Cricket

Sydney Thunder's Georgia Voll emerged as the hero in a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at the MCG, propelling her team back to the summit of the WBBL standings.Despite dropping five catches, Thunder's bowlers managed to restrict Scorchers to 170 for 5, with Beth Mooney leading the charge with a blistering 97 from 64 deliveries. However, Voll stole the show with an unbeaten 97 from 56 balls, guiding Thunder to victory with just one over remaining.Voll's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, featuring 13 fours and a six. It surpassed her previous best of 92 against Adelaide Strikers earlier this month. The 21-year-old attributed her success to taking inspiration from Hobart Hurricanes opener Lizelle Lee's recent record-breaking performances."I watched Lizelle Lee bat the other day and noticed that I've been trying to go a little bit hard too early," Voll said. "I sort of just took my time a little bit more and took the strike off Atha [Chamari Athapaththu] at the start there as well. It was just sort of lucky to come off."Voll's 64-run partnership with Heather Knight proved crucial for Thunder. Knight's dismissal by Amy Edgar gave Scorchers hope, but Voll remained unyielding, finding support from Anika Learoyd to guide her team home.Mooney's innings was equally impressive, despite the dropped catches. She was put down three times before reaching 20 and again after scoring a half-century. Sophie Devine also contributed with 44 runs, but her dismissal by Taneale Peschel and Mooney's lbw dismissal to Shabnim Ismail in the final over proved costly for Scorchers.Peschel finished with figures of 3-28, while Ismail claimed 1-32.

Perth Scorchers emerged victorious in their WBBL clash against Brisbane Heat at the WACA, securing a 28-run win. Beth Mooney's crucial half-century and Alana King's exceptional five-wicket haul proved instrumental in the Scorchers' triumph.Mooney's innings was a tale of two halves. Initially struggling against Shikha Pandey's pace, she gradually found her rhythm and played a pivotal role in rescuing her team from a precarious position. Her 77 runs off 54 deliveries, including nine boundaries, propelled the Scorchers to a competitive total of 142 for 8.Brisbane Heat's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost both openers within the powerplay. Grace Harris's aggressive start was short-lived, and the Heat found themselves struggling at 38 for 3. Laura Harris's valiant 40 off 21 balls briefly threatened to turn the tide, but King's devastating spell in the final overs extinguished any hopes of a Heat victory.King's five-wicket haul, her best in the WBBL, was a testament to her exceptional skill and accuracy. She claimed the last four wickets in quick succession, including the crucial dismissal of Laura Harris, to seal the win for the Scorchers.The Scorchers' victory improved their record to 2-1, while the Heat dropped to 2-2. Mooney's late-innings heroics and King's match-winning performance were the key factors in the Scorchers' success.

As the 2024 T20 Women's World Cup approaches, the spotlight shines on six exceptional players who embody the hopes and aspirations of their respective teams. These athletes possess a unique blend of skill, experience, and determination that could propel their nations to glory.Beth Mooney (Australia):The seasoned Australian opener, ranked number one in the ICC T20 batter rankings, is a cornerstone of the six-time champions' batting lineup. Her ability to anchor the innings and provide a solid foundation has been instrumental in Australia's past World Cup triumphs. Mooney's recent form, including a blistering 50 off 30 balls in a warm-up match against England, suggests she is primed to continue her dominance.Sophie Ecclestone (England):The 25-year-old left-arm spinner from Cheshire is the world's top-ranked bowler in both T20 and ODI cricket. Her accuracy, economy, and guile make her a formidable weapon for England captain Heather Knight. Ecclestone's ability to control the flow of runs and create wicket-taking opportunities will be crucial for England's title aspirations.Deepti Sharma (India):Known for her all-round prowess, Deepti Sharma is ranked second among T20 bowlers and third among all-rounders worldwide. Her left-handed batting and right-arm off-spin bowling provide India with a versatile option. Sharma believes that a World Cup victory could transform women's cricket in India, inspiring a new generation of players.Sune Luus (South Africa):The South African captain, who has transitioned from leg-spin to off-spin bowling, is a key batter and bowler for her team. Despite a recent dip in form, Luus has bounced back with impressive performances in a Test match against India and a T20I series against Pakistan. Her confidence and leadership will be vital for South Africa's chances of making a deep run in the tournament.Vishmi Gunaratne (Sri Lanka):At just 19 years old, Vishmi Gunaratne is a rising star in the Sri Lankan team. The young opener has shown glimpses of her potential, including an ODI century against Ireland. With the World Cup approaching, Gunaratne is eager to showcase her full range of abilities and help Sri Lanka make a mark on the global stage.Hayley Matthews (West Indies):The West Indies captain, who burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old in the 2016 T20 World Cup, is a versatile all-rounder. Matthews averages 25 with the bat and has taken 99 wickets with her off-spin. Her experience and leadership will be invaluable for the West Indies as they aim to upset the established powers and make a statement in the tournament.

