Top Stories: Things that made news in the cricket world today

Kane Williamson trumps Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to become No.1 batsman in ICC Test Rankings

• New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has surged ahead of Steve Smith and Virat Kohli to seize the top spot for batsmen in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings
• Willamson had briefly occupied the top spot towards the end of 2015 but either Smith or Kohli have been number one since then.
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  Australia vs India: Calf injury rules Umesh Yadav out of the Test series

• Team India has dealt with an injury to another one of their bowlers and this time it is Umesh Yadav who hobbled off the field during the Melbourne Test.
• His name adds to the long injury list of India on the tour and the depth of their bowling attack is being tested.
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  Former India cricketer Laxman Sivaramakrishnan joins BJP in Tamil Nadu

• Former Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who is one of the youngest cricketers to make a Test debut for India at the age of 17 years and 118 days, has decided to embrace the second innings of his life by starting his political career.
• The renowned commentator joined Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) ahead of the Tamil Nadu state elections.
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  At NCA, everybody’s focus was to get Rohit Sharma ready: Pragyan Ojha

• India’s swashbuckling opening batsman Rohit Sharma joined the Indian team in the hotel in Melbourne after completing his 14-day mandatory quarantine period in Sydney in a two-bedroom flat.
• Rohit had traveled to Australia earlier this month after regaining full fitness as he had suffered a hamstring injury during a game between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League.
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  Adam Zampa hit with suspension and fine of AUD 2,500 by Cricket Australia for ‘audible obscenity’ in BBL

• Australia star leggie Adam Zampa was up with Melbourne Stars currently, while plying his trade in the ongoing season of Big Bash League.
• However, he has been hit with a suspension for ‘audible obscenity’ and has been fined AUD 2,500 by Cricket Australia.
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  Pakistan support staff failed in their roles in Mohammad Amir’s retirement case, reckons Aamir Sohail

• Pakistan Speedster Mohammad Amir recently stepped out of the world of international cricket, which sent the fans in shock
• In the latest turn of events, former cricketer turned commentator Aamir Sohail lashed at Pakistan backroom staff for not doing their proper roles.
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  Cricket Australia confirms extended series against Indian women’s team next season

• Cricket Australia, on Thursday, announced the schedule for Australia’s women team for the next home season that will also feature an ODI series against India’s women team.
• Australia will also lock horns against England during the bumper home season.
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  ‘I still don’t know why my career was cut short’ – Umpire Ismail Dawood accuses ECB of practicing institutionalized discrimination

• Former umpires Ismail Dawood and John Holder have made some serious claims of practicing institutionalized racism and favoritism against the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
• The former cricketers have decided to sue the England board and alleged that the authorities haven’t appointed a non-white full-time umpire for as many as the last 28 years.
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  Yograj Singh reacts to BCCI denying Yuvraj Singh to come out of retirement and play domestic cricket

• BCCI, earlier this week, denied Yuvraj Singh the permission to come out of retirement and play the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting from January 10.
• The cricketer retired from all forms of the sport in 2019 and also featured in the Global T20 Canada later in the year.
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  New Zealand vs Pakistan: Neil Wagner to miss the second Test due to broken toes

• Neil Wagner will be missing the second Test against Pakistan owing to two broken toes and will be out of action for almost six weeks.
• The injury occurred when he was at the crease on day two of the first Test and a ‘toe’ crushing yorker from Shaheen Afridi.
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