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.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced a new eligibility policy for transgender women in elite domestic cricket, aligning with the International Cricket Council's (ICC) stance. Transgender women who have gone through male puberty will be excluded from Tiers 1 and 2 of the ECB's new women's county competition, as well as the women's Hundred.The ECB's decision follows a nine-month consultation with stakeholders and a review of scientific and medical evidence. The board cited concerns about player safety at the elite level as the primary reason for the new policy."We want everyone to feel included and welcome in our sport, and believe the position reached strikes an appropriate balance by ensuring fairness in the elite game while ensuring inclusivity at a recreational level, with specific safeguards in place to manage disparities and ensure safety," the ECB said in a statement.The policy will not apply to the grassroots game or Tier 3 of the county competition, which will include teams from the ECB's national counties. However, Tier 3 teams will be subject to promotion and relegation from higher tiers from 2029 onwards.The ECB's previous policy allowed any player who identified as female to compete in professional club and England pathway teams with written clearance. However, the ICC tightened its eligibility policy in November 2023, prioritizing the protection of the integrity of the women's game, safety, fairness, and inclusion.The most notable player affected by the rule change was Canada's Danielle McGahey, who played in the ICC Women's T20 Americas Qualifier in 2023 but later acknowledged that her career was over.The ECB's detailed policy will be developed in consultation with stakeholders over the coming months and will be formally in place for the 2025 domestic season.

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.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the women's team for their valiant effort against Australia in their T20 World Cup 2024 match in Sharjah on Sunday. Despite a heartbreaking loss, Manjrekar praised the team's determination and Harmanpreet's leadership.The Indian women's team fell short by 14 runs in their pursuit of Australia's 150-run target, with Harmanpreet scoring an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Manjrekar believes that no other team could have come as close to the target on a challenging pitch."No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Aus set on a difficult pitch. I say, well done India! And again what a star Harman is!" Manjrekar tweeted.However, fans expressed frustration with Manjrekar's comments, calling them an "excuse" for the team's failure to win. They argued that the team should be held accountable for their performance, regardless of the pitch conditions.Manjrekar defended his stance, stating that Harmanpreet's unbeaten knock showcased her caliber. "Harmanpreet Kaur showed in the end why she is so great. She almost won the match. The pitch was very tricky, the score was almost like chasing 250, and they reached so close. It's a matter of great pride for me," he said on Star Sports.He also praised the team's overall performance, highlighting their ability to score runs without Smriti Mandhana's contribution and their effective bowling."The Indian team touched new heights today. This was a very important match... the batters kept scoring without Mandhana's contribution, and the bowling was good," he added.Manjrekar believes that the team's performance against Australia is a testament to their progress and potential. "They set an excellent score on the tough pitch in Sharjah. They set 150 where the average score is around 115. India almost won this match. So they reached close to Mount Everest, they reached the third or fourth base," he explained.Despite the loss, Manjrekar remains optimistic about the team's future. He believes that they have the talent and determination to achieve success in the future.

Georgia Plimmer's scintillating half-century propelled New Zealand to a resounding 46-run victory over Sri Lanka in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup encounter in Sharjah. Plimmer's 53 off 44 deliveries, her second T20I half-century, laid the foundation for New Zealand's second win in three matches.Plimmer's innings was a masterclass in adaptability and shot selection. She used her feet effectively, advancing down the pitch to dispatch deliveries down the ground and creating space to access the off side. Her four boundaries showcased her range of strokes, including a powerful drive over mid-off and a deft placement just short of mid-off that left Chamari Athapaththu stranded.Plimmer's performance was particularly impressive given the challenging conditions in Sharjah, where the low bounce and slow outfield have made it difficult for batters to score freely. However, Plimmer's determination and skill allowed her to overcome these obstacles and play a match-winning knock.Her innings was complemented by a 49-run opening stand with Suzie Bates and a 46-run partnership with Amelia Kerr, who also contributed with 2 for 13 with the ball. Sophie Devine sealed the victory with the only six of the match, muscling Sugandika Kumari over cow corner.For Sri Lanka, Athapaththu finally showed glimpses of her class with a 41-ball 35, but her dismissal in the 14th over proved to be a turning point. Sri Lanka's campaign had already been effectively over before this match, and their coach, Rumesh Ratnayake, acknowledged that the team had failed to meet expectations.

Somerset County Cricket Club has appointed Trevor Griffin as the inaugural head coach of their newly established women's team. Griffin, a highly experienced coach with a proven track record of success, has signed a two-year deal with the club.Griffin's coaching journey began with the Devon Cricket Board and Chance to Shine, before he joined the University of Exeter as a cricket development officer. He then worked for Canterbury Cricket in New Zealand before returning to England to take up the role of analyst and assistant coach at Western Storm.In 2017, Griffin was promoted to head coach of Western Storm, leading the team to two Kia Super League titles in 2017 and 2019. He subsequently coached Sunrisers and London Spirit in The Hundred, and also had a successful four-season spell in charge of Sydney Thunder in the WBBL.Griffin's appointment marks a significant step in Somerset's commitment to developing women's cricket in the southwest region. The club has a long history of supporting women's cricket, and Griffin's expertise and experience will be invaluable in building a competitive team that can challenge for top honors."I'm absolutely thrilled to be the first Head Coach of Somerset Women," said Griffin. "Women's cricket is growing rapidly, and I'm excited to lead this team into a new era. We have a great opportunity to build on the strong foundations that have been laid in the southwest, and I'm confident that we can create a team that will inspire the next generation of players."Somerset director of cricket, Andy Hurry, said: "Trevor is a highly respected coach with a wealth of experience. He has a deep understanding of the women's game and a proven ability to develop players and teams. We are delighted to have him on board, and we believe he is the ideal person to lead our women's team into the future."Griffin will oversee the reintegration of women's cricket into the county game at Taunton, working closely with the club's staff and players to build a squad that can compete at the highest level.

