Cricket

Tom Latham's maiden Test captaincy assignment was a daunting one: leading New Zealand on a tour of India, a formidable opponent with an unblemished home record since 2012. The Kiwis had only managed two Test victories in India since their first match in 1955, and even the legendary Stephen Fleming couldn't secure a win on Indian soil.Despite the odds stacked against them, Latham approached the challenge with a calm and methodical style. His level-headed demeanor maintained team morale, especially in tense situations. In the first Test at Bengaluru, Latham's decision to bowl first proved advantageous as the Kiwis bundled out India for their lowest-ever Test total at home - 46.In the second Test on a turning track in Pune, Mitchell Santner's 13 wickets in the match played a crucial role. However, Latham's 86 in the second innings was equally significant, setting India a daunting target of 359 runs. The hosts fell short, handing New Zealand a historic 113-run victory and their first-ever Test series triumph on Indian soil.Latham's experience as an opening batsman and seasoned Test player provided him with a deep understanding of New Zealand's strengths and weaknesses. He employed a balanced strategy, rotating bowlers effectively and adjusting fields to counter India's batting style. His approach emphasized resilience and discipline, encouraging his team to grind out runs and bowl consistently.Latham's trust in younger players like Daryl Mitchell and Will Young paid dividends, adding depth and adaptability to the New Zealand team. While his captaincy style may not have been as aggressive as some, his steady and balanced approach aligned well with the team's ethos.Despite the absence of batting mainstay Kane Williamson due to injury, Latham led New Zealand to a historic victory in India. His leadership provided stability and confidence, ensuring the Kiwis made history. Tom Latham's maiden Test captaincy assignment will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the finest in New Zealand cricket history.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir has confirmed that uncapped seamer Harshit Rana will not participate in the upcoming third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai. Despite reports suggesting Rana's inclusion in the squad, Gambhir clarified that the rumors are unfounded.Rana, who has been a part of India's white-ball teams since his impressive performance in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has been brought to Mumbai to work with bowling coach Morne Morkel in preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy."Harshit Rana is not part of the squad. He has just come here to prepare for the Australia tour," Gambhir stated at the pre-match press conference. "We have a Test match here, and we want to use this time to prepare Rana for the BGT."Gambhir emphasized that Rana's presence in Mumbai is solely for training purposes and has no bearing on the Test squad. The team management aims to utilize this opportunity to enhance Rana's skills ahead of the crucial series against Australia.The third Test between India and New Zealand will commence on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, the same venue where New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel achieved the remarkable feat of claiming 10 wickets in an innings.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead is confident that captain Kane Williamson will return to action for the first Test against England, scheduled for November 28-December 2 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. Williamson suffered a groin injury during the tour of Sri Lanka, but the team management has opted for a cautious approach to his rehabilitation.Despite Williamson's absence, New Zealand pulled off a historic Test series victory in India, with Will Young stepping up in his place. However, tearaway quick Ben Sears is likely to miss the England series due to a knee injury.Stead expressed his confidence in Williamson's availability for the first Test against England, stating that they could have rushed him back for the Mumbai Test but decided against it to ensure proper recovery. He praised the team's performance in Williamson's absence, highlighting Young's contributions.Sears' injury could pave the way for a potential Test debut for Nathan Smith, who was recently added to New Zealand's central contracts list. Smith impressed as the top wicket-taker in the 2023-24 Plunket Shield.Stead also expressed optimism about New Zealand's chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. With four remaining Tests, they need to win each to finish on 64.29%. Stead drew inspiration from their previous WTC triumph in 2019-21, where they won six consecutive Tests.

Kane Williamson to Miss Third Test Against India, Focuses on Groin RecoveryNew Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson will not join his team for the third Test against India in Mumbai, opting instead to remain in New Zealand and prioritize his recovery from a groin injury. The decision aims to ensure Williamson's fitness for the upcoming three-Test series against England, commencing on November 28 at Hagley Oval.Head coach Gary Stead confirmed Williamson's progress but emphasized that he is not yet ready for international travel. "Kane continues to show good signs, but isn’t quite ready to jump on a plane and join us," Stead stated.Stead explained the team's cautious approach, prioritizing Williamson's full recovery in time for the England series. "While things are looking promising, we think the best course of action is for him to stay in New Zealand and focus on the final part of his rehabilitation so he’ll be good to go for England," Stead said. "The England series is still a month away so taking the cautious approach now will ensure he is ready for the first Test in Christchurch."New Zealand's impressive performance in the first two Tests against India has secured them a 2-0 series victory. They triumphed by eight wickets in Bengaluru and 113 runs in Pune. The third Test in Mumbai is scheduled for Friday.Williamson's absence from the third Test is a setback for New Zealand, but the team remains confident in their ability to perform well. They will be led by Tom Latham, who has captained the side in Williamson's absence.

