Cricket

Australia, the reigning champions of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, are poised to make history as they seek an unprecedented fourth consecutive title in South Africa. Led by the dynamic Alyssa Healy, the team has maintained its dominance in bilateral cricket, despite the absence of long-time skipper Meg Lanning, who retired last year.Healy has seamlessly taken over the reins, guiding Australia to impressive victories and solidifying their status as favorites to lift the trophy once again. The team's form has been impeccable, with a string of dominant performances that have showcased their depth and versatility.Australia's quest for a fourth consecutive title is a testament to their unwavering consistency and the exceptional talent within their squad. They boast a formidable batting lineup, led by Healy, Beth Mooney, and Tahlia McGrath, who have consistently delivered match-winning performances.The bowling attack is equally impressive, with the likes of Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, and Ashleigh Gardner providing a potent mix of pace, spin, and accuracy. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and outplay their opponents has been a key factor in their success.However, Australia will face stiff competition from other top teams, including England, India, and New Zealand. England, the 2017 champions, will be eager to reclaim the title, while India and New Zealand have emerged as formidable challengers in recent years.Despite the challenges, Australia remains the team to beat. Their experience, talent, and unwavering determination make them the favorites to extend their reign as world champions. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Healy and her team as they aim to etch their names in the history books once again.

Australia's dominance in women's T20 cricket has been unparalleled since their triumph in the 2018 T20 World Cup. They have since claimed three consecutive titles, establishing themselves as the undisputed champions. As they embark on their quest for a fourth straight crown in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE, questions linger about their invincibility.Despite their recent success, Australia has faced occasional setbacks. They lost a T20I series to England and suffered defeats against South Africa and West Indies on away tours. However, they have consistently bounced back, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.Captain Alyssa Healy acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains confident in her team's ability to overcome them. "We don't come here to defend the title, we come here to win it," she declared. "Our pool is quite tricky, but we're excited for the challenge."The UAE's unfamiliar conditions add an element of intrigue to the tournament. Healy emphasizes the importance of adaptability, both on and off the field. "The whole tournament is about adapting the quickest," she said. "We feel like we're well placed to do that."Healy's first T20 World Cup as full-time captain marks a significant milestone in her career. She took over the role after Meg Lanning's retirement last year. Despite initially feeling uncertain about her authority, Healy has embraced the opportunity to lead her team."I wouldn't say I still have full control," she joked. "But I've approached it like I do every day in life. You take each day as it comes."Healy is unfazed by the prospect of teams targeting Australia. "We're constantly being asked about that, and we're used to it now," she said. "We see it as a challenge and an opportunity to showcase a brand of cricket we like playing."Australia's campaign begins on October 6 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah. They will then face New Zealand and Pakistan before concluding their league engagements with a highly anticipated clash against India on October 13.

Australia, the reigning champions, enter the Women's T20 World Cup as heavy favorites, aiming for their seventh title. Despite the retirement of legendary captain Meg Lanning, the team remains formidable under new skipper Alyssa Healy. Healy, a veteran of all six previous Australian triumphs, acknowledges the challenge ahead but expresses confidence in her team's young talent, highlighting Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield as players to watch.Australia faces stiff competition from India and New Zealand in their group. India, buoyed by the success of the Women's Premier League, boasts a strong squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur. New Zealand, under the leadership of Sophie Devine, who will step down after the tournament, aims to improve upon their runner-up finishes in 2018 and 2023.South Africa, who lost to Australia in last year's final, are determined to go one step further this time. Captain Laura Wolvaardt believes the team's breakthrough performance in 2023 has instilled a belief that they can lift the trophy. England, with their experienced lineup led by Heather Knight, will be eager for revenge against South Africa.The tournament marks a significant milestone with equal prize money for the men's and women's editions, reflecting the ICC's commitment to promoting the women's game. Bangladesh and Scotland kick off the tournament in Sharjah, while the final will be held in Dubai on October 20.

Ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, India Women's opener Shafali Verma has expressed her admiration for Australia's Alyssa Healy, praising her batting performance during the powerplay. India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 4 at Dubai International Stadium. Prior to the tournament, India will play warm-up matches against the West Indies and South Africa."I would say Alyssa Healy, because whenever she is in good form, she makes the most of the powerplay and continues to build her innings afterward. She always looks to play the full 20 overs, so I would choose her," Shafali said in an interview with Star Sports.India reached their first-ever T20 World Cup final in 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a night filled with hope for clinching the elusive title. However, Harmanpreet's side was bowled out for 99 while chasing 185 against Australia.In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022, India once again came close to making history, reaching the semi-finals. However, Australia once more proved to be an obstacle in the final four.In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, India has had mixed results. They lost the T20I series against Australia and England earlier this year, but Harmanpreet's side rebounded with two consecutive series wins against Bangladesh.In July, India's T20I series against South Africa ended in a draw. In the Asia Cup 2024, India lost the final to Sri Lanka, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.India's squad for the T20 World Cup includes:* Harmanpreet Kaur (c)* Smriti Mandhana (vc)* Shafali Verma* Deepti Sharma* Jemimah Rodrigues* Richa Ghosh (wk)* Yastika Bhatia (wk)* Pooja Vastrakar* Arundhati Reddy* Renuka Singh* Dayalan Hemalatha* Asha Sobhana* Radha Yadav* Shreyanka Patil* Sajana SajeevanTravelling reserves:* Uma Chetry (wk)* Tanuja Kanwer* Saima ThakorNon-travelling reserves:* Raghvi Bist* Priya Mishra