Asha Sobhana, a 33-year-old allrounder, made history on May 6, 2024, when she became the oldest Indian woman cricketer to make her international debut. Her impressive performance against Bangladesh, where she claimed two wickets in three overs while conceding only 18 runs, earned her a place in the Indian team for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024.Sobhana's journey to the international stage began in 2004 when she met Aaron George Thomas, her childhood coach, at a camp for women cricketers in Kochi. Thomas, a renowned coach with over two decades of experience, recognized Sobhana's talent and played a pivotal role in her development.Under Thomas's guidance, Sobhana honed her skills and went on to represent the Kerala Women's Senior Cricket team. She also had stints with the South Central Railway (SCR) and Puducherry teams before joining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023.Sobhana's performance in the WPL was exceptional. She emerged as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 12 scalps in 10 matches, including a five-wicket haul against UP Warriorz. Her impressive bowling earned her a call-up to the Indian team for the World Cup.In the World Cup, Sobhana made her mark in India's match against New Zealand. She dismissed the dangerous Georgia Plimmer, who had scored a blistering 34 runs in 23 balls. Despite India's defeat, Sobhana's performance showcased her potential and earned her praise from fans and experts alike.Thomas, who watched Sobhana's international debut from his home in Thiruvananthapuram, expressed his pride in his former pupil. He highlighted her dedication and hard work, which had culminated in this historic moment.Sobhana's success has also been a boost for women's cricket in Kerala. With two players from the state (Sobhana and Sajana Sajeevan) in the current World Cup squad, Kerala has gained recognition for its contributions to the sport.Thomas believes that Kerala women's cricket has made significant progress in recent years, thanks to initiatives such as the Kerala Cricket Association's Pink tournament and the Comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Women's Cricket T20 Tournament. He also credits the emergence of cricket academies specifically for women for the growing interest in the sport.Sobhana's journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers, especially young girls. Her determination and perseverance have paved the way for her to achieve her dreams. As she continues to represent India on the international stage, she serves as a role model for future generations of women cricketers.

Australia's formidable batting lineup and experienced bowling attack proved too much for New Zealand in the Women's T20 World Cup on Tuesday. The defending champions posted a challenging 148/8, thanks to Beth Mooney's 40 and Ellyse Perry's 30, and then restricted their opponents to 88 all out.Opener Mooney and Alyssa Healy (26) provided a solid start for Australia, adding 41 runs for the first wicket. Mooney, who was initially given out lbw but successfully overturned the decision, played a crucial role in setting the platform for a big total.Perry, batting at number three, chipped in with a valuable 24-ball 30, while Phoebe Litchfield contributed 18. New Zealand's Amelia Kerr was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4/26, including the wicket of Litchfield.In reply, New Zealand's chase never really got going. They lost wickets at regular intervals, with Megan Schutt (3/3), Annabel Sutherland (3/21), and Sophie Molineux (2/15) sharing the spoils.Kerr, who had earlier impressed with the ball, top-scored for New Zealand with 29, but her efforts were in vain as the team fell well short of the target.With this victory, Australia maintained their unbeaten record in the tournament and moved to the top of Group A. New Zealand, on the other hand, suffered their first defeat and will need to bounce back in their remaining matches.

New Zealand's women's cricket team will embark on a three-match ODI tour of India later this month, a series that was initially postponed due to scheduling conflicts. The matches, scheduled for October 24, 27, and 29 in Ahmedabad, will serve as a crucial step in both teams' quest for direct qualification to the 2024 Women's Cricket World Cup.The series holds particular significance for New Zealand, who currently sit sixth in the ICC Women's Championship standings, just one spot below India. With West Indies and Bangladesh potentially threatening their position, the matches against India are vital for the White Ferns' hopes of securing an automatic berth in the World Cup.The hosts, India, will also be eager to perform well in the series, as they aim to solidify their position among the top five teams in the championship standings. The top five teams, along with the hosts, will earn direct entry to the World Cup, while the remaining teams will have to compete in a global qualifier.Both teams will be coming off the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE, which concludes on October 23. If they reach the final, they will have less than 72 hours to prepare for the ODI series. This could potentially impact the availability of key players, including India's Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, and New Zealand's Sophie Devine.The series will mark New Zealand's first ODI matches in India since 2015, when they overcame a 1-0 deficit to clinch the series. The White Ferns will be hoping for a similar result this time around, as they look to strengthen their position in the championship standings and secure their place in the World Cup.