Cricket

Mahika Gaur, England's promising left-arm seamer, has withdrawn from the upcoming Women's Hundred tournament to prioritize her recovery from a side strain. The 18-year-old, who impressed in her debut season with Manchester Originals last year, will utilize the competition's month-long window to continue her rehabilitation under the guidance of the ECB and Thunder medical teams.Gaur's absence from the Hundred could potentially affect her chances of securing a spot in England's squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. The tournament is expected to serve as a crucial preparation platform for the team, given the lack of bilateral cricket scheduled before their departure in October.Gaur, who previously represented the UAE from the age of 12, made a notable impact in her first appearances for England against Sri Lanka last summer. Her impressive performance included a three-wicket haul for 26 runs on her ODI debut at Chester-le-Street in September.Despite her early promise, Gaur was unavailable for England's white-ball series against Pakistan due to her A-level commitments. She was subsequently ruled out of the T20I squad to face New Zealand this month after sustaining her injury.Gaur's withdrawal from the Hundred highlights the importance of managing player workload and ensuring their long-term fitness. The ECB and Thunder medical teams will closely monitor her progress and provide the necessary support to facilitate her recovery.

Lancashire Thunder kicked off their Charlotte Edwards Cup campaign with a resounding eight-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds at Emirates Old Trafford.Mahika Gaur, Fi Morris, and Kate Cross's exceptional bowling restricted Diamonds to a meager 109 for 5 in their 20 overs. Emma Marlow's valiant 47* was the only notable contribution for the visitors.Thunder's chase was equally impressive, reaching the target in just 15 overs. Emma Lamb led the charge with an unbeaten 44, while Seren Smale contributed 30*.Diamonds' innings began disastrously as Leah Dobson and Lauren Winfield-Hill departed cheaply. Hollie Armitage's dismissal left them reeling at 19 for 3. Sterre Kalis and Marlow provided some resistance, but their partnership was broken when Kalis was caught for 16.Marlow found an ally in Katherine Fraser, and the pair added 42 runs to give Diamonds a semblance of respectability. However, the target of 110 was always within Thunder's reach.Lamb and Georgia Voll got Thunder off to a flying start, reaching 56 for 1 in the powerplay. Voll's unfortunate run out slowed the momentum, but Smale's energy kept the chase on track.Thunder secured the victory with 31 balls to spare, earning a bonus point in the process.