Cricket

London Spirit's women's team has secured a spot in the Hundred final against Welsh Fire at Lord's after an impressive eight-wicket victory over Oval Invincibles. The Spirit's triumph marks their first final appearance in the competition's history and ensures that all eight teams from both the men's and women's divisions have now reached the Hundred final.Opting to bowl first, the Spirit bowlers put in a disciplined performance, restricting the Invincibles to a modest total of 113 for 9. Charlie Dean led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3 for 24, while Sarah Glenn and Deepti Sharma also contributed with economical spells.Invincibles captain Lauren Winfield-Hill made a promising start, hitting three boundaries in the second set, but was dismissed for 21 by Dean. Alice Capsey top-scored for the Invincibles with 30, but her innings was cut short by Danielle Gibson. Marizanne Kapp also made a valuable contribution of 26, but the Spirit bowlers kept the pressure on throughout the innings.Chasing 114 for victory, the Spirit openers, Georgia Redmayne and Meg Lanning, got off to a solid start, reaching 33 for 0 after the powerplay. Lanning was eventually dismissed for 22, but Redmayne continued to anchor the innings, finishing unbeaten on 53 from 47 balls.Heather Knight, the Spirit captain, provided excellent support with an unbeaten 36, and the pair shared an unbroken stand of 74 to guide their team to victory with 18 balls to spare.Redmayne, who was named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her delight at the team's performance: "It's really special. We came into this game in really good spirits. We knew if we did the simple things right that we've got the team to be able to win the game and get to a Lord's final at home which is going to be incredible."

Rich Pyrah, who was dismissed from Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 2021 amidst the racism scandal, has been reinstated as the club's women's head coach. Pyrah, who previously served as the men's batting coach, was found guilty of using racist and discriminatory language by the Cricket Discipline Commission. He received a two-week coaching ban and a £2,500 fine.Pyrah was among the 16 staff members who were sacked after signing a letter to the Yorkshire board accusing whistleblower Azeem Rafiq of attempting to "bring down the club" with his allegations of institutional racism. Yorkshire and Pyrah reached a settlement in 2022, with the club acknowledging that his dismissal was "procedurally unfair."Yorkshire's announcement of Pyrah's appointment as women's head coach made no mention of his previous dismissal. Club chairman Colin Graves expressed enthusiasm for Pyrah's return, stating that he was the "right person to lead Yorkshire into the club's new chapter."Pyrah expressed his pride in being appointed to the role, emphasizing the exciting time for women's cricket following the ECB's restructuring of the professional game. Yorkshire will compete in Tier 2 of the ECB's revamped domestic structure next year, with the aim of becoming a Tier 1 county from 2026 onwards.Pyrah's appointment has sparked mixed reactions. Some have welcomed his return, citing his proven development skills and winning mentality. Others have expressed concerns about the message it sends regarding the club's commitment to addressing racism.

Sophie Devine, the dynamic New Zealand captain, has extended her stay with the Perth Scorchers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for another two seasons. This pre-draft signing ensures that Devine will continue to be a cornerstone of the Scorchers' lineup for the upcoming campaigns.Devine's retention by the Scorchers is a testament to her exceptional contributions to the team. In the previous season, she emerged as a pivotal figure, amassing 489 runs at an impressive average of 37.61. Her century against the Brisbane Heat showcased her batting prowess, while her 14 wickets highlighted her versatility as an all-rounder.Devine's impact extends beyond her on-field performances. She has forged strong connections with the players and staff at the Scorchers, creating a positive and supportive environment. "For me, coming back to Perth was a no brainer," Devine said. "I have built such a special connection with the players and staff over the past four seasons, and I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else."The Scorchers have yet to announce a new contract for Beth Mooney, the Australian opener who has been a key player for the team. However, it is widely expected that Mooney will remain with the club. The Scorchers have also bolstered their squad with the acquisition of Mikayla Hinkley from the Brisbane Heat during the off-season.Last season, the Scorchers fielded a formidable overseas contingent that included English trio Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Lauren Winfield-Hill. However, Sciver-Brunt has indicated that she will not be participating in this season's WBBL due to the demanding international schedule.The WBBL is set to commence just seven days after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, while England has a tour of South Africa that overlaps with the end of the tournament in late November.Devine's return to the Scorchers follows the recent signing of Chamari Athapaththu by the Sydney Thunder for a three-year deal. With only Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes yet to announce pre-draft signings, the WBBL is shaping up to be another highly competitive season.

