Cricket

West Indies capped off their T20 World Cup preparations with a resounding 8-wicket victory over South Africa, completing a 3-0 series sweep. The triumph marked their fourth series win since the previous T20 World Cup and their first 3-0 triumph over South Africa.South Africa, on the other hand, have struggled in recent T20Is, winning only two of their last 11 completed matches. Their concerns extend to their middle order, with Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs absent from this series. Quinton de Kock's form and Ryan Rickelton's struggles also raise questions.Anrich Nortje's high economy rate and lack of wickets cast doubt on his readiness for international cricket. However, he remains part of South Africa's World Cup squad.West Indies, meanwhile, appear well-prepared for the tournament. They have won four out of five series since the last T20 World Cup and chased down 164 in just 14 overs in the final match against South Africa.Obed McCoy, a late addition to the T20 World Cup squad, impressed with 3 for 39 in the final match. Brandon King, the stand-in captain, finished as the series' leading run-scorer.Johnson Charles, who had struggled for form, silenced critics with a dominant half-century, setting the platform for West Indies' victory. He targeted South Africa's fastest bowlers, Nortje and Gerald Coetzee, with impressive ease.Gudakesh Motie, the left-arm spinner, made an early impact with two wickets in his first two overs. However, he conceded 11 runs in his final over and was not used again.Rassie van der Dussen, excluded from South Africa's T20 World Cup squad, had the final say with a 30-ball fifty. His 77-run partnership with Wiaan Mulder prevented a South African collapse.Kyle Mayers missed a crucial catch that could have dismissed van der Dussen early on. However, he made amends with a two-handed catch to dismiss Mulder later in the innings. Mayers also contributed with an unbeaten 36 with the bat, helping West Indies wrap up the chase.

West Indies clinched the three-match T20I series against South Africa with a resounding 16-run victory at Sabina Park. Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive 207 for 7, thanks to Roston Chase's maiden T20I half-century (67) and a late cameo from Romario Shepherd (32*).South Africa's chase started promisingly, with Quinton de Kock (41) leading the charge. However, the middle order faltered, and despite a valiant effort from Rassie van der Dussen (30), they fell short of the target. Gudakesh Motie was the star of the West Indies bowling attack, claiming career-best figures of 3 for 22.Chase's innings was a masterclass in adaptability. He paced his innings perfectly, hitting five boundaries behind square and two towering sixes. His partnership with Andre Fletcher (35) and Shepherd propelled West Indies to a strong total.South Africa's bowling was led by debutant Nqabayomzi Peter, who impressed with figures of 2 for 32. However, Anrich Nortje's return from injury was disappointing, as he conceded 47 runs in four wicketless overs.The victory marked West Indies' second consecutive series win against South Africa in T20Is. It also highlighted the team's growing depth and resilience, with several players stepping up in the absence of key regulars.For South Africa, the defeat extended their winless streak in T20I series to five. Their inability to handle spin remains a concern, as Motie's success demonstrated.

West Indies, co-hosts of the upcoming T20 World Cup, showcased their dominance with a commanding 28-run victory over South Africa in their final warm-up match. Despite fielding a depleted squad, West Indies displayed their resilience and home-ground advantage at Sabina Park.Brandon King, captaining in place of Rovman Powell, led the charge with a blistering 79 off 45 deliveries. His aggressive innings, coupled with a 79-run partnership with Kyle Mayers, laid the foundation for West Indies' strong start. However, a late batting collapse saw them lose six wickets for 40 runs, finishing on 175 for 8.South Africa's bowling attack, led by debutant Ottneil Baartman and Andile Phehlukwayo, staged a remarkable comeback. Baartman, despite an early injury scare, claimed three wickets for 26 runs, while Phehlukwayo also bagged three wickets in his four-over spell.South Africa's top order struggled to gain momentum, with Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton failing to reach double figures. Reeza Hendricks emerged as the lone bright spot, scoring a career-best 87 off 51 balls. However, his late surge proved insufficient as Gudakesh Motie and Obed McCoy restricted South Africa's chase, dismissing them for 147 in the final over.King's impressive performance on his home ground highlighted his leadership qualities and aggressive batting style. His ability to dominate the strike and score boundaries early on set the tone for West Indies' innings.Despite a strong start, West Indies' middle order failed to capitalize on King's efforts. Andre Fletcher, Fabian Allen, Akeal Hosein, and Matthew Forde all fell cheaply, leaving Motie to be run out in the final over.Forde, who had struggled in his previous T20I appearance, redeemed himself with the crucial wicket of de Kock. His wide delivery outside off stump forced de Kock to nick behind, giving West Indies an early breakthrough.Hendricks' half-century was a testament to his consistent form in T20 cricket. His ability to time the ball early on and switch to power hitting later in the innings showcased his versatility. However, his efforts came too late to prevent South Africa's defeat.

