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January 3, 2024
Dean Elgar has been a tough player for India to face in recent times, both as a player and captain. When India last toured South Africa, Elgar was excellent and helped his team, the Proteas, win 2-1 after being down 1-0. He scored the second-most runs in the series with 235.
Just recently, Elgar played incredibly well in the first Test and was named Player of the Match. His fantastic score of 185 made it really hard for India, who lost by an inning. This means India still hasn’t won a series in South Africa.
As Dean Elgar gears up for his final international appearance, he will lead the South African team in Temba Bavuma’s absence. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma lavished praise on his counterpart, acknowledging Elgar’s noteworthy contributions to the sport. However, despite his admiration, Rohit remains focused on his team’s goal to claim victory and halt Elgar’s farewell celebration.
“He’s been their mainstay for a number of years now. Gets a lot of runs against us for sure but again a quality player,” Rohit said at the pre-match press conference. “Somebody who puts a big price on his wicket and doesn’t throw it away just like that. [You have] got to get him out.
“It will be important if we can get him early and try to see what the other batters do with him not being there. We know how important he is to them. He likes to score big runs and bat long as well.
“We have got our plans. Hope it works out for us, it clearly didn’t work out in the last game but hopefully, it will [in the next match]. Hopefully, we can make it [his last match] miserable [laughs].
On the other hand, Elgar is wholly focused on winning the series, mainly because this is his last Test match. He said winning the series is as essential to him as winning the World Cup.
“I only play the game to win,” Elgar said on the eve of his final Test. “I don’t care about stats. I care about wins. I care about series wins. That’s the greatest memories you can ever share with your team, everyone that has got an influential role in the background.
“Test series wins – you don’t top that. Maybe a World Cup win is up there. I have never had that opportunity but this is my World Cup. This is my arena where I want to win.’’
South Africa has had a great start in the World Test Championship 2023-25, as they are currently at the top of the standings with a perfect 100% point percentage. On the other hand, India is in a tough spot, sitting in 6th place and trying to improve their position after losing a match and receiving penalties for slow play.
Each team plays six series during this championship, with three series at home and three away. The top two teams will compete in the final match at Lord’s. Teams earn points for wins, ties, and draws but can also lose points for slow play.
New Zealand has added fast bowler Matt Henry to their T20I squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, following his recovery from a hamstring injury
Following his untimely exit from the Cricket World Cup 2023 due to a hamstring injury, Matt Henry is set to triumphantly return to the domestic cricket scene on Friday. The talented fast bowler will join the 13-player New Zealand squad for their highly anticipated five-match series against Pakistan, commencing on January 12.
The returning Henry will reunite with seasoned veterans Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, who were rested during the Bangladesh leg of New Zealand’s home summer. However, Williamson will miss the third T20I of the series to manage a persistent knee issue, with Mitchell Santner assuming captaincy duties. Emerging talent Josh Clarkson has been selected to join the squad as a cover for the upcoming match. The uncapped player’s inclusion presents a valuable opportunity for the young athlete to gain experience and contribute to the team’s success. At the same time, Lockie Ferguson is expected to rejoin the squad towards the end of the competition.
With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, New Zealand coach Gary Stead has underscored the significance of the upcoming Pakistan series as a crucial stepping stone towards a strong performance in the global tournament. Stead recognizes that the challenging matches against Pakistan will allow his team to fine-tune their skills, experiment with strategies, and build momentum heading into the T20 World Cup.
“With just three T20I series left before the T20 World Cup, all matches are vitally important for our preparation.
“Starting the series off at Eden Park (Auckland) on a Friday night will be a great occasion and one I know the team will relish.”
As the New Zealand cricket team gears up for the upcoming series against Pakistan, several changes have been made to the squad to accommodate injuries and player availability.
The New Zealand T20I squad for the Pakistan series will assemble in Auckland on January 9, 2023. Here is the list of players selected for the series:
Note that Kane Williamson will participate in matches 1, 2, 4, and 5, while Josh Clarkson is only set to play in match 3. Additionally, Lockie Ferguson will join the squad for matches 3, 4, and 5. Ben Sears will be part of the team for matches 1 and 2. The two wicket-keepers in the squad are Devon Conway and Tim Seifert.
| 1st T20I – January 12 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2nd T20I – January 14 | Seddon Park, Hamilton |
| 3rd T20I – January 17 | University Oval, Dunedin |
| 4th T20I – January 19 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
| 5th T20I – January 21 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch |
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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