Cricket

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that the Afghanistan men's cricket team will face New Zealand in a one-off Test match from September 9-13 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India. This historic encounter will mark the first time Afghanistan and New Zealand have met in the longest format of the game.Afghanistan has made significant strides in Test cricket since gaining full membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017. They have won three Test matches to date, against Ireland (2019), Bangladesh (2019), and Zimbabwe (2021).ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed his delight at hosting New Zealand for the first time in a Test match. He said, "We are delighted to host a quality New Zealand Test team for the first time in our cricketing history. This is a testament to the hard work we have put in through numerous discussions and meetings with different boards on the sidelines of the various ICC Board Meetings."Ashraf also expressed hope for future bilateral white-ball matches against New Zealand. "The Black Caps are an outstanding all-format team in world cricket, and we hope to reach an agreement with New Zealand Cricket for white-ball bilateral matches in the future," he said.The match will also mark Afghanistan's return to international cricket at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, which has been designated as one of the venues for Afghanistan's home games following an agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).New Zealand will arrive in Greater Noida on September 5 for a three-day conditioning camp ahead of the Test match. They will then face India in a three-Test series starting on October 16 in Bengaluru.Meanwhile, Afghanistan will head to New Delhi in late August for a one-week training and preparation camp. In their two Tests played this year, Afghanistan lost to Sri Lanka and Ireland, with their last win in the longer format coming in 2021 over Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi.

Afghanistan, the rising stars of international cricket, are set to face the formidable New Zealand in a historic one-off Test match in September. This highly anticipated encounter will mark the first time these two nations have clashed in the longest format of the game.The match will be played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India, a venue that has previously served as Afghanistan's adopted home ground. This will be Afghanistan's 10th Test match, and their third in 2024, the most they have played in a single calendar year.The Test is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 13, approximately one month before New Zealand's three-Test tour of India. Prior to the Afghanistan Test, New Zealand will embark on a Test series in Sri Lanka, with dates yet to be announced.This encounter holds significant importance for Afghanistan, as it will provide them with an opportunity to test their mettle against one of the world's top cricketing nations. Afghanistan has a commendable 3-6 win-loss record in their first nine Tests, with their last victory coming against Zimbabwe in March 2021.In their two Tests so far in 2024, Afghanistan has faced defeats against Sri Lanka and Ireland. They also lost their one-off Test in Bangladesh last year. Despite these setbacks, Afghanistan remains a formidable opponent, eager to prove their worth on the international stage.Following the New Zealand Test, England, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa will be the only countries to have not yet played against Afghanistan in a Test match. Australia had previously withdrawn from hosting Afghanistan in a Test in 2021 due to humanitarian concerns.The Afghanistan-New Zealand Test match promises to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the skills and determination of both teams. Afghanistan will be looking to make a statement against a world-class opponent, while New Zealand will be aiming to maintain their dominance in the Test arena.

England's women's cricket team capped off an undefeated home summer with a 20-run victory over New Zealand in the final T20I at Lord's. Captain Heather Knight led the charge with an unbeaten 46 off 31 balls, guiding England to a competitive total of 155 for 7.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Fran Jonas' career-best figures of 4 for 22, had initially put England in a precarious position at 87 for 6. However, Knight's timely knock, supported by Charlie Dean's 24 off 19 balls, steadied the hosts.In response, New Zealand's batting woes continued as England's bowlers made regular breakthroughs. Lauren Bell claimed three wickets, while Freya Kemp and Dean took two each. Amelia Kerr's 43 off 36 balls proved insufficient as the White Ferns fell short of the target.England's 5-0 sweep of the T20I series extended their unbeaten streak against New Zealand and Pakistan to 13 completed matches. The victory marked a fitting end to a successful summer for the hosts, who had also won the ODI series against Pakistan.