Hampshire County Cricket Club has bolstered its bowling attack for the second half of the Vitality Blast campaign by signing South African seamer Ottniel Baartman. The 31-year-old replaces Afghanistan's Naveen-ul-Haq, who withdrew due to personal reasons.Baartman, who has yet to earn an international cap, was named in South Africa's T20 World Cup squad and could make his debut in the upcoming series against the West Indies. He has a strong domestic record, having played under Hampshire head coach Adi Birrell for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, where he was a teammate of Liam Dawson."I'm excited to join Hampshire Hawks for my first experience of county cricket," said Baartman. "It's great to reunite with Adi Birrell and Liam Dawson, who I know well from the SA20. I've heard great things about the atmosphere at Utilita Bowl and I can't wait to play in front of the Hawks fans."Baartman will take over from Michael Neser, who has signed for the first eight Blast group games. He will be available for six fixtures in July, including the trip to Middlesex, and the knockout stages in September if Hampshire qualifies.Hampshire's director of cricket, Giles White, expressed his delight at Baartman's signing. "It's a great boost to the squad that Ottniel is available and keen to join us after the World Cup," said White. "He fits the role perfectly and comes off the back of an outstanding domestic summer in South Africa."Baartman's addition to the Hampshire squad adds depth and experience to their bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball and generate pace will be a valuable asset in the Vitality Blast's fast-paced environment.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced the fixtures for the second edition of the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), which will be held in Trinidad from August 21 to 29. For the first time, three WCPL matches will be played as double-headers alongside West Indies men's T20Is against South Africa.The WCPL, which debuted in 2023, has become a strategic priority for CWI, showcasing the growing popularity of women's cricket in the region. The double-headers will provide fans with an unprecedented opportunity to witness both world-class international men's cricket and the best female cricketers in the Caribbean competing alongside top overseas players.All WCPL games will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad, with the double-headers scheduled for August 23, 25, and 27. The inaugural WCPL edition was won by the Barbados Royals, led by Hayley Matthews.CWI CEO Johnny Grave expressed excitement about the new concept, stating, "Women's cricket continues to be a strategic priority for Cricket West Indies, and this is another exciting new concept for WCPL 2024. We are certain that there will be huge interest from people in Trinidad in these double headers."Pete Russell, CEO of the Caribbean Premier League, added, "We are very excited to be able to work with Cricket West Indies to have the WCPL take place at the same time as these Men's T20 Internationals. It is another example of how the two organizations are working in harmony to provide the best outcome for fans, players, and cricket in the region."South Africa's tour of the Caribbean will begin with two Tests in Trinidad and Guyana from August 7, followed by the three-match T20I series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad from August 23. The two teams will also play a four-day warm-up game ahead of the Test series in Tarouba.

Brandon King will lead the West Indies in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, which serves as a crucial preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The series will provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and secure their place in the final squad or reserve pool.Full-time captain Rovman Powell will be absent due to his commitments with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Several other key players, including Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer, Alzarri Joseph, and Sherfane Rutherford, will also miss the series due to IPL involvement or rest following the tournament.Nicholas Pooran and Shai Hope, who represented Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals in the IPL, have been rested. However, Joseph and Rutherford will join the T20I squad if their IPL teams fail to reach the final.Matthew Forde and Kyle Mayers, who were on the cusp of selection for the T20 World Cup, will feature against South Africa. Their performances in the series could determine their status as first reserves in case of injuries during the tournament.King was initially set to lead West Indies A on their recent tour of Nepal but was ruled out due to injury. Roston Chase took over the captaincy in his absence."These matches are crucial for our preparation ahead of the World Cup," said lead selector Desmond Haynes. "Players have the chance to refine their skills and ensure they are ready for the tournament."Head coach Daren Sammy emphasized the importance of team cohesion and momentum heading into the World Cup. "We haven't played together since the Australia series, but we've had an intense training camp in Antigua," he said. "Now we can integrate our IPL players and build momentum as a group."The series could mark the T20I debut of fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who has been included in the World Cup squad. He made only one appearance for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.After facing South Africa, West Indies will play a warm-up match against Australia on May 30.

