Cricket news round-up – December 27: de Kock rescues South Africa, Smith-Labuschagne juggernaut rolls on

Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne got their by-now-familiar fifties against New Zealand at Melbourne; Quinton de Kock’s onslaught helped South Africa recover against England at Centurion; no Pakistani will feature in the Asia XI for the T20Is in Bangladesh next year, to commemorate Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; and Australia have summoned Mitchell Swepson for the Sydney Test.

Usual business for Smith, Labuschagne

Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne continued with their respective forms. While Labuschagne fell for 63 (his fifth consecutive Test fifty), Smith remained unbeaten on 77 at stumps. Australia finished the day on 257/4.

With 1,085 runs at 67.81, Labuschagne is the leading run-scorer in the world this year, while Smith is second, with 950 at 86.36. During the course of the innings Smith also entered the list of top ten run-getters for Australia.

New Zealand started the day well after opting to bowl, Trent Boult taking out Joe Burns for a golden duck in the first over. But with some assistance from David Warner (41) and Matthew Wade (38), Smith and Labuschagne ensured Australia finished on top. Colin de Grandhomme got 2/48.

QdK gives it back

At Centurion, South Africa finished Day 1 against England on 277/9 after Stuart Broad (3/52) and Sam Curran (4/57) reduced them to 111/5. Quinton de Kock (95) decided to counterattack at this point, and added 87 with Dwaine Pretorius (39) in 110 balls.

The day started in spectacular fashion, with James Anderson, playing his 150th Test, had Dean Elgar caught behind off the first ball of the Test. Broad provided the perfect ending, bowling Kagiso Rabada with the last ball.

No Pakistani in Asia XI

Bangladesh will host 2 T20Is between an Asia XI and a World XI next year in honour of Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. However, the series will not feature any Pakistani player. Interestingly, Pakistan are the top-ranked side in world in the format.

BCCI have meanwhile announced that five Indian cricketers will feature in the series. The rest are likely to be from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Associate Nations like Nepal, Oman, and the UAE.

Swepson called up for SCG

Australia have included Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson for the third Test of the Trans-Tasman Series, at Sydney. As a result Swepson will miss a significant part of his BBL stint with Brisbane Heat.

While Swepson’s 110 First-Class wickets have come at 35.31, his 12 wickets this season have come at 26.58. He has played for Australia once, a T20I at Edgbaston last year, in which he picked up Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan during his 4-0-37-2.