Cricket

Perth Scorchers' teenage sensation Chloe Ainsworth continued her impressive start to the WBBL, leading her team to a dominant 74-run victory over the previously undefeated Sydney Thunder.Ainsworth's impressive bowling figures of 2 for 15 at Drummoyne Oval on Tuesday night played a crucial role in restricting Thunder to a mere 97 runs in the 20th over, well short of Scorchers' formidable total of 171 for 7. The young seamer's early wickets set the tone for the match, as she conceded only 4 runs from her opening two overs.The result snapped Thunder's four-match winning streak and propelled Scorchers from fifth to second on the WBBL ladder. However, the match was not without its drama, as one of Drummoyne Oval's light towers malfunctioned early in Thunder's chase. Umpires halted play to consult with both teams, and Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield opted to continue batting despite the reduced visibility."I don't think I would like to be batting out there with Ainsworth out there firing, but that's the umpire's call," Thunder coach Lisa Keightley said after the match. "And they gave it to the players, so that is interesting."Despite the setback, Litchfield and Heather Knight briefly reignited Thunder's hopes with a 32-run third-wicket partnership. However, Litchfield's dismissal off Amy Edgar's bowling triggered a collapse, with Thunder losing wickets in quick succession.Earlier, Sophie Devine played a pivotal role in setting up Scorchers' victory with a well-paced 48 from 34 balls. The New Zealand star, who had endured two consecutive ducks prior to Tuesday's match, found her rhythm alongside India's Dayalan Hemalatha, who contributed a brisk 41 off 26 balls.Devine's innings included a six and four boundaries, providing the impetus for Scorchers' strong total. Mikayla Hinkley also played a valuable role, contributing 26 runs to the team's cause.While Devine's performance showcased her experience and class, Ainsworth's display highlighted her immense potential. The 19-year-old has emerged as a genuine threat to opposition batters, adding the likes of Chamari Athapaththu, Meg Lanning, and Alice Capsey to her growing list of victims this season.With nine wickets at an average of 12.88, Ainsworth has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Her ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes her a formidable opponent, and her performances have undoubtedly caught the attention of Australian selectors.

After the disappointing loss in the first ODI, the New Zealand women's cricket team bounced back with a strong performance in the second match, posting a competitive total of 259 for nine. Skipper Sophie Devine led from the front, scoring a superb 79 off 86 balls, making up for her bizarre run-out in the previous game. She was ably supported by Suzie Bates, who contributed 58 off 70 balls, and Georgia Plimmer, who added 41 off 50 balls.The middle order also chipped in with valuable contributions. Maddy Green played a fine knock of 42 off 41 balls, while Amelia Kerr added 28 off 32 balls. The Indian bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand batters, with Radha Yadav being the most successful with four wickets for 69 runs. However, it was her brilliant fielding that caught the eye, as she pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Bates.Deepti Sharma also bowled tidily, taking two for 30 from 10 overs, while the other bowlers conceded runs at an economy rate of around five or more. India's chase got off to a shaky start, as they lost Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma cheaply. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but both fell in quick succession.Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma then put on a 40-run stand, but the Indian innings faltered after Ghosh's dismissal. India eventually fell short by 30 runs, with Radha Yadav remaining unbeaten on 25. The New Zealand bowlers shared the wickets, with Jess Kerr and Hayley Jensen taking two each.The victory gives New Zealand a 1-1 draw in the three-match ODI series. The final match will be played on October 29, with India needing a win to clinch the series.

The Women's T20 World Cup final on Sunday promises to be a historic occasion, with both South Africa and New Zealand vying for their first-ever title. The match will be a testament to the growth and resilience of women's cricket, as both teams have overcome adversity to reach the pinnacle of the sport.South Africa, who lost to Australia in the final last year, have shown remarkable determination and unity throughout this tournament. Their victory over Australia in the semi-final was a testament to their belief and fighting spirit. New Zealand, on the other hand, have been consistent performers, losing only one wicket in the powerplay throughout the tournament. Their experience and leadership will be crucial in the final.The match will feature several key players who have played pivotal roles in their teams' success. Sophie Devine, New Zealand's captain, has been a force to be reckoned with, while Anneke Bosch's unbeaten 74 in the semi-final was a game-changer for South Africa.The pitch in Dubai is expected to favor spin, which could give an advantage to both teams. South Africa's Marizanne Kapp and New Zealand's Amelia Kerr are among the top wicket-takers in the tournament and will be key players in the final.The match will also be a significant moment for Suzie Bates, who is set to become the most capped player in women's internationals. Her experience and leadership will be invaluable for New Zealand.Both teams have expressed their determination to win the title. South Africa's Chloe Tryon believes that the team has grown and matured since last year's final, while Bates emphasized the importance of the "grandmas" of the New Zealand team.The Women's T20 World Cup final promises to be a thrilling and historic event. Both South Africa and New Zealand have earned their place in the final and will be determined to make history.

