Cricket

New Zealand's emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka on Saturday has thrown the race for the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals wide open. The White Ferns' dominant performance has set up a thrilling two-horse race with India for the second semi-final spot from Group A.Sri Lanka's hopes of advancing were extinguished with their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them with zero points in the group. New Zealand, on the other hand, now has four points, level with India, but trails on net run rate.The White Ferns' victory was built on a solid bowling performance that restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 115-5. Spinners Amelia Kerr and Leigh Kasperek were the stars, claiming two wickets each.In response, New Zealand's openers got off to a strong start, with Georgia Plimmer anchoring the chase with a composed 53 off 44 balls. Plimmer's dismissal in the 15th over brought skipper Sophie Devine and Kerr to the crease, who guided the team home with an unbeaten 34 and 13, respectively.For Sri Lanka, skipper Chamari Athapaththu top-scored with a gritty 35 off 41 balls. However, the team's batting lineup struggled to find consistency against New Zealand's disciplined bowling attack.The race for the second semi-final spot from Group A is now poised for a thrilling finish. India, who face table-toppers Australia in their final group game, cannot afford another loss. They must beat Australia and hope that Pakistan either defeats New Zealand or makes things difficult for them.Pakistan, despite their three defeats, are not entirely out of contention. If they can beat New Zealand by a significant margin, their net run rate could improve dramatically. However, they would need a significant favor from Australia, who are undefeated so far and are virtually assured of a semi-final berth.

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Kiwis Aim to Bounce Back, Sri Lanka Seek Consolation WinSharjah, United Arab Emirates - New Zealand and Sri Lanka will face off in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup match on Tuesday, February 28, at 2 pm local time.New Zealand, who began the tournament with a comprehensive victory over India, suffered a heavy defeat to defending champions Australia in their second match. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have lost all three of their matches so far, including a disappointing loss to India that eliminated them from semi-final contention.Sri Lanka will be looking to end their losing streak against New Zealand, having broken a 12-match drought last year with a historic 10-wicket victory in Colombo. Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama were the stars of that match, and they will be key players for Sri Lanka once again.New Zealand, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back from their loss to Australia and strengthen their chances of reaching the semi-finals. They will be relying on legspinning all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who has been one of their most consistent performers in recent times.Bangladesh vs South Africa: Proteas Aim for NRR Boost, Bangladesh Seek ResurgenceDubai, United Arab Emirates - Bangladesh and South Africa will clash in a Women's T20 World Cup match on Tuesday, February 28, at 6 pm local time.Bangladesh have lost their first two matches of the tournament, while South Africa bounced back from a defeat to England with a big win against Scotland. The Proteas will be looking to continue their momentum and improve their net run rate, while Bangladesh will be desperate to get their campaign back on track.South Africa will be led by captain Laura Wolvaardt, who is the tournament's leading run-scorer so far. She will be supported by a strong bowling attack led by Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp.Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be hoping for a better performance from their batters, who have struggled to score runs in the tournament so far. Captain Nigar Sultana will be key for them, both with the bat and behind the stumps.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup is reaching its climax, and India's semi-final hopes hinge on the outcomes of the remaining Group A matches. With Australia and India tied on four points, the fate of both teams is intertwined.Australia's match against Pakistan on Friday will significantly impact India's chances. If Australia wins, they will move to six points and virtually secure a semi-final berth. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eliminated from contention, as a win against New Zealand in their final group match would only take them to four points.In this scenario, India would need to compete with New Zealand for the remaining semi-final spot. New Zealand has two matches remaining, against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. If they win both, they would also reach six points. India must win their final match against Australia to reach six points and force a three-way tie. The semi-finalists would then be determined by net run rate (NRR).However, if Pakistan upsets Australia, the group will become even more competitive, with Pakistan, Australia, and India all tied at four points. If New Zealand defeats Sri Lanka on Saturday, all four teams would be tied on four points, making it a four-way race.In this scenario, India's match against Australia becomes a must-win, as the winners of the final group matches - India vs Australia on Sunday and Pakistan vs New Zealand on Monday - would advance to the semi-finals.Regardless of the outcome of the other matches, India must beat Australia in their final group match to remain in contention for a semi-final spot. Defeat against the defending champions would leave India's fate entirely dependent on other results, a scenario they would surely like to avoid.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently displayed his playful side as he engaged in a comical chase with enthusiastic fans. After a training session, Rohit attempted to evade the adoring crowd by sprinting towards his blue Lamborghini. The incident highlighted the skipper's ability to maintain his privacy while interacting with his fans.Rohit's playful antics come amidst preparations for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, starting on October 16. The Indian team is riding high on a 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded Test series.However, speculation is rife that Rohit may miss one of the first two Test matches in Australia's upcoming five-match series due to personal reasons. The series kicks off on November 22 in Perth, and there is a chance Rohit could skip either the first game or the second Test in Adelaide, scheduled from December 6-10."There isn't any complete clarity about the situation. It is understood that Rohit has intimated to the BCCI that there is a possibility that due to a pressing personal matter, he might have to skip one of the two Tests at the beginning of the series," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his availability, Rohit remains a key figure in the Indian team. His leadership and batting prowess have been instrumental in India's recent successes. Fans will be eagerly awaiting updates on his availability for the Australia series, which is expected to be a highly competitive affair.

