Cricket

India's Women Cricketers Triumph Over New Zealand in ODI OpenerIn a thrilling encounter, the Indian women's cricket team emerged victorious over recently crowned Women's T20 World Cup champions New Zealand by a commanding 59-run margin in the first ODI of the three-match series.One of the defining moments of the match came during India's bowling effort, when spinner Deepti Sharma displayed exceptional presence of mind to execute a clever run-out. As New Zealand captain Sophie Devine stepped out to block a delivery, Sharma noticed an opportunity. With Devine still out of her crease and unaware of the situation, Sharma swiftly threw the ball back to wicket-keeper Yastika Bhatia, who swiftly dislodged the bails before Devine could return.Devine's attempt to evade Sharma's throw proved futile, as Yastika's quick reflexes sealed her fate. The third umpire confirmed Devine's dismissal, bringing an abrupt end to her innings for just two runs off five balls.Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 227 in 44.3 overs. While no batter managed to reach a half-century, several contributions throughout the order laid the foundation for their success. Tejal Hasabnis, making her international debut, top-scored with a solid 42, while Deepti Sharma chipped in with a valuable 41.In the run chase, New Zealand struggled to gain momentum, failing to establish any significant partnerships. They were eventually bowled out for 168 in just 40.4 overs, falling short of India's target by a significant margin.Radha Yadav emerged as the leading wicket-taker for India, claiming three wickets. Saima Thakor, another debutant, contributed with two wickets, while Deepti Sharma added one wicket to her impressive run-out.This victory marks a significant achievement for India, who had previously lost to New Zealand in the group stage of the Women's T20 World Cup. The team will now aim to secure a series win in the remaining two ODIs.

Phoebe Litchfield, the rising star of Australian cricket, has been appointed as the captain of Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season. At just 21 years old, Litchfield becomes the youngest full-time captain in WBBL history.Litchfield's appointment comes after the departure of England captain Heather Knight, who led Thunder last season but will miss the latter stages of this year's competition due to injury. Litchfield has been a key player for Thunder since making her debut at the age of 16, scoring over 1200 runs in 67 matches.In the past season, Litchfield has shown significant improvement in her batting, increasing her strike rate and scoring 309 runs at an impressive 130.37. Her maturity and leadership qualities have also been evident, making her a natural choice for the captaincy role.Thunder general manager Trent Copeland praised Litchfield's appointment, saying, "She's young, but her experience in the game makes this a natural progression. Phoebe has always been mature beyond her years, and her leadership qualities have been evident from the moment she joined Thunder."Litchfield will have the support of an experienced squad, including Chamari Athapaththu, Hannah Darlington, Shabnim Ismail, and Sammy-Jo Johnson, as well as coach Lisa Keightley. Thunder will begin their WBBL campaign against Hobart Hurricanes on October 28.

India's women's cricket team commenced their three-match ODI series against New Zealand with a resounding 59-run victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Chasing a modest target of 228, New Zealand's batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of India's bowling attack. Radha Yadav emerged as the star performer, claiming three crucial wickets for just 35 runs. Debutant pacer Saima Thakor also made an immediate impact, dismissing New Zealand opener Suzie Bates with her third delivery.New Zealand's innings was plagued by a series of unfortunate dismissals. Skipper Sophie Devine was caught short of her crease, while Brooke Halliday and Maddy Green's promising partnership was broken by Thakor. Despite a brief fightback, New Zealand's batting order failed to recover, eventually folding for 168 runs.Earlier, India had posted a total of 227 after opting to bat first. The Kerr sisters, Amelia and Jess, led the New Zealand bowling attack with four and three wickets respectively. India's batters struggled to convert their starts into substantial scores, with Deepti Sharma (41), Tejal Hasabnis (42), Shafali Verma (33), Yastika (37), and Jemimah Rodrigues (35) all failing to capitalize on their promising starts.Despite their batting struggles, India's bowlers stepped up to the challenge. Yadav's three wickets and Thakor's early strike proved decisive, while Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad also contributed with two wickets each.The victory marks a positive start for India in the ODI series. They will look to continue their winning ways in the remaining two matches, scheduled for February 12 and 15.

The India-Pakistan clash in the women's T20 World Cup on October 6, 2024, shattered records by attracting the highest attendance ever witnessed at a group stage match in the tournament's history. The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that the match, held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, drew an astounding 15,935 spectators."The India versus Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium on 6 October set a new record for the highest attendance at a group stage match in Women's T20 World Cup history," the ICC stated. "This Group A clash in the 2024 edition drew an impressive crowd of 15,935, showcasing the intense rivalry between the two neighbors."The ICC also highlighted the remarkable growth in attendance for the women's T20 World Cup 2024, with a total of 91,030 fans attending matches, representing a significant 30% increase from the previous edition."The thrilling final between New Zealand and South Africa at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday saw 21,457 fans in attendance, a remarkable 68% increase from the last final in South Africa," the ICC said. "The group stages and semi-finals also witnessed strong support, attracting 69,573 fans, a 21% rise compared to the previous edition, highlighting the expanding global appeal of women's cricket."The ICC attributed the impressive turnout to the growing interest in women's cricket among diverse audiences. "Women's cricket is reaching new heights, and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE is a shining example of the sport's expanding impact," said ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice. "The impressive turnout demonstrates the growing global support for women's cricket and the potential for hosting elite women's sport in this region."

