Indian cricket players take part in a practise session in Harare, Zimbabwe on Wednesday, July, 8, 2015. India is in Zimbabwe for a  tour from 10 to 19 July 2015. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Indian cricket players take part in a practise session in Harare, Zimbabwe on Wednesday, July, 8, 2015. India is in Zimbabwe for a tour from 10 to 19 July 2015. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)

India must sweep away hosts Zimbabwe in Harare to stay second in ODI rankings



India must win all three one-day internationals (ODIs) against Zimbabwe to retain their second place in the ODI rankings, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

A second-string side, led by Ajinkya Rahane, arrived in Harare on Wednesday where they take on the hosts in a three-match ODI series from Friday. The senior-most member of the squad, Harbhajan Singh, made a comeback into the side after two years and played the lone Test against Bangladesh last month.

“Arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe. Good to be back and see the local drum players welcoming us at the hotel,” Harbhajan tweeted.

He did not play the three ODIs in Dhaka because the selectors felt “chopping and changing the combination” was unnecessary.

Second-ranked India (115 points) are 71 points ahead of 11th-ranked Zimbabwe and are overwhelming favourites to win the series 3-0. Failing to do so will drop India down the list.

A 3-0 win for India will help them maintain their second ranked position with 115 points.

A 2-1 win for India will see them drop two points but maintain their second spot, and a 1-2 loss will mean India surrender four points and go down to fourth.

A 3-0 win for Zimbabwe will take them to 52 points to overtake Ireland in 10th spot, with India sliding to fifth spot with 109.

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Fixtures

Friday Leganes v Alaves, 10.15pm; Valencia v Las Palmas, 12.15am

Saturday Celta Vigo v Real Sociedad, 8.15pm; Girona v Atletico Madrid, 10.15pm; Sevilla v Espanyol, 12.15am

Sunday Athletic Bilbao v Getafe, 8.15am; Barcelona v Real Betis, 10.15pm; Deportivo v Real Madrid, 12.15am

Monday Levante v Villarreal, 10.15pm; Malaga v Eibar, midnight

Manchester United's summer dealings

In

Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million

Romelu Lukaku (Everton)  £75 million

Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)  £40 million

 

Out

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released

Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer

Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million

 

 

Australia squads

ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.

T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.

UAE v Zimbabwe A, 50 over series

Fixtures
Thursday, Nov 9 - 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 11 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai
Monday, Nov 13 – 2pm, Dubai International Stadium
Thursday, Nov 16 – 2pm, ICC Academy, Dubai
Saturday, Nov 18 – 9.30am, ICC Academy, Dubai

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)