Cricket

India's women's cricket team is gearing up for their one-off Test against South Africa, buoyed by recent white-ball series victories. However, head coach Amol Muzumdar believes there's room for improvement in all departments."We have the momentum, but we're trying to focus on each game as it comes," Muzumdar said. "The demands of Test cricket are different, but the team is up for it."India last played a Test in December, beating Australia in Mumbai. They also won a one-off Test against England at home. Most of the top players also participated in the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal Multi-day Trophy in March-April.Despite having only five days to prepare for the Test, Muzumdar is confident that the players are ready for the challenge. "We're aware that red-ball cricket will be a part of women's cricket going forward," he said. "The inter-zonal tournament was critical in sending that message."The core of the team will remain the same, but Shubha Satheesh, Sneh Rana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Meghna Singh will be coming in for the Test. "They're very important players," Muzumdar said. "They've had a specific workload in the camp and are raring to go."Muzumdar also expressed support for a women's World Test Championship, similar to the men's format. "It's not a bad idea," he said. "Test cricket is always special, and every game is important."The team has also included 17-year-old uncapped medium pacer Shabnam Shakil. "She's a superb talent," Muzumdar said. "We're including her so she gets a feel of the team culture and atmosphere."

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has etched her name in the history books by becoming the woman player with the most runs in a three-match bilateral ODI series. Mandhana achieved this remarkable feat during India's third ODI against South Africa at Bengaluru on Sunday.In the third ODI, Mandhana played a pivotal role in India's victory, scoring 90 runs off 83 balls, including 11 fours. Her innings came at a strike rate of 108.43, further solidifying her status as one of the most dangerous batters in women's cricket.Mandhana's performance in the series was nothing short of exceptional. In the first ODI, she scored 117 runs off 127 balls, with 12 fours and a six. In the second ODI, she went one step further, scoring 136 runs off 120 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes.Overall, Mandhana ended the three-match series with a staggering 343 runs, at an average of 114.33 and a strike rate of above 103. Her tally included two centuries and a fifty, a testament to her consistency and ability to score runs in all conditions.Mandhana's heroics earned her the 'Player of the Series' award as India whitewashed South Africa by 3-0. Her performance has not only helped India secure a series victory but has also cemented her position as one of the best batters in the world.The previous record for the most runs in a bilateral ODI series by a women's player was held by former Australian player Karen Rolton, who scored 394 runs in six ODIs against New Zealand in 2004. Mandhana's achievement is even more impressive considering that she did it in just three matches.In the third ODI, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Skipper Laura Woolvaardt (61 off 57 balls) and Tazmin Brits (38 off 26 balls) provided a solid start with a 102-run opening stand. However, Indian bowlers fought back, with Deepti Sharma (2/27) and Arundhati Reddy (2/36) leading the charge. South Africa was eventually bowled out for 215 runs in 50 overs.In the run-chase, Mandhana held one end steady, while Shafali Varma (25 off 39 balls), Priya Punia (28 off 40 balls), and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (42 off 48 balls) played crucial knocks. Jemimah Rodrigues (19* off 20 balls) and Richa Ghosh (6* off 10 balls) finished the job, guiding India to a comfortable six-wicket victory with 56 balls to spare.Deepti Sharma was named 'Player of the Match' for her all-round performance, which included two wickets and a crucial 20 runs off 24 balls.

India's women's cricket team has announced its squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa, which will feature a three-match ODI series, a one-off Test, and three T20Is. The series will mark India's third Test in seven months, as they continue to promote the longer format of the game.The squads include several notable inclusions and exclusions. Batter Jemimah Rodrigues and allrounder Pooja Vastrakar have been named in all three squads, but their selection is subject to fitness. Rodrigues has been recovering from a back injury, while Vastrakar's injury status is unspecified.Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry has earned a call-up to all three squads, replacing Yastika Bhatia, who is out injured. Chetry was part of India's gold-medal winning team at the 2023 Asian Games.Top-order batter Priya Punia, who last played for India in July 2023, has been recalled to the Test side. Medium-pacer Arundhati Reddy has also been called up to the Test and ODI squads.Fast bowler Titas Sadhu, who played in the T20Is against Bangladesh and India's last ODI and Test assignments, has missed out on selection. Legspinner S Asha, who made her T20I debut in Bangladesh, has earned her maiden ODI call-up. D Hemalatha, who made her comeback in the Bangladesh series, could return to ODI action after almost two years.The series will begin with the ODI series in Bengaluru, followed by the Test in Chennai. The T20Is will also be played in Chennai. The one-off Test was not originally part of the ICC's FTP but was added as both the BCCI and CSA aim to promote women's Tests.

Ireland's cricket landscape is set to witness a unique blend of home and away fixtures in 2024, as the Irish Cricket Board (ICB) navigates infrastructure challenges with innovative solutions.In a bid to overcome the lack of a permanent home stadium and the high costs of temporary infrastructure, Ireland will host a "home" white-ball series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi later this year. This decision, described as "creative" by ICB chief executive Warren Deutrom, allows Ireland to fulfill its international commitments while addressing infrastructure constraints.The South Africa series, initially scheduled for Ireland in July, will now comprise two ODIs and three T20Is in Abu Dhabi from late September. This marks the second consecutive away series against Ireland that South Africa will play on neutral ground, following the relocation of two T20Is to Bristol in England in 2022.Despite the absence of a permanent home stadium, Ireland will host a historic men's Test match for the second time in their history in July. The Civil Service ground in Stormont, Belfast, will host a one-off Test against Zimbabwe from July 25-29. However, financial and logistical obstacles have forced the cancellation of the six white-ball games in that tour.Ireland's home fixtures also include a highly anticipated series against England's women's team, marking England's first tour of Ireland in the professional era. The series will feature three T20Is and three ICC Women's Championship ODIs in August and September.Deutrom acknowledged the challenges faced by Ireland in hosting international cricket, but emphasized the board's commitment to finding creative solutions. He stated, "We know we'll have to explore ways to creatively increase our capacity to host an ever-increasing schedule in the short term."Despite the challenges, Irish cricket fans can look forward to a packed schedule in 2024, with over 40 days of senior international cricket to enjoy. The season promises a diverse array of fixtures, including the historic Belfast Test, the possibility of Irish sides participating in two T20 World Cups, and visits from some of the world's top teams.