Cricket

In the series-deciding third women's ODI between India and New Zealand, middle-order batter Brooke Halliday played a pivotal role in rescuing the Kiwis from a precarious position. Halliday's resilient 96-ball 86 lifted New Zealand from 88/5 to a respectable 232 all out.India's bowlers started the match with a bang, dismissing Suzie Bates and Lauren Down early on. Young leg-spinner Priya Mishra then dealt a major blow by bowling New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, leaving the visitors reeling at 36/3.Georgia Plimmer attempted to anchor the innings, but her dismissal by Mishra left New Zealand in further trouble at 88/5. However, Halliday and wicketkeeper batter Isabella Gaze forged a crucial 64-run partnership for the sixth wicket, providing much-needed stability.Halliday's innings was a masterclass in patience and determination. She faced 96 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and a six. Her knock allowed New Zealand to post a competitive total despite their early setbacks.India's bowlers, led by Mishra's 2/41, kept the pressure on throughout the innings. However, Halliday's resilience and Gaze's support proved too much to overcome.

In the series-deciding third ODI between India and New Zealand in Ahmedabad, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bat first, continuing the trend of the series. Both teams made minor adjustments to their lineups, with India introducing Renuka Singh in place of Arundhati Reddy and New Zealand replacing Jess Kerr with Hannah Rowe.The pitch in Ahmedabad appeared dry and hard under sunny skies, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius. The series is currently tied 1-1, with India winning the first match and New Zealand leveling the series in the second. Notably, the team batting first has emerged victorious in both ODIs thus far.In the first ODI, India was dismissed for 227 in 44.3 overs, but their bowlers rallied to restrict New Zealand to 168 in 40.4 overs. In the second ODI, Devine excelled with both bat and ball, leading New Zealand to a 76-run victory.India's batting lineup for this match consists of Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hasabnis, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Saima Thakor, and Priya Mishra.New Zealand's batting order includes Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Lauren Down, Sophie Devine, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Izzy Gaze, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson, and Fran Jonas.After this series, India will embark on a three-match ODI tour of Australia beginning on December 5th. New Zealand, on the other hand, will host Australia for a three-game ODI series starting on December 19th.

New Zealand's all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against India due to a left quadricep muscle tear. The injury, sustained during the opening game, is expected to sideline her for approximately three weeks.Kerr's absence is a significant blow to New Zealand's hopes of climbing the Women's ODI Championship table. Currently ranked sixth, the White Ferns need a top-six finish to secure direct qualification for the 2026 ODI World Cup.The 22-year-old was a key figure in New Zealand's recent T20 World Cup triumph, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps. She continued her impressive form in the opening ODI against India, taking 4 for 42 and scoring an unbeaten 25.Kerr's injury also casts doubt on her participation in the upcoming Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for the Sydney Sixers. As a platinum-category pick, she was expected to play a pivotal role for the Sixers. However, she could miss up to eight of their 10 league games even if she recovers within the estimated three-week timeframe.New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed disappointment over Kerr's injury. "We're really gutted for Melie," he said. "Injuries are always a challenging time for a player, and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games.""Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is, so we'll certainly miss her. But we're wishing her a speedy recovery."The remaining two ODIs between New Zealand and India will be played on October 27 and 29 in Ahmedabad. The White Ferns will face a tough challenge against the world champions without their star all-rounder.

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.

Ireland's women's cricket team celebrated a historic victory over England in the third and final ODI of their series in Belfast, securing their first win against their rivals since 2001. Despite a late collapse, Ireland held their nerve to chase down England's total of 153 with just three wickets to spare.The match was reduced to 22 overs per side due to rain delays, and Ireland's bowlers made the most of the conditions. Aimee Maguire, who turned 18 just two days before the match, claimed a career-best 5 for 19, including the wickets of England's top scorer Tammy Beaumont (52) and Freya Kemp (3).England's innings was characterized by a lack of support for Beaumont, with only Ryana Macdonald-Gay (17) reaching double figures. Ireland's fielding was also impressive, with Jane Maguire taking a brilliant catch at cover to dismiss Emma Lamb.In reply, Ireland's chase got off to a flying start thanks to Gaby Lewis, who scored 72 from 56 balls. However, a collapse of five wickets for 13 runs, including three in three balls from Mady Villiers, threatened to derail their victory hopes.But Alana Dalzell held her nerve in the final over, striking a last-ball four to seal the win. The victory was aided by a misfield from Hollie Armitage, who ran past her attempted gather while looking into the sun.Ireland's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. Aimee Maguire's superb bowling performance and Lewis's aggressive batting set the foundation for their success. The win will give Ireland confidence as they prepare for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team ended their tour of Ireland on a high note, securing an eight-wicket victory in the third and final ODI in Belfast. The win was set up by a dominant bowling performance led by Achini Kulasuriya, who claimed three wickets in the opening overs.Ireland, who had already clinched the series 2-0, were sent into bat after Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss. Kulasuriya struck with the first two balls of the innings, dismissing Sarah Forbes and Amy Hunter for ducks. Orla Prendergast, the Ireland captain, also fell cheaply to Kulasuriya, leaving the hosts reeling at 10 for 3.Inoshi Priyadharshani and Amy Kanchana chipped in with a wicket apiece, and Ireland were reduced to 28 for 5 in the 15th over. A fightback was led by Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly, who added 36 runs between them. However, Paul was eventually dismissed by Sachini Nisansala for 19, and a flurry of wickets followed.Canning became Athapaththu's first wicket, Kelly the second, and between them Athapaththu and Nisansala finished the innings off. Priyadharshini returned remarkable figures of 10-5-7-1, the second-most miserly ODI spell by a Sri Lanka woman cricketer.In reply, Sri Lanka's openers Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne put on a 32-run stand. Athapaththu then combined with Harshitha Samarawickrama for a 62-run partnership, taking Sri Lanka to 94 with 32 overs remaining.Athapaththu's 48 came off 49 balls and included ten fours. Samarawickrama remained unbeaten on 48, hitting seven fours of her own. Kavisha Dilhari contributed 10 not out as Sri Lanka reached their target in 23.1 overs.The win was a consolation for Sri Lanka, who had lost the first two ODIs and the two-match T20I series 1-1.

