Cricket

New Zealand's triumph in the Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last month was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. Despite being considered underdogs, the White Ferns defied expectations and emerged victorious.Craig McMillan, the team's assistant coach, had unwavering faith in his players. "We have worked hard over a period of time, and we know the improvements they've made over the last 12 months," he said. "Sometimes the stars align, but you still have to be good to make the most of those stars aligning."Amelia Kerr was the shining star for New Zealand. The leg-spinning all-rounder, who holds the record for the youngest cricketer to score a double hundred in ODIs, was named player of the final and the tournament. She was the competition's leading wicket-taker and scored a crucial 43 off 38 balls in the final."She bowled beautifully," said McMillan. "In the final, she stepped up when we needed her."Kerr's all-round performance was complemented by contributions from the entire team. "It has always been a strength of New Zealand sides, whether men's or women's — everyone chips in," said McMillan. "Rosemary Mair did a great job with the ball, Lea Tahuhu, who has been around a long time, picked up key wickets."New Zealand's fielding was also exceptional throughout the tournament. "That is so important in the T20 game," said McMillan. "We had only one bad game against the West Indies, but apart from that, against India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and then in the final against South Africa, we took our catches, and that was crucial."The win against India in New Zealand's opening match was particularly significant. "It was a very strong group, as Australia was also there," said McMillan. "And we knew that we probably had to win one of those first two games to actually be able to go through to the next stage. So we really targeted those games. Against India it was almost probably our best performance. It got us off to a great start. And momentum is really important in the World Cup."McMillan believes the team's success was also due to the presence of several all-rounders. "Some of them, like skipper Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates are, in fact, double internationals, in hockey and basketball respectively," he said.McMillan emphasizes the importance of playing multiple sports, especially for young athletes. "I think it's really important that not only females, but males too, play as many sports as they can," he said. "I myself played a lot of football up until 18 and then I had to make a decision. I was a tough centre-back. I used to cut strikers down. But I just think you get multi-skilled players when they play other sports. That helps them when they come and have to make a decision at some stage."McMillan is optimistic about the future of women's cricket. "It will get stronger and stronger," he said. "I think even in the last two or three years, you have seen the development, with the WPL and all that. Those franchises play a big part in terms of the development of the players. But we are just seeing some really talented females who are given the opportunity to show how good they are around the world. It is important that it not only grows in Australia, England and India, but in all the countries."

Sydney Sixers' Amelia Kerr and Ellyse Perry orchestrated a remarkable six-run victory over Melbourne Stars in a thrilling WBBL encounter at Junction Oval.Kerr, making her Sixers debut after recovering from a quad injury, played a pivotal role in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 46 from 41 deliveries. Her innings included five boundaries, providing crucial momentum for the Sixers. Perry, the Australian captain, remained unbeaten on 48 from 44 balls, hitting six boundaries to guide her team to victory.The Sixers' chase began with a setback as Kim Garth dismissed Sarah Bryce in the second over. However, Kerr's arrival at the crease sparked a resurgence. She formed a formidable partnership with Perry, taking the game away from the Stars.Kerr's all-round brilliance extended to the bowling department, where she claimed two wickets. She dismissed Stars' top-scorer Annabel Sutherland in the final over and also accounted for Tess Flintoff two balls later.English spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the standout performer for the Sixers with the ball, claiming 3 for 19 from four overs. Her economical spell played a significant role in restricting the Stars' total.The result leaves both Melbourne teams with losses heading into their Saturday derby at Junction Oval, while the Sixers improve to a 3-2 record.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the nominees for its Player of the Month awards for October, honoring exceptional performances in both men's and women's cricket.Men's Nominees:* Noman Ali (Pakistan): The Pakistani pacer impressed in the Test series against England, claiming 20 wickets at an average of 13.85 in two matches. His performance played a pivotal role in Pakistan's 2-1 series victory.* Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): Santner's impactful bowling in the second Test against India in Pune earned him a nomination. His figures of 7 for 53 in the first innings and 6 for 104 in the second innings were instrumental in New Zealand's historic series win.* Kagiso Rabada (South Africa): Rabada's outstanding bowling performance in South Africa's Test series victory against Bangladesh secured his nomination. He reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets and played a crucial role in South Africa's victory in the first Test with figures of 9 for 72.Women's Nominees:* Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Kerr played a key role in New Zealand's victory at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. She set a new record for wickets taken in the tournament, claiming 15 wickets and scoring 135 runs, earning her the Player of the Tournament award.* Deandra Dottin (West Indies): Dottin's impactful return to the West Indies team during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup earned her a nomination. Her all-round performance helped the team reach the semi-finals, with notable contributions against Scotland, Bangladesh, and England.* Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): Wolvaardt's consistent performance as captain of the South African women's team during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup earned her a nomination. She finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer with 223 runs at an average of 44.60, leading South Africa to the final.The ICC Player of the Month awards recognize outstanding individual performances in international cricket. The winners will be announced in due course.

