How South Africa beat Australia and what this means for their series against England

South Africa’s performance in the series against Australia was nothing short of sensational.

This article was going to be a report card, rating the players performances over the course of the three games, but ultimately that seems like a futile exercise given the level of performance across the board in what was undoubtedly a series victory where everyone contributed.

Instead, let’s take the opportunity to look at the takeaways following what will surely go down in history as one of the most engrossing Test series ever played on South African soil.

Temba Bavuma’s leadership

Plenty has already been said about Temba Bavuma’s leadership, but it would be amiss not to focus on it again. No player in the history of Test cricket, who has skippered ten or more games, has a better win percentage than Bavuma.

Indeed, Bavuma’s only defeat in Test cricket came in the series opener against Australia. Aside from that he has drawn once and led his team to 13 victories.

His record is better than Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Pat Cummins. And unlike any of the aforementioned names, Bavuma is not leading a team of mega-stars, not a single batsman in the current Protea lineup is able to boast a batting average of over 40.

Proteas’ all-round depth

The Proteas may not boast any players with a batting average over 40, but where they are blessed is in the allrounder department. A quick look at the latest ICC Test allrounder rankings shows five South African players in the top 20 positions.

Marco Jansen is first, Wiaan Mulder is fourth, Simon Harmer is eighth and KG Rabada is 12th. Keshav Maharah, who only played in Durban also features.

Any team who can field a player like Jansen, who averaged 39.60 with the bat during the series and who took 13 wickets at 19.76 is a team in a good position.

Similarly, Harmer averaged 39.33 with the bat and took 14 wickets at 29.35 with the ball while Mulder weighed in with a batting average of 37.40 and took ten wickets at 23.70.

Also read: Five uncapped domestic stars set to spark bidding wars at IPL mega auction

Outstanding balance

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two sides over the three-match series was the incredible balance within the South African team. The balance brought by the potent Proteas allrounders is a key part to that, but so too is the balance in their ages and experience.

Where, for the most part, Australia are a creaking unit of experienced old men, most of whom, while still very good players, are past their prime, South Africa have a mix of experience and new blood.

They have players in their prime, players before their prime and players past their prime. That is an important place to be as it brings a host of different perspectives and abilities to the mix.

There was the freshness and confidence of Marques Ackerman, the veteran leadership of Bavuma, the players in their prime like Jansen and Mulder and the experience of Test veterans like Markram and Rabada.

Spoiled for depth

Competition for places and the ability to be flexible with selection is very important and in that regard the Proteas were spoiled for choice. It is not just about who played, take a moment to look at the players not selected.

Senuran Muthusamy scarcely gets a mention, but he is part of the squad. In his last three Tests Muthusamy contributed scores of 109 and 89 not out while also managing match figures of 11 for 174 in Lahore.

That is a remarkable contribution for a man who can’t make the match day XI. Similarly, Keshav Maharaj only played one Test while Anrich Nortje came back from the cold for the two opening games of the series and performed like he had been there for years.

When he departed with injury Gerald Coetzee stepped up and did a job. The Proteas have a very strong first XI, but they also have a very strong second tier, waiting to step up.

No Proteas passengers

Nobody can suggest that the Proteas carried any players. The XI who were selected for each Test were the best available based on form, not reputation.

The same simply cannot be said for Australia where Marnus Labuschagne is the poster child for a selection based on reputation rather than form. Labuschagne managed just 131 runs across six innings for an average of 21.83.

But he was not the only player who lacked form for Australia.

Nic Maddinson who opened in the first two games was an odd selection, while perhaps not enough has been made about the limited return of Australian skipper Pat Cummins who managed just six wickets the whole series at an average of 54.66.

That’s a very middling return from Cummins, especially when one considers how he has been nursed through the white-ball season to ensure that he can deliver maximum value at Test time.

Ryan Rickelton is the solution

The Proteas wicketkeeping conversation finally looks to have an answer. And the answer is Rickelton. While Kyle Verreynne has let nobody down (he boasts four centuries and three 50s) in his 32-game Test career, Rickelton is simply a better batsman.

There is little to choose between the two as glovemen with Rickelton having worked very hard in recent times to polish his skills behind the stumps.

He stood up to the wicket when Wiaan Mulder was bowling and did a very good job at Newlands. The big difference is that where Verreynne averages 22.09 in Tests, Rickelton averages 37.00. It is hard to look past that.

