Cricket

Worcestershire County Cricket Club has bolstered its spin bowling department with the acquisition of Fateh Singh from Nottinghamshire on a three-year contract. The 20-year-old left-arm spinner impressed during a loan spell at New Road last summer, capturing 15 wickets in the One-Day Cup at an average of 24.13.Singh's performances in the One-Day Cup, including a career-best 4 for 52 against Somerset, earned him a first-class debut for Northamptonshire later in the season. A former England U19 international, Singh was part of the team that reached the final of the 2022 U19 ODI World Cup.Despite being contracted to Nottinghamshire until the end of 2025, the club agreed to facilitate Singh's move to Worcestershire to aid his development. The spinner had made only 12 appearances for Nottinghamshire, all in the One-Day Cup, and had been overtaken by 16-year-old off-spinner Farhan Ahmed.Worcestershire, who secured their Division One status with a sixth-place finish last season, will provide Singh with the opportunity to further his career. The club has a reputation for nurturing young talent, as evidenced by the success of Jake Libby, who has flourished since joining from Nottinghamshire.Singh expressed his delight at signing a long-term contract with Worcestershire, stating that he had a great experience with the club last summer. He is eager to continue his development and make an impact on the team.Worcestershire chief executive Ashley Giles hailed Singh's signing as a crucial step in building the squad. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the spin department, especially after the tragic passing of left-arm spinner Josh Baker at the start of the summer.The move reinforces Worcestershire's spin stocks, which were depleted by Baker's untimely demise. The club opted not to sign Amar Virdi, who had undertaken two loan spells at Worcestershire, following his release from Surrey.

Victoria's hopes of securing a fourth consecutive one-day cup title were dashed after a rain-affected 15-run defeat to Victoria under the DLS method.The match at the MCG on Wednesday was reduced to 46 overs per side due to rain, with Victoria winning the toss and electing to bat. However, the hosts found themselves in early trouble, losing two wickets for 16 runs in the first 4.5 overs.Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris struck early for Western Australia, dismissing Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski cheaply. But Sam Harper steadied the ship for Victoria, anchoring their innings with an unbeaten 59 from 54 balls. Harper hit five fours and three sixes, providing the impetus for Victoria's total of 132 for 6 from their reduced allocation of 23 overs.In reply, Western Australia never got going with the bat. Captain Ashton Turner made 24 from 24 balls before he was caught behind off Todd Murphy, but no other WA batter went past 20. Cameron Bancroft continued his poor run of form, dismissed for 4 from 17 balls.Murphy and Fergus O'Neill were the stars with the ball for Victoria, bowling out WA for 108. Murphy finished with figures of 4-27, while O'Neill took 3-12.The win gives Victoria a 3-2 record, putting them in contention for a spot in the final, while WA (1-4) are out of contention. WA have won five of the past seven one-day cup titles and six of the past 10, including the last three in succession.

South Australia's One-Day Cup campaign has taken off with a resounding six-wicket victory over New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval. The win propelled SA to the top of the table, while NSW suffered their first defeat of the season.SA's triumph was built on a dominant bowling performance that restricted NSW to a modest 197. Former NSW quick Harry Conway led the charge with 3 for 27, while Jason Sangha claimed 2 for 16. Liam Scott also chipped in with two wickets.NSW's batting was led by Matthew Gilkes and captain Jack Edwards, who both scored 35. However, the visitors struggled to build partnerships and were eventually bowled out in the 46th over.In reply, SA lost early wickets but Alex Carey steadied the ship with a superb 75 off 63 balls. Jake Lehmann (46 not out) and Scott (42 not out) then guided SA to victory with an unbroken 89-run stand.Carey's innings continued his impressive start to the season, while Scott's all-round performance earned him the player-of-the-match award.The result was a significant boost for SA, who are also second in the Sheffield Shield standings. The teams will now turn their attention to their Shield match, which begins at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

South Australia's dominance over Victoria continued in the One-Day Cup, with a resounding nine-wicket victory at Karen Rolton Oval. The triumph marked a remarkable week for the Redbacks, who had earlier secured their first Sheffield Shield win over the Vics in nine years.Mackenzie Harvey and Daniel Drew were the architects of South Australia's success, scoring magnificent centuries to chase down Victoria's total of 286 for 7. Harvey, the nephew of former Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, struck an unbeaten 134 off 110 balls, his maiden One-Day Cup century. The stylish left-hander showcased his class, accelerating after a cautious start to dominate his former team.Drew, 28, was equally impressive, contributing an unbeaten 108 off 86 deliveries. The duo's partnership of 186 ensured South Australia reached their target in just 38 overs, securing a vital bonus point.Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb had earlier rescued his side from a precarious position with a superb 104 from 121 deliveries. After Johnson and Brendan Doggett tore through the top order, Handscomb steadied the ship, combining aggression and patience to accumulate a valuable century.However, Johnson's fiery spell of 4 for 46 proved decisive for South Australia. The left-armer removed Josh Brown and Campbell Kellaway in quick succession, setting the tone for the Redbacks' victory.South Australia's triumph was a testament to their all-round strength. Harvey and Drew's batting brilliance was complemented by Johnson's incisive bowling, while Carey's leadership and the team's fielding were also impressive.The win consolidates South Australia's position in the One-Day Cup standings and gives them a crucial boost in their quest for a finals berth. Victoria, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around.