England's dominance over New Zealand continued in the fourth T20I at The Kia Oval, as they secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Sarah Glenn's exceptional bowling performance, claiming four wickets for just 19 runs, proved decisive in restricting the White Ferns to a modest total of 103 for 8.New Zealand's innings got off to a promising start, with Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer putting on 33 runs in the powerplay. However, Glenn's introduction into the attack proved to be a game-changer. She dismissed Plimmer and Amelia Kerr in quick succession, sparking a collapse that saw the White Ferns lose four wickets for just 13 runs.Sophie Ecclestone also played a crucial role, claiming two wickets, including that of Bates, who had been New Zealand's top scorer in the series. Maddy Green and Jess Kerr fell to Glenn's spin, completing her four-wicket haul. Izzy Gaze's 25 was the highest score for the White Ferns, but they were eventually bowled out for 103.In response, England's openers, Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt, made light work of the chase. They put on a 54-run partnership, with Dunkley scoring 26 off 15 balls and Wyatt contributing 26 off 24. Dunkley's dismissal brought Alice Capsey to the crease, but she fell cheaply for 9. Wyatt followed soon after, holing out to Fran Jonas.However, England were cruising by this point, needing just 31 runs off 77 balls. Nat Sciver-Brunt sealed the victory with back-to-back fours off Amelia Kerr, giving England a 4-0 lead in the T20I series.England's depth was once again on display, with Dunkley and Wyatt forming a successful opening partnership. The return of Heather Knight also strengthened the batting lineup, while Glenn and Ecclestone continued to impress with their spin bowling.

England's experimental T20I squad continued their dominance over New Zealand, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series with a six-wicket victory in Canterbury. Sophie Ecclestone's exceptional bowling performance, coupled with an unbeaten half-century from Alice Capsey, proved too much for the White Ferns.Ecclestone's four-wicket haul, including the crucial dismissal of New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, stifled the visitors' batting efforts. Devine's defiant 58* and Suzie Bates' 38 provided some resistance, but England's bowlers maintained control throughout the innings.In response, England's top-order struggled initially, losing two quick wickets to Fran Jonas. However, Sophia Dunkley's 26-ball 35 and Capsey's unbeaten 67* steadied the ship. Capsey's highest T20I score, coming off 60 deliveries, showcased her maturity and composure under pressure.Freya Kemp's quickfire 16* off eight balls sealed the victory for England, despite New Zealand's missed chances in the field. The White Ferns will rue their inability to capitalize on their opportunities, as England's clinical performance highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.With two matches remaining in the series, England's experimental approach has paid dividends. The team has shown depth and versatility, with several players stepping up to fill key roles. As the series progresses, it will be intriguing to see if England continues to rotate their squad and give more players a chance to impress.

England's Alice Capsey and Maia Bouchier propelled their team to a formidable total of 89 for 6 in a rain-shortened second T20I against New Zealand in Hove. Capsey's blistering 28 off 15 deliveries and Bouchier's composed 23 off 15 set the stage for England's victory.Despite the persistent rain delaying the start by two hours and reducing the match to nine overs per side, England's batters showcased their adaptability. Capsey and Bouchier found the boundary with ease, while Heather Knight contributed a quickfire 15 and Sophie Ecclestone ended the innings with a towering six.New Zealand's chase faltered under the pressure of Charlie Dean's exceptional bowling. Dean ripped through the Kiwi batting lineup, claiming two wickets in a single over for just three runs. Her victims included the dangerous Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday, leaving New Zealand reeling at 28 for 3.Sarah Glenn's diving catch to dismiss Bates further dented New Zealand's hopes. Jess Kerr's dismissal off Ecclestone's bowling sealed the victory for England, who took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.The match was ultimately decided by the DLS method due to the persistent rain, with England emerging victorious by 23 runs. Dean's impressive figures of 2 for 3 in 1.4 overs proved decisive in securing the win.

