Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, delivered a crucial early breakthrough for the hosts in the second Test against New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune. Ashwin dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham in his fifth delivery, setting the tone for India's bowling attack.Bowling with his customary precision, Ashwin pitched the ball on leg stump, inducing a sharp turn after landing. Latham attempted to defend the ball into the leg side but was caught plumb in front of the stumps. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger for the lbw decision.Latham, who had scored 15 runs off 22 balls with two boundaries, opted not to review the decision, marking the first wicket of the day. This dismissal highlighted Ashwin's ongoing dominance against Latham. In their previous encounters, Ashwin has dismissed Latham nine times in 11 innings, maintaining a remarkable average of 14.22.Ashwin continued his brilliant spell by dismissing Will Young, caught behind by Rishabh Pant, further tightening India's grip on the match. With this wicket, Ashwin not only gave India their second breakthrough but also became the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (WTC) history.New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the stage for a challenging morning session for their batsmen. With Ashwin leading the charge, India looked to build on this early success and apply pressure on the New Zealand batting lineup.Ashwin's early wickets were a testament to his exceptional skills and experience on Indian pitches. His ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his variations makes him a formidable force in home conditions.India will be hoping that Ashwin can continue his impressive form throughout the match and help them secure a crucial victory in the second Test. With the series level at 0-0, both teams will be eager to gain an advantage in the race for the World Test Championship final.

New Zealand's historic victory in the first Test against India in Bengaluru marked a significant milestone for the visitors, who secured their first Test win on Indian soil in 36 years. Skipper Tom Latham hailed the team's performance, attributing their success to a combination of strategic planning and exceptional bowling.Initially intending to bat first, New Zealand's decision to bowl after losing the toss proved advantageous. Their bowlers, led by Matt Henry (5/15) and Will O'Rourke (4/22), wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, bundling them out for a mere 46 runs in the first innings. This set the tone for the match, as India struggled to recover despite a valiant fightback from Sarfaraz Khan (150) and Rishabh Pant (99).Chasing a modest target of 107 runs on the rain-delayed final day, New Zealand lost early wickets but remained composed. Will Young (48 not out) and Rachin Ravindra (39 not out) forged an unbeaten 75-run partnership to guide the visitors to victory, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.Latham praised Ravindra's contributions, highlighting his impressive performance in both innings. He also acknowledged the pivotal roles played by O'Rourke, Tim Southee, and Matt Henry, whose bowling prowess laid the foundation for the win.This victory elevates New Zealand to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings, surpassing England and South Africa. It is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, and sets the stage for an exciting remainder of the series.

New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham is hopeful that the overcast conditions and the pitch being under covers for an extended period due to heavy rainfall in Bengaluru will favor the fast bowlers, giving the visitors a chance to compete in the first Test against India.Latham acknowledged the challenges New Zealand faced against spin in their recent 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka, where they lost 37 wickets to spinners. However, he emphasized that the team performed well in other aspects, particularly in the first Test in Galle, where they scored 340 and 211.Despite the setbacks in Sri Lanka, Latham believes that the conditions in India may offer more opportunities for the seamers. He also noted that spin could become a more significant factor in the later stages of the series.As the new full-time Test captain, Latham is eager to lead the team to success. He has a decent record in Tests in India, with five fifties in as many Tests while averaging 35.70. He is confident that his past experiences in India will be beneficial in this crucial three-game series.While acknowledging the trend towards more aggressive batting in Test cricket, Latham wants his players to play to their strengths. He believes that each player has a different game plan, and the team's focus is on allowing them to express themselves and execute their plans effectively.New Zealand has never won a series in India, and Latham recognizes that his side will need to perform exceptionally well to change that record. He is banking on the team's recent visits to India and their subcontinent experience to help them achieve a positive result.

Tom Latham, New Zealand's newly appointed Test captain, is eagerly anticipating his maiden tour as a full-time leader against India. Latham, 32, has previously led the team in nine matches, but this will mark his first series as a permanent captain.Latham and a 15-member squad, including veteran Tim Southee, will embark on a three-match series against India starting October 16. The matches will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.In a video released by New Zealand Cricket, Latham expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. "It's a special feeling to be named full-time captain," he said. "It's a massive honor and a huge privilege."Latham acknowledged the team's past successes and emphasized the importance of maintaining their unique style of play. "As a Test team, we have done a huge amount of good things," he said. "We have been successful playing a brand of cricket that is true to us as Kiwis."He also highlighted the team's blend of experience and youth. "It's a great group, a bunch of leaders, a bunch of older guys, and also some amazing talent coming through," Latham said. "It's an exciting time, and it will be a great challenge."Latham's appointment as full-time captain is a testament to his leadership qualities and the respect he commands within the team. He will be tasked with guiding New Zealand through a challenging tour of India and continuing the team's success in the Test format.

