IANS/Dubai


Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has hinted at considering a return to international cricket, saying the 0-3 Test series rout of the Proteas in India had triggered thoughts of a comeback to the national side.
Smith, retired from international cricket at the beginning of last year, but conceded that he could use the Master Champions League (MCL) cricket tournament in the United Arab Emirates next year for his comeback.
“Who knows the MCL could be a platform back into the international game? I get asked this question a lot. It does spend time in your head, especially when you see the boys struggling in India you think you can contribute, but we’ll see. I’ll go back train, prepare and get ready for the MCL,” Smith was quoted as saying by The National newspaper.
“For me, I’m at the cusp of whether I should play international cricket again or not. I’m 34 now, I retired at 33, there’s always that question mark of whether I can play for another 3-4 years. I know I can. But, it’s just about ... I’m at the cusp. I’m looking forward to the MCL and take it from there,” the 34-year-old said. Smith has been designated Legend player for the Virgo Super Kings franchise in MCL.

Ashwin top all-rounder, Rahane rise in rankings
India’s middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane jumped 14 places to a career-high 12th spot while off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin moved to the top spot in the all-rounders list in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings.
Ashwin maintained his second position in the bowlers rankings, behind South African pacer Dale Steyn. He dislodged Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan from the summit of the all-rounders list after picking up 31 wickets in the four-Test series against South Africa, which India won 3-0. Ashwin was named the Man of the Series for his efforts.
India’s left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja moved up four spots to claim the seventh spot. He and Ashwin are the only two Indians in the top ten bowlers list. Fast bowler Umesh Yadav also vaulted 13 places to achieve a career-best 32nd position after claiming figures of two for 32 and three for nine in the New Delhi Test. Rahane was the biggest mover in the batting rankings after scoring two centuries in India’s 337 runs victory over South Africa in the fourth Test at New Delhi.
The 27-year-old entered the Test in the 26th spot, but after scoring 127 and 100 not out, he has stormed up 14 places to claim a career-high 12th position. The list is jointly headed by Australian Steven Smith and England’s Joe Root.
His exploits helped Rahane leapfrog Virat Kohli (up by two places to 14th), Murali Vijay (down by four places to 16th) and Cheteshwar Pujara (down by two places to 17th). India have four batsmen inside the top 20.
Ashwin’s crucial knock of 56 in the first innings of the New Delhi Test helped him move up five places to 46th in the batting rankings. As a result of the win against South Africa, India jumped to the second spot in the Test rankings just behind South Africa.

Indian board announces
Rs 2 crore for Indian team
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a cash award of Rs2 crore for the Indian team for beating South Africa 3-0 in the just-concluded Test series. India defeated the Proteas by 337 runs in the fourth and final Test to win the series 3-0 at the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi on Monday.  
“BCCI announces an award of Rs.2 crore to the Indian Cricket Team for their 3-0 series win against South Africa,” BCCI tweeted on Monday.