New Zealand cricket has reached unprecedented heights in an extraordinary week, etching its name in the annals of history with two landmark victories. Within a span of seven days, the Black Caps secured their first-ever Test series win in India, while the White Ferns claimed their maiden ICC Women's T20 World Cup title.Black Caps End 69-Year Wait with Historic Test Series Win in IndiaThe week of glory began on October 20, when New Zealand's men's team ended a 36-year winless streak in India with a commanding 8-wicket victory in the first Test in Bengaluru. It was New Zealand's first Test win on Indian soil since 1988 and only their third in history. The victory marked the start of their first-ever series triumph in India in 13 attempts since 1955.Under overcast conditions, India's batting crumbled under the pressure, posting just 46 runs in their first innings - their lowest Test total in Asia. New Zealand pacer Matt Henry spearheaded the demolition, taking 5 for 15. In response, New Zealand amassed 402 runs, taking control of the match. India showed fight in their second innings, with Sarfaraz Khan's 150 helping set a target of 107, but the Black Caps chased it down with ease.The second Test in Pune was even more dramatic. New Zealand fought back after being bowled out for 259, with Mitchell Santner delivering a match-winning performance, taking 7 for 53 to dismiss India for just 156. New Zealand set India a challenging fourth-innings target of 359, and despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's blistering 77, India folded for 245, giving New Zealand a 113-run victory and their first-ever Test series win in India. This also ended India's 12-year unbeaten run in home series.White Ferns Make History with Maiden T20 World Cup WinWhile the men's team was making history in India, the New Zealand women's team, the White Ferns, achieved their own momentous victory by lifting their first-ever ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai on the same day as the Bengaluru Test win (October 20).Entering the tournament as underdogs, the White Ferns stunned the cricket world by defeating India by 58 runs in their opening game. Despite a setback against defending champions Australia, New Zealand reached the semifinals with wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan. A narrow 8-run victory over West Indies in the semifinals set up a final clash with South Africa.In the final, the White Ferns posted a competitive total and restricted South Africa to win by 32 runs, claiming their first T20 World Cup and second ICC trophy, following their 2000 Women's ODI World Cup win.Seven Days of Glory for New Zealand CricketIn just seven days, New Zealand cricket achieved historic feats that have redefined their legacy on the world stage. The Black Caps' first-ever Test series win in India and the White Ferns' maiden T20 World Cup triumph represent the pinnacle of New Zealand cricket's red-letter week, marking a period of unprecedented success that will be remembered for years to come.

New Zealand has made history by securing their first-ever Test series victory in India. After seven decades of waiting, the Black Caps have finally triumphed in emphatic fashion, dominating the hosts for the second consecutive week.India's 12-year-long unbeaten series record at home has been shattered. The World Test Championship final spot is now in jeopardy, and the team faces a mountain of questions before heading to Mumbai for the Diwali Test.New Zealand's dominance began in the first Test in Bengaluru, where they won after 36 years. In the second Test in Pune, the Kiwis thrashed India by 113 runs, completing a comprehensive victory.This is the first Test series loss for India at home in 12 years. The team has won 18 consecutive Test series, a remarkable streak that has now come to an end.After winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive 259, thanks to half-centuries from Devon Conway (76) and Rachin Ravindra (65).India's response was feeble, as they were dismissed for a paltry 156. Mitchell Santner proved to be the nemesis for the Indian batsmen, claiming seven wickets in the first innings.New Zealand's captain, Tom Latham, led from the front in the second innings, scoring a brilliant 86 to take the team's lead past 300. Tom Blundell remained unbeaten on 30, ensuring a commanding position for the Kiwis.Washington Sundar, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav in the second Test, bowled superbly and took his career-best 7 for 59. Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed with three wickets.In the first Test at Bengaluru, Indian batsmen succumbed to New Zealand's pace bowling, posting their lowest total at home of 46. In the second Test, they fell prey to the guile of Mitchell Santner (7 for 53), who dismissed them for 156, giving New Zealand a crucial 103-run lead.In the second innings, New Zealand's Tom Latham played some brilliant shots to score 86. Tom Blundell (41) and Glenn Phillips (48 not out) contributed to give a massive lead of 358 for India. Chasing a target of 359, India were on the backfoot with the dismissal of their captain Rohit Sharma for just 8. But Yashasvi Jaiswal (77) and Shubman Gill (23) played positive cricket to lift Indian hopes. However, the quick dismissal of Jaiswal and Gill opened the gates for New Zealand bowlers, particularly Mitchell Santner.Mitchell Santner played a crucial role in New Zealand's second Test win. Santner took 13 wickets in this match and scored crucial runs in the first innings.