Rohit Sharma Prepares for New Zealand Test Series with VigorIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has commenced his preparations for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin on October 16 in Bengaluru. The Kiwis will play a three-match Test series in India, with the second Test starting in Pune on October 24 and the third in Mumbai on November 1.Sharma, who led India to a triumphant series victory against Bangladesh, is eager to continue his team's winning momentum. In a viral video, the Indian skipper can be seen engaging in stretching and running exercises on a ground, cheered on by onlookers and fans.Sharma has a solid track record against New Zealand, particularly at home. In six Tests against the Kiwis, he has scored a highest of 82 at an average of 53.00. His performances in India have been particularly impressive, as the conditions tend to favor his attacking style of play.Another viral video captures the enthusiasm of fans who thronged to click pictures of Sharma as he returned from practice. The Indian captain's popularity and the anticipation surrounding the Test series are evident in these videos.New Zealand has suffered a setback ahead of the series, with former captain Kane Williamson ruled out of the start due to a groin strain. However, the Kiwis remain a formidable opponent, and Sharma is determined to lead India to victory.The Test series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for Sharma and his team. A strong performance will boost their confidence and solidify their position as one of the top Test nations in the world.

Australia's formidable batting lineup and experienced bowling attack proved too much for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday. The defending champions posted a challenging 148/8, thanks to Beth Mooney's 40 and Ellyse Perry's 30, and then restricted their opponents to 88 all out.Opener Mooney and Alyssa Healy (26) provided a solid start for Australia, adding 41 runs for the first wicket. Mooney, who was initially given out lbw but successfully overturned the decision, played a crucial role in setting the platform for a big total.Perry, batting at number three, chipped in with a valuable 24-ball 30, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed 18. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/26, including the wicket of Litchfield.In reply, New Zealand's chase never really got going. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with Megan Schutt (3/3), Annabel Sutherland (3/21), and Sophie Molineux (2/15) sharing the spoils.Kerr, who had earlier impressed with the ball, top-scored for New Zealand with 29, but her efforts were in vain as the team fell well short of the target.With this victory, Australia maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament and moved to the top of Group A. New Zealand, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat and will need to bounce back in their remaining matches.

Defending champions Australia continued their dominant run in the Women's T20 World Cup, securing a comprehensive 60-run victory over New Zealand in Sharjah on Tuesday. This triumph has intensified the competition in Group A, where only the top two teams will advance to the semi-finals.Australia currently leads the points table with two wins from two matches, followed by Pakistan and New Zealand. India, who have lost to New Zealand but defeated Pakistan, are fourth, while Sri Lanka is fifth.India's hopes of reaching the semi-finals hinge on a massive victory over Sri Lanka on Wednesday to improve their run-rate. They must then aim to defeat Australia in their final Group A match, even if they lose, they must ensure a close contest to maintain a superior run-rate.In the event of a loss, India will rely on New Zealand and Pakistan losing at least one more match. In such a scenario, the team with the highest run-rate will qualify for the semi-finals.Australia's batters provided their experienced bowling unit with a solid foundation on a slow wicket, posting a challenging total of 148 for eight. Opener Beth Mooney led the way with a 32-ball 40, while Ellyse Perry contributed a 24-ball 30 and Alyssa Healy chipped in with 26 off 20 deliveries.In response, New Zealand struggled to keep up with the required run rate, eventually being dismissed for 88 in 19.2 overs. Megan Schutt was the standout performer with the ball, claiming excellent figures of 3/3 in 3.2 overs. Annabel Sutherland (3/21) and Sophie Molineux (2/15) also played crucial roles in restricting New Zealand's batting.With this victory, Australia has secured the top spot in Group A, while New Zealand's hopes of reaching the semi-finals have taken a significant blow. The remaining matches in the group will determine the final standings and the teams that will advance to the knockout stage.

Team India's Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has hit a roadblock after their opening loss to New Zealand. Despite a subsequent victory against Pakistan, their semi-final qualification remains uncertain due to their poor Net Run Rate (NRR) of -1.217.Australia and New Zealand, with NRRs of +1.908 and +2.900 respectively, are the frontrunners in the group. India's loss to New Zealand has made their qualification contingent on the outcome of the match between New Zealand and Australia.If New Zealand defeats Australia, they will top the group with four wins and secure a knockout berth. India can then qualify by beating Australia, as both teams would have three wins in four matches.However, if Australia defeats New Zealand, India's chances of qualification will be severely compromised. Australia and New Zealand's superior NRRs would require India to pull off significant upsets and achieve a favorable NRR in their remaining matches.Historically, New Zealand and Australia have faced off in 51 Women's T20Is since 2006, with Australia holding a slight edge with 28 wins to New Zealand's 21.India's qualification hopes now rest on New Zealand's ability to defeat Australia. A New Zealand victory would open the door for India to advance to the next round, while an Australian win would make their path to the semi-finals extremely challenging.

Suzie Bates, the former New Zealand captain, believes that the team's recent 3-0 defeat to Australia in the lead-up to the Women's T20 World Cup will have no impact on their upcoming clash on Tuesday. Both teams have recorded emphatic victories in their opening matches, with New Zealand crushing India by 58 runs and Australia dominating Sri Lanka by six wickets.Bates acknowledges that New Zealand's loss to Australia was due to the team still finding its best combination and adjusting to different conditions. However, she emphasizes that both sides likely held back some strategies and that the upcoming match will be a true test of their abilities.New Zealand's victory over India was particularly impressive, given their recent struggles in T20I cricket. Bates attributes this success to the team's meticulous planning and the effectiveness of their spinners, led by Eden Carson. With conditions in Sharjah expected to favor spinners, New Zealand may consider fielding Leigh Kasperek and Fran Jonas.Bates expresses confidence in New Zealand's chances against Australia, despite their historical struggles against the team. She highlights the team's familiarity with the Australian players and their boosted confidence after the India win. New Zealand has also benefited from three warm-up matches against Australia, which have provided valuable insights into their opponents' strengths and weaknesses.While the team has been focused on preparation, Bates emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between work and relaxation. Several players recently attended an NBA game in Abu Dhabi, while others enjoyed time at the beach. Bates believes that these activities help the team stay refreshed and focused when it matters most.