Cricket

India has ascended to the pinnacle of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, as per the latest update released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday. This elevation follows Australia's triumph over New Zealand in the Wellington Test.India's dominance is reflected in their impressive points percentage of 64.58, propelling them to the top spot. New Zealand, the previous table-toppers, now occupy the second position with a points percentage of 60.00. Australia has slipped to third place, boasting a points percentage of 59.09.India's commanding position in the ongoing five-Test home series against England, where they hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, provides them with an opportunity to further cement their status at the summit of the WTC table. A victory in the fifth and final Test in Dharamsala, commencing on March 7, would solidify their dominance.The WTC, inaugurated in 2019, is a two-year tournament that pits the world's top Test-playing nations against each other in a league format. The top two teams at the conclusion of the league stage will qualify for the final, scheduled to be held in June 2023 at The Oval in London.India's rise to the top of the WTC standings is a testament to their consistent performances in Test cricket. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the team has achieved notable victories both at home and abroad. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges has been a key factor in their success.As the WTC progresses, the competition is expected to intensify, with all teams vying for a place in the final. India's position at the top of the table provides them with a significant advantage, but they will need to maintain their momentum and continue to perform at a high level to secure their place in the championship match.

Australia's dominance over New Zealand continued as they secured a resounding 172-run victory in the first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve. Nathan Lyon's exceptional bowling performance, coupled with Cameron Green's match-defining innings, proved too much for the Black Caps.Lyon, Australia's premier spinner, wreaked havoc on the New Zealand batting lineup, claiming six wickets for 65 runs in the second innings. His victims included Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, and Glenn Phillips, as he completed his 24th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.New Zealand began the day with a daunting target of 369, but Lyon's early strikes put them on the back foot. Daryl Mitchell and Scott Kuggeleijn offered some resistance, but Cameron Green's dismissal of Kuggeleijn for 26 extinguished their hopes.Despite a blow to the helmet from Green, Mitchell continued to fight, scoring 38. However, he ran out of partners as Lyon and the Australian attack quickly wrapped up the New Zealand tail.Australia captain Pat Cummins praised Lyon's performance, stating, "Thankfully it spun which, with Nathan in our side, is always a pretty good thing."This loss leaves New Zealand with only one victory in their last 24 Tests against Australia. They will now prepare for the second and final match of the series in Christchurch, starting on Friday.New Zealand skipper Tim Southee acknowledged the need for improvement, saying, "Like every game, we'll reflect and look at ways that we can be better in the next one."While Lyon's performance was exceptional, it was Cameron Green's brilliant innings that truly made the difference. His partnership of 116 runs with Josh Hazlewood for the tenth wicket set the foundation for Australia's victory.Cummins praised Green, saying, "He was amazing, he was really the difference in the end." Green's unbeaten knock of 170 put pressure on the bowlers and helped Australia post a total of 383 in their first innings, giving them a significant lead.Although New Zealand fought back on day three with Glenn Phillips taking 5-45, Lyon's experience and skill proved too much for the Black Caps on a challenging pitch.It was Hazlewood who delivered the final blow, dismissing Mitchell with a well-directed delivery that was easily caught and bowled. This sealed Australia's emphatic victory.