Marques Ackerman has a big future

He is certainly not a youngster as he is already on the wrong side of 30 but given the verve and energy, he brought to the mix since making his debut at St George’s Park, it is hard not to see a big future for Ackerman.

He looked very comfortable at the top of the order and although he failed on three occasions to turn excellent starts into three-figure scores, he nevertheless finished the series with an average of 54.33, the second highest across both teams with only Matt Renshaw ahead of him.

Shukri Conrad the unsung hero

Finally, you can’t comment on the series without making mention of Proteas coach Shukri Conrad. Along with Bavuma the duo makes for an incredible leadership core. They know what they want and they know how they plan to get it.

They are firm yet flexible and they have an uncanny ability of being able to get the best out of their players. While doing commentary duty on SuperSport, Graeme Smith recounted a conversation he had with Rickelton at the end of play on day three.

Rickelton reportedly asked Conrad if there were plans to send in a nightwatchman should a wicket fall in the final overs.

Conrad reportedly replied: ‘No. You are paid to bat; you get out there.’ Rickelton duly found himself heading out to the middle to start a knock that would go on to reach three-figures and take the game away from Australia.

For players, knowing where you stand and what is expected of you is critically important.

Read next: Where do Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf’s heroics rank among the highest ODI 10th-wicket partnerships?

The post How South Africa beat Australia and what this means for their series against England appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/gn7DMAJ

Is it time to place Temba Bavuma among the greatest captains in Test cricket ever?

Temba Bavuma’s captaincy has frequently been subjected to intense public scrutiny, yet the sheer weight of his achievements is fast silencing the sceptics.

Following South Africa’s explosive innings victory over Australia in Gqeberha, it is officially time to look past the noise and appreciate the monumental era the Proteas skipper is carving out.

Here are eight reasons why Temba Bavuma deserves recognition as one of the finest Test leaders in cricket history.

1. The highest win percentage in Test history

Bavuma’s success is not just good, it is historically unprecedented.

Sitting atop the all-time list of Test captains (with a minimum of 10 matches), Bavuma boasts an astronomical win percentage of 85.71%, having marshalled 12 victories from just 14 matches.

He sits comfortably ahead of all-time great captains like Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and, the man who he beat in Gqeberha, Pat Cummins.

Sure, he has only led his side in 14 Tests, but nobody else has done as much with as little as he has in the same period.

2. Leading an under-the-radar batting lineup

Unlike past South African captains who could call upon legendary batting line-ups featuring the likes of Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, or Graeme Smith, Bavuma is executing his successes with a transition-era squad.

He is currently extracting world-class results from a batting unit where no individual batsman holds a career Test average above 40.

Also read: Is this Pakistan’s most promising limited-overs all-rounder since the early days of Shahid Afridi?

3. Out-tacticking Pat Cummins twice

Defeating an elite Australian outfit is a massive milestone; doing it repeatedly to arguably the most dominant modern team elevates Bavuma’s status.

By outplaying Australia, he has now personally bested Pat Cummins twice – the very man holding the third-best captaincy record in the history of the game.

4. Captures the reins and elevates his own game

Many players crumble under the sheer weight of international captaincy, but leadership has acted as a catalyst for Bavuma’s personal form.

• As Captain: His average skyrockets to over 54, exemplified by his magnificent, career-best 179 against Australia.
• As a Non-Captain: His career baseline sat under 35 before taking the armband.

5. Masterful tactical decision-making

Bavuma’s success is anchored by proactive, high-IQ cricketing choices. In the second Test in Gqeberha, rather than looking for a premature or nervous declaration on day three, he resolutely chose to grind down a tired Australian bowling unit.

This allowed lower-order partnerships with Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer to flourish, giving South Africa the platform to execute a ruthless two-day victory surge.

6. Breaking hoodoos – the follow-on and the Indian sweep

Under his stewardship, South Africa achieved the rare feat of forcing powerhouse Australia to follow on – marking just the third time the Aussies have suffered that indignity since 1988.

Even more remarkably, Bavuma masterminded a historic 2-0 series whitewash against India in India. To put that into perspective, it was the Proteas’ first series win on Indian soil in 25 years.

Bavuma hasn’t led his side to easy wins over soft targets, he has done it against top opposition in difficult circumstances.

7. Overcoming premium opposition

Bavuma’s win percentage is not inflated by playing lesser-ranked nations.

The Proteas have regularly locked horns with, and dismantled, the heavyweights of world cricket. His resume boasts emphatic victories against heavyweights India, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand.

