Boult back for India Tests; Jamieson, Patel earn call-ups
Wellington, February 17
Fit-again pacer Trent Boult has been named in the 13-member New Zealand squad for the first Test against India starting here on February 21. The 6ft 8in tall paceman Kyle Jamieson, who made his ODI debut against India in the recent series, has also earned a call in the Test squad, which will have left-arm orthodox Ajaz Patel as the only spinner. Boult’s comeback is a big boost for the New Zealand side as he missed the entire limited-overs leg due to a right hand fracture, sustained during the Boxing Day Test against Australia.
Jamieson, on the other hand, has been included in a pre-series Test squad for the first time. He had replaced injured Lockie Ferguson midway in Australia in December 2019. Mumbai-born Patel was chosen over leg-spinner Ish Sodhi because of his consistent performance. Daryl Mitchell of Northern Districts is also in the squad as a batting all-rounder.
Taylor’s 100th Test
The Wellington Test will be Ross Taylor’s 100th Test, making him the fourth Kiwi to the mark after his former teammates Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori and Stephen Fleming. Taylor will become the first cricketer in the world to complete 100 games each in three international formats. “To play 100 Tests for your country is an incredible achievement and a testament to his work ethic and complete professionalism,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. — PTI
44 applications for post of selectors
New Delhi: BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) member Madan Lal says two new selectors will be in office by the time the national team’s tour of New Zealand winds up early next month. Former India cricketers Rudra Pratap Singh and Sulakshana Naik are the other two members of the CAC, which has been tasked to find replacements for the outgoing chairman of selectors MSK Prasad and his fellow panel member Gagan Khoda. “We have received a list of 44 applicants and we should have the two selectors appointed by the end of New Zealand tour,” Lal said, referring to the ongoing tour, which will end on March 5. — PTI
Kohli 10th in ICC T20I rankings
Dubai: Virat Kohli slipped to the tenth position but KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma remained static at the second and 11th place, respectively, in the latest ICC T20I rankings. Kohli (673 points) dropped down as England captain Eoin Morgan (687) moved to the ninth place. In the bowling chart, Jasprit Bumrah, who recently lost his top spot in the ODIs, was static at the 12th spot. — PTI
