Cricket

England, the reigning world champions, have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. In the third and final ODI at Bristol, England captain Heather Knight won the toss and opted to field first.Despite heavy rain earlier in the day, the toss proceeded as scheduled. However, a downpour immediately followed, forcing the covers to be reapplied and delaying the start of play.England made three changes to their lineup, giving opportunities to Sophia Dunkley, Sarah Glenn, and Lauren Bell. Dunkley replaced Danni Wyatt, Glenn replaced Sophie Ecclestone, and Bell replaced Lauren Filer.New Zealand also made two changes, bringing in Hannah Rowe and Eden Carson for Jess Kerr and Fran Jonas.England's batting lineup features Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Amy Jones, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Kate Cross, and Lauren Bell.New Zealand's batting lineup consists of Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Lauren Down, Isabella Gaze, Hannah Rowe, Molly Penfold, and Eden Carson.The match is currently underway, with New Zealand batting first. England will be looking to complete a clean sweep of the series, while New Zealand will be aiming to salvage some pride.

New Zealand's next generation of cricketers is honing their skills in Chennai, India, under the guidance of former New Zealand A coach Sriram Krishnamurthy. Dean Foxcroft, Tim Robinson, and Mitch Hay, three of New Zealand's brightest young talents, are spending two weeks at the Super Kings Academy, learning to counter local spinners on black- and red-soil pitches.Foxcroft, 26, and Robinson, 22, have already played for New Zealand, while Hay, 23, is on the fringes of national selection. With New Zealand scheduled to play Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and India in the subcontinent over the next four months, this is an ideal opportunity for the trio to prepare for the challenges ahead.Hay, who averages over 46 in first-class cricket, admits that sweeping spin isn't his natural strength. However, he is eager to learn from Krishnamurthy and the Super Kings coaches. "It's been a good challenge to learn some different shots and different strategies on wickets that are spinning a lot more than at home," he said.Robinson, who has a strike rate of almost 150 in T20s, has also picked up valuable tips. "I think for the sweep, I like to get outside the line of the ball and try not to get in front of the stumps," he said. "It's something that we all are trying to develop, and it's about using the right tools on the right wicket at the right time."Foxcroft, who has won the PSL with Lahore Qalandars, is also working on his all-round skills. "I want to be the No.1 allrounder, [and contribute] in both departments," he said. "Hopefully, I can get a five-for and a Test hundred or whatever, but I want to keep developing [the bowling] and get better at it at every training."With Kane Williamson giving up his New Zealand central contract and a number of other players ageing, Foxcroft, Robinson, and Hay are likely to get their opportunities in the next few months. Their experience in Chennai will undoubtedly benefit them as they prepare to represent New Zealand on the international stage.

Maia Bouchier's maiden international century was a testament to her newfound confidence and maturity as a batter. The 25-year-old had twice reached the 90s before, but had never managed to convert it into a three-figure score.In the second ODI against New Zealand at Worcester, Bouchier was determined to break that barrier. She had already played a key role in England's victory, bowling the visitors out for a mere 141 thanks to her 5 for 25.With England needing just eight more runs to win, Bouchier was adjudged not out lbw on 92. The decision was a huge relief for the batter, who admitted that her heart rate was "going through the roof."Undeterred, Bouchier continued to play with composure and determination. She scampered two runs off the next ball, then two singles took her past her previous best of 95.With four runs still needed to win, Bouchier struck a boundary through midwicket to seal the victory for England. It was a moment of pure joy for the batter, who was mobbed by her teammates."I've just started to trust myself more and I've got a lot more confidence in the way I play," Bouchier said after the match. "That's a big thing for me. I time the ball quite well and that's one of my big strengths, so using those as much as I can."Bouchier's century is a sign of her growing maturity as a batter. She has established herself at the top of the order for England and is now one of their most reliable performers.