8. World Test Championship glory

Lest we forget, Bavuma has already translated this ruthless consistency into silverware, proudly leading South Africa to an unforgettable ICC World Test Championship mace at Lord’s. He didn’t just inherit a winning machine; he built one.

He may not be the biggest player physically, but he is a giant of a leader.

Read next: Australia’s Test XI evidently needs new blood – five personnel suggestions they should introduce immediately

The post Is it time to place Temba Bavuma among the greatest captains in Test cricket ever? appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/nvbIWNQ

The five times Australia were made to follow on in the last four decades

For decades, Australian cricket has been defined by a ruthless brand of dominance that rarely sees them playing from behind. In many ways you could say that they invented Baz Ball while England just coveted it and named it. Enforcing a follow-on against them is one of the ultimate badges of honour in Test cricket, standing as a testament to bowling supremacy.

Following their extraordinary capitulation at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, the powerful Australians suffered the ultimate indignity. It marks only the fifth time since the mid-1980s that an opposing captain has had the opportunity, and quite possibly the nerve, to tell Australia to bat again.

Here’s a look back at the five most recent times Australia have been forced to follow on in the modern era.

1. October 2026 – South Africa vs. Australia (Gqeberha)

The most recent entry on this exclusive list took place during the Australia tour to South Africa. After South Africa built a mammoth first-innings total of 425/9 declared, anchored by a masterful, gritty century from captain Temba Bavuma (179), the Proteas unleashed a relentless bowling assault.

Led by a fierce five-wicket haul from Marco Jansen, the Australian batting lineup was dismantled for a meagre 99 runs in their first innings.

Faced with a massive 326-run deficit, South Africa ruthlessly enforced the follow-on. Despite a heroic, fighting counterattack from Travis Head, who struck 121 in the second dig, the Australian top order fell apart under the relentless pressure. The Proteas wrapped up an emphatic victory by an innings and 31 runs, leaving the cricketing world stunned by the sheer vulnerability of the Australian batting card.

2. January 2019 – Australia vs. India (Sydney)

Before the disaster in Gqeberha, the last team to make Australia follow on was Virat Kohli’s formidable Indian side during the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Playing at the historic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India batted first and piled on a staggering 622/7 declared, fuelled by a brilliant 193 from Cheteshwar Pujara and an explosive 159 not out from Rishabh Pant.

In reply, an Australian batting line-up heavily depleted by suspensions collapsed against India’s spin maestro Kuldeep Yadav, who picked up 5/99. Australia were bundled out for 300, trailing by 322 runs, prompting Kohli to gleefully enforce the follow-on.

It was the first time Australia had been asked to follow on at home in 31 years. inclement weather eventually stepped in to save the hosts from defeat, resulting in a drawn match, it cemented India’s historic first-ever series win in Australia.

Also read: Where does Matt Renshaw rank in the eyes of the ICC after conquering Kingsmead?

3. August 2005 – England vs. Australia (Nottingham)

To find the instance before Sydney, one must travel back to arguably the greatest Test series of the 21st century: the 2005 Ashes. During the pivotal fourth Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, a fiercely confident England side took total control of the match. Michael Vaughan’s men posted 477 in their first innings, thanks to a superb century from Andrew Flintoff.

What followed was pure theatre. England’s legendary swing merchant Simon Jones ripped through the star-studded Australian line-up, taking 5/44 to skittle the visitors for just 218. Vaughan did not hesitate to enforce the follow-on against Ricky Ponting’s legendary side.

Though Australia fought back valiantly in their second innings to score 387, setting England a tense target of 129, the psychological damage was done. England scrambled home to win by three wickets, taking a crucial 2-1 series lead. Simon Jones injured himself and bowled just four overs in Australia’s second innings – he never played another Test after that.

4. October 1988 – Pakistan vs. Australia (Karachi)

Stepping back into the 20th century, the fourth most recent occurrence saw Allan Border’s developing Australian team hit a roadblock during their tour of Pakistan. In the first Test at the National Stadium in Karachi, Pakistan batted first and compiled a massive total of 469, driven by an exceptional, 211 from Javed Miandad and a disciplined 94 from Shoaib Mohammad.

Australia’s first-innings response was a complete disaster. Facing the legendary left-arm spinner Iqbal Qasim, who was turned the ball sharply to claim figures of 5/35, the Australian batting order dissolved for a paltry 165.

Trailing by 304 runs, they were promptly ordered to follow on by Pakistani captain Imran Khan. The second innings offered no redemption; Iqbal Qasim and Abdul Qadir ripped through them again, bowling Australia out for 116. Pakistan completed a brutal victory by an innings and 188 runs.

