Cricket

Jos Buttler, England's white-ball captain, has been ruled out of the Hundred tournament due to a calf injury. The injury occurred during preparations for the competition, and an initial scan proved inconclusive. However, a subsequent assessment confirmed the severity of the injury, forcing Buttler to withdraw from the tournament.Buttler's absence is a significant blow to Manchester Originals, who have lost their first three matches in his absence. Phil Salt, Buttler's opening partner, has captained the team in his stead but has struggled for runs, scoring only 23 in three innings. The Originals' batting lineup has looked vulnerable without Buttler's presence.Buttler's injury history includes several calf injuries, including a strain two years ago that ruled him out of England's T20I series in Pakistan. The injury also threatened his participation in the 2022 T20 World Cup.Despite the setback, Buttler is expected to be fit in time for England's first T20I against Australia on September 11. Managing director Rob Key has confirmed that Buttler will continue as England's white-ball captain, with Marcus Trescothick serving as interim coach during the series.The Originals are yet to announce a replacement for Buttler, but they had initially lined up Keaton Jennings as a potential candidate. However, the move stalled due to confusion over Buttler's status, and Jennings has since signed for London Spirit.Buttler's injury is a reminder of the physical demands of modern cricket, particularly in the shorter formats. Calf injuries are common among fast bowlers and all-rounders, but they can also affect batsmen who rely on quick acceleration and agility.

Pakistan's Usama Mir Dismissed in Bizarre Hit Wicket Incident in The HundredIn an extraordinary turn of events, Pakistan's Usama Mir became the victim of an unusual hit wicket dismissal during a The Hundred Men's match between Manchester Originals and Southern Brave at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Thursday. The incident occurred on the final delivery of the Manchester innings, leaving fans and commentators alike in disbelief.As Chris Jordan bowled a yorker outside the off stump, Mir, who was deep inside his crease, attempted a shot but inadvertently struck the top of the stumps with his bat. The right-hander's unexpected dismissal was one of the most peculiar ways a batter can get out.Mir had managed to score 11 runs off seven balls, including two boundaries, before his bizarre exit. Manchester Originals posted a total of 116 for 6, which proved insufficient against the Southern Brave. The Brave chased down the target with ease, securing a comprehensive win by 7 wickets with 22 balls to spare.The Hundred's official handle on Twitter shared a visual of the incident, highlighting the unusual nature of the dismissal. The caption read: "You don’t see batters get out like this very often! Usama Mir hits his wicket on the final ball of Manchester Originals’ innings."The bizarre dismissal has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many expressing their surprise and amusement. It serves as a reminder that even in a sport as familiar as cricket, unexpected and extraordinary incidents can occur.

Manchester Originals emerged victorious in their clash against defending champions Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl, securing a six-wicket win. Laura Wolvaardt's unbeaten 78 proved pivotal in the Originals' triumph, guiding them to victory with just two balls to spare.Brave's innings got off to a promising start, with Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier establishing a 51-run partnership. However, the introduction of Sophie Ecclestone proved decisive, as the England spinner claimed both Wyatt and Charli Knott in quick succession.Wolvaardt and Eve Jones then took control of the chase, forging an 80-run stand for the second wicket. Wolvaardt's innings was a masterclass in timing and placement, as she struck 11 boundaries in her 52-ball knock. Jones provided valuable support, contributing 39 runs before falling to Georgia Adams.Ecclestone's brief cameo included a six, while Wolvaardt remained steadfast at the crease, ensuring the Originals' victory. The win marks the Originals' second of the tournament, while Brave remain winless after three matches.Wolvaardt, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her satisfaction with the chase, acknowledging the team's firepower and her own determination to take the game deep. She also praised Jones' contribution, highlighting her consistent performance throughout the tournament.

Welsh Fire emerged victorious over Manchester Originals in a thrilling encounter at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a seven-wicket triumph in the Hundred. Sophia Dunkley's masterful 69 from 47 deliveries proved pivotal in guiding her side to victory, despite a mid-innings wobble.Manchester Originals posted a modest total of 113 for 7, with captain Sophie Ecclestone's late cameo of 27 from 15 balls providing a glimmer of hope. However, Welsh Fire's bowling attack, led by Jess Jonassen's three wickets, kept the Originals in check.Dunkley's innings was a masterclass in adaptability. She initially struggled to time the ball, but as she settled into her rhythm, she began to find the boundaries with ease. Her calculated risks against Ecclestone in the final overs proved decisive, as she guided Welsh Fire to victory with four balls to spare.Ecclestone's innings had earlier given the Originals a fighting chance. Her lusty blows for six showcased her power-hitting prowess. However, the Originals' batting lineup failed to capitalize on the solid start provided by Laura Woolvardt and Beth Mooney, who had raced to a 58-run partnership.Dunkley's half-century continued a trend of England Women's players excelling in the Hundred. Her performance echoed the sentiments of head coach Jon Lewis, who had challenged his players to dominate the competition."It got a bit closer than we thought," admitted Dunkley after the match. "I didn't feel in the innings for the first half. But once you got the pace of the wicket, it was easier. At the end, I had to take some calculated risks, and luckily we got over the line."Welsh Fire's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. They overcame a mid-innings slump and executed their game plan with precision. As they look ahead to the rest of the Hundred, they will be confident in their ability to challenge for the title.

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.