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500th Test: ICC congratulates BCCI, says India produced world-class players

September 21, 2016 16:56 IST

IMAGE: India’s former captains Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Dilip Vengsarkar with BCCI members in their flight to attend the 500th Test in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI.

ICC Chairman Shashank Manohar has congratulated the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the country's 500th Test, which will be played against New Zealand in Kanpur from Thursday.

"This is a huge milestone in the history of Indian cricket. India has been a very important member of the ICC with its rich heritage and great following for the game," Manohar said.

"India has produced world-class players who have entertained fans the world over. I congratulate the BCCI on this historic occasion and I'd like to thank the BCCI for their kind invitation to share in the celebration. The ICC wish its team all the best for this 500th Test and in the years to come," he added.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, who will present the BCCI with a silver plate to commemorate the occasion at the Green Park Stadium, said: "I've witnessed the passion that fans here have for the game and I always enjoy watching cricket here. I'm honoured to be invited to be a part of the 500th Test celebrations."

IMAGE: (Left to right) ICC chairman Shashank Manohar, ICC chief executive David Richardson and ICC president Zaheer Abbas during an ICC Board Meeting in April. Photograph: Francois Nel/Getty Images.

Meanwhile, on the field, India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will work towards regaining the number-one spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers in the three-match series.

Third-ranked Ashwin, who held the top spot for a fortnight at the end of 2015 and again for a week in July this year, starts the series just 19 points adrift of top-ranked Dale Steyn of South Africa and 11 points behind England's James Anderson.

Ashwin needs only seven wickets to reach 200 Test wickets and could become the second fastest to the milestone after Australia leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett if he achieves the feat in the series opener at Kanpur, which will be his 37th Test.

Ashwin has also been the top-ranked all-rounder since overtaking Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan in December last year.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja too has an opportunity to gain important points on home pitches to better his eighth position, while for New Zealand, left-arm pace bowler Neil Wagner will be leading a pack of pace bowlers ready to take the challenge of slower pitches in India.

Wagner will be looking to improve his ninth position, which has come in a fruitful year that has seen him take 27 wickets. Tenth-ranked Trent Boult too would be looking to go up the ranks, while Doug Bracewell will be the visiting side's third-highest ranked bowler in 26th position.