Cricket

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.

Bangladesh cricket is experiencing a tumultuous period, but newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons is determined to keep the focus on the upcoming Test series against South Africa.Simmons, who replaced Chandika Hathurusinghe on Tuesday, faces a challenging task. Shakib Al Hasan, the team's star all-rounder, has withdrawn from the Test side due to ongoing protests against him. Additionally, Hathurusinghe has publicly criticized the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) since his dismissal.Despite these distractions, Simmons is adamant about maintaining the team's concentration on the cricket. "Our job is to keep the players focused on the cricket and not on the outside noise," he said. "We can control how we prepare for Monday, and that's how we're trying to get the team to focus."Simmons brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role, having worked with several international teams and T20 franchises. He believes his past experiences will be invaluable in preparing Bangladesh for the Test series."Afghanistan helped me with the language barrier sometimes. Ireland helped me with developing young players. It all comes in handy at the end of the day," he said.Simmons has been impressed by the young players in the Bangladesh squad, particularly their performance in the recent Test series win against Pakistan. He believes they have the potential to beat South Africa, who have not won a Test series in the subcontinent in the last ten years."Bangladesh are usually very strong at home. So it is a very good opportunity for us to win the Test series," Simmons said. "South Africa has that record hanging over their head, but they are a resilient team. They will work hard to change that."Simmons is confident in Bangladesh's chances, but he is also wary of taking South Africa lightly. He believes the team must prepare thoroughly and execute their plans effectively to achieve success.

Alyssa Healy's absence from Australia's T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa was a major blow to the team's hopes of retaining their title. The captain revealed that she had suffered a ruptured plantar fascia in her foot, an injury that prevented her from taking the field.Healy sustained the injury while running between the wickets during Australia's penultimate group-stage game against Pakistan. Despite the pain, she attempted to play through the discomfort, but the decision was ultimately made to rest her for the semi-final."It's a bit sore," Healy said after the match. "I ruptured my plantar fascia. I completely ruptured one and partially ruptured the other."The injury is a significant setback for Healy, who is one of Australia's most experienced and successful players. Her absence was keenly felt in the semi-final, as South Africa cruised to an eight-wicket victory.Healy's availability for the upcoming WBBL season and India's tour of Australia remains uncertain. She admitted that she is unsure how long she will be sidelined."I don't know yet," she said. "We'll assess that when we get back. WBBL starts next Sunday so we'll reassess that as we go."Despite the disappointment of missing the semi-final, Healy praised her teammates for their efforts throughout the tournament."It was hard to watch, knowing that you can't really go out there and help," she said. "But it was good to see so many positives throughout the tournament. It hasn't ended the way we wanted, but I think we've played some amazing cricket."Healy also expressed her confidence in stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath, who led Australia to victory in their final group game against India."T-Mac's had the opportunity to captain in my absence before and done it outstandingly well," she said. "I can't fault the side at all in their optimism in taking on the challenge."

South Africa's women's cricket team has reached the final of the T20 World Cup after a convincing eight-wicket victory over Australia in the semi-final on Thursday.The Proteas, who lost to Australia in the final of the previous edition of the tournament, avenged that defeat with a dominant performance in Cape Town.South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt won the toss and elected to field first. Australia's innings got off to a shaky start as they lost Grace Harris and Georgia Wareham cheaply. Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath then steadied the ship with a 50-run partnership, but McGrath was dismissed for 27 by Nonkululeko Mlaba.Ellyse Perry came to the crease in the 13th over and played a crucial role in helping Australia reach a respectable total of 134 for 5. Mooney top-scored for Australia with 44 off 42 balls.In reply, South Africa got off to a solid start with Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits putting on 41 for the first wicket. Wolvaardt was dismissed for 42 off 37 balls, but Anneke Bosch took over the mantle and played a superb innings of 74 not out off 48 balls to guide her team to victory.Bosch hit nine fours and two sixes in her match-winning knock, and she was ably supported by Chloe Tryon, who made 25 not out off 18 balls.South Africa reached their target with 16 balls to spare, setting up a final clash with either England or India.

In a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup final, South Africa elected to bowl first after winning the toss against Australia in the first semi-final of the 2024 edition. The match, played at a pitch with minimal grass cover, marked the absence of Australian captain Alyssa Healy, who continues to recover from an injury.South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, explained her decision to bowl first by stating that the ball "comes on better in the second half." The Proteas fielded an unchanged lineup from their previous match, while Australia retained the same team that narrowly defeated India in their last league game.Australia's batting lineup featured explosive opener Grace Harris and wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament. South Africa's bowling attack, led by experienced all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and pace bowler Ayabonga Khaka, will be tasked with containing the Australian batters.The pitch, which has hosted two matches in the tournament, is expected to offer assistance to both batters and fast bowlers. The square boundaries are relatively short, measuring 57 and 63 meters, while the straight boundary is 73 meters.South Africa will be aiming to repeat their historic T20I victory over Australia earlier this year, while Australia will be determined to avenge their loss in the previous World Cup final. The match promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the top teams in women's cricket.

