Gavaskar predicts WC 2019 finalists, Clarke concerned with Indian approach and more - Cricket News Today, 2nd March 2019

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India and Australia start a five-match ODI series today and Australia have handed Ashton Turner a debut. There’s another ODI series that will be underway from tomorrow and that is between South Africa and Sri Lanka as the two sides look to build towards the World Cup. New Zealand continued the dominance over Bangladesh in the first Test at Hamilton as they racked up in excess of 700 runs and have almost batted Bangladesh out of the game who have lost four wickets in the second innings as well (they still trail by 307 runs). It was the first time ever New Zealand touched the 700-run mark in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar has picked his favourites to reach the upcoming World Cup final and Morne Morkel has raised his concern of South Africa losing more players to Kolpak deals.

Here are all the top news that made headlines in the cricketing world today.

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Kane Williamson first New Zealand batsman to score 20 Test centuries

Kane Williamson has been one of the most consistent players in world cricket across all three formats. The Kiwi skipper has been in phenomenal form and he has carried it into the first Test against Bangladesh. After an excellent start from the openers, Williamson played a fabulous knock as his unbeaten 200 helped the hosts take a lead of 481.

There were multiple records that were broken in that knock from Williamson. He completed 6000 Test runs and became the quickest New Zealander to get there. He also registered the highest individual score at Seddon Park in Hamilton. The 28-year-old also became the first Kiwi batsman to hit 20 Test hundreds. Ross Taylor is next on the list with 17 centuries – joint second on the list with the great Martin Crowe.

Sunil Gavaskar predicts the finalists of the World Cup

Most of the talks in the cricketing world today surround the World Cup which is slated to start on the 30th of May. Everyone is trying to predict their top four teams, favourites, who they think is going to make it big at the showpiece event in England.

Sunil Gavaskar had his say on the World Cup as well. He predicted the World Cup finalists and feels that it is certainly going to be India and England. “It certainly is an India vs England final,” Gavaskar was quoted saying at the India Today Conclave 2019. Moreover, he admitted that the presence of MS Dhoni is a blessing in disguise for Virat Kohli.

The legendary batsman was also all praise for the Indian bowling attack and confidently said that teams won’t be able to rack up huge scores against this Indian bowling attack. “He has got a bowling attack which can take wickets in any kind of conditions. 390 is not going to happen with this Indian bowling attack. All-round, the team that has got, is the team that is being moulded by MSK Prasad and his co-selectors,” the 69-year-old added.

CSA need to come up with plans: Morne Morkel

Kolpak had headlined the cricketing trends in South Africa. Duanne Olivier’s recent move to go the Kolpak way had resurfaced the Kolpak debate. Olivier signed a three-year contract with Yorkshire, terminating his international tenure with South Africa with immediate effect. He is the 43rd player to go the Kolpak way.

Morne Morkel is concerned about the future of South African cricket and feels that there could be many more players taking the Kolpak route and signing such deals if Cricket South Africa (CSA) don’t come up with certain plans. “They have to sit down and come up with plans because they're going to lose a lot of players in the near future and they need to protect against that,” Morkel was quoted saying by cricket.com.au.

Morne Morkel is among those 43 South African crickets who have signed a Kolpak deal. He retired from international cricket last year after he signed a contract with Surrey.

Michael Clarke concerned with India’s approach ahead of the World Cup

The Indian cricket team have been dominant in the last few years, especially in limited-overs cricket. They have won 12 out of their last 13 bilateral ODI series, with their only loss coming in England in July 2018. India have been on a roll as they beat Australia and New Zealand, both away from home earlier this year.

However, skipper Virat Kohli revealed that the team is looking to fill certain spots for the World Cup by giving some game time to the fringe players. But former Australia skipper Michael Clarke is concerned with India’s approach in the lead-up to the World Cup. “My only concern with India's approach in the first two T20s against Australia and in the current series is that they are not too concerned about winning or losing those games,” the 2015 World Cup winning skipper said at the India Today Conclave.

He also added that it is important to try and win as many games as possible in the lead-up to the World Cup and build momentum.