New Zealand's fate in the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals hangs in the balance once again, as they face a net run-rate scenario similar to their heartbreaks in 2014 and 2023. However, captain Sophie Devine remains unfazed, emphasizing their focus on controlling their own destiny.The outcome of India's match against Australia will determine the margin of victory New Zealand needs against Pakistan to qualify. Devine believes this situation is advantageous, as they can assess the situation before their final game.Despite the potential pressure, Devine is confident in her team's ability to adapt and execute. She acknowledges the threat posed by Pakistan, who recently defeated New Zealand in a T20I series. However, she stresses the importance of focusing on their own performance and not being distracted by external factors.New Zealand's tournament has been a rollercoaster, with a win against India followed by a loss to Australia. Against Sri Lanka, they overcame a challenging start to restrict their opponents to a manageable total and chase it down comfortably.Devine attributes their resilience to their ability to remain calm and level-headed amidst the ups and downs. She believes this approach will be crucial in their upcoming match against Pakistan, where they must balance the need to win with the potential emotional impact of Fatima Sana's return to the team after her father's funeral.

India's Women's T20 World Cup campaign suffered a major setback as they were comprehensively defeated by New Zealand by 58 runs in Dubai on Friday. The loss marked New Zealand's biggest win against India in T20Is and ended their 10-match losing streak.On a challenging pitch, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine led the charge with an unbeaten 57 off 36 balls, guiding her team to a competitive 160 for 4. Devine's power-packed innings included seven boundaries and showcased her exceptional footwork.India's batting lineup struggled to cope with the slow and sticky conditions. They lost their top three batters, Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur, in the Powerplay for just 43 runs. Jemimah Rodrigues and Richa Ghosh also failed to make significant contributions, as India's challenge fizzled out in a jiffy.New Zealand's bowlers, led by Rosemary Mair (4/19) and Lea Tahuhu (3/15), exploited the conditions to perfection. They used the tackiness of the track to their advantage, choking the Indian batters and restricting them to a meager 102 in 19 overs.The difference between the two sides was evident in their power-hitting ability. Devine and her openers, Suzie Bates and Georgia Plimmer, possessed the brute force necessary to clear the boundaries on a difficult pitch. In contrast, most Indian batters lacked the muscle to even clear the 30-yard circle.India's poor ground fielding also contributed to their downfall. Despite Rodrigues' brilliance in the deep, the team made several errors that allowed New Zealand to capitalize on their opportunities.

New Zealand Elects to Bat First Against India in Women's T20 World Cup OpenerIn the opening match of the Women's T20 World Cup in Dubai, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine opted to bat first after winning the toss. Devine cited the pitch's stability as a factor in her decision, believing it would not deteriorate significantly throughout the innings.New Zealand's lineup features a pace-heavy attack, with Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, and Lea Tahuhu as the primary options. Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr provide spin support.India, on the other hand, has opted for a three-pronged fast bowling attack for the first time in a T20I this year. Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, and Arundhati Reddy will lead the charge, while Radha Yadav, India's second-highest wicket-taker this year, has been omitted to accommodate an extra seamer. Shreyanka Patil and S Asha will provide spin options alongside Deepti Sharma.New Zealand enters the tournament with a modest record of one win in 13 T20Is this year, while India has been in impressive form, winning 11 out of 17 matches in the same period. India is considered the favorite heading into the match.

India vs New Zealand: A Crucial Clash in the 'Group of Death'The 2024 T20 World Cup kicks off on Friday with a highly anticipated clash between India and New Zealand. Both teams will be eager to secure a victory in their opening match, as the margin for error is slim in Group A, which has been dubbed the "group of death."India and New Zealand have a long history in T20 cricket, with New Zealand holding a slight edge in head-to-head encounters. India has won only 4 of the 13 matches played between the two sides. However, India will be looking to turn the tide in this crucial match.The match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Friday, October 4. The toss will take place at 7 PM IST, with the match starting at 7:30 PM IST.India will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, while New Zealand will be captained by Sophie Devine. Both teams boast a wealth of experience and talent, and the match promises to be a close and exciting contest.India will be hoping to rely on the batting prowess of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues. The bowling attack will be led by Renuka Singh, Deepti Sharma, and Pooja Vastrakar.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be looking to their star players Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr, and Lea Tahuhu to make an impact.The match will be telecast live on Star Sports Network and streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar.With both teams eager to start their World Cup campaigns on a high, the India vs New Zealand clash is sure to be a thrilling spectacle.

New Zealand's women's cricket team has received a major boost with the return of fast bowler Rosemary Mair for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Mair, who missed the recent home series against England due to a back injury, will bolster a pace attack that already includes experienced campaigners Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, and Molly Penfold.The return of Mair, who has 18 wickets in 24 T20Is, adds depth to New Zealand's bowling options. She will be joined by all-rounders Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday, who can also contribute with the ball. The spin department will be led by Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Fran Jonas, and Eden Carson.Captain Sophie Devine and Bates will be making their ninth T20 World Cup appearance, a testament to their longevity and experience in the international arena. The squad also includes wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze, who will be making her World Cup debut."I'm really pleased with this squad; I think these are our best 15 players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions," said New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer. "Soph [Devine] and Suze [Bates] have a huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we'll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what's going to be a pretty intense competition."New Zealand will face a tough challenge in the World Cup, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates from October 4-14. They have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.Before the World Cup, New Zealand will tour Australia for three T20Is in September. They will also play warm-up games against South Africa and England before the start of the tournament proper.The T20 World Cup will be Devine's last assignment as New Zealand's T20I captain. She has led the team to numerous successes, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal and the 2020 T20 World Cup final.