Cricket

Melbourne Stars Triumph Over Hobart Hurricanes with Bhatia's Stellar KnockIn a thrilling Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) encounter at Junction Oval, the Melbourne Stars emerged victorious over the Hobart Hurricanes by a comfortable seven-wicket margin. Indian opener Yastika Bhatia played a pivotal role in the Stars' success, anchoring their chase with a classy half-century.Batting first, the Hurricanes posted a competitive total of 133 for 7. Nicola Carey and Chloe Tryon provided the backbone of their innings, contributing 44 and 35 runs respectively. However, the Stars' bowling attack, led by Marizanne Kapp and Kim Garth, kept the Hurricanes in check.In response, the Stars chased down the target with ease, reaching 136 for 3 with 13 balls to spare. Bhatia led the charge with a superb 57 off 46 deliveries, including seven boundaries and a six. Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland also made significant contributions with the bat.Bhatia expressed her gratitude to Lanning for her guidance during the power surge, which helped her navigate the Hurricanes' bowling attack. She also acknowledged the presence of her family, making the victory even more special.Heather Graham provided some resistance for the Hurricanes, dismissing both Stars openers. Carey also claimed the crucial wicket of Lanning. However, the Stars' batting depth proved too strong, with Bhatia, Lanning, and Sutherland guiding them to a comfortable victory.Indian offspinner Deepti Sharma made her Stars debut in this match, taking 1 for 27 from four overs. Her economical spell further bolstered the Stars' bowling attack.

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.

Sri Lanka's rising star Harshitha Samarawickrama has been signed by Trinbago Knight Riders as a replacement for injured Australian captain Meg Lanning in the upcoming Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) 2024.Samarawickrama, a left-handed top-order batter, has been in impressive form for Sri Lanka, earning the Player of the Final award in their maiden Women's Asia Cup title win in 2024. She has also scored back-to-back fifties in the T20I series against Ireland and became the third Sri Lankan woman to hit an ODI century.With 1463 runs in 65 T20Is at a strike rate of 99.72, Samarawickrama is a valuable addition to the Knight Riders squad. She joins Shikha Pandey, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Jess Jonassen as the other overseas players for the team.Lanning, who recently led London Spirit to victory in the Hundred, was forced to withdraw from the WCPL due to an injury. She had a lean run of scores in the Hundred, with 170 runs in ten innings at a strike rate of 125.The Knight Riders will begin their WCPL 2024 campaign against Barbados Royals in Tarouba on Thursday. With Samarawickrama's inclusion, they will be hoping to make a strong start to the tournament and challenge for the title.

London Spirit emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Birmingham Phoenix at Lord's, securing a 20-run victory. Meg Lanning, the Australian captain, played a pivotal role for Spirit, scoring her maiden half-century in the Hundred.The match witnessed a crowd of 16,641, marking the fifth-highest attendance in the history of the women's Hundred. The contest was fiercely competitive, with both teams showcasing their strengths.Phoenix, despite their previous struggles, threatened to pull off an upset. Ellyse Perry, the Australian all-rounder, played a valiant innings of 65, while Sophie Devine, the New Zealand captain, contributed 37 runs.However, Spirit's bowling attack proved too strong, with Sarah Glenn claiming three crucial wickets in the final overs. Glenn's performance sealed the victory for Heather Knight's side, who now boast a perfect 2-0 record in the tournament.Lanning, reflecting on the match, acknowledged the challenges faced by her team. "The wicket was conducive to taking the pace off the ball, making it difficult for us," she said. "But we adjusted our strategy and bowled straight at the stumps, which ultimately paid off."Earlier, Spirit had set a competitive total of 147 for 9. Lanning led the charge with a well-crafted 53, while Georgia Redmayne and Cordelia Griffith also made significant contributions.Phoenix's chase began promisingly, with Perry and Devine forming a formidable partnership. However, the required run rate proved too demanding, and Spirit's bowlers maintained their composure to secure the victory.

Trinbago Knight Riders Bolster Squad with Jemimah Rodrigues and Shikha Pandey for 2024 WCPLTrinbago Knight Riders (TKR) have made significant additions to their squad ahead of the 2024 Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) season. Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues and fast bowler Shikha Pandey have joined the franchise, bringing a wealth of international experience and talent to the team.Rodrigues, a rising star in the Indian women's cricket team, is known for her aggressive batting style and ability to score runs quickly. She has represented India in over 100 international matches and has been a key player in their recent successes.Pandey, on the other hand, is a seasoned fast bowler with over 150 international appearances. Her accuracy and ability to swing the ball both ways make her a formidable opponent. She has been a consistent performer for India and has played a crucial role in their victories.TKR have also retained five players from their 2023 squad: Deandra Dottin, Shamila Connell, Kycia Knight, Zaida James, and Samara Ramnath. These players provide a solid foundation for the team, with Dottin being a powerful all-rounder, Connell a reliable fast bowler, and Knight a skilled wicketkeeper-batter.In addition to Rodrigues and Pandey, TKR have also secured the services of Australian batter Meg Lanning and left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen. Lanning, a former Australian captain and one of the greatest batters in the world, will bring her wealth of experience and leadership to the team. Jonassen, a highly skilled spinner, will add depth to TKR's bowling attack.With these additions, TKR have assembled a formidable squad that will be aiming to challenge for the WCPL title in 2024. The tournament will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29, with all seven matches played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Melbourne Stars have secured a major coup ahead of the upcoming WBBL season, signing South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp on a three-year deal. Kapp, who was the No. 1 draft pick for Sydney Thunder last season, has been acquired under the new rule allowing clubs to sign one multi-year pre-draft player.Kapp's decision to join the Stars was heavily influenced by the opportunity to work with coach Jonathan Batty and former Australia captain Meg Lanning, with whom she shared a successful stint at Delhi Capitals in the WPL. "I've been working with JB [Jonathan Batty] for a couple of years and then obviously working with Meg was a big factor for me moving, I like the way they work," Kapp explained.Kapp's impressive resume includes stints with Sydney Sixers, where she won back-to-back titles, and Perth Scorchers, where she was named Player of the Final in the 2021-22 season. Melbourne Stars general manager Blair Crouch hailed Kapp's signing as a significant boost to the team's title aspirations. "Marizanne is one of the best all-rounders in the world with an outstanding record at both domestic and international level," Crouch said. "As well as her talents with both bat and ball, she will add invaluable experience to our young squad in our quest to be among the challengers for WBBL 10."Kapp played a pivotal role in South Africa's recent tour of Australia, delivering a standout performance in their historic first ODI victory over the home side with a brilliant 75 runs and 3 for 12 at North Sydney Oval.Kapp joins Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers) and Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat) as the third overseas player to be signed before the WBBL draft. The draft is scheduled for early September, with the WBBL season set to commence shortly after the T20 World Cup in late October.

