South Africa and more importantly, coach Rob Walter will be glad to have his first T20I series win under his belt at last. South Africa have their first-choice players return for the ODIs and Pakistan are coming off a couple of series wins themselves, should be a cracker.
Jasprit Bumrah was again the pick of the bowlers for India as he picked a six-fer for India in Australia's first batting innings at the Gabba in the third Test. However, the lack of support from the other bowlers has been glaring as the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Reddy weren't good enough.
It was a very frustrating day at the Gabba in Brisbane with just 33.1 overs of play being possible on Monday, December 16 with umpteen stop-starts. Australia managed to snatch away the control fully but with three days already gone, the hosts will need weather to be lenient in the last two days.
New Zealand found themselves on the heels of avoiding a series sweep against England in the third Test in Hamilton with the visitors needing 640 runs to win the finale. Kane Williamson's 33rd Test century led the way as New Zealand amassed 453 runs in their second innings.
England ended up declaring at 395/9 to have a crack at South Africa's batters for a few overs on Day 1 of the one-off Test in Bloemfontein on Sunday, December 15. England collapsed from 357/4 to 395/9 after Nat Sciver-Brunt and Maia Bouchier's twin centuries.
Isa Guha stressed that there was no malice or any other intention and admitted that she chose the wrong word in her attempt to praise the genius of Indian vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah. The apology came after there was a huge hue and cry over the word 'primate' used by Guha on commentary on Day 2.
Only 33.1 overs of play was possible on a really annoying day from the players' and spectators' perspective with as many as seven rain breaks on Monday, December 16 at Gabba in Brisbane. Australia are in control of the Test match but will need the rain to stay away in the next couple of days.
West Indies after a series sweep in the ODIs, will be confident of a good show in the T20Is against Bangladesh with the three-match series in St Vincent starting on Sunday, December 15. Bangladesh will be keen to begin on a strong note as they play for pride after a poor performance in ODIs.
Steve Smith stitched a massive 241-run partnership alongside Travis Head for the fourth wicket as Australia strengthened their position with the bat on the second day of the Gabba Test against India. With the century, Smith also inched closer to Ricky Ponting for Australians with the most hundreds.
New Zealand had a sensational second morning in the third Test after adding 32 runs to their overnight score before having England five down for less than a hundred. However, despite the collapse, Joe Root found a way to eke out some sort of a score and break another record in Tests.
The 14th edition of the Big Bash League will kick off on Sunday, December 15 at the Optus Stadium in Perth with the Scorchers hosting the Melbourne Stars led by a new captain, Marcus Stoinis. The 44-match tournament will run for over a month with the final slated for January 27.
The first day of the third Test in Brisbane almost surrendered itself to inclement weather and relentless rain. There were puddles all over the ground as the rain just didn't stop and only 13.2 overs of play was possible but the forecast is a tad bit better on Day 2 with high optimism of play.
Travis Head and Steve Smith powered Australia to 405/7 at the stumps on Day 2 of the third Test at Gabba against India. Jasprit Bumrah took his 12th fifer in Test cricket but he was the only one who looked like taking a wicket as it was another hapless bowling show from India.
South Africa after a disappointing show in the white-ball games will be keen to turn it around in the one-off Test match against England. South Africa played a couple of Tests this year but lost both of them while for England, this will serve as quality preparation for the upcoming Ashes Test.
Tim Southee is playing his farewell Test match at his home ground, Seddon Park in Hamilton. Southee received a guard of honour from the England team led by Ben Stokes as he went out to bat and he sure made it memorable as he went down smashing, scoring 23 off just 10 deliveries.
Senior India pacer Arundhati Reddy, who recorded her career-best figures in ODIs against Australia in the series finale at WACA ground in Perth last week, didn't find a place in the national side's squads for ODIs and T20Is against the West Indies. Reddy shared a cryptic post after the snub.
South Africa proved to be too good with the bat as Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen didn't twitch from their gameplan despite losing two early wickets against Pakistan in a massive run-chase of 207 runs. The Proteas took a 2-0 unassailable lead after getting home with three balls to spare.
Brisbane was sunny for a couple of days in the run-up to the Test match but it wasn't the case on the match-day as an overcast Gabba welcomed the two teams for the third Test on Saturday, December 14. The series is levelled 1-1 with India looking to make a strong comeback.
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