Really enjoyed the win. Credit to all the boys. Not only this series, but to whoever has played this season. I am really happy as a captain. I thought our bowlers, batsmen and fielders, they all did well," Rahane said. An aggressive Rahane was on display today as he blasted two consecutive sixes off Pat Cummins even though India was chasing a paltry score of 106. Asked about the sixes, Rahane said: "In low-scoring games, you just need 30-40 quick runs in the middle. I was thinking of the Galle defeat when we got into our shell." Adjudged Man of Match and Man of the series, Ravindra Jadeja was on cloud nine. "It really feels great to be the number 1 Test bowler and being part of this champion Test side," he said. "When I batted, I was thinking to take my time and then Matthew Wade chirped from behind. That motivated me. If I can respond to him with runs, it will be great." Jadeja also credited his coaches and captain for his performance and said he is happy to have answered his critics. "Coaches and captain have been telling me, I have the skill to bat long. I developed as a player overall. Some time ago people didn't consider me a Test bowler. This season is a good response to them," he said. Talking about his combination with Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja said: "Ashwin and I maintain pressure from both ends. The variation of off-spinner and left-arm spinner also works well. It is difficult for any team to play such a combination. "Hopefully we can continue this outside India too." Known for his sword-wielding celebration, Jadeja said: "I will try to get to a hundred next time, and celebrate with two bats as swords." (PTI)

If something pokes us we speak and give it right back: Kohli

Bangladesh fought back against India through half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan to reach 322 for six at the close of the third day&#39;s play in the one-off Test in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Bangladesh&#39;s most experienced pair of Shakib and Mushfiqur added 107 for the fifth-wicket before the latter combined with the 19-year-old Mehedi for an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 87 to frustrate the hosts.

The visitors still face a steep task if they are to avoid the follow-on in response to India&#39;s mammoth first innings total of 687-6 declared.

At stumps, captain Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 81 with Mehedi not out on 51, his maiden Test fifty, at the other end with Bangladesh still needing 166 runs to make India bat again. The duo kept India wicketless for the entire third session.

After resuming on 41-1, the touring side suffered a major blow in just the third over of the day when Tamim Iqbal was run out on his overnight score of 24.&nbsp;The left-handed opener was stranded near the middle of the pitch after a terrible mix-up with partner Mominul Haque while attempting a second run.

Paceman Umesh Yadav, who dismissed Soumya Sarkar on Friday, found enough reverse swing to trouble Bangladesh&#39;s batsmen before he pinned down Mominul in front of the stumps to dismiss him leg before for 12.

Umesh continued to trouble Mahmudullah with his pace and movement but pace-bowling colleague Ishant Sharma reaped the benefit by dismissing the batsman leg before for 28 in his first over of the day.

Ishant, who replaced Umesh, beat Mahmudullah&#39;s bat with an angled delivery and the batsman&#39;s attempt to overturn the decision on review also proved futile.&nbsp;Shakib then launched a counterattack against India&#39;s bowlers and his 21st test fifty was studded with 14 boundaries in a knock that came off 103 balls.

The left-hander was out caught trying to loft off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the world&#39;s top-ranked bowler in tests, over mid-off.&nbsp;Ashwin&#39;s left-arm spin colleague Ravindra Jadeja then dismissed Sabbir Rahman for 16, the batsman falling leg-before while attempting a sweep shot.

Mushfiqur, who got the benefit of doubt in a run out appeal when he was batting on 18, showed plenty of application and temperament during his knock and will be crucial to Bangladesh&#39;s hopes of avoiding the follow-on.

Off-spinner Mehedi gave his captain, who suffered a blow to his right hand in the last over of the day against Ishant, able support and hit 10 crisp boundaries in his flourishing knock.

(Reuters)

Bangladesh fought back against India on the third day to reach 322 for six at close