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa's premier fast bowler, has returned home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to an infection in the soft tissue of his lower limb. Despite the setback, Rabada is expected to be fit for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins on October 16 in Australia.Rabada played 11 matches for the Punjab Kings in the IPL, taking 11 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 8.85. However, he will miss the team's final two matches as he undergoes treatment for the infection.The South African Cricket Board (CSA) released a statement confirming Rabada's condition and stating that he is being "closely monitored by the medical team" ahead of the World Cup.Rabada's inclusion in the South African squad is crucial, as he is the only black African player named in the 15-man provisional squad. This has sparked controversy, as CSA has targets for the national team to field an average of six players of color in every XI, with at least two being black African.South Africa will fall short of this target at the T20 World Cup, with only six players of color in the squad and only one black African (Rabada). Therefore, Rabada will need to play every game to ensure that the team does not fall too far behind the overall target.Lungi Ngidi is the only other black African player who was in contention for the squad and has been included as a traveling reserve. South Africa's other fast bowlers include Anrich Nortje, who has returned after a nine-month break due to a stress fracture, Gerald Coetzee, Ottniel Baartman, and Marco Jansen.

South Africa's women's cricket team will embark on a comprehensive tour of India, featuring a three-match ODI series, a one-off Test, and a three-match T20I series. The tour will commence with a warm-up match against a Board President's XI side in Bengaluru on June 13.The ODI series will follow, with matches scheduled for June 16, 19, and 23, all to be played in Bengaluru. The one-off Test will take place in Chennai from June 28 to July 1, marking India's third Test match in seven months. The T20I series will conclude the tour, with matches scheduled for July 5, 7, and 9, also in Chennai.The inclusion of the one-off Test is a significant development, as it was not originally part of the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have been actively promoting women's Test cricket. This will be South Africa's second Test match since their return to the format in 2022, while India will be playing their third Test in the past year.The tour is strategically designed to provide continuity in formats ahead of the T20 World Cup, which will be held in Bangladesh in September-October. By playing the T20Is at the end of the tour, both teams can maintain their focus on the shortest format.In addition to the international matches, the BCCI has also reintroduced a red-ball tournament into the women's domestic calendar. The inter-zonal competition, featuring five matches, aims to provide more opportunities for women cricketers to develop their skills in the longer format.The South Africa-India women's tour promises to be an exciting and competitive series, showcasing the growing strength of women's cricket in both countries.

South Africa's T20 World Cup squad has fallen short of the transformation targets set by Cricket South Africa (CSA), prompting concerns about the lack of progress in developing Black African cricketers. Despite initiatives over the years, CSA admits that these efforts have not yielded the desired results.The 15-player provisional squad includes six players of color, but only one, Kagiso Rabada, is Black African. CSA's target requires an average of six players of color in the XI over a season, with at least two being Black African. Even if all six players of color in the squad play every game, South Africa will still miss the target of two Black African players at the T20 World Cup.This has raised concerns among former CSA and ICC president Ray Mali and former sports minister Fikile Mbalula, who criticized the lack of progress in transformation. Mali called for the return of a selection panel, arguing that the current system of giving one person the power to select the team is not effective in a diverse country like South Africa.CSA has acknowledged the lack of Black African talent at the highest level and has committed to an acceleration program to identify and develop players. Director of cricket Enoch Nkwe has presented plans to increase the representation of Black African players ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup on home soil.However, CSA has also emphasized that it will not interfere in selection decisions. Head coach Rob Walter has defended the squad composition, citing the lack of depth in the domestic system. He believes that the system needs to improve to provide more diverse options for selection in the future.Despite Walter's explanation, the absence of Black African batters in the T20 World Cup squad has raised questions about the effectiveness of the acceleration program. Lungi Ngidi, the only other Black African player who could have been included, was left out in favor of Anrich Nortje, who offers "raw pace."CSA has not insisted on Ngidi's selection in the final squad and will not influence Walter's choice of the final XI. This is a departure from past practices, where CSA has intervened to ensure that transformation targets are met.