'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAcl//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAfEAACAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBQcSAAYRMkL/2gAIAQEAAT8AsmZbz3C4yxUSmwxUkBrXjhIqXnZE9fLgKI9uPnbJbuWF90B+EooNV5//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEf/aAAgBAgEBPwCP/8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECMf/aAAgBAwEBPwCsR//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello and welcome to the daily dose of stories making rounds in the world of cricket today.
First up are the updated ICC batting and bowling rankings where Indian captain Virat Kohli maintained his authority, while Australia's latest sensation Marnus Labuschagne climbed to the third spot as well.
Moving to controversies, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya finally opened up on his comments in a famous Indian TV show that created a stir at the start of 2019.
Reports of James Anderson's injury cropped up, where the 151-Test veteran pacer was ruled out due to an injury. Australia's legendary spinner Shane Warne auctioned his baggy green to donate money to the affected people from Australia's devastating bushfires.
Also see – U19 world cup points table
Lastly, Australia's limited-overs captain Aaron Finch has put faith in his touring squad to India to perform well in tough Indian conditions.
#1 Virat Kohli retains top spot in latest ICC rankings
#2 Hardik Pandya opens up on TV controversy
#3 James Anderson ruled out of final two Tests
#4 Shane Warne’s baggy green becomes most valuable memorabilia
#5 Aaron Finch confident of Australia doing well in India
Now let us look at today's top cricket news in detail.
#1 Virat Kohli retains top spot in latest ICC rankings
Indian skipper Virat Kohli maintained his top spot in the updated ICC test rankings. Kohli is closely followed by Australia's Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. Kohli tops the list with 928 points, while Smith and Labuschagne were left behind with 911 and 827 points respectively.
A superb double ton helped Labuschagne jump to the third spot to register his career-best rankings. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane dropped down one and two places respectively, while England's Ben Stokes jumped five places to break into the top 10.
In the bowlers rankings, Australia's Pat Cummins and New Zealand's Neil Wagner head the list with 904 and 852 points respectively.
Full article: ICC Test Rankings | Kohli retains top spot; Labuschagne reaches career-best third
#2 Hardik Pandya opens up on TV controversy
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya finally opened up on the controversy surrounding a popular TV Show, 'Koffee With Karan'. The show had created a stir for certain inappropriate comments made by Pandya, who was accompanied by KL Rahul at the show.
Talking about the incident, Pandya explained how 'vulnerable' the situation was and said -
"We as cricketers did not know what was going to happen. The ball was not in my court, it was in someone else’s court where they had to take the shot and that’s a very vulnerable place you don’t want to be."
He also spoke on his possible return to the Indian team post-surgery. He stated -
“I don’t know, I am lucky. I always make a good comeback. Every setback has made me stronger. What I have learnt over a period of time is that you keep giving 100% to your work, it generally gives you some magical results."
Full article: Hardik Pandya opens up on 'Koffee With Karan' controversy
#3 James Anderson ruled out of final two Tests
England pacer James Anderson was ruled out of the remainder of the South Africa tour due to a rib injury he sustained in the Cape Town Test. Anderson, who finally found some form going with a five-wicket haul, suffered a bone-related rib injury on the final day of the second Test and was subsequently ruled out for at least six weeks.
The 151-Test veteran will be replaced by Somerset's Craig Overton.
Full article: South Africa vs England 2019-20: James Anderson ruled out of final two Tests due to rib injury
#4 Shane Warne’s baggy green becomes most valuable memorabilia
Shane Warne's baggy green has broken all records to become the most valuable cricket memorabilia, beating the likes of MS Dhoni's bat which was used in the 2011 World Cup final and Sir Don Bradman's cap.
Warne had earlier announced that all the auction money collected from the baggy green will be donated to the victims and those affected by the bushfires in Australia.
By the time news came in, his cap had already crossed Bradman's cap price of $425,000 and Dhoni's bat price which was more than $100,000. Warne posted a photo on Instagram stating -
"Some of the images we’re seeing are absolutely horrific. The horrific bushfires in Australia have left us all in disbelief. The impact these devastating fires are having on so many people is unthinkable and has touched us all."
“Everyone is in this together and we continue to find ways to contribute and help on a daily basis. This has lead me to auction of my beloved baggy green cap (350) that I wore throughout my test career (when I wasn’t wearing my white floppy hat). I hope my baggy green can raise some significant funds to help all those people that are in desperate need.”
Full article: Shane Warne’s baggy green becomes most valuable cricket memorabilia; beats MS Dhoni's bat and Don Bradman cap
#5 Aaron Finch confident of Australia doing well in India
Australia's limited-overs captain Aaron Finch has stated that he is extremely hopeful of a strong performance by his team in the ODI series against India. Australia will play a three-match ODI series against India in India from January 14.
Talking to cricket.com.au, Finch said that performing well on tough Indian sub-continent pitches can be a big boost for his squad but anything less than 100 per cent will let self-doubts creep in. He said
"It just gives us confidence that our game plan in those conditions is good enough."
"What can happen when you play in the sub-continent is you start to doubt your game plan because they're so dominant when they get on top. India or Pakistan... or Sri Lanka. They can make you start doubting yourself."
Finch clarified that strong performances will go down well with the entire squad and hopefully they will beat India on their home turfs to establish supremacy. He explained:
"Knowing that our game plan is good enough and knowing that our skills are good enough to beat India in India. That gives us a lot of confidence going there."
Full article: Aaron Finch confident of Australia doing well against India in upcoming ODI series
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
