Cricket

Gaby Lewis, Ireland's experienced all-rounder, will lead the team in their upcoming white-ball series against England at home. Lewis has recovered from a quad strain sustained earlier this month and will take over the captaincy from Laura Delany, who is still recovering from an ankle ligament injury.Alice Tector, who made her ODI debut against Sri Lanka, has earned her maiden T20I call-up. She is the sister of Ireland men's batter Harry Tector. Una Raymond-Hoey, who missed the first T20I against Sri Lanka due to injury, has returned to both the ODI and T20I squads.National selector Ciara O'Brien expressed disappointment over Delany's absence but praised Lewis's leadership qualities. "Gaby has led before in Laura's absence. We're very comfortable with her stepping in to lead for the England series and know that she will bring her impeccable high standards to the role," O'Brien said.Lewis, who scored her maiden T20I century against Sri Lanka, is Ireland's leading run-scorer in the format and the second-most experienced player behind Delany. She captained Ireland in their historic first-ever ODI win over Sri Lanka, a series that saw Ireland earn their first points in the Women's Championship 2022-25.The Irish squad for the series is a young one, with an average age of less than 22 years. O'Brien urged Irish cricket fans to support the team. "This is a young side, with an average age of less than 22 years, and we hope that all Irish cricket fans to turn up and support the team," she said.Ireland and England will play three ODIs in Belfast before moving to Dublin for three T20Is. The ODIs are part of the Women's Championship, while the T20Is will serve as preparation for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup.

Sophie Devine, the formidable New Zealand all-rounder, has announced her decision to step down as the T20I captain after the upcoming T20 World Cup in the UAE. However, she will continue to lead the ODI side.Devine, who has captained New Zealand in 56 T20Is, has been a pivotal figure in the team's success. She has led the White Ferns to the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.However, Devine believes it is the right time to reduce her workload and allow the next generation of leaders to emerge. "I'm very proud to have had the privilege to captain the White Ferns in both formats," she said. "With captaincy comes an additional workload that, while I've enjoyed taking on, can also be challenging at times."Devine's decision to step down from the T20I captaincy will allow her to focus more on her playing role and nurture the future leaders. "I'm not ready to give up ODI captaincy just yet," she added. "But I won't be around forever, so I think stepping away from captaining one format at a time gives the next leaders time to find their feet."Ben Swayer, the head coach, praised Devine's leadership and experience. "Soph is the epitome of a fearless leader and we're really grateful for the leadership she brings to this group on and off the field," he said. "She's one of the most experienced White Ferns ever and her leadership and knowledge of the game has been so valuable as we have introduced several young players into the team over the past two years."Devine is currently recovering from a foot injury ahead of New Zealand's three-match T20I series in Australia next month. The series will serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE from October 10 to November 13. New Zealand will name their squad for the World Cup on September 10.The decision on who will replace Devine as T20I captain has yet to be made. New Zealand's next series in the format after the World Cup will be against Sri Lanka in March.