India's women's cricket team, led by Smriti Mandhana in the absence of injured captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chose to bat first in the opening ODI against New Zealand at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is the first women's ODI to be played at this venue since April 2013.India handed ODI debuts to Tejal Hasabnis and Saima Thakor, while Arundhati Reddy and Renuka Singh provided the pace options. Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav were the spin options, with D Hemalatha batting at No. 4 in place of Harmanpreet. Yastika Bhatia took over the wicketkeeping duties and batted at one-down.New Zealand, who are looking to earn crucial ICC Women's Championship points in this series, fielded a similar lineup to the one that won them the T20 World Cup earlier this year. Lauren Down, returning from maternity leave, slotted into the lower middle order, while tall fast bowler Molly Penfold made her debut. Experienced fast bowler Lea Tahuhu was rested.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, embarks on a crucial three-match ODI series against New Zealand starting Thursday. The series serves as a vital preparation for next year's World Cup, following India's disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup.Kaur, who has faced criticism for her captaincy, will be under immense pressure to prove her worth. She will be without the services of wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who is appearing for her board exams. Experienced all-rounder Asha Sobhana and seamer Pooja Vastrakar are also unavailable due to injury and rest, respectively.The series presents an opportunity for uncapped players Tejal Hasabnis, Saima Thakor, and Priya Mishra to make their mark. The opening duo of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana will be expected to provide a solid start, while Jemimah Rodrigues and Kaur will be tasked with anchoring the middle order.New Zealand, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after their triumph at the T20 World Cup. Led by Sophie Devine, they will be looking to continue their winning ways.The series will be a test of character for India, who will be eager to put their T20 World Cup disappointment behind them. Kaur will need to find the right balance between experience and youth, while New Zealand will be aiming to maintain their momentum.All three matches will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with the first match starting at 1.30 pm IST.

South Africa's interim coach, Dillon du Preez, has guided the team to the final of the Women's T20 World Cup, but his future in the role remains uncertain. Du Preez, who took over from Hilton Moreeng in May, has expressed reservations about continuing due to his limited experience and the team's need for additional support.Despite his initial hesitation, du Preez has overseen a successful campaign for South Africa. The team reached the final after defeating defending champions Australia in the semi-final, showcasing a fearless and aggressive approach. However, they fell short in the final against New Zealand, highlighting the need for further development.Du Preez has emphasized the importance of creating a positive team culture and providing clear guidance. He has also benefited from the addition of specialized coaches, such as batting coach Baakier Abrahams and spin lead Paul Adams.Despite their success in the World Cup, South Africa has struggled in recent series, winning only one of seven before the tournament. Du Preez acknowledges the need for improvement and believes that the team's high-risk approach will eventually yield positive results.However, du Preez's future remains uncertain. He has expressed a desire to discuss his role with the director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, upon his return home. Given the upcoming schedule, which includes an all-format tour against England in November-December, it is likely that du Preez will remain in charge until the end of the year.Du Preez's hesitation stems from his limited experience at a high level. After a 14-year provincial cricket career, he coached at the University of the Free State before taking over the women's team in Bloemfontein. While he has developed a coaching style based on his experience and knowledge, he recognizes the need for further development.

Wicketkeeper Polly Inglis has earned her maiden call-up to New Zealand's ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against India. The 28-year-old has impressed with her performances for Otago Sparks in the Women's Super Smash and was rewarded with her first New Zealand Cricket (NZC) central contract earlier this year.Inglis' inclusion is the only change to the squad that triumphed in the recent Women's T20 World Cup. Fast bowler Rosemary Mair has been rested due to workload management, while offspinner Leigh Kasperek has been omitted.The core of the T20 World Cup-winning team remains intact, with Sophie Devine, Suzie Bates, and Lea Tahuhu all part of the touring party. Devine will continue to lead the side in ODIs after stepping down as T20I captain following the World Cup.Inglis' strong domestic performances have earned her a well-deserved spot in the national squad. She was the second-highest run-scorer in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2023-24, amassing 324 runs at an average of 54 and a strike rate close to 80. She also scored a century in the three-match one-day series between New Zealand A and England A."We're really excited to introduce Polly for her first tour," said NZC selector Ben Sawyer. "She put her hand up in last season's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield one-day competition and throughout the New Zealand A series against England, so it's a great next step for her."The three ODIs against India, to be played in Ahmedabad, are part of the Women's Championship. New Zealand currently sit sixth on the table and will face Australia in a three-match series following the India tour. The top five teams plus hosts India will qualify directly for the Women's ODI World Cup next year.

The Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team has etched its name in history by claiming the BCCI Women's under-19 T20 tournament for the first time. Their triumph over Uttar Pradesh by four wickets in a low-scoring match at Lahli, Haryana on Friday marked a significant milestone for women's cricket in the state.The TN U-19 women's team manager, Pushpa Sathyanarayanan, expressed her pride and joy over the team's stunning victory. She attributed their success to the players' unwavering passion for the game, determination, and exceptional teamwork. Sathyanarayanan emphasized that the team's journey to victory had been nothing short of inspiring, with the players' commitment and the unwavering support of coaches, parents, and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) playing a crucial role."This triumph is not just a victory for the team, but a celebration of women's cricket in Tamil Nadu," Sathyanarayanan said. "This is a dream come true for all of us. The Under-19 girls cricket team members would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the TNCA for their unwavering support and their motive to develop women's cricket in the region."The match itself was a tense and closely contested affair. Uttar Pradesh posted a modest total of 67 runs in 19.2 overs, with Janlin Chandra emerging as the standout bowler for Tamil Nadu, claiming four wickets for just 11 runs. In response, Tamil Nadu chased down the target in 19.1 overs, losing six wickets in the process.The victory has sparked widespread jubilation and recognition for the Tamil Nadu under-19 women's cricket team. Their achievement is a testament to the growing strength and talent of women's cricket in India, and it is hoped that their success will inspire future generations of young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport.