January 4 Evening Brief: Today's Top news and headlines from cricket world

1. ACB announce Andrew George Puttick as National Team’s new batting coach

The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the appointment of former South African batter Andrew George Puttick as the National Team’s new batting coach and Gordon James Parsons as the National U19s’ Mentor for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024. (READ MORE)

2. Dhananjaya de Silva takes charge as Sri Lanka Test captain

Sri Lanka Cricket Board has made a significant change in their Test leadership, with Dhananjaya de Silva taking the helm from Dimuth Karunaratne as the team's new captain. (READ MORE)

3. 'Didn't feel it was a 55 all-out wicket' - Mohammed Siraj amazed after Cape Town heroics

India's speedster Mohammed Siraj has expressed astonishment over the Newlands pitch after his stunning performance against South Africa as he plucked six wickets on day one of the second Test on December 3. (READ MORE)

4. Twitter Reactions: Bad light, rain team up to spoil Sydney's Pink Test party on Day 2

Rain played spoilsport on Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Early stumps was called as only 46 overs were bowled on the second day. (READ MORE)

5. I think Pat Cummins is going to be Australia’s greatest cricketer after Sir Don Bradman: Michael Vaughan

Former cricketer Michael Vaughan lauded Pat Cummins and stated that the 30-year-old can become the greatest Australian cricketer after Sir Don Bradman. (READ MORE)

6. Zimbabwe Cricket rewards Sikandar Raza after ICC Men's T20 Cricketer of the Year nomination

Zimbabwe all-rounder Sikandar Raza is set to receive a reward of US$10,000 from Zimbabwe Cricket in recognition of his outstanding performances in the previous year. This comes after his nomination for the prestigious ICC Men's T20 Cricketer of the Year 2023. (READ MORE)

7. Aaron Finch announces BBL retirement

Aaron Finch has announced that the ongoing BBL (Big Bash League) season will be his final one. (READ MORE)

8. Twitter Reactions: Aiden Markram defies diabolical Cape Town surface to score majestic ton

Aiden Markram played one of the finest knocks in Test cricket history as he registered a fantastic century against India in the second Test at Newlands, Cape Town. He has scored 106 off just 103 deliveries, before being dismissed by Mohammed Siraj. (READ MORE)

9. Twitter Reactions: Bumrah's 6-fer scripts India's historic win in Cape Town levelling the series 1-1 vs SA

Team India registered a historic win in the second Test of the series against South Africa on Thursday, January 04 at Newlands, Cape Town as they beat the hosts by seven wickets. (READ MORE)

10. India climb to the top of WTC standings after historic win over SA in Cape Town

Team India registered a historic seven-wicket win on Day 2 of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town. Courtesy of their win, India have taken a giant leap in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings for the 2023-25 cycle as they now find themselves on the top of the table with 26 points from four matches having a points percentage of 54.16%. (READ MORE)