Cricket

West Indies Cricket Board (CWI) has announced an exciting schedule of home tours for 2024, featuring visits from South Africa, England, and Bangladesh. The tours will provide ample opportunities for the West Indies team to prepare for the T20 World Cup and showcase their skills against some of the top cricketing nations.The home season kicks off with a three-match T20I series against South Africa in May, followed by a two-Test series in August. The Proteas will also play a four-day warm-up game in Tarouba before the Test matches.After a white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in October, West Indies will host England for a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series. The matches will be played across Antigua, Barbados, and St Lucia.Bangladesh will then visit the Caribbean for an all-format tour from November to December. The tour will include two Test matches, three ODIs, and three T20Is. West Indies will return to the Arnos Vale Ground in St Vincent for the first time since 2014 for the T20I series. Bangladesh will also play a warm-up game before the Tests in Antigua.CWI CEO Johnny Grave expressed his excitement about the upcoming tours, stating that they will provide valuable experience for the West Indies team. He also noted that Grenada and Dominica missed out on hosting games this year due to stadium improvements but will be included in the schedule for 2025.

The 2024 Women's T20 World Cup is set to kick off on October 3 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a thrilling opening match between England and South Africa. The tournament schedule, released on Sunday, promises an exciting and competitive event.Defending champions Australia will begin their title defense on October 4 in Sylhet against one of the qualifiers. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match, always a highlight of the tournament, is scheduled for October 6 in Sylhet.The tournament features 10 teams divided into two groups. Group A consists of Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and one qualifier, while Group B includes South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and the other qualifier.The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, which will be held on October 17 in Sylhet and October 18 in Dhaka. The final will take place on October 20 in Dhaka.Bangladesh, which is hosting the tournament for the second time, will be eager to make a strong impression in front of their home crowd. The hosts will open their campaign on the opening day against one of the qualifiers.The Women's T20 World Cup is one of the most prestigious events in women's cricket, and the 2024 edition promises to be no exception. With a talented field of teams and a packed schedule, fans can expect plenty of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has secured the services of South African top-order batter Matthew Breetzke for the upcoming Vitality T20 Blast. The 25-year-old, who has represented his country in three T20Is, will bolster the Steelbacks' batting lineup alongside Zimbabwean allrounder Sikandar Raza.Breetzke's impressive domestic T20 performances caught the attention of Northamptonshire head coach John Sadler. "Matt is a highly capable batter who will bring power, experience, and determination to our side," Sadler said. "He fits the profile of the player we were looking for as our second overseas signing."In the recently concluded SA20, Breetzke emerged as the third-highest run-scorer with 416 runs at a strike rate of 135.50 for the Durban Super Giants. He continued his prolific form in the CSA T20 Challenge, topping the run-scoring charts with 467 runs for the Warriors.Breetzke expressed his excitement about joining the Steelbacks. "I am very grateful for this opportunity," he said. "I hope to make a significant contribution both on and off the field during my time at the club."Northamptonshire's decision to sign Breetzke reflects the club's commitment to strengthening its squad for the Vitality T20 Blast. The tournament, which features some of the world's best T20 players, is a major focus for the Steelbacks.With Breetzke and Raza in their ranks, Northamptonshire will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition and challenge for the title. The Steelbacks will begin their Vitality T20 Blast campaign on May 26 against the Birmingham Bears.

South Africa's summer of cricket in 2024-25 promises to be a thrilling affair, with the Proteas hosting Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England for a total of 17 international fixtures. The schedule includes five Test matches, three T20Is, and nine ODIs, ensuring a packed calendar of high-octane cricket.The Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan will form part of the World Test Championship, with the matches taking place in Durban, Gqeberha, Centurion, and Cape Town. Notably, the Wanderers in Johannesburg will miss out on hosting a Test for the second consecutive summer, leaving insiders puzzled about the decision.The women's Test against England will be played in Bloemfontein, marking the first women's Test in South Africa in over two decades. Kingsmead and St George's Park will host the Sri Lanka series, while SuperSport Park and Newlands will stage the Tests against Pakistan.The Pakistan tour will also feature three T20Is and three ODIs, with the Boxing Day Test scheduled for SuperSport Park and the New Year's Test at Newlands. The men's team will then have a break before the start of the SA20 league in February.The women's team will face England in three T20Is, three ODIs, and a Test. The Black Day ODI will raise awareness about gender-based violence, while the Test will be a historic occasion for South African women's cricket.The exact dates for the fixtures are yet to be confirmed, but the schedule promises a summer of unforgettable cricket action for fans in South Africa.