Meg Lanning, Australia's legendary women's cricket captain, has revealed the harrowing toll that her relentless pursuit of excellence took on her mental and physical health, ultimately forcing her to retire at the age of 31.Lanning's decision to step away from the game shocked the cricket world, but her recent disclosure sheds light on the hidden struggles she endured. After winning the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal, Lanning took a six-month mental health break, working in a coffee shop to escape the pressures of international cricket.Her struggles stemmed from a combination of depression and an unhealthy obsession with exercise and nutrition. Lanning's weight plummeted to 57kg from 64kg as she over-exercised and under-fueled her body. The physical toll manifested in significant weight loss, loss of appetite, and difficulty concentrating.Lanning's mental health also deteriorated, leading to feelings of isolation and insecurity. She became increasingly withdrawn from friends and family, and her obsessive behavior extended to her training regimen. Lanning would run up to 90km a week, often without taking breaks or eating properly.The former skipper admitted that she felt out of control and uncertain about her future beyond cricket. This anxiety fueled her obsessive behavior, which she initially saw as a coping mechanism. However, it soon spiraled into a dangerous cycle that threatened her well-being.Lanning's on-field performance remained unaffected despite her struggles, but she realized that she was operating on autopilot. The rigors of international cricket and the constant pressure to perform had become too much for her to bear.Since retiring, Lanning has found a healthier balance in her life. She remains involved in cricket but has stepped away from the intense demands of international touring. Lanning's story serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports and the need for athletes to prioritize their well-being.

Delhi Capitals Opt to Bat First Against Royal Challengers Bangalore in WPL ClashIn the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL), Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning continued her trend of choosing to bat first when they faced Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Lanning expressed confidence in the pitch, describing it as "pretty good" while acknowledging that there was "a little bit for the bowlers if you get in the right area."Delhi Capitals made a single change to their lineup, bringing back Marizanne Kapp in place of Annabel Sutherland. Lanning emphasized their strategy of fielding their strongest team in every match while considering the workload of their bowlers throughout the tournament.On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana also preferred to bat first but stated that she "didn't mind chasing" after witnessing Mumbai Indians' successful chase of 191 against Gujarat Giants the previous night. RCB handed a debut to Maharashtra's left-arm pacer Shradda Pokharkar, who replaced the injured Kanika Ahuja. They also made two other changes among their Indian players, bringing in Shreyanka Patil and Disha Kasat while leaving out S Meghana, Simran Bahadur, and Ekta Bisht. Their overseas contingent of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, and Georgia Wareham remained unchanged.The pitch used for the match was the same as the one on Saturday, where a team chasing successfully broke a five-game streak of teams batting first winning in Delhi. A victory for Delhi Capitals would secure their place in the playoffs.

The Hundred draft, scheduled for March 20, promises an exciting pool of overseas players, including David Warner, Kane Williamson, Meg Lanning, and Smriti Mandhana. Warner, previously absent from the competition, is now available for £100,000, while Williamson, who missed the first season due to injury, can be acquired for £75,000.In the women's draft, Mandhana joins Ashleigh Gardner, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma as the top-priced players at £50,000. Lanning, who has also withdrawn in the past, is available for £40,000, alongside Beth Mooney and Annabel Sutherland. India's contingent includes Richa Ghosh, Renuka Singh, and Shikha Pandey.The men's draft features seven players in the £125,000 bracket, including Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis, and Daryl Mitchell. Kieron Pollard, Shamar Joseph, Sikandar Raza, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Naseem Shah are all priced at £100,000.Notable England players in the draft include Jason Roy, Dawid Malan, Ollie Pope, Amy Jones, and Lauren Filer. Malan, a winner with Trent Rockets in 2022, expressed his enthusiasm for the competition. Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu, the Player of the Tournament in the recent WBBL, is also eager to join the Hundred.The draft will be held at the Shard in London and broadcast live on YouTube, TikTok, and the Hundred website. Birmingham Phoenix will have the first pick in the women's draft, while Northern Superchargers will start the men's draft.