New Zealand's all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against India due to a left quadricep muscle tear. The injury, sustained during the opening game, is expected to sideline her for approximately three weeks.Kerr's absence is a significant blow to New Zealand's hopes of climbing the Women's ODI Championship table. Currently ranked sixth, the White Ferns need a top-six finish to secure direct qualification for the 2026 ODI World Cup.The 22-year-old was a key figure in New Zealand's recent T20 World Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps. She continued her impressive form in the opening ODI against India, taking 4 for 42 and scoring an unbeaten 25.Kerr's injury also casts doubt on her participation in the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for the Sydney Sixers. As a platinum-category pick, she was expected to play a pivotal role for the Sixers. However, she could miss up to eight of their 10 league games even if she recovers within the estimated three-week timeframe.New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed disappointment over Kerr's injury. "We're really gutted for Melie," he said. "Injuries are always a challenging time for a player, and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games.""Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is, so we'll certainly miss her. But we're wishing her a speedy recovery."The remaining two ODIs between New Zealand and India will be played on October 27 and 29 in Ahmedabad. The White Ferns will face a tough challenge against the world champions without their star all-rounder.

New Zealand's White Ferns etched their name in cricket history on Sunday, October 20, 2024, by capturing their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title with a clinical 32-run victory over South Africa in Dubai.The triumph marked a remarkable turnaround for the White Ferns, who had endured a 10-match losing streak heading into the tournament. However, they emerged as the most dominant bowling unit, showcasing their resilience and determination.In the high-stakes final, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first. Amelia Kerr (43 off 38) and Brooke Halliday (38 off 28) played pivotal roles in guiding the team to a competitive total of 158 for five.South Africa's chase began promisingly, with Laura Wolvaardt (33 off 27) and Tazmin Brits (26 off 25) putting on a 47-run opening partnership. However, the introduction of Kerr's leg-spin proved to be a game-changer.Kerr's guile and accuracy stifled the South African batters, and she claimed the crucial wicket of Wolvaardt in the 10th over. The Proteas' middle order failed to respond to the pressure, and they were eventually restricted to 126 for nine in their allotted 20 overs.Kerr finished with impressive figures of three for 24, while fellow spinner Eden Carson chipped in with two for 23.New Zealand's victory was a testament to their collective strength and unwavering belief. They had overcome adversity throughout the tournament, and their triumph was a fitting reward for their hard work and dedication.

New Zealand vs Pakistan: Kiwis Eye Semis Berth with Pakistan's Fate Hanging in BalanceDubai, 6pm local timeNew Zealand and Pakistan will clash in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup encounter in Dubai, with the Kiwis needing a victory to secure their place in the semi-finals.New Zealand's ResurgenceAfter a disappointing loss to Australia, New Zealand bounced back with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka. Georgia Plimmer's return to form and Amelia Kerr's all-round brilliance have boosted their confidence. The Kiwis have a versatile bowling attack with six options, including Fran Jonas and Jess Kerr.Pakistan's ChallengesPakistan, on the other hand, have had a mixed tournament. They began with a win over Sri Lanka but suffered defeats to India and Australia. The return of captain Fatima Sana is a boost, but they will miss strike bowler Diana Baig due to injury. Najiha Alvi may make way for Sana in the lineup.Key Players to WatchRosemary Mair has been a standout performer for New Zealand, taking six wickets in three games. Her ability to bowl both new ball and first change makes her a valuable asset. For Pakistan, Sana is crucial to their hopes. She has a high strike rate with the bat and has also taken four wickets.Tournament ImplicationsThanks to Australia's win over India, New Zealand only need to beat Pakistan to qualify for the semis. Pakistan's chances are slim, but a win could keep their hopes alive.ConclusionNew Zealand are the favorites heading into this match, but Pakistan will be determined to upset the odds. The outcome of this clash will have significant implications for both teams' tournament aspirations.

India's Shocking Defeat in Women's T20 World Cup Opener Marred by Controversial Run-Out CallIndia's hopes of a successful Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign suffered a major setback as they succumbed to a disappointing 58-run defeat against New Zealand in their opening match in Dubai. The Blackcaps, led by skipper Sophie Devine's unbeaten 57, posted a challenging total of 160/4. However, India's batting lineup faltered, with Rosemary Mair's four-wicket haul contributing to their eventual dismissal for just 102.The match was marred by a controversial incident in the 14th over. Kiwi batter Amelia Kerr was initially declared not out on a run-out appeal, despite being run out before completing the double. The umpires ruled that the ball was dead, leading to an animated reaction from India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.Former India head coach Sanjay Bangar defended Harmanpreet's reaction, stating that she was justified in standing up for her team on a debatable issue. Indian leg-spinner Poonam Yadav also backed Harmanpreet, calling her a supportive captain whose scolding never affects the dressing room environment.Despite the loss, India will look to bounce back against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai. The match will be telecasted live on Star Sports from 3:00 PM onwards.

India's middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues has urged her team to move on from their disappointing defeat against New Zealand and focus on the upcoming crucial matches in the Women's T20 World Cup. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side suffered a heavy 58-run loss to the Kiwis on Friday, leaving them in a precarious position in Group A.Rodrigues addressed the controversial run-out episode involving Amelia Kerr, stating that the team felt aggrieved but respected the umpire's decision. She explained that Kerr's departure from the crease indicated that the over had not been called dead, but the umpire's ruling ultimately prevailed.Despite the setback, Rodrigues praised the team's maturity in handling the situation. She emphasized the importance of Amelia Kerr's wicket and acknowledged that the team had to accept the decision and move forward.Rodrigues urged her teammates to avoid panic and instead focus on the process that has brought them success in the past. She stressed the need to take one game at a time and play to their strengths.The 24-year-old from Mumbai admitted that New Zealand came out with a strong intent, but India failed to respond adequately. She highlighted the need for a better approach in future matches, recognizing that the tournament is far from over.Rodrigues also discussed her role at number four in the batting order, stating that it did not present any significant challenges. However, she expressed regret for not staying at the crease long enough to build a partnership.