As the clock struck midnight across time zones, people around the world welcomed the arrival of 2025 with dazzling fireworks and celebrations. From Auckland's Sky Tower in New Zealand to Australia's iconic Sydney Opera House, thousands of citizens gathered to witness the stunning displays. In India, over 140 crore people joined in the jubilations, bidding farewell to 2024 and welcoming the new year with fireworks. Visuals from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major cities captured the joy and excitement of the moment.
The city of Auckland, New Zealand kicked off the start of 2025 with a breathtaking display of fireworks at the iconic Sky Tower. Thousands of locals and tourists gathered at the Central Business District to witness the annual tradition. As celebrations continue around the world, Australia is up next with Sydney gearing up for its own renowned fireworks show at the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
The World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 is heating up as South Africa and India have secured their spots with thrilling wins over Pakistan and an impressive record respectively. On the other hand, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are now out of contention for the final spot, making the remaining matches even more crucial for other teams in the race.
The New Zealand National Cricket Team emerged victorious in their first T20I match against the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. Despite a strong start by Sri Lanka, New Zealand's strong batting and strategic bowling led them to secure a dominant win, with player Kane Williamson leading the team with a record-breaking performance. Fans eagerly await the next match in the series to see if New Zealand can continue their winning streak.
Dozens of Vanuatu workers who were working in New Zealand are now stranded in Fiji, unable to return home due to the closure of the country's airport. Local authorities have stated that the airport may not reopen until Saturday, leaving the workers stuck in limbo. One worker, Danson Kirk, recounts the fear and uncertainty he felt when he was unable to reach his wife, who was at a wharf preparing to come home, after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the country.
In a dominating performance, New Zealand defeated England by 423 runs in the third Test at Hamilton. This was a fitting farewell for veteran pacer Tim Southee, who claimed two wickets in his final Test to finish with 391 wickets. Despite this win, New Zealand lost the series 2-1 to England, who have now been eliminated from the World Test Championship finals race due to their poor performance. Mitchell Santner was named the Player of the Match for his all-round performance, while Jacob Bethell and Joe Root showed some fight for England.
New Zealand cricket captain Kane Williamson made his comeback with a bang as he slammed his 33rd Test century in the ongoing New Zealand vs England 3rd Test at Seddon Park, Hamilton. His knock of 156, along with help from his team, put up a daunting target of 658 runs against England in the fourth innings. Williamson also became the first New Zealand player to reach 5000 runs in Test cricket, placing him among top players like Ricky Ponting, Sachin Tendulkar, and Steve Smith.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson achieved a historic feat by becoming the first batter to score five consecutive Test centuries at a specific venue - Hamilton's Seddon Park - during the third Test against England. With this century, Williamson also surpassed 14 other batters who have scored four consecutive Test hundreds at specific grounds, including the legendary Don Bradman. Williamson also became the third-fastest batter to reach 33 Test centuries, behind Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar. His impressive batting average of 66.77 in New Zealand puts him in an elite league of batsmen with over 5000 Test runs in a specific country. Williamson's 156-run knock helped New Zealand post a massive total of 658 for England to chase on the third day of the Test.
In a crucial third test match against England, New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra proved his worth as a cricketer by adapting his usual elegant style to a more disciplined approach. His 44 off 90 balls, along with a 107-run partnership with Kane Williamson, helped stabilize the New Zealand innings at a crucial point. Despite a tendency to flatter to deceive in the series so far, Ravindra's innings proved that his contribution to the team is not determined solely by big scores.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson showed his dominance on the third day of the third Test against England, scoring his 33rd Test century and seventh in Hamilton. Despite the rain disruption and a brief stumble with his partner Rachin Ravindra, Williamson's unbeaten 123 runs took New Zealand's lead to a commanding 478 runs at tea. Meanwhile, England's captain Ben Stokes also left the field early with a hamstring injury adding to their woes in the match. This makes Williamson's achievement even more impressive as he continues to excel in his most productive venue, Seddon Park.