KOLKATA: Why would it? No batter in the top 35 Test run-scorers in this cycle and Kagiso Rabada not figuring among the top-10 wicket-takers, South Africa are not exactly the poster boys of cricket. At a time when the highest validation comes in the form of five-Test tours against India, South Africa could only host them for two in 2024.
ICC's points system may come under scrutiny for allowing South Africa to make the cut with just six wins, none of which, by the way, have come against higher ranked teams. And with India winning the New Year's Test at Cape Town, South Africa's home record too has lost a bit of sheen.
Further eroding their position was the decision to send a second-string squad—naming seven rookies in the 14-man side—to New Zealand to ensure participation of their top players in the domestic T20 tournament earlier this year. It led to a backlash led by the redoubtable Steve Waugh, who slammed South Africa for "not caring" enough for Test cricket.
Denne historien er fra January 02, 2025-utgaven av Hindustan Times Jaipur.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra January 02, 2025-utgaven av Hindustan Times Jaipur.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
YEH DIL ABHI BHARA NAHIN, FT. RE-RELEASES!
While the costs involved are a concern for smaller filmmakers, Bollywood is largely optimistic about the trend of re-releases going strong this year as well
Hopefully, 2025 will be doubly energetic: Ishaan Khatter
As he steps into 2025, actor Ishaan Khatter's goal is to return to \"the big screen\".
Baldoni Releases Texts With Lively to Counter Sexual Harassment Claim
The ongoing legal battle between actor-director Justin Baldoni and actor Blake Lively has taken another turn.
Armaan: Standing next to Aashna, exchanging vows, felt surreal
Singer Armaan Malik gave a New Year surprise to his fans by dropping his wedding pics with fashion influencer Aashna Shroff on social media. They had an intimate ceremony on December 28 in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, in the presence of their families and friends.
New day, same story: Kohli fails again; India fall for 185
Rohit Sharma \"opted to rest\" in the team's interest but the same old script unfolded on a new day for Indian batters as they surrendered meekly for a paltry 185 in the face of some hostile seam bowling from Australia on the opening day of the fifth and final Test here.
I Was Original Choice For Maine Pyar Kiya; Got Dropped As I Was Taller Than Salman
ctor-comedian Upasana Singh, known for her stint on The Kapil Sharma Show, has shared that she was the original choice for the female lead opposite Salman Khan in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989).
Arsenal Must 'Flip Coin' In League Title Race, Says Arteta
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal must \"flip that coin\" as they hunt down Premier League leaders Liverpool in a quest to be crowned champions of England after two agonising near-misses.
Rohit sits out, Bumrah lauds skipper's leadership
In an unprecedented turn of events, India skipper Rohit Sharma \"opted to rest\" himself from the fifth and final Test against Australia after a series of underwhelming performances, a move that put his future in doubt and evoked emotional responses from his successor Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant.
Sabalenka sets up Brisbane semi against teen Andreeva
World number one Aryna Sabalenka stepped up her Australian Open preparations as she overpowered Marie Bouzkova in straight sets to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals on Friday.
Facing Bumrah will be challenging on this track
Debutant all-rounder Beau Webster feels facing ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be an enormous challenge on the SCG pitch which is helping seamers, and the Australian did not place his finger on an ideal first innings score. India were all out for 185 and then Australia lost Usman Khawaja off the last ball of the day to Bumrah to end at 9 for one.