Tim Southee, the veteran New Zealand fast bowler, has relinquished his role as Test captain following the team's disappointing series defeat in Sri Lanka. Southee, who took over the captaincy from Kane Williamson in 2022, has led the Blackcaps in 14 Tests, winning six, losing six, and drawing two.Southee's decision to step down stems from his belief that it is in the best interests of the team. He expressed his honor and privilege in captaining the Blackcaps in the Test format, but acknowledged that he needs to focus on his own performances to regain his best form."I believe the way I can best serve the team moving forward is focusing on my performances on the field and getting back to my best, to continue taking wickets and helping New Zealand win Test matches," Southee said.Southee's form has been under scrutiny this year, with the 34-year-old taking just 12 wickets in his last eight Tests. His place in the team for the upcoming tour of India was uncertain, but he will now return to the selection mix without the burden of captaincy.Tom Latham, who has previously captained the Test side on nine occasions, will take over the reins from Southee. Latham is a highly respected figure within the team and has a proven track record of success.Head coach Gary Stead praised Southee's selflessness and acknowledged his continued importance to the Test side. "Tim's a fantastic player and a very good leader who is held in high regard by the players and support staff," Stead said. "He's one of our greatest ever players and we still very much see him playing a part in our Test side moving forward."NZC CEO Scott Weenink echoed Stead's sentiments, commending Southee's leadership and team-first attitude. "To me, that's the sign of a true leader in every sense of the word," Weenink said.New Zealand's 15-player squad for the three-Test tour of India will be announced in the coming days.

Tom Latham, a potential successor to Kane Williamson as New Zealand's ODI captain, acknowledges the need for flexibility in adapting to players opting out of central contracts for franchise deals.With Williamson, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne unavailable for the latest contracts, Latham emphasizes the changing landscape of cricket. He suggests that the team must be fluid in its approach, recognizing that players may prioritize franchise opportunities at different stages of their careers.Latham highlights the importance of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy and the need to adapt to the absence of key players. He believes that the contract system has worked well but acknowledges the need to review it in light of the evolving game.Latham's own captaincy ambitions are not at the forefront, as he primarily focuses on Test and ODI cricket. However, he expresses his willingness to lead if given the opportunity.Coach Gary Stead confirms that Latham is among the candidates for the ODI captaincy but emphasizes the need for a long-term commitment leading up to the next World Cup.New Zealand will face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in six ODIs during their home summer before participating in a tri-series in Pakistan ahead of the Champions Trophy.

New Zealand's batting resurgence continued on day three of the second Test against Australia at Hagley Oval, as they extended their lead to 149 runs at lunch. After being dismissed for just 162 in their first innings, the Black Caps have fought back admirably, reaching 243 for 3 at the break.Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell were the stars of the morning session, combining for an unbroken 88-run partnership. Ravindra, who scored a half-century in the first innings, brought up his second Test fifty with a stylish straight drive off Mitchell Marsh. Mitchell, meanwhile, played aggressively, using his reverse sweep and powerful drives to keep the Australian bowlers at bay.The partnership between Ravindra and Mitchell was built on a solid foundation laid by Tom Latham, who resumed on 73 but fell for 73 to a sharp delivery from Pat Cummins. Latham's dismissal was a blow to New Zealand, but Ravindra and Mitchell ensured that there was no further damage before lunch.Cummins was the standout bowler for Australia, taking the key wicket of Latham and bowling with great accuracy and intensity. However, the pitch offered little assistance to the bowlers, and New Zealand's batsmen were able to play with relative freedom.Australia used seven bowlers in the first session, but none could make a breakthrough after Latham's dismissal. Nathan Lyon, who bowled just two overs in New Zealand's first innings, was unable to conjure much turn, while the part-time spin of Travis Head proved ineffective.New Zealand will likely need a big lead to secure a rare victory over Australia, having won just one Test against them in the past three decades. The pitch is expected to remain flat for the remainder of the match, so the Black Caps will need to continue batting aggressively and build a substantial lead.