5. January 1988 – Australia vs. England (Sydney)

The fifth most recent time occurred during the Bicentennial Test match at the SCG. In a historic encounter celebrating 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet, England won the toss, chose to bat, and ground out a robust first-innings total of 425. The innings was framed by a resilient 139 from opener Chris Broad and contributions in the 40’s from Martyn Moxon, Tim Robinson and Bruce French.

Australia’s response lacked the necessary fortitude. Against the disciplined seam-bowling clinic of England’s Graham Dilley (3/54) and the left-arm orthodox spin of John Emburey, Australia collapsed to 214 all out. England skipper Mike Gatting wasted no time in enforcing the follow-on with a lead of 211.

This time, however, Australia showed great resilience. Anchored by a marathon, undefeated 184 from David Boon, Australia batted out 135 overs in their second innings to reach 328/2, successfully forcing a defiant draw.

Read next: Australia’s Test XI evidently needs new blood – five personnel suggestions they should introduce immediately

The post The five times Australia were made to follow on in the last four decades appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/CLxFV9O

How good is Marco Jansen, really, compared to cricket’s modern-day great all-rounders?

South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen has attained the number one position in the bowlers’ and all-rounders’ rankings after playing a stellar role in his team’s huge innings and 31 runs victory over Australia in the second match of their ICC World Test Championship series.

Jansen’s gritty knock of 85 and hauls of five for 33 and one for 34 have, in fact, helped him advance in all three lists of the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings as he has also gained 13 places to reach 56^th position among batters.

Jansen is the first South Africa bowler to occupy the top spot since Kagiso Rabada in November 2024 and the first from his country to become the top-ranked Test all-rounder since Vernon Philander in August 2014.

Captain Temba Bavuma has also made huge progress after his match-winning 179 lifted him four slots to a career-best second position.

He is now only behind England’s Harry Brook and with a chance to become the first South Africa player to top the Test batting rankings since A.B. de Villiers in November 2015.

Also read: Five uncapped domestic stars set to spark bidding wars at IPL mega auction

Others to move up the Test rankings include Australia fast bowler Scott Boland, who is up three places to sixth position for a haul of five for 81 while South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder is up 10 places to 43^rd after finishing with five wickets across the two innings.

Meanwhile India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 35-ball century against New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday has lifted him back to the number one position in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings with his team-mate Ishan Kishan slipping to third after occupying top position for four months.

This is the second stint at the top for Abhishek, who was number one from July 2025 to June this year.

Sanju Samson (up six places to 20^th), Finn Allen (up three places to 25^th) and Glenn Phillips (up 20 places to 37^th) are among the others to move up the list for their performances in the ongoing series in New Zealand while the home side’s captain Mitchell Santner (up seven places to seventh), and India pace bowlers Arshdeep Singh (up six places to 15^th) and Prince Yadav (up 19 places to 83^rd) have progressed in the bowling rankings.

The ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings see England batters Ben Duckett and Brook advance six places each to seventh and eight positions for their knocks in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series also featuring Sri Lanka.

Duckett scored 105 against Pakistan and Brook recorded the fastest double century in the format against Sri Lanka, but both knocks were in losing causes.

Shadab Khan, who helped Pakistan to a one-run victory in Lahore against England with an unbeaten 113, has moved up 32 places to 92^nd while Janith Liyanage of Sri Lanka (up 10 places to 14^th), Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza (up seven places to 20^th), Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus (up 15 places to 45^th) and the Netherlands’ Max O’Dowd (up seven places to 55^th) are others to move up among ODI batters.

The ODI bowling rankings see Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai (up 13 places to seventh), Namibia’s Vernard Scholtz (up nine places to eighth), Sri Lanka’s Dumith Wellalage (up eight places to 19^th) and Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi (up 14 places to 27^th) make notable gains. Nabi has also moved up five places to third among all-rounders.

Read next: Where do Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf’s heroics rank among the highest ODI 10th-wicket partnerships?

The post How good is Marco Jansen, really, compared to cricket’s modern-day great all-rounders? appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/2VO6Q1X

Rated – Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma alongside Test cricket’s other most successful captains

Test cricket is widely regarded as the ultimate examination of a player’s mental fortitude, technical skill, and tactical acumen.

For a captain, the burden is doubled, requiring not only individual excellence but also the ability to mastermind 20 wickets while managing complex game scenarios over five gruelling days.