Australia A's dominant performance continued in the second one-day international against India A, securing an eight-wicket victory in Mackay. Led by Maddy Darke's unbeaten century and Katie Mack's half-century, Australia A chased down India A's total of 219 with ease, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.India A's innings got off to a shaky start as Tayla Vlaeminck dismissed Priya Punia early on. Nicola Hancock and Charli Knott then chipped away at the Indian batting lineup, removing Shweta Sehrawat and Shubha Satheesh respectively. Raghvi Bist and Tejal Hasabnis provided some resistance with a 124-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Parsons and Knott.Parsons dismissed Hasabnis for 63, while Knott had Minnu Mani caught behind. Shipra Giri and Bist attempted to rebuild the innings, but Bist's run-out in the 45th over triggered a collapse. Maitlan Brown cleaned up the tail with a triple-wicket maiden over, bowling out India A for 219 in 48 overs.Australia A's chase began aggressively, with Mack and Darke capitalizing on loose deliveries from Soppadhandi Yashasri and Sayali Satghare. Mack reached her half-century in the 16th over, while Darke followed suit in the 21st. Satghare eventually dismissed Mack for 68, but Darke continued to anchor the innings.Darke's 38-run partnership with Knott kept the asking rate under control, and Tahlia McGrath's quickfire cameo of 24 runs off 15 balls extinguished any hopes of an Indian comeback. Darke completed her century in the 37th over, and she and McGrath remained unbeaten to guide Australia A to victory with 58 balls to spare.The victory extends Australia A's dominance over India A, having also swept the T20I series 3-0. The two teams will face off in the final ODI on Monday at the Gold Coast, where Australia A will aim to complete a clean sweep.

Smriti Mandhana Slips in ICC ODI Rankings, Harmanpreet Kaur RisesSmriti Mandhana, India's vice-captain, has dropped one position to fourth in the latest ICC women's ODI batting rankings, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has climbed two spots to ninth. Mandhana, with 738 rating points, maintains her top 10 position after an impressive performance against South Africa, amassing 343 runs in the three-match series.South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt continues her ascent towards the top spot, jumping three places to second. She now trails England's No.1 ranked batter Nat Sciver-Brunt by just 16 rating points. Wolvaardt's brilliant unbeaten 135 in the second game of the series in Bengaluru was a standout performance, which she followed up with a solid 65 in the final match.Marizanne Kapp, Wolvaardt's teammate, climbs two spots to seventh on the ODI batters list, while Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues (up four places to 29th) also makes progress after solid performances against South Africa.In the ODI bowlers rankings, South Africa spinner Nonkululek Mlaba (up five places to joint 22nd) makes significant strides following her four wickets in the series against India. Sri Lankan players Kavisha Dilhari (up eight places to 34th) and Udeshika Prabodhani (up six spots to 22nd) also improve their rankings after impressive performances in their series against the West Indies. India's Deepti Sharma, however, remains unchanged at the fourth position with 671 rating points.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team secured a historic 3-0 series whitewash against the West Indies in the third ODI in Hambantota, thanks to a comprehensive 160-run victory.Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshika Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani led the way for Sri Lanka with half-centuries, while Sachini Nisansala claimed a maiden five-wicket haul to dismantle the West Indies batting lineup.Chasing Sri Lanka's imposing total of 275 for 6, the West Indies struggled from the outset. Rashada Williams and Shemaine Campbell were dismissed cheaply, leaving Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor to rebuild the innings. The pair put on a 57-run partnership, but Taylor's dismissal triggered a collapse.Athapaththu removed Nation, and Nisansala took over with her slow left-arm orthodox bowling. She trapped Zaida James leg before, and Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, and Qiana Joseph all fell in quick succession. Aaliyah Alleyne's cameo ended when she chipped one back to Nisansala, completing her five-wicket haul.Earlier, Sri Lanka's openers, Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne, put on a 93-run stand. Gunaratne fell for 44, but Athapaththu continued to anchor the innings. She shared a 57-run partnership with Nilakshika before being dismissed for 91.Nilakshika and Sanjeewani then took control, adding 117 runs for the fifth wicket. Sanjeewani (55) and Nilakshika (63) fell in the final over, but Sri Lanka had already amassed a formidable total.The West Indies' bowlers struggled to contain Sri Lanka's batters, with Ramharack taking 2 for 46 as the most successful bowler. The victory marks Sri Lanka's first-ever series whitewash against the West Indies and is a testament to the team's growing strength in women's cricket.