ICC Test Team Rankings: New Zealand eye World No 1 spot- Tom Latham-led New Zealand are not only aiming to script history at the Hagley Oval wining their maiden Test series against South Africa at home but also set their sights on reclaiming the World No 1 Test rank. A win against Dean Elgar’s side in the 2nd Test, starting Friday, will guarantee them the World No 1 spot. Follow NZ vs SA 2nd Test Live on InsideSport.IN.
New Zealand are currently second with 119 rating points while Australia are the top-ranked side with 120 points. However, a 2-0 win in the Test series against South Africa will ensure New Zealand dethrone neighbours Australia.
ICC Test Team Rankings: Check how New Zealand will become World No 1 with a win in 2nd Test over South Africa: Follow NZ Vs SA 2nd Test LIVE updates
ICC Test Team Rankings
- Australia – 119
- New Zealand – 117
- India – 116
- England – 101
- South Africa – 99
ICC Test Team Rankings: Check how New Zealand will become World No 1 with a win in 2nd Test over South Africa: Follow NZ Vs SA 2nd Test LIVE updates
Putting the final touches on the prep for the 2nd @ANZ_NZ Test against South Africa at Hagley Oval. Follow play in NZ with @sparknzsport or the rova app and with @SuperSportTV in South Africa. #NZvSA pic.twitter.com/9OjZ9kuDjN
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 24, 2022
How can New Zealand become World No 1?
- New Zealand lead 1-0 against South Africa in the two-match Test series.
- If New Zealand beat South Africa in the 2nd Test, NZ will become No 1 Test team & Australia will slip to No. 2
- A draw in the Hagley Test will see New Zealand holding on to their 2nd spot in the ICC Rankings.
- A loss will result in New Zealand losing three points and they will slip to the third spot while India will take the No 2 spot.
ICC Test Team Rankings: Check how New Zealand will become World No 1 with a win in 2nd Test over South Africa: Follow NZ Vs SA 2nd Test LIVE updates
New Zealand ‘On Target’ for No 1 Rank: Australia reclaimed the No 1 spot with a 4-0 win over fiercest rivals England with Ashes victory. Now, in Kane Williamson’s absence, Tom Latham is aiming to script history.
If they win the second Test, it will be the first time that New Zealand will win a Tests series at home against South Africa while ensuring they become World No 1 Test team.
A draw in the second Test against South Africa would give New Zealand a historic first Test series win over the Proteas in 17 attempts dating back 90 years, while victory and a 2-0 sweep would see them dislodge Australia at the top of the world rankings.
The Black Caps are full of confidence and were named the nation’s sports team of the year at an awards ceremony on Wednesday night after winning the World Test Championship in 2021, with regular captain Kane Williamson picking up the sportsman of the year trophy.
ICC Test Team Rankings: Check how New Zealand will become World No 1 with a win in 2nd Test over South Africa: Follow NZ Vs SA 2nd Test LIVE updates
South Africa aim to avoid humiliation: For South Africa after a brilliant 2-1 series victory against India at home, they struggled against the Kiwis, losing the first Test by 276 runs. But now, Dean Elgar will aim to avoid becoming the first captain to lose a Test series in New Zealand. Elgar said the team is low on confidence from a batting point of view.
“There are guys who are a little low in confidence, especially from a batting point of view. You’re always that one knock away from being in good form again. I’m kind of banking on that theory and what happened in the first Test will be a thing of the past,” Dean Elgar said ahead of the 2nd Test.
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Will Young, Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Hamish Rutherford, Cam Fletcher, Blair Tickner, Rachin Ravindra
South Africa Squad: Dean Elgar (c), Kyle Verreynne (wk), Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Glenton Stuurman, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Simon Harmer
ICC Test Team Rankings: Check how New Zealand will become World No 1 with a win in 2nd Test over South Africa: Follow NZ Vs SA 2nd Test LIVE updates
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