Following Temba Bavuma’s spectacular, match-winning century (179) that led South Africa to a commanding innings victory over Australia in the second Test in Gqeberha, the conversation around outstanding leadership has been reignited.

With only a single loss and a solitary draw spoiling an otherwise flawless captaincy record, Bavuma’s tactical brilliance has propelled him into elite territory.

To understand just how rare this level of dominance is, we look at the top five highest win percentages in Test cricket history among captains who have skippered more than ten Tests.

1. Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – 85.71%

Standing at the pinnacle of Test captaincy efficiency is South Africa’s current leader, Temba Bavuma. Since stepping into the role, Bavuma has injected an unyielding resilience into the Proteas, famously guiding them to an unforgettable ICC World Test Championship mace.

Following his masterclass in Gqeberha, his record stands at an astonishing 12 wins from 14 matches. His solitary defeat came recently against Australia in Durban, and his only draw occurred against the West Indies in 2024.

By winning nearly 86% of his matches as captain while averaging over 54 with the bat during his tenure, Bavuma is currently authoring one of the greatest captaincy chapters the sport has ever seen.

2. Steve Waugh (Australia) – 71.93%

For over two decades, Australian legend Steve Waugh held the gold standard for modern Test leadership. Leadership under Waugh was defined by a ruthless, aggressive brand of cricket known as “mental disintegration.”

Leading arguably the most talented squad in cricket history from 1999 to 2004, Waugh commanded Australia in 57 Test matches, securing 41 victories and losing just 9 times.

His extraordinary 71.93% win rate included a world-record streak of 16 consecutive Test match victories, setting a benchmark for consistency and mental toughness that defined an era.

Also read: Rashid Khan reminds the world just how good he is with another big move in ODI rankings

3. Pat Cummins (Australia) – 62.50%

The modern custodian of Australian cricket, Pat Cummins, slots into the third position on our all-time list. Assuming the captaincy under intense public scrutiny, the elite fast bowler has silenced critics by leading from the front with remarkable poise.

Cummins has marshalled the baggy green in 40 Test matches, capturing 25 wins along the way.

Known for his calm demeanour under high-pressure situations and astute bowling changes, Cummins boasts a stellar 62.50% win percentage, keeping Australia firmly entrenched at the absolute apex of the international red-ball game.

4. Don Bradman (Australia) – 62.50%

Slightly older than the other names on this list Sir Don Bradman’s incredible tactical efficiency—winning 15 out of his 24 Tests in charge (62.50%) is a phenomenal achievement.

Perhaps making Bradman’s job as skipper easier was the fact that he had the best batsman in the history of Test cricket as part of his armoury. With a Test batting average of 99, Bradman wasn’t just an excellent skipper, he was a tactical batting weapon.

5. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 62.34%

Taking over the reins from Steve Waugh was no small task, but Ricky Ponting carried the torch with immense distinction. Ponting led one of the most clinical, star-studded line-ups the world has ever witnessed, featuring icons like Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

Across 77 Test matches in charge, “Punter” accumulated an incredible 48 wins. His relentless hunger for victory translated into a 62.34% win rate.

Ponting’s captaincy was punctuated by an uncompromising demand for excellence, ensuring Australia maintained its iron grip on world cricket throughout the mid-to-late 2000s.

6. Virat Kohli (India) – 59.70%

The modern heavyweight volume record belongs to India’s Virat Kohli. Kohli completely transformed India’s Test identity, instilling a fierce, aggressive overseas bowling culture.

Across 67 Tests as captain, Kohli secured 40 victories, yielding a phenomenal 59.70% win percentage that makes him India’s most successful Test captain of all time. Kohli took a good team and transformed them into a relentless winning machine.

Read next: The greatest glovemen – a century, half-ton and seven or more dismissals in the same Test

The post Rated – Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma alongside Test cricket’s other most successful captains appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/FJLZy7f

Where do the heroics of Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf rank among the highest 10th-wicket partnerships in ODI cricket?

Cricket fans in Lahore witnessed a modern miracle in the fourth ODI of the tri-series as Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf combined for a staggering, unbeaten 89-run tenth-wicket partnership to guide Pakistan to an improbable victory over England.

Coming together with the game seemingly lost, the duo deflated the English bowlers and rewrote the record books. While their heroic match-winning stand will go down in folklore, it also shines a spotlight on the rarest of cricket phenomena: the final-wicket masterclass.

Here is a look at where Pakistan’s heroics rank among the seven highest tenth-wicket partnerships in One Day International history.