Australia's women's cricket team has unveiled its 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which has been relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Bangladesh. The squad, led by Alyssa Healy, features a blend of experience and youth, with the aim of securing a fourth consecutive T20 title.Darcie Brown, who has recovered from a stress fracture of the foot, has earned a spot in the team, providing Australia with an additional pace option alongside Tayla Vlaeminck. Phoebe Litchfield, a rising star, will make her World Cup debut.The squad is largely unchanged from the one that toured Bangladesh earlier this year, with the notable absence of Jess Jonassen. Jonassen, a key member of Australia's team for over a decade, has been left out of the World Cup for the first time when available for selection.National selector Shawn Flegler expressed confidence in the squad's stability and balance, highlighting the leadership qualities of Healy and Tahlia McGrath. He also praised Litchfield's potential and the pace duo of Brown and Vlaeminck.Regarding Jonassen's omission, Flegler acknowledged her misfortune but emphasized that the door remains open for her to regain her place in the team during the upcoming season, which includes an Ashes series.The squad named for the World Cup will also participate in three T20Is against New Zealand next month, with the addition of allrounder Heather Graham, who will not travel to the UAE.

Australia's T20 World Cup captain, Alyssa Healy, has expressed concerns about hosting the tournament in Bangladesh due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. Healy believes it would be inappropriate to divert resources from relief efforts to a sporting event.The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce the tournament's host this week, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) considered the frontrunner. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are also potential options.Healy's comments reflect the concerns of several governments, including Australia, the UK, and India, which have issued travel warnings for Bangladesh. The country has been grappling with the aftermath of recent violence that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and the ousting of the government."I find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking resources away from a country that is really struggling," Healy said. "They're needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying."Healy emphasized that her concerns are based on humanitarian grounds rather than safety issues. Australia toured Bangladesh earlier this year and played six matches without incident. However, she believes that hosting a major sporting event at this time would be insensitive."I'd find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do," Healy said. "But I'll leave it to the ICC to work out."Allrounder Sophie Molineux confirmed that players have been kept informed about the situation and trust the ICC to make the right decision.Australia will name their World Cup squad next Monday, and Healy is confident they will be able to adapt to any host country. They gained valuable experience during their tour of Bangladesh earlier this year."I feel like we're so well balanced in the…players that we get to choose from, wherever the World Cup gets put, I think we're going to have the right squad to take it on," Healy said.The World Cup squad will also play three T20Is against New Zealand in September as preparation for the tournament.

In a crucial Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 encounter, Gujarat Giants skipper Beth Mooney opted to bat first after winning the toss against UP Warriorz. This decision aligns with the team's recent strategy of batting first, which has proven successful in previous matches.Giants, seeking redemption after a disappointing loss to Mumbai Indians, made a single change to their lineup, introducing left-arm spinner Mannat Kashyap in place of Sneh Rana. Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy, on the other hand, remained unfazed by the toss outcome, as it marked their final group stage match. They made two alterations to their team, bringing in Chamari Athapaththu for the unwell Tahlia McGrath and Anjali Sarvani for Gouher Sultana.Warriorz hold an unblemished record against Giants in the WPL, having triumphed in all previous encounters while chasing. Their last meeting in Bengaluru witnessed Grace Harris' blistering 60 off 33 deliveries, guiding Warriorz to a comfortable victory.A win in Delhi would propel Warriorz ahead of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the standings, while a loss for Giants would extinguish their playoff aspirations.

UP Warriorz Triumph Over Gujarat Giants in WPL EncounterIn a thrilling Women's Premier League (WPL) match in Bengaluru on Friday, UP Warriorz emerged victorious with a comfortable six-wicket victory over the Gujarat Giants. The Warriorz's chase was spearheaded by the brilliant Grace Harris, whose unbeaten 60 runs off just 33 balls proved pivotal on a sluggish surface.Harris's blistering innings, which included nine boundaries and two sixes, guided the Warriorz to their target of 143 runs in a mere 15.4 overs. Skipper Alyssa Healy also played a significant role, contributing a quickfire 33 runs off 21 balls to set the tone for the chase.The Giants' innings had a promising start, with Lara Wolvaardt's 28 runs helping them reach 41 in the Powerplay. However, they struggled to maintain momentum, managing to score just 142 runs for the loss of five wickets.Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone's impressive spell of 3/20 capitalized on the sluggish pitch conditions, restricting the Giants' scoring rate. Despite a brief comeback by the Giants, where they picked up quick wickets to reduce UP to 90 for 4, Harris and Deepti Sharma (17 not out) ensured victory with their aggressive batting display.Earlier, Phoebe Litchfield (35 runs off 26 balls) and Asheligh Gardner (30 runs off 17 balls) provided some resistance for the Giants with a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket. However, their efforts were not enough to propel their team to a competitive total, as the Warriors comfortably chased down the target with Harris leading the charge.