Cricket

India, the inaugural T20 World Cup champions, maintain their dominance at the top of the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings ahead of the upcoming tournament. With 264 rating points, India leads the pack, followed by Australia (257 points) and defending champions England (254 points).The West Indies, two-time winners, have surged to fourth position with 252 points, buoyed by their recent 3-0 series victory over South Africa. This triumph has pushed South Africa down to seventh place. New Zealand sits at fifth with 250 points, while Pakistan and South Africa are tied at 244 points, with Pakistan holding a slight edge.Individual performances have also been noteworthy. West Indies opener Brandon King has climbed to eighth position in the batting rankings after amassing 159 runs in the recent home series. Johnson Charles, named Player of the Match in the third T20I, has jumped 17 places to 20th. Kyle Mayers has moved up 12 places to 31st, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has soared 84 places to 27th after taking eight wickets.In the latest weekly update, England captain Jos Buttler has moved up to seventh position, while Jonny Bairstow has risen eight places to 36th. Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has advanced from 57th to 51st. In the bowling rankings, Shaheen Afridi has ascended three places to 11th, and Imad Wasim has climbed 14 places to 38th.For the USA, Steven Taylor has made significant progress, advancing 28 places to 109th in the batting rankings. Bangladesh's Rishad Hussain has moved up 38 places to 52nd in the bowling rankings.As the T20 World Cup approaches, these rankings provide a snapshot of the teams and players to watch. India's dominance, the West Indies' resurgence, and the individual brilliance on display promise an exciting tournament.

The West Indies, hosting the T20 World Cup on home soil, pin their hopes on young fast bowler Shamar Joseph. Despite his limited experience in the format, Joseph's raw pace has earned him a spot in the squad ahead of Matthew Forde.Joseph's breakthrough came in January when he dismantled Australia's batting lineup in Brisbane, taking 7-68 in his second Test match. His performance showcased his exceptional skills and ability to perform on the grandest stage.The West Indies, placed in Group C alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda, aim to become the first team to lift the T20 World Cup three times. They previously triumphed in 2012 and 2016, with Carlos Brathwaite's iconic sixes against Ben Stokes securing the latter victory.Johnson Charles and Andre Russell, key members of those title-winning teams, return for another shot at glory. However, the pressure of playing at home could prove challenging, as the West Indies struggled when they hosted the 2007 ODI World Cup.Despite recent setbacks, including group-stage exits in the last two T20 World Cups and failure to qualify for the ODI World Cup in 2023, the West Indies remain optimistic. Former fast bowler Curtly Ambrose believes they possess a strong team capable of lifting the trophy.Left-hander Nicholas Pooran, with his impressive IPL performance for Lucknow Super Giants, anchors the middle order. Shai Hope and skipper Rovman Powell are also proven performers. Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph provide firepower with the ball.Coach Daren Sammy expressed confidence in the team's preparation and believes they are ready to make a statement. "We're about to knock it out of this world," he declared.

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.

The West Indies cricket team has suffered a setback ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, with star all-rounder Jason Holder ruled out due to an injury sustained while playing in the County Championship. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the news on May 26, stating that Holder will require a recovery period and will not be available for the tournament.Holder's absence is a significant blow to the West Indies, as he is a key player in both their batting and bowling lineups. He has been a consistent performer for the team in recent years, and his experience and leadership will be missed.In Holder's place, the CWI has named Obed McCoy as his replacement. McCoy is a left-arm fast bowler who has impressed in recent matches for the West Indies. He has taken 10 wickets in his last five T20 internationals, and his ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a valuable asset to the team.In addition to McCoy, the CWI has also named five reserve players for the tournament: Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Matthew Forde, Andre Fletcher, and Hayden Walsh. These players will be on standby in case of any further injuries or unforeseen circumstances.The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by the Caribbean nations and the USA from June 2. The West Indies will be looking to make a strong impression on home soil, and they will be hoping that McCoy can step up and fill the void left by Holder's absence.

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.

The ninth edition of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup is set to take place in 2024, co-hosted by West Indies and the United States. This will be the first ICC World Cup tournament to be held in the United States. The tournament will feature a record 20 teams, an expansion from 16 teams in the 2022 tournament. Canada and Uganda have qualified for the first time, while the United States will be playing by virtue of being co-hosts.The teams participating in the tournament are:* India* Pakistan* Australia* England* Netherlands* New Zealand* South Africa* Sri Lanka* United States (hosts)* West Indies (hosts)* Afghanistan* Bangladesh* Ireland* Scotland* Papua New Guinea* Canada* Nepal* Oman* Namibia* UgandaThe ICC has shortlisted four venues in the United States and six in West Indies. The following are the groups:* Group A: India (A1), Pakistan (A2), Canada, Ireland, United States* Group B: England (B1), Australia (B2), Namibia, Scotland, Oman* Group C: New Zealand (C1), West Indies (C2), Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Uganda* Group D: South Africa (D1), Sri Lanka (D2), Bangladesh, Netherlands, NepalThe top two teams from each group will be placed into two groups of four teams each in the Super 8 stage.* Super 8 Stage * Group 1: A1, B2, C1, D2 * Group 2: A2, B1, C2, D1The semifinals will feature the winner of Group 1 vs. the runner-up of Group 2 and the winner of Group 2 vs. the runner-up of Group 1.The tournament will begin on June 1, 2024, with the final scheduled for June 29, 2024.

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.

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.

England's fast-bowling stocks have suffered a significant setback with the news that Jamie Overton has been diagnosed with a lower-back stress fracture. The injury will sideline him for the upcoming Test series against West Indies and Sri Lanka this summer.Overton made his Test debut at Headingley in June 2022, impressing with two wickets against New Zealand and a gritty 97 from No. 8. However, a stress fracture ruled him out of the Ashes last summer. Despite initial scans on his back being inconclusive, he has now been diagnosed with another stress fracture that is likely to keep him out for the rest of the English summer.The news is a cruel blow for Overton, who was expected to feature in England's squad for the T20 World Cup in June. He had been in impressive form for Surrey in the County Championship, but felt discomfort after their draw against Somerset.England's fast-bowling depth will be tested this summer, especially with Stuart Broad having retired after the Ashes and James Anderson set to bow out of international cricket after the first West Indies Test at Lord's.Josh Tongue, who joined Nottinghamshire from Worcestershire in the off-season, is yet to feature this season and is unlikely to play Test cricket this summer due to a pectoral muscle issue. Saqib Mahmood, who is returning from multiple stress fractures of his own, has also experienced setbacks, while Matthew Potts only bowled three overs in Lancashire's second innings against Durham.The injury concerns highlight the importance of managing fast bowlers' workloads and ensuring they are adequately rested and rehabilitated. England will need to find replacements for Overton and other injured bowlers to maintain their competitiveness in the upcoming Test series.