Nathan Lyon, Australia's seasoned spinner, has revealed that his primary weapon is the bounce he generates from the surface, following his impressive performance with both bat and ball in the first Test against New Zealand.Lyon's heroics began with a crucial knock of 41 as a nightwatchman. His resilient batting propelled Australia's score to 164, helping them set a total of 369. He then showcased his prowess with the ball, claiming the vital wickets of Tom Latham (8) and Kane Williamson (9) to reduce the Kiwis to 111/3 at the end of Day 3 in Basin Reserve.On his second ball on Day 3, Lyon dismissed Latham with a short and wide delivery. After the day's play, he discussed his strategy for dealing with the opposition batters."My biggest weapon, and it's no secret, is my bounce all around the world. So I'll continue to try and put some over spin on the ball and try and get the bounce and try and hit the stickers on the bat and challenge the guys' defense on the crease. I've got a fair understanding of what their plan is going to be. So it's a good opportunity for me tonight to reset some goals and reset some plans and we'll go from there," Lyon said.Apart from his exceptional bowling skills, Lyon also displayed his resilience with the bat earlier in the day, scoring 41 off 46 deliveries, including six boundaries. While his knock boosted Australia's scoreboard, the rest of the batters failed to make a significant impact in the second innings. Glenn Phillips dismissed five of Australia's first seven batters.Lyon acknowledged that the batters might be frustrated with the manner in which they lost their wickets."I dare say so. But I'll never criticize our batters the way they go about it because they've been exceptional for a number of years now. But then you've got to give credit to the bowlers and this is my big thing. Bowlers are actually there to bowl good balls. And it's not always the batters' fault getting out and bowlers are allowed to come up with plans and execute and take wickets. No doubt there will be some frustration in there," Lyon added.

Australia's dominance continued on day two of the first Test against New Zealand at Basin Reserve, as they extended their lead to 217 runs. Despite losing Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply towards the end of the day, Australia's bowlers had earlier dismantled New Zealand's batting lineup for a mere 179 runs.Cameron Green, who had remained unbeaten on 174 in Australia's first innings, continued his heroics with the ball, claiming 5-70. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh also chipped in with wickets, while Nathan Lyon's 4-43 saw him surpass Courtney Walsh's tally of 519 Test wickets.New Zealand's top order crumbled under the pressure of Australia's relentless bowling attack. Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, and Rachin Ravindra were all dismissed cheaply, leaving the hosts reeling at 29 for 5. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips attempted to rebuild the innings with an 84-run partnership, but Lyon's introduction proved decisive.Phillips, who top-scored for New Zealand with 71, and Matt Henry, who contributed 42, provided some resistance, but Australia's bowlers remained relentless. Lyon's sharp turn and probing deliveries outside off stump proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen.In response, Australia's openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, faced a tough eight overs before stumps. Captain Tim Southee provided a glimmer of hope for New Zealand by dismissing Smith and Labuschagne, but Lyon and Khawaja survived to keep Australia in a commanding position.Green's marathon innings and record-breaking partnership with Josh Hazlewood had earlier given Australia a significant advantage. The pair added 116 runs for the tenth wicket, the highest of the innings and the highest last-wicket stand for Australia against New Zealand.New Zealand's bowlers, who had initially looked promising, struggled to maintain their discipline, conceding 41 extras. Henry eventually dismissed Hazlewood to claim his five-wicket haul, but Green's dominance had already put Australia in a commanding position.

In a thrilling encounter at Wellington's Sky Stadium, Australia snatched a nail-biting six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the opening Twenty20 international. Chasing a challenging target of 216, the Aussies rode on Mitchell Marsh's blistering 72 and Tim David's last-ball heroics to seal a dramatic triumph.New Zealand, batting first, posted an imposing 215-3, powered by Rachin Ravindra's maiden T20I half-century (68 off 35 balls). The hosts' innings was characterized by aggressive strokeplay, with Glenn Phillips (43) and Mark Chapman (32) providing valuable contributions.Australia's chase got off to a solid start, with openers Travis Head (24) and David Warner (32) putting on a 46-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin stifled their momentum, as Ish Sodhi and Michael Bracewell picked up quick wickets to leave the visitors reeling at 68-3.Enter Mitchell Marsh, who took the New Zealand attack head-on. The Australian skipper unleashed a flurry of boundaries, smashing seven sixes and two fours in his 44-ball 72. He forged a crucial 42-run stand with Glenn Maxwell (25) before Josh Inglis (20) joined him in a 51-run partnership.With the match slipping away, Tim David stepped up to the plate. The hard-hitting all-rounder remained composed under pressure, striking a six and a boundary off the final two deliveries to seal a remarkable victory for Australia.New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged the power of the Australian batting lineup, admitting that their inability to take wickets proved costly. The series now moves to Auckland for the remaining two T20Is, followed by a two-Test series.