Cricket

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.

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.

Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph's remarkable partnership propelled West Indies to a historic victory over England in the T20 World Cup group stage, securing a semi-final berth for the first time since 2018.Despite being underdogs, West Indies defied expectations with a dominant performance. Joseph, in particular, played a pivotal role, smashing a career-best 52 off just 38 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Her aggressive batting set the tone for the innings, as she and Matthews put on a 102-run stand off just 74 balls.Matthews, who played her best innings of the tournament with 50 off 38, provided solid support to Joseph. The duo's partnership was the second time both openers had scored 50 or more in a women's T20I for West Indies, the first being in the 2016 T20 World Cup final.Joseph's rise to the occasion was particularly impressive, as she stepped up in the absence of Stafanie Taylor, West Indies' leading run-scorer. Her versatility and improved ball-striking have made her a valuable asset to the team.Despite England's vast resources and unbeaten record in the group stages, West Indies' determination and fighting spirit proved too much to overcome. Deandra Dottin also played a crucial role, setting the tone with brilliant fielding and contributing with the ball.West Indies' victory is a testament to their resilience and the depth of their squad. By topping their group, they avoid favorites Australia in the semi-finals and will face New Zealand on Friday in Sharjah.Matthews expressed her pride in her team's performance, highlighting the challenges they have faced and the passion that drives them. "We probably just don't have it like the rest a lot of the time," she said. "But the one thing that does bring the entire West Indies together is cricket."

Pakistan's women's cricket team suffered a humiliating defeat on Monday, crashing out of the T20 World Cup semifinals race after being bowled out for a mere 56 against New Zealand. The team's dismal performance, which included a series of dropped catches and poor shot selection, has sparked outrage among former players and cricket experts.After restricting New Zealand to a manageable 110 for 6, Pakistan's batting lineup collapsed like a house of cards. The team lost five wickets for just 28 runs, and despite a brief rally, they were eventually dismissed for 56 all out in 11.4 overs. The defeat not only ended Pakistan's hopes of reaching the semifinals but also raised serious questions about the team's preparation and strategy.Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali expressed his disappointment with the team's performance, stating that they "seemed like they were playing badminton, not cricket." He criticized the team's chairperson, Tania Mallick, a former national badminton champion, for her lack of cricket experience.Ali also highlighted the team's poor fielding, pointing out that they dropped several easy catches. "I haven't seen such a team," he said. "You may lose 10 out of 10 matches, but I haven't seen a team dropping catches like that."Despite the team's struggles, Ali praised captain Fatima Sana for her resilience. Sana, who had lost her father a few days ago, contributed the most runs (21) to Pakistan's total. Ali criticized the team's shot selection and the drastic changes in the batting order, which he believed contributed to their downfall."Who got out on a good ball? Muneeba (Ali) played a cross-batted shot. They were getting run-out, playing bad shots," he said. "Sana Fatima lost her father recently; she played the best knock."Ali also extended his sarcasm to Pakistan's men's team, which had recently lost the first Test against England despite scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. He suggested that the men's team's defeat may have had a negative impact on the women's team."I think the way Pakistan lost the first Test, it shocked the women's team as well and they too couldn't play...We know our team is weak, everybody knows that. But to lose like that...56 all out in 11.4 overs. It hurt me, personally," he said.

T20 World Cup 2024: Controversial LBW Decision Sparks Debate in India vs. Australia MatchThe T20 World Cup 2024 witnessed a contentious LBW decision that sparked controversy during the match between India and Australia on Sunday. In the 17th over of Australia's innings, Phoebe Litchfield attempted a reverse sweep off Deepti Sharma's bowling but missed the ball completely. The on-field umpire initially ruled Litchfield out LBW, but the third umpire overturned the decision after determining that the ball had pitched outside the leg stump line.The Indian fielders, led by Smriti Mandhana, were visibly frustrated by the decision. They argued that Litchfield had changed her batting stance for the delivery and should have been treated as a right-hander, which would have meant the ball pitched on her leg stump.However, according to the official cricket rules, the definition of off and on sides does not change even if the batter alters their stance while playing a switch hit. As the ball pitched outside Litchfield's leg stump, she could not be dismissed LBW.The incident highlighted the complexities of the LBW rule and the challenges umpires face in making split-second decisions. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club), the governing body of cricket, clarified that the off side of the wicket is determined by the batter's batting position at the moment the ball comes into play for that delivery.The controversial decision ultimately had a significant impact on the match. India lost to defending champions Australia by nine runs in their last group match, putting their chances of qualifying for the semifinals in jeopardy.