South Africa's women's cricket team secured an unassailable 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka after a dominant seven-wicket victory in Kimberley. Laura Wolvaardt's third century as captain, and sixth overall, propelled the Proteas to the highest successful chase in a women's ODI at the venue.Wolvaardt's 110* and Marizanne Kapp's 80* formed the backbone of South Africa's chase, as they shared a 143-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain the duo on a pitch with low bounce, allowing the Proteas to reach their target with 14 balls to spare.Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 229 thanks to Chamari Athapaththu's 51. However, South Africa's bowlers, led by Ayabonga Khaka (3-28) and Nadine de Klerk (3-23), kept the visitors in check.The victory not only gives South Africa a series lead but also solidifies their position in second place in the ICC Women's Championship standings. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, remain outside the automatic qualification zone for the 2025 World Cup.Wolvaardt's century was a significant milestone, making her South Africa's leading run-scorer in ODI cricket. The Proteas captain has now amassed 2,753 runs in 94 matches, surpassing Lizelle Lee's previous record.The match was also marked by a lightning delay, with the players taken off the field for a brief period due to approaching thunderstorms. However, the chase resumed shortly after, and Wolvaardt guided South Africa to victory.

Former New Zealand leg-spinner Jack Alabaster, a legendary figure in the country's cricketing history, passed away at the age of 93 on Tuesday night in Cromwell, U.K. Alabaster's demise has left a void in the cricketing fraternity, as he was widely regarded as one of the finest spinners to emerge from New Zealand.Alabaster's cricketing journey began with Otago in domestic cricket, where he made a significant impact with his exceptional leg-spin bowling. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the national team in 1955, and he went on to represent New Zealand in 21 Test matches over the next 17 years.During his Test career, Alabaster claimed 49 wickets at an average of 38.02, showcasing his ability to deceive batsmen with his subtle variations and accurate line and length. He played a pivotal role in New Zealand's first four Test victories, including a historic maiden Test win against South Africa in 1961-62.In that memorable Test, Alabaster produced a match-winning performance, claiming 8/180 in the third innings. His exceptional bowling helped New Zealand overcome a 30-run deficit in the first innings and secure a famous victory. Alabaster's contribution to New Zealand's cricketing success cannot be overstated.Apart from his Test exploits, Alabaster also represented New Zealand in numerous other international matches, including tours of India, Pakistan, England, South Africa, and the West Indies. He was a key member of the New Zealand team that toured the West Indies in 1971-72, where he had the privilege of bowling to the legendary Garry Sobers.Alabaster's legacy extends beyond his on-field achievements. He was a respected figure in the cricketing community, known for his humility, sportsmanship, and unwavering dedication to the game. His passing has been met with heartfelt tributes from former teammates, opponents, and cricket enthusiasts alike.

Confusion over T20I Status at Africa GamesThe recent Africa Games witnessed a mix-up in communication, resulting in some matches being granted T20I status while others were not. The International Cricket Council (ICC) clarified that fixtures involving South Africa's men's and women's teams, as well as Zimbabwe's men's team, were not considered T20Is. However, games between the other six men's teams and seven women's teams were recognized as T20Is.The confusion arose after Cricket South Africa (CSA) inquired about the official status of the matches. According to the ICC's "Classification of Official Cricket" document, all T20 matches played under ICC regulations are considered internationals, except for those involving A teams or age-group sides.South Africa sent an emerging women's team and a university men's team to the Africa Games due to player commitments elsewhere. Zimbabwe selected an under-25 men's side but fielded a first-choice women's squad. The other participating countries, all Associate nations, sent their strongest available sides and believed they were playing internationals.The miscommunication raised concerns for South Africa and Zimbabwe, who are Full Members of the ICC. They questioned whether the results would affect their T20I rankings. CSA also expressed concerns about the impact on 16-year-old wicketkeeper Karabo Meso, who played at the Africa Games and was subsequently named in the senior squad to face Sri Lanka.Additionally, there were concerns about the infrastructure in Accra, particularly the suitability of the cricket venues. CSA intervened, and a ground consultant from Zimbabwe assisted in preparing the pitch and outfield.The Africa Games organizers were contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of writing.