Cricket

Hilton Moreeng, the former South African women's cricket team head coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA's senior and Under-19 women's teams. Moreeng's appointment comes after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose contract expired in 2023.Moreeng brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as South Africa's women's head coach for over 11 years. During his tenure, South Africa reached two ODI World Cup semi-finals, two T20 World Cup semi-finals, and became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final, at home in the 2023 T20 World Cup."I am thrilled to join USA Cricket and eager to collaborate with both current players and emerging talent," said Moreeng. "My goal is to methodically build a competitive squad capable of rivaling the best in women's cricket globally. Together, we aim to foster a culture of excellence and achievement within USA Cricket, paving the way for a successful future on the international stage."Moreeng's appointment is seen as a significant step forward for USA Cricket, which is aiming to establish itself as a competitive force in women's cricket. The team has made significant progress in recent years, qualifying for the 2023 T20 World Cup and winning the 2022 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier."Coach Hilton brings a rich background and vast experience to USA Cricket having been a critical part of the transformation of South African women's cricket," said USA Cricket chairman, Venu Pisike. "USA women are also at the beginning of a transformative period with an Olympics in four years' time and we believe Hilton's successes, diverse experiences, and understanding of challenges in an emerging cricket nation is well suited for our program."Moreeng's first assignment will be to prepare the team for the 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. He will also oversee the development of the senior team, which is aiming to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Kate Cross, England's experienced seam bowler, remains hopeful of securing a spot in the T20 World Cup squad despite her recent absence from the format. Cross returned to the ODI side for England's emphatic victory over New Zealand, but her sights are set on the upcoming Hundred tournament as an opportunity to showcase her skills and earn a recall to the T20 team.Cross has not featured in a T20I since December 2019 and has not taken a wicket in the format since the Women's Ashes in 2019. However, she is determined to prove her worth to head coach Jon Lewis and convince him to include her in the squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October."Lewy's said, 'never say never,' with T20 cricket, he's said he's definitely not ruled me out for future series or games," Cross said. "But I can just control what I can control and I know I've got the Hundred coming up where I'll be able to open the bowling and try and finish games off for the Superchargers."Cross acknowledges that the competition for places in the T20 team is fierce, but she is confident in her abilities and believes that the Hundred will provide her with the perfect platform to demonstrate her value."So for me, that's my opportunity to showcase to him what I can do and if that's good enough, it's good enough, and if it's not, then I'll obviously support the girls from quite a distance as I won't be in Bangladesh."If Cross is overlooked for the T20 World Cup, she will have the ODI World Cup in India next year to aim for. However, her focus remains on the immediate task of helping England win the current ODI series against New Zealand and continuing to develop her game."We are probably more focused on the T20 World Cup at the minute, obviously that's the one more in front of us, but we're still trying to evolve our 50-over game as well to make sure that we are as well prepared as we possibly can be when it gets to that Ashes series," Cross said.Cross believes that England's recent success in white-ball cricket is a testament to the team's growing maturity and ruthlessness. She is confident that the team can continue to improve and achieve even greater things in the future."That's where winning games of cricket, how we are at the minute, is really pleasing because we're playing what's in front of us and as we keep moving forward as a group and learning how best to play conditions, then hopefully what we're learning from these series, we'll travel over and we'll be able to keep that ruthless nature and take that into big ICC events and obviously that'll stand you in good stead to win trophies."

The recently concluded one-off Test between India and South Africa in Lucknow highlighted the compelling case for more international Tests in the women's game. The match showcased a captivating blend of individual brilliance, gritty performances, and challenging conditions.India's batting prowess was on full display as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana slammed a double century and a century, respectively, setting the tone for the game. Off-spinner Sneh Rana emerged as the match-winner, claiming a historic maiden ten-wicket haul (ten for 188). Her career-best figures of eight for 77 in the first innings included five of the last six wickets on the third morning.Despite India's comprehensive 10-wicket victory, the match was far from one-sided. The South Africans, despite not playing any multi-day games at home, showed remarkable resilience. After conceding a massive 337-run lead in the first innings, they fought back valiantly in the second.Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus led the charge with valiant centuries. The Proteas adopted a patient approach, adjusting to the slow nature of the surface and playing on the backfoot. They managed to overhaul India's deficit by 36 runs, forcing the game into the final session on the last day.While India's dominance in Tests was underscored with their third win in seven months, South Africa's performance served as a reminder of the importance of investing in the longer format. The match provided a platform for both teams to showcase their skills and highlighted the need for more competitive opportunities in women's Test cricket.