1. Viv Richards and Michael Holding (106 runs)

The gold standard for final-wicket partnerships was set over four decades ago in Manchester. On 31 May 1984, the West Indies were in deep trouble against England until the legendary Viv Richards decided to take total control.

Partnered by fast bowler Michael Holding, Richards smashed a breath-taking 189 not out. Holding played his part perfectly, contributing 12 runs to an unbeaten 106-run stand that completely demoralised the hosts.

2. Mohammad Amir and Saeed Ajmal (103 runs)

Before the latest drama, Pakistan already held a prestigious place near the top of this list. On 9 November 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan collapsed to 101 for 9 while chasing New Zealand‘s total.

Young fast bowler Mohammad Amir and spin maestro Saeed Ajmal refused to surrender, putting on a spectacular 103-run partnership. Though Pakistan narrowly lost the match by seven runs, this defiance remains the only other century-stand for the tenth wicket.

Also read: Where does Matt Renshaw rank in the eyes of the ICC after conquering Kingsmead?

3. Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach (99 runs)

The West Indies struck gold on 2 Dec 2011 in Visakhapatnam against India. The Caribbean side were collapsing rapidly until tailenders Ravi Rampaul and Kemar Roach united.

Rampaul launched an incredible counter-attack, smashing 86 not out from just 66 balls. Roach anchored the other end to help compile an unbeaten 99-run partnership, falling just one run short of a historic century-stand.

4. Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf (89 runs)

The newest entry on this list belongs to Pakistan’s heroes in Lahore. Facing England, Pakistan’s batting line-up appeared dead and buried until Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf staged their magnificent intervention.

Combining aggressive hitting with clever strike rotation, their unbeaten 89-run stand single-handedly turned what appeared to be a certain defeat into a famous, jaw-dropping ODI cricket victory.

5. Aayan Afzal Khan and Hazrat Bilal (83 runs)

The associate cricket world provided its own slice of history on 18 November 2022 in Kirtipur. Playing against Nepal, the United Arab Emirates looked completely out of options.

Teenager Aayan Afzal Khan showed maturity far beyond his years, anchoring the innings alongside number eleven Hazrat Bilal.

6. Luke Ronchi and Mitchell McClenaghan (76 runs)

New Zealand found themselves in a dire situation against South Africa in Mount Maunganui on 24 October 2014. Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi decided to launch a counter-offensive from number seven.

When he was joined by fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan for the final wicket, the pair combined for a rapid 76 runs. Ronchi blasted 79 to push the Black Caps to a respectable score.

7. Yasir Shah and Mohammad Amir (76 runs)

Pakistan’s historic knack for lower-order resistance was again evident on 30 August 2016 in Nottingham. Facing a rampant England team, Pakistan’s top order crumbled.

Standing tall at the end, spinner Yasir Shah and paceman Mohammad Amir fought back with an entertaining 76-run partnership. It was Amir’s second appearance in the record books, proving his unique capability as a dangerous final-wicket batsman.

Read next: Where does Australia’s ageing Test XI rank among the oldest in history?

The post Where do the heroics of Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf rank among the highest 10th-wicket partnerships in ODI cricket? appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/JGTsvMU

The greatest glovemen – a century, half-ton and seven or more dismissals in the same Test

Wicketkeeping in Test cricket is one of the most physically demanding jobs in sports. A keeper must remain crouched for hundreds of overs, maintain absolute concentration for days, and then turn around to do his bit for the batting line-up.

Among the rarest feats in cricket history is for a gloveman to dominate with the bat by scoring a half-century and a century in the same match, while simultaneously delivering a masterclass behind the stumps.

Following a recent historic performance by Bangladesh’s Litton Das against Afghanistan, we take a look at a short list of wicketkeepers who have achieved the highest number of dismissals in a single Test match while also scoring a fifty and a hundred.

1. Litton Das (Bangladesh) – nine dismissals vs Afghanistan (2026)

Bangladesh’s Litton Das rewrote the record books during the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Entering the match under immense pressure, Litton delivered a performance for the ages.

He anchored the Bangladesh batting by scoring a resilient 53 in the first innings and translating his form into a spectacular 102 in the second.

However, it was his legendary athleticism with the gloves that stole the show. Litton executed nine dismissals across the match, capped off by an incredible diving, one-handed catch just before lunch on the final day.

With his ninth dismissal, Litton officially broke Denis Lindsay’s 60-year-old world record, claiming the undisputed crown for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper scoring a fifty and a century in a single Test match.

