KOHLI RETAINS TOP ODI SPOT, ROOT GOES TO 2ND
DUBAI: India skipper Virat Kohli held on to his No.1 spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ODI player rankings for batsmen, but England Test skipper Joe Root vaulted to No.2 after scoring 216 in England’s 2-1 triumph over India. Kohli scored 75, 45 and 71 to total 191 runs at an average of 63.66. That not only helped him hold on to the top spot, but also gave him his career-best rating points: 911. England leg-spinner Rashid remained eighth but Kuldeep Yadav soared eight spots to No 6 after a good series.
Sri Lanka seeks ‘clear rules’ on ball tampering
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s sports minister called on the International Cricket Council to establish “simple, clear rules” Wednesday after skipper Dinesh Chandimal was punished for ball tampering. “Laws governing the offence / act of altering the condition of the ball are somewhat vague and lack clarity,” Faiszer Musthapha said in a statement. “I invite the ICC to revisit the applicable laws and ensure that a set of simple, clear and certain rules and procedures are put in place.”
Zimbabwe skittled for 67, Pakistan seal series 30
BULAWAYO: Pakistan sealed a series win after strolling to a nine-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third of the fivematch one-day international on Wednesday. Pakistan seamer Faheem Ashraf took a career best 5/22 as the hosts were skittled for just 67, their lowest ever against Pakistan. In reply opener Fakhar Zaman hit an undefeated 43 as Pakistan needed just 10 overs to seal win and take an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-game series.
Like IPL, Big Bash League too increases matches
SYDNEY: The next edition of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) will witness an increase in the number of matches and duration when it kicks off on December 19 this year, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Wednesday. Compared to last year’s 40 matches, the 2018 edition of BBL will see 56 group matches as CA announced a home-and-away format with each of the eight teams playing 14 matches before the knockout stage, a format on which the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) runs.
Mckenzie appointed Bangladesh consultant
DHAKA: Former South Africa opener Neil Mckenzie was appointed the Bangladesh batting consultant until next year’s ICC World Cup in England and Wales, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced on Wednesday. Mckenzie will take over from former Sri Lanka batsman Thilan Samaraweera.