New Zealand's all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against India due to a left quadricep muscle tear. The injury, sustained during the opening game, is expected to sideline her for approximately three weeks.Kerr's absence is a significant blow to New Zealand's hopes of climbing the Women's ODI Championship table. Currently ranked sixth, the White Ferns need a top-six finish to secure direct qualification for the 2026 ODI World Cup.The 22-year-old was a key figure in New Zealand's recent T20 World Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps. She continued her impressive form in the opening ODI against India, taking 4 for 42 and scoring an unbeaten 25.Kerr's injury also casts doubt on her participation in the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for the Sydney Sixers. As a platinum-category pick, she was expected to play a pivotal role for the Sixers. However, she could miss up to eight of their 10 league games even if she recovers within the estimated three-week timeframe.New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed disappointment over Kerr's injury. "We're really gutted for Melie," he said. "Injuries are always a challenging time for a player, and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games.""Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is, so we'll certainly miss her. But we're wishing her a speedy recovery."The remaining two ODIs between New Zealand and India will be played on October 27 and 29 in Ahmedabad. The White Ferns will face a tough challenge against the world champions without their star all-rounder.

Mitchell Santner has been appointed as New Zealand's interim captain for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, scheduled for November. The 15-man squad includes two debutants: bowling allrounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay.Smith, 25, has impressed with his performances for Wellington in domestic white-ball competitions, earning him the NZC's Men's Domestic Player of the Year award in March. Hay, who made his New Zealand A debut last year, has also shown promise.The pace attack will be led by Lockie Ferguson, supported by Smith, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Josh Clarkson. Tim Robinson, who excelled on his maiden international tour to Pakistan, has also been included.Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips will provide spin-bowling allround support, while Dean Foxcroft offers offspin options. Legspinner Ish Sodhi, with 117 T20I appearances, brings experience to the squad.Glenn Phillips, Will Young, and Henry Nicholls will bolster the batting lineup. Nicholls had a strong Ford Trophy campaign last summer, scoring 301 runs in six games.Six members of the New Zealand Test squad in India will join the white-ball team in Sri Lanka after the conclusion of the third Test in Mumbai. The New Zealand-based players will depart for Sri Lanka on November 4 ahead of the first T20I in Dambulla on November 9.Chief selector Sam Wells emphasized the importance of building depth for future events, including the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and the 2027 ODI World Cup.Head coach Gary Stead will lead the group, assisted by bowling coach Jacob Oram. Former England international James Foster will rejoin New Zealand as their batting coach, while Luke Ronchi focuses on the start of the New Zealand home summer.

New Zealand's cricket teams have etched their names in history with remarkable victories over the weekend. The men's team triumphed in their Test match against India, securing their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years. Meanwhile, the White Ferns claimed the ICC Women's T20 World Cup title, their maiden triumph in the tournament.Men's Test Victory:In the Test match against India in Bengaluru, New Zealand's bowlers dominated, with Matt Henry and William O'Rourke dismantling the Indian batting lineup. India was bowled out for a mere 46 runs in their first innings, giving New Zealand a significant advantage.Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Tim Southee contributed crucial runs to New Zealand's total of 402/10. Despite a valiant effort from India's batters, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan, they could only manage 462/10 in their second innings.New Zealand chased down the modest target of 106 runs comfortably, winning by eight wickets. Ravindra was named 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding performance with both bat and ball.Women's T20 World Cup Triumph:The White Ferns made history by defeating South Africa in the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. After being put in to bat, New Zealand posted a competitive total of 158/5, thanks to contributions from Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Brooke Halliday.South Africa's chase started promisingly, but they lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually restricted to 126/9. Kerr and Rosemary Mair were the standout bowlers for New Zealand, with Kerr earning the 'Player of the Match' award for her all-round performance.