Cricket news round-up – December 26: ICC rankings are “absolute garbage” – Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan has launched an astonishing attack on ICC’s system of ranking teams, saying they were “absolute garbage”. Elsewhere, Ranji Trophy matches will start late due to an eclipse, and Mitchell Swepson has earned himself an Australia call-up.

Michael Vaughan says ICC rankings are “absolute garbage”

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, said the ICC Test rankings were “absolute garbage” saying England and New Zealand hadn’t won enough over the years to be placed at No.4 and No.2 in the Test rankings.

I think they are absolute garbage,” Vaughan was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald. “I have no idea how – New Zealand have won plenty of series over the course of the last two years – but for them to be second …

“And where it stands out for me that the rankings can’t be right is that England in Test match cricket are third (now fourth), and England for three or four years have struggled in Test match cricket, particularly overseas.”

Ranji Trophy matches on Boxing Day to begin late

Quite a few matches of the third round of Ranji Trophy 2019-20 will start at 11.30am local time rather than 9.30am due to a partial solar eclipse.

The revised timings meant play would 5pm, with the original schedules condensed during the day. The first session would last 1.5 hours, before a 40-minute lunch break and two-hour sessions thereafter.

On the last day of the match, however, play will commence earlier to make up the mandatory overs.

Swepson added to Australia squad

Australia have called up Mitchell Swepson to the squad for the third and final Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

Trevor Hohns, the national selector, said the call-up was a reward for Swepson for his display during the first-class summer – in six Sheffield Shield matches, he took 12 wickets.

“Having Mitch in Sydney gives us the option to play two specialist spinners if the conditions demand,” Hohns said. “We will make those assessments when we get to Sydney.”

Harmer extends contract with Essex

Essex 2019 Finals Day hero Simon Harmer has extended his contract with the county by a year. The deal means the off-spinner will remain with the county till end of the 2020 season.

The former South African cricketer had a big role to play in the 2019 season, leading the side in their triumphs in the County Championship as well as the T20 Blast. He took 83 wickets in the first-class season to help Essex to the title, and won a host of awards for his display, including County Championship Player of the Year.

“I’m really excited to sign an extension and commit my future to this great Club,” Harmer said. “From the moment I arrived three years ago, I was made to feel part of the group and at ease in Chelmsford, and it is now a place I consider my home, so it was an easy decision for me to make.”