Cricket Banter

Pakistan made inroads with the ball with New Zealand with 2 wickets falling on 52 & at 71-3 New Zealand had work to do. That was the last success they were to have all day as Williamson reeled off another century as together with Nicholls, they have added 215 runs. Pakistan will have to make early breakthroughs with the second new ball, in order to limit an inevitable New Zealand lead.

2nd Test Johannesburg Day 2 Close
Sri Lanka 157
South Africa 302 All out (75.4 overs) Elgar 127 van der Dussen 67 V Fernanda 5-101
Shanaka 2-42 A Fernanda 2-61
SL 150-4 (39 (overs) Karunaratne 91 no Thirimanne 32 Ngidi 3-26
Sri Lanka lead South Africa by 5 runs with 6 wickets remaining

The 2nd wicket partnership added a further 70 runs before Elgar's dismissal for 127 having added 184 with van der Dussen, who was also dismissed without the additions of any runs. In all 4 wickets went down for 23 runs after the drinks breaks. Runs were allowed to flow far too freely before the break, Sri Lanka have dragged it back well in limiting the lead to 145 runs.

England's Moeen Ali has tested positive for Covid 19 on arrival in Sri Lanka for the 2 Test Series. Chris Woakes has been identified as a close contact, & both will have to undergo a period of isolation.

2nd Test Christchurch Day 3 Close
Pakistan 297 & 8-1 (11 overs)
New Zealand 659-6 dec (158.5 overs) Williamson238 Nicholls 157 Mitchell 102 no Abbas2=98 Shaheen 2-101 Faheen 2-06
Pakistan trial New Zealand by 354 runs

2nd Test Johannesburg Day 3
SL 157 & 211(56.5 overs) Karunaratne 103 Dickwella 36 Ngidi 4-44 Sipamla 3-40 Nortje 2-64
SA 302 & 67-0 (13.2 overs) 67-0 Markram 36 n0 Elgar 31 no
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets

2nd Test Christchurch Day 4
Pakistan 297 & 186 (81.4 overs) Azhar Ali 37 Khan 37 Jamieson 6-48 Boult 3-43
New Zealand 659-6 dec
New Zealand beat Pakistan by an innings & 176 runs

ICC Test Rankings
1. New Zealand
2.Australia
3.India
4.England
5.South Africa
6.Sri Lanka
7.Pakistan
8.West Indies
9.Afghanistan
10.Bangladesh

After the 2nd Test match win over Pakistan, New Zealand top the World Rankings for the first time.

3rd Test SCG Day 1 Close
Australia won the toss & elected to bat
Aus 166-2 (55 overs) Labuschagne 67 no Pucovski 62

Australia's Claire Polosak became the first woman to officiate in a men's Test match, as the 4th umpire at the SCG. Polosak was the first female on-field umpire in a men's ODI between Namibia & Oman last year. She was also the first woman to stand in an Australia men;s domestic fixture in 2017.