England captain Heather Knight opted to field first after winning the toss in the second ODI against New Zealand in Worcester. The hosts, buoyed by their dominant nine-wicket victory in the series opener, aimed to secure the series with a game to spare.England welcomed back experienced seamer Kate Cross, who missed the first ODI due to an abdominal strain. Alice Capsey also returned to the side, while Nat Sciver-Brunt was deemed fit enough to shoulder more bowling responsibilities. Sarah Glenn and Lauren Bell were the players to make way.New Zealand made a solitary change to their lineup, bringing in Lauren Down for Hannah Rowe. Down, who recently returned from maternity leave, slotted into the batting order at No. 7.England:1. Tammy Beaumont2. Maia Bouchier3. Heather Knight (capt)4. Nat Sciver-Brunt5. Danni Wyatt6. Amy Jones (wk)7. Alice Capsey8. Charlie Dean9. Sophie Ecclestone10. Kate Cross11. Lauren FilerNew Zealand:1. Suzie Bates2. Georgia Plimmer3. Amelia Kerr4. Sophie Devine (capt)5. Maddy Green6. Brooke Halliday7. Lauren Down8. Isabella Gaze (wk)9. Jess Kerr10. Molly Penfold11. Fran JonesThe match marked the first time that England had fielded an all-female umpiring team in an international fixture. Claire Polosak, Sue Redfern, and Jasmine Naeem took charge of the proceedings.

England's emphatic nine-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI of their series showcased the ruthless and dominant approach the hosts are striving for. After a summer of ODI and T20I victories against Pakistan, England lacked a decisive edge, but they crushed the White Ferns with clinical precision.Charlie Dean's four-wicket haul (4/38) restricted New Zealand to a modest 156, while Tammy Beaumont (76*) and Maia Bouchier (67) chased down the target with ease, reaching 137 in just 106 deliveries. The spinners, Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, and Sarah Glenn, combined for seven wickets, demonstrating England's all-round dominance.Beaumont emphasized the team's desire to convert their victories into more emphatic statements, aligning with their "inspire and entertain" mantra. "We want to be ruthless and put on a show," she said. "We want to enjoy our cricket, show off our skills, and win games of cricket."England's performance highlighted their depth of talent, with Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Danni Wyatt remaining unused. Alice Capsey and Sophia Dunkley were omitted from the starting XI, despite Dunkley's impressive return to the squad.Beaumont acknowledged the increased competition for places, particularly for herself and Kate Cross, who are on the fringes of T20I selection. However, she expressed her newfound freedom compared to last year's Ashes, where she felt pressure to perform consistently.New Zealand face a significant challenge in bouncing back, having lost both the T20 and ODI series against England earlier this year. Georgia Plimmer's unfortunate run-out prevented a potential partnership, while only Brooke Halliday's half-century stood out for the White Ferns.

England's upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand will serve as a crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year. Captain Heather Knight has indicated that the team will experiment with different XIs in home conditions to establish better role clarity ahead of the ICC tournament.The series begins with an ODI leg, followed by a five-match T20I series that will provide more suitable preparation for the low, turning pitches expected in Bangladesh. While the ODI series is not part of the ICC Women's Championship, Knight emphasizes that winning remains a priority.However, the team will also use the opportunity to try different combinations and tactics, particularly in the T20I series. The hot and dry conditions in Durham are expected to favor spin, providing a similar environment to what England will face in Bangladesh.Knight acknowledges that the team has a familiar feel with the return of Sophia Dunkley and Nat Sciver-Brunt, but Kate Cross's injury has forced a late call-up for Ryana Macdonald-Gay. The 20-year-old has impressed in domestic cricket and on England A tours.Meanwhile, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine believes her team can cause an upset. Despite losing the previous series against England, Devine highlights the team's introspection and training efforts as reasons for optimism. She also praises opening batter Lauren Down, who is returning to international cricket after giving birth to her daughter.

Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain, has revealed that his decision to decline a central contract was driven by his desire to participate in the inaugural season of the South African T20 league (SA20). The SA20 is scheduled to take place from January 9 to February 8, 2025, coinciding with the Super Smash tournament in New Zealand.Under New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) rules, players must participate in the Super Smash unless they are on international duty to be eligible for a central contract. Williamson's decision to prioritize the SA20 meant he had to forgo the central contract."I want to play as long as I can. There are a number of great competitions during that time, but SA20 looks really exciting. Unfortunately, it meant turning down a central contract," Williamson explained.Despite declining the central contract, Williamson emphasized his unwavering commitment to representing New Zealand in all three formats outside of the SA20. He will miss the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka in January but will be available for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in September, as well as the World Test Championship (WTC) matches against India and Sri Lanka away and the three-match series against England at home."My priority still is, absolutely, playing for New Zealand. I think I might miss maybe a handful of games over a three-week period," Williamson said.Williamson also expressed his excitement about the future of New Zealand's leadership in white-ball cricket. "I've really, really enjoyed my time captaining and it's been a privilege and an honor to do that for a number of years. I'm excited with what's next for the team in terms of the leadership as well and looking forward to being part of that," he added.The 33-year-old batsman did not set a specific timeframe for his international career, stating that he was taking it one year at a time. "In terms of a timeframe, it's difficult to say. I want to keep being fit, doing as well as I can, keep trying to improve. All major events and key series are things that whet the appetite and are an exciting prospect," Williamson said.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged New Zealand's Kane Williamson to emulate Virat Kohli's transformation in T20 cricket. Vaughan believes Williamson, who recently stepped down as New Zealand's T20I captain, needs to increase his strike rate to remain relevant in the shortest format.Williamson's struggles in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he scored just 28 runs at a strike rate of 87.50, have raised concerns about his suitability for the modern T20 game. Vaughan suggests that Williamson should take inspiration from Kohli, who has reinvented himself as an aggressive batter in recent years."Look at Virat Kohli in IPL 2024. He went from the Virat in previous years to the modern 2024 player by going for it, being expansive, particularly against spin. It was tremendous to see," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Vaughan believes that Williamson, who has a career T20I strike rate of 126.50, can improve his strike rate by 15-20% to become a more valuable asset for New Zealand and his franchise teams."Kane Williamson will never be a batter who strikes at 200. If he can up his strike rate by 15-20 per cent, and get to a strike rate of 140-150, he would be the glue for New Zealand and whatever franchise he plays for," Vaughan added.Kohli, at the age of 35, piled up 741 runs at a strike rate of 154 in IPL 2024, winning his second Orange Cap in the process. Williamson is no stranger to the Orange Cap either, having won it in 2018, when he smashed 735 runs at a strike rate of 142. However, six years on, Williamson's offensive game seems to be on the decline.Williamson's future in New Zealand's T20I setup is uncertain. He has quit captaincy and declined a central contract, hinting at overseas priorities and wanting to spend more time with his family. New Zealand's failure to qualify for the Super 8 in the 2024 T20 World Cup also means that they are not guaranteed direct qualification to the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Kane Williamson, New Zealand's legendary cricketer, has made a significant decision to decline a central contract for the 2024-25 season. This move is part of a strategic plan to prolong his illustrious international career. Williamson, who currently holds the captaincy of the T20I and ODI teams, will also step down from these leadership roles.Williamson's decision stems from his desire to prioritize his family and explore overseas opportunities during the New Zealand summer. Despite relinquishing his central contract, he remains committed to representing his country and is open to accepting a contract in the future."Playing for New Zealand is something I treasure, and my desire to give back to the team remains undiminished," Williamson said. "However, my life outside cricket has changed, and spending more time with my family is even more important to me."Williamson's decision comes after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign for New Zealand, where they failed to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2014. He remains coy about his T20I future, stating that he will assess the situation later.Williamson's legacy as a cricketer is unparalleled. He has played 100 Tests, 165 ODIs, and 93 T20Is for New Zealand, leading them in 40 Tests, 91 ODIs, and 75 T20Is. Under his captaincy, the Blackcaps reached the finals of the World Test Championship 2021, the ODI World Cup 2019, and the T20 World Cup 2021.NZC CEO Scott Weenink expressed his support for Williamson's decision, acknowledging his exceptional contributions to New Zealand cricket. "This is a good way to help keep Kane in the international game so that he continues to play a major role for the Blackcaps," Weenink said.Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has also declined a central contract offer, citing similar reasons. Ferguson has played one Test, 65 ODIs, and 42 T20Is for New Zealand.