Manchester Originals' Beth Mooney's scintillating 99* propelled her team to a 17-run victory over Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Mooney's masterful innings, the highest individual score in the tournament this year, laid the foundation for Originals' 151 for 3.The Australian left-hander showcased her exceptional batting prowess, effortlessly finding gaps and displaying the form that has earned her the top spot in Women's T20I cricket. Despite falling agonizingly short of a century when Sophie Ecclestone was run out on the final ball, Mooney's contribution proved pivotal.Northern Superchargers' chase got off to a promising start with Phoebe Litchfield's impressive 45 from 29. However, her dismissal by Kim Garth's slower ball triggered a collapse, with the team running out of steam in pursuit of the target.Kathryn Bryce emerged as the star of the bowling attack, claiming a hat-trick and finishing with remarkable figures of 5-13. Her exceptional performance gave Originals a personal landmark to celebrate, despite their hopes of tournament progression fading.The victory prevented Superchargers from climbing to the top of the table, leaving the women's competition standings congested heading into the final week.

Beth Mooney, Australia's star opening batter, believes that women's cricket must continue to push for equal pay in global competitions. As she prepares to return to the Hundred after a year's absence, Mooney acknowledges the progress made in the tournament but emphasizes the need for further advancements.Mooney, 30, was Manchester Originals' top pick in this year's draft, earning a top-tier £50,000 deal. While this represents a significant increase from previous years, it still falls short of the men's top-tier salary of £125,000.Despite the disparity in pay, Mooney praises the Hundred for its efforts in providing equal opportunities for men and women. She highlights the shared facilities and double-header match-days as positive steps towards gender equality in cricket.However, Mooney believes that there is still work to be done. She points to the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket's (ICEC) recommendation that English cricket should offer equal salaries for the Hundred by 2025. While the ECB has pushed back on this commitment, Mooney argues that it is essential to keep pushing the boundaries."We've got to keep asking the right questions of the ICC, and of each of the different boards of the countries, and make sure that we're still striving to get, first and foremost, more girls in the game, but making sure there's equal opportunities across the board for each country and the females as well," Mooney said.Mooney also discusses the growing competitiveness of women's cricket globally. She believes that the gap between teams is narrowing, as evidenced by England's recent success in the Women's Ashes. However, she does not anticipate the same level of secrecy and reluctance to face teammates in the nets as seen in the men's game."We play so much franchise cricket now, and a lot of us are really good mates. And there really aren't any secrets in the global cricket game anymore, because there's so much vision on everyone," Mooney said.As she returns to the Hundred, Mooney is aware of the high expectations surrounding her. She is determined to score runs and help Manchester Originals win games, but she also recognizes the fickle nature of cricket."I certainly don't look at it as anything more or less than that. Like any tournament I play in, whether it's for Australia or back home in the Big Bash, I've got a job to do, and that's that doesn't change, no matter what colour shirt I put on," Mooney said.

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.

WPL GG vs RCB Live: Giants Seek Redemption in Delhi, RCB Eyes Home AdvantageThe Women's Premier League (WPL) moves to Delhi for its second leg, with Gujarat Giants (GG) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set to clash in Match 13 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Gujarat Giants, led by Australian captain Beth Mooney, have endured a disappointing start to the tournament, losing all four of their matches in Bengaluru. Mooney has acknowledged the team's batting struggles, which have left them as the only side yet to register a win.RCB, on the other hand, ended the Bengaluru leg on a positive note with a victory over UP Warriorz. Skipper Smriti Mandhana is eager to see how the Delhi crowd embraces the WPL, having played in front of a packed stadium in Bengaluru.Mandhana has been in impressive form, scoring 164 runs in five games at a strike rate of 120.58. She has also praised her opening partner Sabbhineni Meghana, who has contributed 164 runs so far.The Giants face an uphill battle, needing to win all their remaining games to salvage their campaign. They will be hoping to turn their fortunes around in Delhi, where they will have the opportunity to play on a different surface.RCB, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their momentum and secure a top-four finish. They will be buoyed by the home advantage, having a large fan base in Delhi.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two teams with contrasting fortunes. Gujarat Giants will be desperate to break their losing streak, while RCB will be aiming to continue their winning ways.