England's spin quartet, led by Sarah Glenn's three-wicket haul, dominated New Zealand in the first T20I, setting the stage for a thrilling five-match series. Glenn's legspin proved devastating, claiming the wickets of experienced batters Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine. Off-spinner Charlie Dean chipped in with two wickets, while world No. 1 Sophie Ecclestone and Linsey Smith took one each.Glenn expressed her delight at being part of such a formidable spin attack, emphasizing the diversity and effectiveness of each bowler. She welcomed the addition of Smith, who has consistently performed well in the powerplay and at the death.England captain Heather Knight indicated that the team would experiment with different combinations during the series to finalize their squad for the T20 World Cup in October. Glenn expressed confidence in the spin-heavy lineup, stating that it provided multiple perspectives and support.Despite their spin dominance, England dropped several catches and misfielded, which could have resulted in an even wider margin of victory. However, Glenn remained optimistic, believing that the team could improve their fielding with focus and intent.New Zealand's Suzie Bates acknowledged the challenge posed by England's spinners but expressed faith in her team's ability to counter-attack. She emphasized the need for bravery and aggression against the world-class spin attack.The series, which moves to Hove on Tuesday, will provide both teams with valuable preparation for the T20 World Cup. England will look to refine their spin-heavy strategy, while New Zealand will aim to find ways to neutralize it.

England's dominant batting performance, led by Danni Wyatt's rapid half-century, propelled them to a commanding 59-run victory over New Zealand in the first T20I at Southampton.Wyatt's blistering 76 off 51 deliveries, adorned with 11 fours and a six, set the tone for England's imposing total of 197 for 3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (47 off 23) and Maia Bouchier (32 off 26) provided valuable support, showcasing England's class and ability to manipulate the crease effectively.New Zealand's chase faltered from the outset, with Georgia Plimmer's run-out. England's spinners then took control, with Sarah Glenn (3-16) and Charlie Dean (2-28) leading the charge. Glenn's hat-trick in the 10th over, including the wickets of Suzie Bates and Maddy Green, left New Zealand reeling at 64 for 5.Despite Jess Kerr's defiant 38, New Zealand's innings was plagued by missed chances and a lack of partnerships. Freya Kemp, returning from injury, claimed the final wicket with the last ball of the match.England's victory not only secured a 1-0 lead in the five-match series but also allowed them to catch the start of their football team's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland, having missed only 26 minutes of the match.

Lauren Bell's maiden international five-wicket haul sealed a 3-0 sweep for England in their ODI series against New Zealand. The 23-year-old seamer has been working on remodeling her bowling action, which has led to an ability to swing the ball both ways.Bell's journey to this breakthrough has been challenging. After returning from England's tour of New Zealand earlier this year, she was tasked with bowling more upright. This change has been tricky to implement while playing on the international stage, but Bell has persevered with the support of her team-mates and coaching staff."It's been a tricky few months, so yeah, it was nice to come out of today with some real success, it was a great day," Bell said. "I got back from the series in New Zealand and we just thought to push my career on, make me a better bowler, we'd changed a few things with my action.""But obviously when you bowl a certain way for however long, it has been tricky. I don't really have a training block, I've just been playing, but it's definitely for the best in the long term and I guess today shows that it is going to push me forward. But yeah, it is obviously hard doing it on an international stage."Bell's wickets on Wednesday came from a back-of-a-length, top-of-the-stumps approach. However, she believes that her new action will allow her to be more versatile in the future."I fell away a lot, and so we thought if we could get me more upright, it'd be safer. It means I can bowl more and it means I should be quicker and from being taller I get more bounce," she explained. "So it came from that point of view initially, to add pace to my bowling, pace and bounce, and leading me to be more upright allowed me to then be able to swing it both ways."Bell's bowling coach, Matt Mason, has been a key figure in her development. "I think he would've felt like a proud dad today," Bell said. "There's been tears, there's been drama, there's been disagreements. We work really closely and he's put in a lot of time to get me here."Bell is confident that her new action will help her become a more effective bowler in the long run. "I've gone a long time not really having to think much about how I bowl. Now, my change in action, I very much have to concentrate on it, so I've learned that I need to focus and I've got a couple of cues that help me with that. I reset every ball and I focus in on my cues. It is a bit of a routine that I've picked up in the last couple of months that I think will take me a long way, especially in pressure situations."