Virat Kohli’s No. 1 rank in danger: New Zealand captain’s recent form has come as a threat to his Indian counterpart.
The latest update in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings has seen New Zealand captain Kane Williamson achieving a career-best 915 rating points. The ever-so-elegant batsman gained a whopping 18 rating points after his 20th Test century against Bangladesh at Hamilton.
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In what was a ‘Man of the Match effort’, Williamson ended up scoring his second Test double hundred, 200* (257), with the help of 19 fours. The 28-year old cricketer now has the highest rating points for a New Zealand cricketer surpassing Richard Hadlee (909 points).
Williamson’s rise has come as a significant threat for India captain Virat Kohli whose lead has been reduced to only seven points now. With a couple of Test matches still remaining in the series, Williamson has a fair chance to surpass Kohli from the No. 1 position.
Test 💯
Virat Kohli – 25 in 131 innings
Steve Smith – 23 in 117 Innings
David Warner – 21 in 137 innings
Kane Williamson – 20 in 126 innings
Joe Root – 16 in 147 innings#NZvBAN— JSK (@imjsk27) March 2, 2019
Kane Williamson, class act makes batting look so easy #NZvBAN.
— Craig Ryan (@craigryansports) March 1, 2019
Raval and Latham also make gains
Other than Williamson, New Zealand opening batsman Jeet Raval and Tom Latham also scored individual centuries as they build a 254-run opening stand. Raval, who was the first Kiwi batsman to get out, returned to the pavilion after scoring his maiden Test hundred, 132 (220), with the help of 19 fours and a six.
On the other hand, the more experienced partner in Latham registered his ninth Test century, 161 (248), with the help of 17 fours and three sixes. While Raval jumped five positions to reach No. 33, Latham progressed by a single spot to reach No. 11.
Despite losing by an innings and 52 runs, Bangladesh saw three of their batsmen scoring individual hundreds in the match. Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal scoring 126 (128) with the help of 21 fours and a six in the first innings saw gaining 11 slots to reach No. 25.
JEET RAVAL — 1000 TEST RUNS | FIRST TEST CENTURY
10 years since his first FC century
27 months since his international debut163 balls | 16 fours #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/yQEFZM7ZHi
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) February 28, 2019
Who wants a spot next to Neil Wagner?#NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/S3YsPcN5Dd
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 2, 2019
🗣“Just to contribute in anyway I can to help NZ win Test matches is what motivates me the most.”
Neil Wagner stepped up on day one, who’s making noise on day two? 🏏 #NZvBAN pic.twitter.com/rvyK9YX6uW
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 28, 2019
Sarkar and Mahmudullah rewarded for their 235-run stand
In the second innings, all-rounder Soumya Sarkar and captain Mahmudullah had stitched a 235-run stand for the fifth wicket. Sarkar, who scored 149 (171) with the help of 21 fours and five sixes, made significant gain as he has jumped from No. 92 to No. 67. Mahmudullah, who scored 146 (229) with the help of 21 fours and three sixes, has reached a career-best No. 40.
Despite registering his eighth Test five-wicket haul in the second innings, left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult witnessed a demotion as he has reached from No. 6 to No. 8. His new-ball opening partner Tim Southee, who picked up six wickets in the match has retained his position at No. 9.
Neil Wagner, who registered his sixth five-wicket haul in the first innings, gained three spots to reach No. 11. Having dismissed Raval in the only over which he bowled, Mahmudullah gained three places to reach No. 63.
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