2. Denis Lindsay (South Africa) – eight dismissals vs Australia (1966)

For nearly sixty years, South African cricketing legend Denis Lindsay held the benchmark for this specific all-round feat. During the historic 1966 Test against Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, Lindsay single-handedly turned the tide for South Africa.

He compiled an astonishing 182 runs in one innings alongside a crucial half-century, while effortlessly executing eight dismissals behind the stumps.

Lindsay’s masterclass guided South Africa to a historic victory and established a standard for wicketkeeping excellence that stood uncontested for decades.

Also read: Five uncapped domestic stars set to spark bidding wars at IPL mega auction

3. Alex Carey (Australia) – seven dismissals vs England (2025)

Alex Carey cemented his reputation as one of the premier modern wicketkeeper-batters during a high-stakes encounter against England in 2025. Carey displayed immaculate glovework throughout the match, snaring seven dismissals to choke out the English batting order.

Combined with his sharp reflexes behind the stumps, Carey pulled off the rare batting double, crossing fifty in one innings and registering a magnificent century in the other.

His clinical performance proved vital in anchoring Australia’s strategy and showcased the massive impact a modern keeper can have across all facets of a five-day match.

Read next: T20 ghosts – five IPL cult heroes who have never played international cricket

The post The greatest glovemen – a century, half-ton and seven or more dismissals in the same Test appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/TkuxWin

Rashid Khan reminds the world just how good he is with another big move in ODI rankings

Afghanistan players Sediqullah Atal and Rashid Khan have made major gains in the latest ICC ODI Player Rankings after helping their team secure an impressive 158-run victory over Zimbabwe in the United Arab Emirates Tri-Series in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Left-handed opener Sediqullah struck 102 as Afghanistan posted a total of 294 after electing to bat.

His Player of the Match effort helped him gain 12 slots and reach 20^th position even as Rashid’s haul of four for 17 that included the prize scalp of Sikandar Raza, has helped him consolidate his position at the top of the bowling rankings, taking him a good 80 rating points ahead of Abrar Ahmed.

UAE tri-series sees gains for Brad Evans and Tanzid Hasan

Bangladesh batter Tanzid Hasan’s knock of 46 in the opening match of the UAE Tri-Series which they lost to Zimbabwe, sees him move up three places to 21^st while fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is up nine places to a career-best 12^th place after a haul of three for 44 in the loss.

There is a jostling of places on the table there with the slots from 11 to 20 covered by just 28 points.

Others to gain after matches of this tri-series include Afghanistan’s left-arm fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi (up 12 places to 46^th) after grabbing two for 15 against Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe’s Brad Evans, who took seven wickets in two matches, progressing 19 places to joint-65^th.

Also read: India’s seven best batters against the Windies over the years

Salman Ali Agha nears ODI top 10

The latest rankings update, that also takes into account performances in the Pakistan Tri-Series, England opener Tom Banton’s knock of 57 off 53 deliveries has helped him move up 16 places to 66^th position.

Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha’s score of 107 in a 37-run win over Sri Lanka has helped him inch up one place to 12^th position while Sri Lanka’s Pavan Rathnayake (up 34 places to 75^th) is another one to move up the batting table.

Pakistan fast bowlers Haris Rauf (up two places to 20^th and Naseem Shah (up four places to 45^th) and upcoming Afghanistan spinner A.M. Ghazanfar (up seven places to 31^st) have moved up the ODI bowling rankings.

Others to make notable gains include the Nepal pair of Rohit Paudel (up six places to 82^nd) and Dipendra Airee (up seven places to 87^th) in the batting rankings, following their performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament.

Shai Hope into top 10 of T20I rankings

In the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, West Indies captain Shai Hope is in the top 10, moving up from 11^th to ninth after a match-winning 102 not out in the fourth match of the series against India which ended in a 2-2 draw.

Sherfane Rutherford’s 49 not out off 26 balls has lifted him six places to 18^th while spinner Gudakesh Motie is up 10 places to 26^th among bowlers.

Read next: Where does Matt Renshaw rank in the eyes of the ICC after conquering Kingsmead?

The post Rashid Khan reminds the world just how good he is with another big move in ODI rankings appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/wDhdIjs

Where does Matt Renshaw rank in the eyes of the ICC after conquering Kingsmead?

Australia batter Matt Renshaw has surged from 196th to joint-49th in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings after a match-winning performance against South Africa in the opener of the three-match ICC World Test Championship Series in Durban.