Player-of-the-match Sneh Rana's unwavering belief and the team's resilience propelled India to a thrilling victory in the one-off Test against South Africa. Despite South Africa's spirited batting display, India remained steadfast in their conviction that they would emerge victorious."We always had positive vibes. There was not a single player who thought the match was slipping away from us. The match was always inclined towards India. Everyone believed we would take the wickets," Rana said after the match.The Indian team's unwavering belief extended beyond the players to the support staff, who shared the same conviction. Rana's satisfaction stemmed not only from the victory but also from the fact that it came against one of the best teams in the world."As far as satisfaction is concerned, there's a lot of satisfaction especially when you beat the best teams; when you give a performance against them at a time when it is needed the most. I think there is nothing more satisfactory than that," she added.Rana acknowledged the challenges posed by the pitch, which favored batters more than bowlers. However, she emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions and using variations in bowling. She also highlighted the need for more Test cricket, believing it to be one of the best formats for women's cricket."I think Test is one of the best formats of cricket. And the more it is played, the better it is for women's cricket. Thanks to the BCCI for organizing multi-day domestic competition. I think that will also help. According to me, there should be at least two Tests (in a series)," she said.

India's women's cricket team registered a dominant 10-wicket victory over South Africa in the one-off Test match in Chennai, securing their second 10-wicket triumph in Test history.After declaring their first innings at 603 for six, India dismissed South Africa for 266 in their first innings. However, the Proteas put up a spirited fight in their second innings, thanks to centuries from Laura Wolvaardt (122) and Sune Luus (109).Wolvaardt became the first woman to score a century in all three formats of the game within the same calendar year. Despite her heroics, India's bowlers kept the pressure on, with Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad claiming crucial wickets.South Africa managed to surpass India's total, setting a new record for their highest team total against India in Tests. However, they struggled to build lasting partnerships, and India's bowlers eventually dismissed them for 373.Chasing a modest target of 37 runs, India's openers Shubha Satheesh and Shafali Verma guided the team to a comfortable victory in just 9.2 overs without losing a wicket.India's victory marks their second 10-wicket triumph in Tests, with the previous one coming against South Africa at Paarl in 2002. It also extends their unbeaten streak in Tests to five matches.

The Indian women's cricket team made history on the opening day of the Test match against South Africa, scoring a mammoth 525 for the loss of four wickets. This was the most runs scored by any team in a day's play in Test history, surpassing the previous record of 509 set by Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in 2022.Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana led the charge for India, scoring 205 and 149 respectively. Verma's double century was the highest individual score by an Indian woman in Test cricket, while Mandhana's century was her second in the format.South African spinner Delmi Tucker was the most successful bowler for the Proteas, taking two wickets for 141 runs. However, she praised the Indian batters for their stunning performance."We will look back and refresh today, sit down and have discussions about tomorrow. Nothing taking away from their (Indian) batters today; they were phenomenal," Tucker said.The pitch was expected to be spin-friendly, but it played more like a batting paradise on Friday. Misfields and overthrows also added to South Africa's woes.Tucker admitted that the visitors could not execute their strategies well on the day, but she remained optimistic about their chances in the remaining days of the Test."We did try a few things when Smriti and Verma were batting. We switched to around the wicket and changed the field. We were happy with it for some time, but they took it away," she said."We could have definitely been better on the field. Yeah, it's hot out there. Also, overthrows and misfields are not the best of things. But, staying positive and sharp could help in avoiding those misfields."The South African women do not have a proper red-ball setup back home, which has made their task tougher. However, Tucker said they are still learning and improving."We (SA Women) are still young (in) Test cricket, so we are still getting used to it. It's tough unlike T20s and ODIs, but we are still learning," she said."I don't think we did too bad. We did our homework and we knew what was coming."