Australia's hopes of retaining their T20 World Cup title hinge on the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy, who is battling a foot injury ahead of their semi-final clash against South Africa. Healy sustained the injury during Australia's victory over Pakistan and has been using crutches and a moon boot since.Despite her absence from training, Australia remains optimistic about Healy's availability for the crucial match. "We're going to give her every opportunity and possibility of playing tomorrow night," said Ellyse Perry, who deputized as captain in Healy's absence.Perry emphasized the importance of Healy's leadership and the team's unwavering support for her. "Midge is such an important leader in our group and is still contributing just as much," she said.Australia's preparations for the semi-final were tested in their final group-stage match against India, which was played in front of a hostile pro-India crowd in Sharjah. Perry believes the experience will serve them well in the knockout stages."It was a situation we've been in before but probably hadn't been exposed to in this World Cup so far," she said. "I thought the way we rose to that and just adapted to the challenge was awesome."South Africa, meanwhile, are buoyed by their recent victory over Australia in a T20I in Canberra. Captain Laura Wolvaardt believes that win has instilled confidence in her team."It brings back a little bit of déjà vu, just a year ago having to face them in the final," Wolvaardt said. "A lot has happened since then, though obviously we had the two wins against them earlier this year, so I think that just gives a bit of a positive energy in the camp."South Africa has also grown as a team since their World Cup final defeat last year, with the addition of allrounder Annerie Dercksen and the experience gained through a challenging year."It's been a bit of an up and down year for us," Wolvaardt said. "But I feel like we have really hit our stride in this World Cup."The semi-final between Australia and South Africa promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams determined to reach the final. Healy's fitness will be a key factor, but Australia will be confident in their ability to overcome adversity and defend their title.

Australia and South Africa Set for T20 World Cup Semifinal ShowdownDubai, 6pm local timeAustralia and South Africa will face off in a highly anticipated semifinal clash at the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Both teams have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, with Australia unbeaten and South Africa boasting a 3-1 record.Australia's Unbeaten RunAustralia has been the dominant force in the tournament, winning all four of their group matches. They overcame a spirited challenge from India in their last group game, securing a nine-run victory. Captain Alyssa Healy, who missed the India match due to a foot injury, is expected to return for the semifinal.South Africa's ResurgenceSouth Africa has also impressed, winning three of their four group matches. Their only defeat came against England, but they bounced back with victories over Bangladesh and New Zealand. They will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 T20 World Cup final.Key Players to WatchMegan Schutt has been a standout performer for Australia, with her miserly spells proving crucial in all four of their wins. Tazmin Brits has been equally impressive for South Africa, providing solid starts at the top of the order.Venue and ConditionsThe semifinal will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where Australia has played just one match so far. The average first-innings score at the venue is 126, suggesting that a low-scoring affair could be on the cards.Head-to-Head RecordSouth Africa has a poor record against Australia in T20Is, having won just one of their 10 previous encounters. However, they will be hoping to break that trend and reach the final for the second time in a row.

Shakib Al Hasan, the legendary Bangladeshi all-rounder, is set to bid farewell to Test cricket on home soil in the upcoming series against South Africa. The first Test, commencing on Monday, will mark Shakib's final appearance in the longest format before his adoring home crowd.Shakib's decision to retire from Tests was prompted by his desire to focus on limited-overs cricket and spend more time with his family. However, he expressed his wish to play his final Test at home, a request that was initially met with uncertainty due to security concerns.The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had initially declined Shakib's request, citing its inability to guarantee his safety. However, following a change in leadership at the BCB, the board has now agreed to provide security for Shakib, paving the way for his farewell appearance.Shakib's return to the Bangladesh Test team comes after a period of controversy. He was accused of involvement in the murder of a student, but the veteran all-rounder was in Canada playing in a T20 league at the time of the incident.Despite the allegations, Shakib has issued an unconditional apology for his silence during the civil unrest in Bangladesh, which led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He expressed his respect for the students who sacrificed their lives and apologized to those who were hurt by his silence.Shakib's farewell Test will be an emotional occasion for both the player and the Bangladesh cricket fans. He has been a cornerstone of the Bangladesh Test team for over a decade, amassing over 6,000 runs and 235 wickets. His all-round abilities have played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's rise as a competitive Test nation.In his farewell message to the fans, Shakib expressed his gratitude for their support and his desire to end his Test career on a high note. He invited the fans to join him in this special moment and thanked them for their unwavering belief in him.Following the two-Test series against South Africa, Bangladesh will depart for the UAE to face Afghanistan in a three-match series. Shakib, who is also a key member of the ODI side, will be part of the squad that will travel to the UAE, marking his departure from Bangladesh.

In a remarkable turn of events, former South African batter and current batting coach Jean-Paul Duminy took to the field as a substitute fielder during the final ODI against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates. The unusual occurrence stemmed from the intense heat, which forced several regular South African players to leave the field due to fatigue.Duminy, now 40 years old, last played for South Africa in 2019. However, his fielding skills remained sharp as he made an impressive one-handed save in the 50th and final over of Ireland's innings. Irish batter Harry Tector mistimed a reverse sweep, and Duminy, positioned at short third-man, reacted swiftly to prevent a boundary.Duminy's fielding prowess was a testament to his exceptional abilities during his playing days. He was known for his agility and quick reflexes, making him a valuable asset to the South African team.The match itself saw Ireland post a respectable 284 in 50 overs, led by captain Paul Stirling's 88 off 92 balls. In response, South Africa struggled to keep up, losing three early wickets. Jason Smith provided some resistance with a valiant 91 off 93 balls, but Ireland ultimately secured a convincing 69-run victory.Duminy's appearance as a substitute fielder highlighted the challenges faced by players in the extreme heat of the UAE. It also showcased the versatility and dedication of the South African coaching staff, who are willing to go the extra mile to support their team.