The rise of franchise cricket has sparked a debate in women's cricket, with former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami advocating for its prioritization over bilateral series. Goswami, who has been involved in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and Women's CPL, believes that franchise cricket is crucial for the growth of the sport.Goswami highlights the success of franchise leagues like the WBBL and Hundred in producing quality cricketers. She argues that giving priority to these leagues will ensure the availability of top players, leading to more competitive and successful tournaments.The calendar clash between franchise leagues and bilateral series has become a concern, with players facing difficult choices. Goswami suggests that the ICC should prioritize franchise league windows to avoid losing out on quality cricketers. She believes that bilateral series should be scheduled after these windows to ensure the growth of women's cricket.Goswami's views are supported by the busy calendar for the rest of 2024. The women's Hundred, WCPL, T20 World Cup, and WBBL are all scheduled within a short period, followed by international matches and home seasons for various teams.The prioritization of franchise cricket is seen as a way to address the limited pool of quality cricketers in women's cricket. By giving priority to these leagues, the ICC can ensure that the best players are available for the most competitive tournaments, which will ultimately benefit the growth and development of the sport.

Marizanne Kapp, the South African all-rounder, has revealed that she had decided to retire from international cricket earlier this year. However, she was persuaded to reconsider by CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe and is now grateful that she did not go through with it.Kapp had been feeling the strain of balancing franchise cricket with her commitments to the South African team, which is undergoing a rebuilding phase. The fitness controversy surrounding her wife, Dane van Niekerk, had also taken its toll.However, Nkwe urged Kapp to take her time and consider her decision carefully. They have since worked together to manage her workload, and Kapp is now committed to playing for South Africa for the foreseeable future."I did retire earlier this year - or asked to retire - and luckily I didn't," Kapp told ESPNcricinfo. "I spoke to the director of cricket, and he actually asked me to just hang on, think it through, [and] don't make decisions too quickly, and I'm glad that I didn't go through with it because I feel like I'm at the peak of my career."Kapp's decision to continue playing is a major boost for South Africa, who have lost several big names in recent years, including van Niekerk, Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee, and Shabnim Ismail.Kapp's ODI bowling workload will be carefully managed, but she remains confident of playing a full all-round role in T20s for both her franchise sides and her country. She has committed to playing all ODIs which are part of the Women's Championship and count towards World Cup qualification, but will miss some T20Is including November's series against England, which overlaps with the end of the WBBL.Kapp's decision to sign a three-year deal with the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL was influenced by the opportunity to work with coach Jonathan Batty and play alongside Meg Lanning. She is also looking forward to having a chance to settle with one team after a difficult season with the Sydney Thunder last year.Overall, Kapp believes that she is at the peak of her career, and her numbers support this claim. In all T20s this year, her average is 33.06 and her strike rate at 142.97, both considerably up on her career figures. In ODIs since 2023, she is averaging 62.63.Kapp traces her success back to the Test century against England in 2022, but admits that it has been a difficult journey. "It's probably been my toughest couple of years; it's not been easy," she said. "I've always enjoyed my batting… but [I used to] feel like the world was always so focused on my bowling and wouldn't speak about my batting, and that makes you lose confidence."

Manchester Originals' Beth Mooney's scintillating 99* propelled her team to a 17-run victory over Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Mooney's masterful innings, the highest individual score in the tournament this year, laid the foundation for Originals' 151 for 3.The Australian left-hander showcased her exceptional batting prowess, effortlessly finding gaps and displaying the form that has earned her the top spot in Women's T20I cricket. Despite falling agonizingly short of a century when Sophie Ecclestone was run out on the final ball, Mooney's contribution proved pivotal.Northern Superchargers' chase got off to a promising start with Phoebe Litchfield's impressive 45 from 29. However, her dismissal by Kim Garth's slower ball triggered a collapse, with the team running out of steam in pursuit of the target.Kathryn Bryce emerged as the star of the bowling attack, claiming a hat-trick and finishing with remarkable figures of 5-13. Her exceptional performance gave Originals a personal landmark to celebrate, despite their hopes of tournament progression fading.The victory prevented Superchargers from climbing to the top of the table, leaving the women's competition standings congested heading into the final week.