Bangladesh fought back against India through half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehedi Hasan to reach 322 for six at the close of the third day's play in the one-off Test in Hyderabad on Saturday. Bangladesh's most experienced pair of Shakib and Mushfiqur added 107 for the fifth-wicket before the latter combined with the 19-year-old Mehedi for an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 87 to frustrate the hosts. The visitors still face a steep task if they are to avoid the follow-on in response to India's mammoth first innings total of 687-6 declared. At stumps, captain Mushfiqur was unbeaten on 81 with Mehedi not out on 51, his maiden Test fifty, at the other end with Bangladesh still needing 166 runs to make India bat again. The duo kept India wicketless for the entire third session. After resuming on 41-1, the touring side suffered a major blow in just the third over of the day when Tamim Iqbal was run out on his overnight score of 24. The left-handed opener was stranded near the middle of the pitch after a terrible mix-up with partner Mominul Haque while attempting a second run. Paceman Umesh Yadav, who dismissed Soumya Sarkar on Friday, found enough reverse swing to trouble Bangladesh's batsmen before he pinned down Mominul in front of the stumps to dismiss him leg before for 12. Umesh continued to trouble Mahmudullah with his pace and movement but pace-bowling colleague Ishant Sharma reaped the benefit by dismissing the batsman leg before for 28 in his first over of the day. Ishant, who replaced Umesh, beat Mahmudullah's bat with an angled delivery and the batsman's attempt to overturn the decision on review also proved futile. Shakib then launched a counterattack against India's bowlers and his 21st test fifty was studded with 14 boundaries in a knock that came off 103 balls. The left-hander was out caught trying to loft off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the world's top-ranked bowler in tests, over mid-off. Ashwin's left-arm spin colleague Ravindra Jadeja then dismissed Sabbir Rahman for 16, the batsman falling leg-before while attempting a sweep shot. Mushfiqur, who got the benefit of doubt in a run out appeal when he was batting on 18, showed plenty of application and temperament during his knock and will be crucial to Bangladesh's hopes of avoiding the follow-on. Off-spinner Mehedi gave his captain, who suffered a blow to his right hand in the last over of the day against Ishant, able support and hit 10 crisp boundaries in his flourishing knock. (Reuters)

Test cricket: Bangladesh's Shakib, Mushfiqur defy India

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its Test and ODI teams of the year 2016 on Thursday.

But for some reason, Virat Kohli, India&rsquo;s Test captain, who is on an 18-match unbeaten streak was omitted from the list of ICC Test team of the year.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Here is the ICC Test Team of the Year 2016! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCAwards?src=hash">#ICCAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/TjqFeMn4MY">pic.twitter.com/TjqFeMn4MY</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/811813662801399809">December 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Kohli recently led India to a 4-0 series win over England in a five-Test home series.

He was the man of the series by scoring 655 runs in the five Tests, at a whopping average of 109.16 with the&nbsp;highest score of 235.

He scored 1215 runs in 2016 in 12 Test at an average of 75.93, with four centuries and two half-centuries.

The only Indian in the line-up of the Test team is the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, with two of Kohli&rsquo;s closest competitors, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Joe Root of England make it to the team.

However, Kohli makes it into the ODI team of the year, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Presenting the ICC ODI Team of the Year 2016! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCAwards?src=hash">#ICCAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/5rH3XozNIj">pic.twitter.com/5rH3XozNIj</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/811816048534126593">December 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Warner and Starc are two cricketers who found a place in both the teams.

The Test team is selected on the basis of records between September 14, 2015, and September 20, 2016. Williamson had a great 2015, coming up with an average of 90.15 from 16 innings. While Kohli averages 42.66 off 15 innings in 2015, reports NDTV Sports.

ICC ODI team of the year 2016: Virat Kohli (captain), David Warner, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler, Mitchell Marsh, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir.

ICC Test team of the year 2016: Alastair Cook (captain), David Warner, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Adam Voges, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rangana Herath, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Steve Smith.

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Kohli was omitted from the ICC Test team of the year but however, makes it into the ODI team of the year

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its Test and ODI teams of the year 2016 on Thursday. But for some reason, Virat Kohli, India’s Test captain, who is on an 18-match unbeaten streak was omitted from the list of ICC Test team of the year. Here is the ICC Test Team of the Year 2016! #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/TjqFeMn4MY — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016 × Kohli recently led India to a 4-0 series win over England in a five-Test home series. He was the man of the series by scoring 655 runs in the five Tests, at a whopping average of 109.16 with the highest score of 235. He scored 1215 runs in 2016 in 12 Test at an average of 75.93, with four centuries and two half-centuries. The only Indian in the line-up of the Test team is the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, with two of Kohli’s closest competitors, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Joe Root of England make it to the team. However, Kohli makes it into the ODI team of the year, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma. Presenting the ICC ODI Team of the Year 2016! #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/5rH3XozNIj — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016 × Warner and Starc are two cricketers who found a place in both the teams. The Test team is selected on the basis of records between September 14, 2015, and September 20, 2016. Williamson had a great 2015, coming up with an average of 90.15 from 16 innings. While Kohli averages 42.66 off 15 innings in 2015, reports NDTV Sports. ICC ODI team of the year 2016: Virat Kohli (captain), David Warner, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler, Mitchell Marsh, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir. ICC Test team of the year 2016: Alastair Cook (captain), David Warner, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Adam Voges, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rangana Herath, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Steve Smith. (WION)

No place for Virat Kohli in the ICC Test team of the year 2016

Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Jayant Yadav picked up three wickets apiece in the second innings as India beat England by 246 runs on Monday to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 405 for a win, England were all out for 158 shortly after lunch on the fifth and final day in the first test match being played in the port city of Visakhapatnam.