India and South Africa are set to face off in a highly anticipated Test match in Chennai, marking the return of women's cricket to the city after a long hiatus. Both teams enter the contest with contrasting fortunes and preparations.India, fresh off impressive Test victories against England and Australia, will be confident of extending their dominance. Their spinners, particularly Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana, will be key in the spin-friendly conditions expected at the Chepauk surface. India's batting lineup also boasts depth, with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues in fine form.South Africa, on the other hand, face an uphill battle. They suffered an innings defeat against Australia in their only Test of the year and have had limited preparation with the red ball. Captain Laura Wolvaardt, a prolific batter, will be crucial for their hopes. However, their bowling attack lacks experience in Test cricket, with Nonkululeko Mlaba being their only left-arm spin option.Despite South Africa's challenges, India will not take them lightly. The Proteas have a history of upsetting the odds, and their determination to prove themselves on the international stage should not be underestimated.The match will be a test of both teams' adaptability and resilience. India will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and spin-friendly conditions, while South Africa will need to find ways to counter India's formidable bowling attack and post competitive totals.

India's skipper Harmanpreet Kaur emphasizes the significance of the ongoing series against South Africa in preparing for the Women's ODI World Cup next year. The series provides an opportunity for the team to adapt to different home venues and capitalize on familiar conditions.Harmanpreet highlights the importance of gaining experience on various home wickets, as India has limited experience playing at home. She believes this series will boost their confidence and provide valuable insights into the behavior of the wickets and the combinations that can be used for the World Cup.Despite the overcast weather and scattered rain forecast in Chennai, Harmanpreet remains optimistic about the Chepauk track. She notes that it is not entirely different from the wickets in Mumbai, where they played their previous two Tests. The team has been practicing for the last three days, which Harmanpreet believes will be beneficial during the match.Harmanpreet expresses confidence in the team's bowling department, which includes Arundhati Reddy, Smriti Mandhana, and herself. She acknowledges Reddy's versatility and her ability to contribute with the bat as well. Harmanpreet also indicates that she and Mandhana are willing to bowl if necessary.The Indian captain credits head coach Amol Muzumdar for helping her adapt to the Test format, despite her limited experience. She praises the BCCI for its efforts in promoting women's cricket, including the return of red-ball cricket to the domestic calendar.Harmanpreet expresses gratitude for the opportunity to play Test cricket and hopes for a positive result in the upcoming match against South Africa. She believes the team is well-prepared and eager to deliver.

Former Indian cricketer Sudha Shah has called for a significant increase in the number of women's Test matches, advocating for a minimum of three Tests per series. She believes that this would not only enhance the quality of women's cricket but also foster a more competitive and engaging environment.Shah, who played in India's first official Test series in 1976, emphasized the importance of longer formats in developing players' skills and endurance. She suggested that the International Cricket Council (ICC) should mandate a minimum number of Tests for all member nations, similar to the World Test Championship (WTC) for men."I feel, in the first place, they should stop the one-off Tests. They should be playing at least three Tests. Minimum, three-Test series," Shah said. "And I think the other (national) associations should be educated about it. Maybe, ICC should say that they have to be playing (Tests) or introduce a Test Championship."Shah also expressed her preference for the now-scrapped inter-zonal multi-day tournament over the multi-day Challenger Trophy. She believes that inter-zonal tournaments foster a sense of regional pride and encourage players to perform at their best for their respective zones."I think they should be playing inter-zonal and not the Challengers. I feel Challengers finally turns out to be like selection matches. I feel they should have inter-zonal. "I think there are a lot of girls in each zone that have the potential to be playing for the zone. And you have five zones. Here, you have three teams for challengers. Maybe, four. "So, I feel inter-zonal will help the zones and the states. And frankly, like I said, Challengers, they play like it's a selection match. When you play inter-zonal, you feel like you belong to a zone, and you have to play and win for your zone. I feel that makes a difference."Shah's insights stem from her extensive experience in women's cricket. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by female players and believes that a more robust Test cricket structure would significantly benefit the sport.