In a thrilling T20 World Cup encounter, Australia emerged victorious over India by nine runs, securing their place in the semi-finals. The match, played before a sold-out crowd of 14,946 at Sharjah Stadium, was a testament to the resilience and composure of the Australian team.Annabel Sutherland, celebrating her 23rd birthday the day before, played a pivotal role in Australia's triumph. She defended 14 runs in the final over, taking two wickets and denying India the chance to dictate their destiny. Despite the high-stakes atmosphere, Sutherland remained calm and collected, showcasing her maturity and composure.Australia's captain, Tahlia McGrath, praised Sutherland's performance, noting her ability to execute her plans flawlessly under pressure. McGrath also highlighted the team's ability to overcome adversity, including the late withdrawal of Tayla Vlaeminck due to injury and the uncertainty surrounding Alyssa Healy's fitness.Despite the chaos surrounding Australia's batting innings, with Georgia Wareham failing to review an lbw decision and Sophie Molineux being run out, McGrath's innings of 32 off 26 balls provided stability. Grace Harris top-scored with 40 off 41, while Ellyse Perry contributed 32 off 23.Megan Schutt's nerveless over in the 17th, where she conceded just one run and saw Richa Ghosh run out, proved crucial for Australia. McGrath hailed Schutt's performance, emphasizing its impact on the game's momentum.Australia's experience in playing in front of pro-India crowds during their recent tour of India helped them navigate the hostile atmosphere in Sharjah. McGrath emphasized the importance of ignoring the crowd's influence and maintaining focus on the game.As India's Harmanpreet Kaur threatened to snatch victory with her unbeaten 54, Australia remained composed and executed their plans effectively. The result leaves India's fate hanging in the balance, as they await the outcome of Monday's clash between New Zealand and Pakistan.

Australia's T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a major blow with the loss of fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck for the remainder of the tournament. Vlaeminck dislocated her right shoulder while attempting to save a boundary in Australia's victory over Pakistan on Friday.The injury is a cruel setback for Vlaeminck, who was making her first World Cup appearance since 2018. The 23-year-old has endured a string of serious injuries throughout her career, including two ACL tears, a twice-dislocated left shoulder, and stress fractures to her foot.Vlaeminck's absence will be a significant loss for Australia, who are one of the favorites to win the tournament. The right-armer has been a key member of the team's bowling attack in recent years, and her pace and aggression will be missed.Australia have called up Heather Graham as Vlaeminck's replacement. Graham is a right-arm seam bowler who has played five T20Is and one ODI for Australia. She will be available for selection in Australia's final group game against India on Sunday.In addition to Vlaeminck's injury, Australia are also sweating on the fitness of captain Alyssa Healy. Healy suffered a right-foot injury while batting in the match against Pakistan. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but Healy is expected to undergo scans on Saturday.If Healy is ruled out of the tournament, it would be a major blow for Australia. The wicketkeeper-batter is one of the most experienced players in the team and her leadership will be missed.Australia will be hoping that both Vlaeminck and Healy can recover in time for the knockout stages of the tournament. However, the injuries are a reminder of the fragility of the human body and the challenges that athletes face in staying healthy.

The qualification scenario for the semi-finals in Group A of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup has become clearer after New Zealand's convincing victory over Sri Lanka. With just two matches remaining in the group, India and New Zealand are the frontrunners to join Australia in the next round.India, currently leading the group with a net run rate (NRR) of 0.576, will face defending champions Australia on Sunday. New Zealand, with an NRR of 0.282, will take on Pakistan on Monday.If both India and New Zealand win their remaining matches, they will be tied with Australia on six points. In this scenario, the two teams with the highest NRR will advance to the semi-finals. India's superior NRR gives them an advantage over New Zealand.However, if both India and New Zealand lose their final matches, Pakistan will come into contention. The team with the best NRR among India, New Zealand, and Pakistan will join Australia in the semi-finals.If either India or New Zealand loses their final match, the other team will progress to the semi-finals with six points, alongside Australia.India's task is more challenging as they face an in-form Australia, who have won their last ten matches in a row. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be confident after their impressive victory over Sri Lanka.The outcome of the remaining matches in Group A will determine the two teams that will join Australia in the semi-finals. The high stakes and intense competition promise an exciting conclusion to the group stage.