World number one Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin provided the first breakthrough of the day by having Ben Duckett caught behind for nought, ending the batsman&#39;s brief, 16-ball stay at the crease.

Moeen Ali did not last long either after the batsman looped up a simple catch to fine leg off leg-spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Debutant off-spinner Jayant Yadav got the important wicket of Ben Stokes, who top-scored with 70 in England&#39;s first innings, for six.

Root, who was dropped on one by captain Virat Kohli at leg slip off Ashwin, provided some resistance until fast bowler Mohammed Shami had him lbw.

Root, who scored a gritty 25, reviewed the decision but TV replays suggested the ball would have got the leg stump, upholding the onfield call.&nbsp;

The hosts had reclaimed the advantage on the fourth day after Jadeja trapped England skipper Alastair Cook lbw for 54 on what turned out to be the last ball of the day.

Openers Cook and Haseeb Hameed (25) had given England hope of saving the Test with their 75-run opening stand before the Indian spinners struck.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Chasing 405 for a win, England were all out for 158 shortly after lunch on the fifth and final day

Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Jayant Yadav picked up three wickets apiece in the second innings as India beat England by 246 runs on Monday to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 405 for a win, England were all out for 158 shortly after lunch on the fifth and final day in the first test match being played in the port city of Visakhapatnam. World number one Test bowler Ravichandran Ashwin provided the first breakthrough of the day by having Ben Duckett caught behind for nought, ending the batsman's brief, 16-ball stay at the crease. Moeen Ali did not last long either after the batsman looped up a simple catch to fine leg off leg-spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Debutant off-spinner Jayant Yadav got the important wicket of Ben Stokes, who top-scored with 70 in England's first innings, for six. Root, who was dropped on one by captain Virat Kohli at leg slip off Ashwin, provided some resistance until fast bowler Mohammed Shami had him lbw. Root, who scored a gritty 25, reviewed the decision but TV replays suggested the ball would have got the leg stump, upholding the onfield call. The hosts had reclaimed the advantage on the fourth day after Jadeja trapped England skipper Alastair Cook lbw for 54 on what turned out to be the last ball of the day. Openers Cook and Haseeb Hameed (25) had given England hope of saving the Test with their 75-run opening stand before the Indian spinners struck. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India v England: India win 2nd Test by 246 runs to take 1-0 series lead

England are to go ahead with their tour of Bangladesh, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Thursday. 
 
ECB&#39;s official Twitter feed confirmed&nbsp;the green signal on Bangladesh tour . 
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We can confirm that <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket">@englandcricket</a>&#39;s tour of Bangladesh will continue as planned. A brief statement to follow shortly
&mdash; ECB (@ECB_cricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/ECB_cricket/status/768908427586306048">August 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
 
 
There were doubts on whether the team will follow through the tour after an attack on July 1st in a cafe in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 20 people. 
 
An ECB delegation&nbsp;recently visited Bangladesh to make their own security assessment. They were led by&nbsp;security adviser Reg Dickason, accompanied by director of cricket operations John Carr and David Leatherdale of the Professional Cricketers&#39; Association 
 
Following their return, the ECB said yesterday that the three one-day internationals and two Tests which England are due to play in Bangladesh in October and November before heading to India were set to go ahead as scheduled. 
 
Australia cancelled their tour of Bangladesh in October for security reasons and then withdrew their side from the Under-19 World Cup in the country at the start of this year. England, however, fielded a team at the youth event. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

There were question marks over the series as ECB was worried about the safety of its players due to the July terror attack n Dhaka

England are to go ahead with their tour of Bangladesh, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed Thursday. ECB's official Twitter feed confirmed the green signal on Bangladesh tour . We can confirm that @englandcricket's tour of Bangladesh will continue as planned. A brief statement to follow shortly — ECB (@ECB_cricket) August 25, 2016 There were doubts on whether the team will follow through the tour after an attack on July 1st in a cafe in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that killed 20 people. An ECB delegation recently visited Bangladesh to make their own security assessment. They were led by security adviser Reg Dickason, accompanied by director of cricket operations John Carr and David Leatherdale of the Professional Cricketers' Association Following their return, the ECB said yesterday that the three one-day internationals and two Tests which England are due to play in Bangladesh in October and November before heading to India were set to go ahead as scheduled. Australia cancelled their tour of Bangladesh in October for security reasons and then withdrew their side from the Under-19 World Cup in the country at the start of this year. England, however, fielded a team at the youth event. (WION with inputs from AFP)

England to go ahead with Bangladesh tour

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