Indians rise in rankings

Playing the Black Caps has significantly boosted the standings of India’s Twenty20 stars. The leading runscorer in India’s 5-0 series win over New Zealand, KL Rahul, now sits second on the ICC rankings of the world’s best Twenty20 batsmen. Rahul now sits behind only Pakistan’s Babar Azam in the rankings after being sixth prior to the series. India have three batsmen in the top 10 – Rohit Sharma moved up three places to 10th while skipper Virat Kohli stayed at ninth. Opener Colin Munro was New Zealand’s most prolific batsman with 178 runs at 35.6 and remains at fourth spot. Outstanding paceman Jasprit Bumrah is now on the cusp of the top 10 Twenty20 bowlers after starring in India’s clean sweep. Black Caps left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner stays in third place in the bowling rankings.

New Zealand rugby player Michael Fatialofa has been released from hospital in Britain and sent to a spinal rehab clinic to continue his recovery from a serious neck injury. The 27-year-old former Hurricanes lock has spent the past four weeks in St Mary’s Hospital in London after being stretchered off following a collision while playing for his Worcester Warriors cub in the English Premiership. Fatialofa’s wife Tatiana has been a constant presence at his side and produced another of her informative and touching Instagram updates, saying: ‘‘After a month in hospital, finally solid enough to move to the spinal rehab clinic.’’ While in hospital Fatialaofa had surgery to relieve pressure on his spinal cord caused by swelling.