Renshaw ended a sequence of seven single-figure Test scores in emphatic fashion, scoring 190 and 82 to help Australia secure a commanding 214-run victory at Kingsmead.

His performances have propelled him into the top 50, where he shares 49th place with South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton, who slipped 12 places after scores of zero and two in the match.

Aiden Markram has also made significant progress, moving up four places from 14th to return to the top 10 of the batting charts for the first time since October 2019.

Markram resisted Australia’s bowling attack for six hours in the second innings, scoring 75 to provide one of the few bright spots for the hosts.

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood was instrumental in sealing victory for his side, taking a career-best six for 49 in South Africa’s second innings. His performance has lifted him two places to seventh in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings.

Despite taking three wickets in the match, Mitchell Starc has seen his lead at the top of the bowling rankings cut to just four rating points over New Zealand’s Matt Henry.

South Africa’s Anrich Nortje has returned to the Test Bowling rankings after a three-year absence from the format, entering the bowling rankings in 34th place after taking four wickets in the match.

Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah nears the top 10

In Abu Dhabi, Afghanistan and Bangladesh played out a high-scoring draw, with Afghanistan captain Rahmat Shah leading the way with the bat.

His unbeaten 105 and 51 in the match have lifted him 13 slots to 13th in the Test Batting Rankings, with 693 rating points – the highest tally ever recorded by an Afghanistan player.

Teammate Sediqullah Atal also made an impression, becoming just the second player to score his maiden first-class century in the fourth innings of a Test. He now sits 91st in the batting rankings, one place ahead of Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan, who scored 83 and 31.

Hasan Mahmud has been rewarded for his hat-trick in the same match for Bangladesh, moving up seven places to 38th in the bowlers’ list. Fellow Bangladesh bowler Ebadot Hossain climbed 11 tiles to 67th after taking seven wickets in the match.

Also read: India’s seven very best batters against the Windies over the years

Associate nations in action during CWC League 2

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 tournament in Texas produced several notable movements in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings following a busy week of action.

Namibia’s Michael van Lingen has climbed 26 places and returned to the top 100 in the batting rankings after successive innings of 124 against the USA and 71 against the UAE.

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel has also broken into the top 100, moving up 13 slots to joint-88th after scoring 101 against Canada and 61 against Oman. His teammate, Gulshan Jha, advanced to 93rd following his contribution of 48 in Nepal’s 24-run victory over Canada.

USA batter Shehan Jayasuriya has made a significant jump after recording three consecutive half-centuries. Scores of 83 and 76 against the UAE and Namibia have lifted him from 149th to 100th in the batting charts.

Among the bowlers, USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar has returned to the top 30, moving to 27th after taking three wickets for 23 in his side’s five-wicket victory over the UAE at Grand Prairie.

Namibia’s JJ Smit has advanced 11 rungs to 79th after taking four for 29 against the UAE, helping bowl them out for 134.

Canada’s Harsh Thaker, who took four for 37 against Oman, and the USA’s Shubham Ranjane, who took four for 39 against the UAE, have also been rewarded for their performances with the ball.

Shreyas Iyer makes it four Indians in the T20I top 10

In India, the hosts continue to dominate the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, with Shreyas Iyer progressing three places to fourth and joining Ishan Kishan (first) and Abhishek Sharma (second) among the top four batters.

West Indies captain Shai Hope has also improved, scoring an unbeaten century in the second T20I in Ranchi to help his side chase down 250 with nine balls to spare.

Sherfane Rutherford contributed 84 from 37 deliveries in the same game and has moved up to a career-best 24th in the batting rankings.

Meanwhile, Roston Chase has been rewarded for his all-round performances in that high-scoring series against India. His six wickets have lifted him to 23rd in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings and a career-best third in the all-rounders’ list.

Maaz Sadaqat makes big moves

In Rawalpindi, Pakistan batter Maaz Sadaqat has made one of the biggest gains of the week after helping his side secure a 2-1 series victory over Sri Lanka.

Scores of 50 and 96 in Pakistan’s two wins have propelled him 187 places from outside the top 200 to 45th in the Batting Rankings.

Maaz’s teammate, Salman Mirza has advanced nine places to 14th in the Bowling Rankings after taking two wickets for 28 runs to derail Sri Lanka’s chase in the second match.

Read next: Five Test batters plagued by the DRS ‘paranoia index’

The post Where does Matt Renshaw rank in the eyes of the ICC after conquering Kingsmead? appeared first on Cricket365.

from Cricket365 https://ift.tt/Ui7wAMJ