Christchurch (New Zealand) – New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted the time was right to quit international cricket on Wednesday despite hitting one of his best innings just days earlier. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted the time was right to quit despite hitting one of his best innings just days earlier © AFP Marty Melville It was not the way the 34-year-old wanted to retire, as Australia completed a…

Christchurch (New Zealand) – Australia sealed a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand to reach the top Test ranking Wednesday but captain Steve Smith was forced to defend their aggressive style as he was fined over a row with the umpires. Australia captain Steve Smith was fined 30 percent of his match fee over a show of dissent during the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch © AFP Marty…

Steven Smith, along with Josh Hazlewood, approached umpire Ranmore Martinesz, seemingly to demand explanations © Getty Images Australia’s captain Steven Smith has been charged with dissent over the same incident that saw fast bowler Josh Hazlewood fined 15% of his match fee on day four in Christchurch. The ICC confirmed Hazlewood’s charge and penalty on Tuesday but it was not until Wednesday that the Australians were notified that Smith would…

Toss: Mumbai chose to field v SaurashtraLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Dhawal Kulkarni was brought back into Mumbai’s side for Badre Alam © BCCI Aditya Tare called right as Mumbai opted to field in the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai in Pune. In direct acknowledgment of the surface prepared at the MCA Stadium, both teams boosted their seam bowling stocks. Mumbai made just one change to the side that outbatted…

Australia 505 (Burns 170, Smith 138, Wagner 6-106) and 201 for 3 (Burns 65, Smith 53*, Khawaja 45) beat New Zealand 370 (McCullum 145, Anderson 72, Lyon 3-61) and 335 (Williamson 97, Bird 5-59, Pattinson 4-77) by 7 wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details It wasn’t easy for Joe Burns, but he battled through © Getty Images At once a benediction and a coronation, Brendon McCullum’s final moments as a Test cricketer…

Australia 505 and 185 for 3 (Smith 47*, Voges 0*) need another 16 runs to beat New Zealand 370 and 335Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details It wasn’t easy for Joe Burns, but he battled through © Getty Images A few uncomfortable moments aside, Australia closed rapidly upon their target of 201 to defeat New Zealand and claim the world No. 1 Test match ranking on the final morning of the…

Islamabad United 175 for 4 (Smith 73, Haddin 61*) beat Quetta Gladiators 174 for 7 (Shehzad 64, Sangakkara 55, Russell 3-36)Scorecard and ball-by-ball details Dwayne Smith hit seven fours and four sixes during his 51-ball 73 © Chris Whiteoak After a spectacular display of fireworks lit up the start of the final of the inaugural Pakistan Super League, in Dubai, Dwayne Smith produced the cricketing equivalent of it, firing Islamabad…

Dale Steyn has been handled carefully since picking up another injury against England in December © Gallo Images Dale Steyn will make a return to competitive cricket after almost two months out of action on Saturday in a club game in Cape Town. Steyn will play for Western Province Cricket Club in the first day of a two-day fixture against St Augustines in order to determine his readiness for next…

Norman Arendse (left) will lead a task force to address black player grievances © Getty Images CSA has appointed their lead independent board director and chairman of the transformation committee, Normal Arendse, as convener of a task team to address the grievances voiced by black African cricketers last year, following a meeting with sports minister, Fikile Mbalula, in which it was made clear that the issue needed to be tackled…