Ashleigh Gardner's life took a dramatic turn after a FaceTime call during the T20 World Cup. The auction for the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) was underway, and Gardner watched in disbelief as her bid soared to INR 3.2 crore. This life-changing sum, equivalent to A$558,000 for three weeks' work, marked a significant milestone in women's cricket.Gardner's journey began with a modest state contract worth A$3,000 as a teenager. The WPL contract represented a paradigm shift, reflecting the growing interest and investment in women's cricket. Gardner acknowledges the transformative power of the sport, stating, "People are buying into what the women's game is, showcasing women in sport."However, Gardner has grappled with the pressure associated with her high-priced contract. Despite solid performances in the WPL, she admits to falling short of her own expectations. "The ridiculous price tag brought an expectation that I had to live up to," she says. "It's a perceived pressure thing that I'm putting on myself."Gardner's current stint with the Trent Rockets in the Hundred provides a fresh perspective. Her contract, while significantly lower than her WPL salary, represents a 60% increase from previous years. The Hundred offers a valuable opportunity for Australian players to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Gardner believes that Australian cricket could learn from the Hundred's success. She suggests exploring double-headers and leveraging the popularity of men's cricket to grow the women's game. The WBBL's recent schedule changes, including more matches at major stadiums, are seen as positive steps.Gardner's immediate focus is on helping the Rockets reach the knockout stages of the Hundred. She recognizes the expectations placed on international players and aims to contribute both on and off the field. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Gardner remains confident in her abilities and the team's potential.

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Chamari Athapaththu have been nominated for the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for July 2024.Smriti Mandhana, India's vice-captain, is aiming for back-to-back success after winning the award in June. In July, she scored 273 runs in T20Is at an average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 139.28. She began with a career-best 149 in the one-off Test against South Africa, setting a record partnership with Shafali Verma. She also scored 100 runs in the T20I series against South Africa and 173 runs in the Women's Asia Cup.Shafali Verma, India's opening batter, scored 229 Test runs and 245 T20I runs in July. She became the second Indian woman to hit a double century in Tests, reaching the milestone in 194 balls, the fastest ever in Women's Tests. She also scored 205 in the first innings, the highest score for India in their record-breaking total of 603/6. In the T20I series against South Africa, she scored 45 runs, and in the Women's Asia Cup, she was the second-highest run-getter with 200 runs at a strike rate of 140.84.Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka's skipper, led her team to victory in the Women's Asia Cup on home soil. She scored 304 runs during the competition at an average of 101.33 and a strike rate of 146.85. Her standout performances included an unbeaten 119 against Malaysia and two crucial half-centuries in the knockout stages.The ICC Women's Player of the Month award for July 2024 will be announced soon.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team has added wicketkeeper Kaushini Nuthyangana to its 16-member squad for the upcoming tour of Ireland. Nuthyangana, who has yet to make her ODI debut, will serve as backup to regular wicketkeeper Anushka Sanjeewani.The squad, which lifted the Women's Asia Cup last week, will be without talismanic skipper Chamari Athapaththu for the T20Is on August 11 and 13 due to her commitments with the Oval Invincibles in the Women's Hundred. Athapaththu, who was named Player of the Tournament in the Asia Cup, will join the team for the ODIs, which are part of the 2022-2025 ICC Women's Championship cycle, starting August 16.In Athapaththu's absence, Harshitha Samarawickrama, who was the last designated vice-captain, could lead the team. The batting burden will fall on the shoulders of 18-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne, who has the fifth-most runs in women's T20Is in 2024, and Samarawickrama. Spin-bowling allrounder Kavisha Dilhari has also shown consistency with the bat.However, there is some uncertainty in the batting lineup below these three players, although Hasini Perera, Nilakshika Silva, and Sanjeewani have all produced exciting cameos in the past year. Nuthyangana is likely to get game time as Sri Lanka does not have another batting replacement for Athapaththu in the squad.The bowling options include four frontline spinners and three seamers.