Deandra Dottin, the West Indies' explosive all-rounder, has made a sensational return to the national team after a two-year hiatus. Dottin, who holds the record for the fastest century in women's T20Is, had abruptly announced her retirement in 2022, citing a challenging environment within the West Indies setup.However, the 32-year-old has now reversed her decision, with her sights set on the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Dottin's return is a major boost for the West Indies, who are looking to regain their status as one of the top teams in the world.Dottin's decision to retire had come as a shock to many, as she was at the peak of her powers. She had been a key member of the West Indies team that won the T20 World Cup in 2016 and had also played a starring role in the team's run to the final of the 2018 tournament.However, Dottin had been vocal about her frustrations with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and had accused the board of not providing adequate support to the women's team. She had also criticized the WICB for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had led to the cancellation of several women's tournaments.Dottin's return to the West Indies team is a sign that the WICB is taking steps to address the concerns of its female players. The board has recently appointed a new director of women's cricket, and it is hoped that this will lead to improved communication and support for the women's team.Dottin's return is also a major boost for the West Indies' chances of success at the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament will be held in the UAE from February 10 to 26, and the West Indies will be looking to make a strong impression.With Dottin back in the fold, the West Indies will have one of the most dangerous batting lineups in the tournament. Dottin is a powerful hitter who can clear the boundary with ease, and she will be a major threat to opposing bowlers.The West Indies will also be hoping that Dottin can contribute with the ball. She is a handy off-spinner who can bowl at a good pace, and she will be a valuable asset to the team's bowling attack.Dottin's return is a major boost for the West Indies, and it will be interesting to see how she performs in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) draft is set to take place on September 1, and teams are eagerly preparing to bolster their squads. Here's a comprehensive look at the pre-draft signings, retention options, and potential targets for each club:Adelaide Strikers:* Pre-draft signing: Smriti Mandhana* Retention rights: Georgia Adams, Laura Wolvaardt* Draft picks: 6, 14, 22, 27The Strikers have secured the services of Indian superstar Smriti Mandhana and are expected to retain Laura Wolvaardt. They may seek a middle-order allrounder to complement their strong batting lineup.Brisbane Heat:* Pre-draft signing: Nadine de Klerk* Retention rights: Bess Heath* Draft picks: 7, 15, 18, 31With several key departures, the Heat will prioritize replacing Amelia Kerr's all-round abilities. They may also target a top-order batter to support Grace Harris and Georgia Redmayne.Hobart Hurricanes:* Pre-draft signing: Lizelle Lee* Retention rights: Shabnim Ismail, Bryony Smith* Draft picks: 1, 9, 24, 25The Hurricanes have secured Lizelle Lee and will use their top pick to acquire a top-four batter. They may also seek an additional pace bowler to strengthen their attack.Melbourne Renegades:* Pre-draft signing: Hayley Matthews* Retention rights: Eve Jones, Harmanpreet Kaur* Draft picks: 3, 11, 19, 30The Renegades have made significant domestic signings but may still target a top-order batter and an allrounder to complement their strong bowling unit.Melbourne Stars:* Pre-draft signing: Marizanne Kapp* Retention rights: Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley* Draft picks: 4, 12, 21, 28The Stars have a strong pace-bowling unit but may seek a high-quality frontline spinner. They may also target another top-order batter to support Meg Lanning.Perth Scorchers:* Pre-draft signing: Sophie Devine* Retention rights: Amy Jones, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt* Draft picks: 8, 16, 17, 32The Scorchers may opt for a similar batting-heavy approach as last year, having secured Sophie Devine. They may also consider strengthening their bowling department.Sydney Sixers:* Pre-draft signing: Amelia Kerr* Retention rights: Suzie Bates, Sophie Ecclestone, Jess Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Linsey Smith* Draft picks: 2, 10, 23, 26The Sixers have added Amelia Kerr's all-round abilities and may seek another spinner. They may also target a top-order batter to supplement Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry.Sydney Thunder:* Pre-draft signing: Chamari Athapaththu* Retention rights: Heather Knight* Draft picks: 5, 13, 20, 29The Thunder have secured Heather Knight but may seek another frontline bowling option. They may also target a middle-order hitter to complement Taneale Peschel.

Ali Maiden, who served as England's assistant coach during their 2017 ODI World Cup triumph, is set to embark on a new chapter in his career as the inaugural head coach of Bears Women. Maiden, who has primarily worked in the men's game in recent years, expressed his eagerness to return to the women's game.Maiden's appointment at Bears Women, based at Edgbaston, will commence on November 1. He will oversee preparations for the 2025 season, when the club will compete in England's new domestic structure for women's cricket."I'm thrilled to be joining Bears Women at the start," Maiden said. "The club's passion for women's cricket and their commitment to developing a successful team are evident. I've been seeking an opportunity to return to women's cricket, and this role aligns perfectly with my aspirations."Bears Women, operated by Warwickshire, is one of eight 'Tier 1' sides that will participate in the new domestic structure. Laura MacLeod will serve as their director of cricket, and the club has already secured the signings of Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Chloe Brewer, Katie George, and Charis Pavely.Maiden's departure from Yorkshire's men's team marks the end of a three-year tenure, during which he played a key role in developing their batters. Colin Graves, Yorkshire's chair, expressed his gratitude for Maiden's contributions."We wish Ali all the best in his future endeavors and thank him for his dedication to Yorkshire CCC over the past three seasons," Graves said.Maiden's appointment as head coach of Bears Women is a significant step in the development of women's cricket in England. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as the club aims to establish itself as a force in the new domestic structure.