Queensland's One-Day Cup campaign got off to a flying start with a dominant nine-wicket victory over South Australia at Allan Border Field. Despite a valiant century from South Australian skipper Nathan McSweeney, the Bulls chased down the target with ease, securing a bonus point in the process.Left-arm paceman Liam Guthrie played a pivotal role in the victory, claiming three quick wickets in six overs to put the visitors on the back foot. Tom Straker also chipped in with three wickets, including the dangerous Alex Carey.McSweeney, who is in contention for a Test berth against India, played a lone hand for South Australia, scoring a magnificent 137 off 131 balls. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent the Bulls from cruising to victory.Wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson led the charge for Queensland, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 98 balls. Peirson's innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, with the left-hander showcasing his full range of shots.Test hopeful Matt Renshaw also played a key role, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 52 balls. Renshaw's innings was a timely reminder of his talent and will give him confidence ahead of the upcoming Test series.The victory was a welcome boost for Queensland, who had lost their first two matches of the One-Day Cup. It also served as a reminder of the depth of talent in the Bulls' squad.

New South Wales (NSW) dominated Victoria in a One-Day Cup clash at the Junction Oval, securing a resounding 140-run victory. Despite the absence of Josh Hazlewood due to illness, NSW showcased their batting prowess with half-centuries from Steven Smith, Nic Maddinson, and Matthew Gilkes.Smith, returning to form after a disappointing Sheffield Shield match, struck a fluent 56 off 54 deliveries, including four fours and two sixes. Maddinson contributed 63 off 64 balls, while Gilkes provided a late surge with a blistering 74 off 42 deliveries, featuring eight fours and four sixes.Victoria's bowlers struggled to contain NSW's onslaught, with only veteran Peter Siddle offering resistance. The 39-year-old claimed a List A career-best 5 for 49, including the wickets of Smith, Gilkes, Pat Cummins, Josh Philippe, and Moises Henriques.In reply, Victoria's chase was anchored by Matthew Short's impressive 80 off 57 balls. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals hindered their progress. Cummins, making his return after a long layoff, claimed the key wicket of Sam Harper, while Chris Green picked up three wickets to finish with 3 for 27.The victory extends NSW's unbeaten start to the One-Day Cup, while Victoria remains winless after two matches.

Western Australia's One-Day Cup title defense is back on track after a thrilling four-wicket victory over Queensland at the WACA Ground. Chasing 301, WA looked shaky at 149 for 6, but Hilton Cartwright's unbeaten 66 off 49 balls, including five fours and three sixes, guided them to victory with six deliveries to spare.Ashton Agar's unbeaten 21 off 27 balls played a crucial role in a match-winning 62-run partnership with Cartwright. WA's hopes of a fourth consecutive one-day title were in jeopardy after losses to South Australia and NSW. However, Cartwright's heroics have kept their hopes alive.Queensland's total of 300 was built around Usman Khawaja's 76 and Lachlan Hearne's 76. Michael Neser's late fireworks, including six fours and two sixes, gave Queensland's total a significant boost.WA paceman Jhye Richardson was named player of the match for his 3-36 in 9.3 overs. Richardson's dismissal of Ben McDermott in the third over and Michael Neser later in the innings prevented Queensland from posting a larger total.Cameron Bancroft, who had posted twin ducks in the recent Sheffield Shield draw with Queensland, managed 33 before being trapped lbw by Marnus Labuschagne. Sam Whiteman's half-century and Cooper Connolly's 39 off 42 balls set the platform for WA's victory.

Victoria emerged victorious in a thrilling six-run victory over Queensland at the Junction Oval, thanks to a brilliant cameo from Michael Neser and some exceptional fielding.Chasing a modest target of 241, Queensland started strongly with Usman Khawaja and Ben McDermott putting on a 90-run opening stand. However, Test offspinner Todd Murphy turned the tide with a superb spell, dismissing McDermott and Josh Brown to break the partnership.Marcus Harris then produced a stunning one-handed catch to remove Matt Renshaw, while Peter Siddle picked up two wickets in the middle overs. Murphy struck again, claiming two more scalps to swing the game in Victoria's favor.Despite the setbacks, Neser kept Queensland in the hunt with a blistering 49 from 41 balls. He launched two massive sixes in the final over to bring the Bulls within seven runs of victory. However, Jono Merlo took an excellent catch at deep square to dismiss Neser and seal the win for Victoria.Earlier, Victoria had posted a competitive 240 for 7, thanks to a vital 63 from Marcus Harris. Will Sutherland and Sam Elliott added late-order heroics with a 63-run stand off the final 35 balls.Queensland's stand-in captain Mitchell Swepson praised Neser's efforts but acknowledged that the team fell short. Victoria's win moves them to the top of the One-Day Cup table, while Queensland departs Melbourne with just two points.

Queensland and Tasmania shared the One-Day Cup points after rain and bad light curtailed their match in Melbourne to just 16 overs.Matt Renshaw's half-century was the only highlight for Queensland, who posted 128 for 5 in the rain-affected encounter. The left-hander struck 51 off 36 balls, including four fours and three sixes.Persistent rain delayed the start of the match by four-and-a-half hours, and the game was eventually reduced to a 20-over affair with 50-over powerplay rules.Tasmania, who had been skittled by Victoria on the same surface two days earlier, unsurprisingly sent Queensland in to bat.Gabe Bell and Beau Webster made early breakthroughs for Tasmania, removing Ben McDermott and Max Bryant respectively.Renshaw and Lachlan Hearne then combined for a 79-run stand in just 8.4 overs, striking seven fours and four sixes between them.Webster broke the partnership, and Matt Kuhnemann picked up his first wicket for his new state against his old side, bowling Jack Wildermuth for 8.Hearne holed out to deep midwicket off Bell in the 15th over, and the umpires checked the light after 16 overs and called a halt to proceedings.Play never resumed, and the points were shared.Queensland will remain in Melbourne and face Victoria on Friday, with Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja set to play after missing the clash with Tasmania.