WTC standings: SA topple Australia from top spot; India retain third position
South Africa surged to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings, edging past Australia following a hard-fought win over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.
South Africa surged to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings, edging past Australia following a hard-fought win over Sri Lanka in Gqeberha.
Afghanistan proved they are no pushovers in the shortest format when they landed in the semifinals of this year’s T20 World Cup in the Americas before their spirited campaign was ended by the South Africans.
South Africa were on course for a win in what was their first ever appearance in a World Cup final till the 15th over when Axar Patel was milked for 22 runs, leaving the equation down to 30 required from the final five overs.
The duo stitched together a match-winning 171-run fifth wicket stand before being separated with India still needing 42 off 47 balls. After Dhas’dismissal, things looked a bit tricky for a while, but Uday made sure to stay till the end to help his team cross the line, following in his father’s footsteps.
While the bowlers made amends in Cape Town, the batting department that lasted a combined of little over 100 overs in Centurion, once again disappointed as only three Indian batters managed to cross the double digits, taking India to 153.
In what Dean Elgar deemed as an “interesting wicket” while electing to bat in his farewell Test, India needed just 23.2 overs and two hours to skittle South Africa for the lowest total by any team against India in Test cricket. This is also South Africa’s lowest Test total since 1932.
For now, Rohit and the Indian team management have their task cut out – win the second Test in Cape Town and avoid a humiliating 2-0 whitewash.
Chasing 246 to win from a rain-reduced 43 overs after captain Scott Edwards made a crucial unbeaten 78, South Africa, one of the tournament favourites, were bowled out for 207 in the shadow of the Himalayas.
The Proteas with 119 points have now moved ahead of Australia.
The Proteas with 119 points have now moved ahead of Australia.