South Africa's women's cricket team will embark on a crucial tour of Pakistan in September as part of their preparations for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. The Proteas will play three T20I matches against Pakistan in Multan from September 16 to 20, providing them with valuable match practice ahead of the global tournament.The tour will mark South Africa's second visit to Pakistan in just over a year, following their successful ODI and T20I series in September 2021. The Proteas emerged victorious in the ODI series, while Pakistan swept the T20Is.CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe emphasized the importance of the Pakistan tour for South Africa's World Cup preparations. "This T20I series against Pakistan is a critical part of our preparations for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup," Nkwe said. "It offers the team the invaluable opportunity to gain match practice, allowing us to refine our strategies and ensure that our players are in peak form."Nkwe also expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for their collaboration in arranging the series. "We are incredibly grateful to the PCB for their collaboration and efforts in arranging this series," Nkwe said. "This series not only helps us prepare for the World Cup but also strengthens the relationship between our two cricket boards as the Proteas Women visit Pakistan for the second time in a year."The Women's T20 World Cup will be held in Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to 20. Pakistan has been drawn in Group A alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while South Africa is in Group B with Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and West Indies.The South African team will arrive in Multan on September 13 and depart for the UAE on September 21, the day after the final T20I against Pakistan. The Proteas will be looking to build on their recent success in Pakistan and gain valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, is drawing inspiration from the men's team's recent T20 World Cup triumph as they prepare for their own campaign in the UAE in October. The women's team has yet to lift the T20 World Cup, coming close in 2020 when they finished as runners-up in Australia."We have been really inspired by the men's team, the way they won the T20 World Cup this year," Kaur said. "They worked really hard for this trophy and won some tough matches. We need to learn how they maintained their body language for such matches and how they approached such games."The women's team has faced heartbreak in recent major tournaments, losing the ODI World Cup final in 2017, the T20 World Cup final in 2020, and the Commonwealth Games final in 2022, all by narrow margins. They also suffered a disappointing defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup last month.However, Kaur is confident that her team has learned from their mistakes and is ready to challenge for the title in the UAE. "We are working extremely hard to live up to those expectations, we have been holding camps where all players are working hard. We have also worked on the mistakes we made the last time. Now we're ready with a positive mindset."India is placed in Group A with Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kaur acknowledges the pressure of facing these strong teams but emphasizes the importance of staying focused and playing to their potential."The World Cup is a kind of tournament for which all teams prepare differently," Kaur said. "So no team can be taken lightly and similarly no team should be overestimated either. We are working extremely hard to live up to those expectations."India's campaign will kick off on October 4 against New Zealand, before taking on Pakistan on October 6, Sri Lanka on October 9, and Australia on October 13. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 17 and 18, with the final scheduled for October 20 in Dubai.

New Zealand's women's domestic cricket teams have finalized their contracted player rosters for the 2024-25 season. The signings include a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talents.Central DistrictsCentral Districts have added uncapped right-arm seamer Grace Foreman to their roster. Foreman has impressed through Taranaki and Central Districts' pathway systems and joins Anna Gaging as the new faces on the team.CanterburyCanterbury have signed batter Emma Irwin, who previously represented the team. Irwin was part of the New Zealand Under-19 side at the World Cup last year.AucklandAuckland have elevated fast bowler Sophie Court to their contract list. Court has risen through Auckland Cricket's Talent and Pathway programme and was part of the Auckland Under-19 team that won the national under-19 tournament this year.Northern DistrictsNorthern Districts have signed allrounder Carol Agafili, who has represented the team in the past and also played for Samoa in T20Is.WellingtonWellington have added right-hand batter Gemma Sims to their roster. Sims played for Wellington in the Super Smash last season.OtagoOtago have awarded their maiden contract to Isy Parry. Parry has been a standout performer in Otago's age-group teams.The contracted players will represent their respective teams in the upcoming domestic season, which includes the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (one-day competition) and the Super Smash (T20 competition).

Defending Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) champions Adelaide Strikers have secured the services of Indian batting sensation Smriti Mandhana for the upcoming season. Mandhana, who has previously represented Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, and Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, will be the Strikers' pre-draft signing.Mandhana's signing is a major coup for the Strikers, who have been keen to acquire her for several seasons. The left-handed opener is one of the most prolific batters in the world, having captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year.During her stint with Sydney Thunder in 2021, Mandhana showcased her exceptional batting prowess by smashing an unbeaten 114 off just 64 balls against Melbourne Renegades. This innings remains the joint second-highest individual score in WBBL history.Strikers head coach Luke Williams, who also coached Mandhana at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, expressed his delight at her signing. "Smriti is an exceptional talent, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the Strikers," Williams said. "Her technical skill, experience, and strategic insights are a tremendous asset for us."Mandhana's arrival could further strengthen the Strikers' already formidable top order, which includes South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. However, if Mandhana is allocated as the Strikers' first-round platinum player, they will not be able to use their retention rights for Wolvaardt in the same round.Ahead of the WBBL draft on September 1, the Strikers have also made a pick trade with Melbourne Renegades, acquiring picks 22 and 27 in exchange for picks 19 and 30. The Strikers now hold pick 6 in the first round and pick 14 in the second round.Other notable pre-draft signings in the WBBL include Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat), Lizelle Lee (Hobart Hurricanes), Hayley Matthews (Melbourne Renegades), Marizanne Kapp (Melbourne Stars), Sophie Devine (Perth Scorchers), Amelia Kerr (Sydney Sixers), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder).