Cricket

India's women's cricket team survived a thrilling encounter against South Africa in the second ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. After posting a mammoth 326-run target, India held on to a four-run victory, taking a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur were the stars of the Indian batting innings. Mandhana smashed a career-best 136 off 120 deliveries, while Kaur remained unbeaten on 103 from 88 balls. The duo shared a 184-run partnership for the third wicket, laying the foundation for India's imposing total.South Africa's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets for 67 runs. However, a brilliant 184-run partnership between Laura Wolvaardt (135 not out) and Marizanne Kapp (114) brought the visitors back into contention.With just 11 runs needed off the final over, South Africa seemed poised for victory. But Pooja Vastrakar, who was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the last over, held her nerve. She dismissed Nadine de Klerk and Nondumiso Shangase off consecutive deliveries, leaving Wolvaardt stranded at the other end.Debutant Arundhati Reddy, who replaced Renuka Singh in the Indian lineup, played a crucial role with the ball. She bowled a tight first spell and picked up the key wicket of Wolvaardt in the 15th over.India's victory was marred by some sloppy fielding, as they dropped three catches and missed two run-outs. However, their bowlers managed to restrict South Africa to 322 runs, securing a hard-fought win.

Smriti Mandhana, the Indian women's cricket team's star opener, has etched her name in the annals of history by equaling Mithali Raj's record for the most centuries in women's One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Mandhana's scintillating knock of 136 runs against South Africa in the second ODI at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium marked her seventh ODI century, bringing her level with the legendary Raj.Mandhana's remarkable achievement is a testament to her exceptional talent and consistency. Her back-to-back centuries in the series against South Africa make her the first Indian woman to achieve this feat in ODI cricket. In the series opener, she had scored a brilliant 117 runs, setting the tone for India's dominance in the series.The match against South Africa began cautiously for Mandhana, who was kept quiet by the South African bowlers during the first powerplay. However, she gradually found her rhythm and began to dominate the bowlers. Her composed approach paid off as she reached her century in just 103 balls, eventually scoring 136 off 120 balls.Mandhana's knock was adorned with 18 boundaries and two sixes, showcasing her ability to both accumulate and accelerate runs. Her efforts propelled India past the 200-run mark inside the 40th over, setting a strong foundation for a formidable total.Supporting Mandhana at the other end was captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who also slammed an 87-ball century. The duo's partnership was crucial in maintaining the momentum and putting pressure on the South African bowlers.However, Mandhana was dismissed in the 46th over scoring 136 of 120 deliveries, attempting to hit Nonkululeko Mlaba over the cover region. India posted a mammoth total of 325 for three in 50 overs with the help of centuries by Mandhana and skipper Kaur.Mandhana's record-equaling century is a significant milestone in her illustrious career. It is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination. As she continues to shine on the international stage, Mandhana is poised to break even more records and inspire generations of young cricketers.

India will aim to clinch the three-match ODI series against South Africa when the two teams meet in the second match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on June 19. The hosts hold a 1-0 lead after their commanding 143-run victory in the series opener.In the first encounter, Smriti Mandhana led India's batting with a magnificent century (117), ably supported by all-rounders Deepti Sharma (37) and Pooja Vastrakar (31 n.o.). The bowlers, spearheaded by debutant Asha Sobhana (4/21), then restricted South Africa to a paltry 122.However, India's top-order batters will be under scrutiny in the second match. Opener Shafali Verma has struggled in recent ODIs, scoring just 21 runs in her last six innings, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has managed only 41 runs in five matches. The duo will need to step up and provide a solid foundation for the middle order.Pooja Vastrakar's fitness will also be a concern for India. The 24-year-old left the field with a knee injury during the first ODI, but she bowled in the nets on Tuesday. Her availability for the second match remains uncertain.South Africa, on the other hand, will be desperate to bounce back from their disappointing performance in the first match. After letting India off the hook from 99 for five, their batting collapsed, with only Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, and Marizanne Kapp making starts.The Proteas will have a full squad to choose from for the second ODI. Pacer Nadine de Klerk confirmed that the illness that had sidelined several players, including herself, in the first match is now behind them. However, she remained tight-lipped about Kapp's return to bowling following a back injury.With the series on the line, both teams are expected to field their strongest possible lineups. India will be confident of sealing the series victory, while South Africa will be determined to level the score and force a decider in the third match.

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team clinched a historic series victory against West Indies in the second ODI in Hambantota, securing a 2-0 lead with one match remaining. The triumph marks Sri Lanka's first series win over the Caribbean side since 2008.Chasing a modest target of 93, Sri Lanka's batting was anchored by Vishmi Gunaratne's brilliant half-century. The opener struck a fluent 50 off 50 deliveries, including nine boundaries and a six, to guide her team to victory. Kavisha Dilhari provided valuable support with a 28-ball 28.The West Indies bowlers struggled to contain Gunaratne, who appeared to be batting on a different surface. The visitors managed only 13 boundaries in their entire innings, highlighting the dominance of Sri Lanka's spinners.Dilhari was the star performer with the ball, claiming 4 for 20. Her left-arm spin proved too much for the West Indies batters, who struggled to rotate the strike effectively. Sachini Nisansala and Sugandika Kumari also played key roles, keeping the pressure on from the other end.West Indies' innings was characterized by a lack of fluency. Rashada Williams showed patience at the top of the order with a 62-ball 24, but the rest of the batters failed to make significant contributions. Aaliyah Alleyne and Afy Fletcher briefly threatened with a 28-run partnership, but their efforts were cut short by Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu.Sri Lanka's bowlers set the tone for the victory, restricting West Indies to a below-par total. Udeshika Prabodhani and Achini Kulasuriya were economical in the opening overs, while Athapaththu and Dilhari made crucial breakthroughs in the middle and late stages.The series victory is a significant achievement for Sri Lanka, who have been rebuilding their women's cricket program in recent years. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, and a sign of promising times ahead for Sri Lankan women's cricket.

England's women's cricket team, led by captain Heather Knight, won the toss and elected to bat first in the third and final ODI against Pakistan at Chelmsford. The match marked a welcome change from the dismal weather that had plagued the previous two days of the series, with clear skies and only a slight chance of scattered showers.England made one change to their lineup, bringing in Lauren Bell to lead the attack in place of Lauren Filer. Pakistan, on the other hand, fielded the same XI that had narrowly lost the opening fixture in Derby.England's batting lineup got off to a solid start, with Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont putting on a 50-run partnership for the first wicket. Beaumont continued to anchor the innings, scoring a well-paced 64 before being dismissed by Diana Baig.Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey then combined for a 70-run partnership, with Sciver-Brunt scoring a fluent 50. Danni Wyatt and Amy Jones also made valuable contributions, helping England post a competitive total of 261/9 in their allotted 50 overs.Pakistan's chase got off to a shaky start, with Sidra Ameen and Sadaf Shamas falling cheaply. Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Zafar steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership, but England's bowlers kept the pressure on.Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone were particularly impressive, taking three wickets each. Pakistan's middle order failed to capitalize on the platform set by Ali and Zafar, and they were eventually bowled out for 190 in the 45th over.England's victory secured a 2-1 series win over Pakistan, a result that will boost their confidence ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

South Africa's women's cricket team secured an unassailable 1-0 lead in their three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka after a dominant seven-wicket victory in Kimberley. Laura Wolvaardt's third century as captain, and sixth overall, propelled the Proteas to the highest successful chase in a women's ODI at the venue.Wolvaardt's 110* and Marizanne Kapp's 80* formed the backbone of South Africa's chase, as they shared a 143-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to contain the duo on a pitch with low bounce, allowing the Proteas to reach their target with 14 balls to spare.Earlier, Sri Lanka posted a competitive 229 thanks to Chamari Athapaththu's 51. However, South Africa's bowlers, led by Ayabonga Khaka (3-28) and Nadine de Klerk (3-23), kept the visitors in check.The victory not only gives South Africa a series lead but also solidifies their position in second place in the ICC Women's Championship standings. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, remain outside the automatic qualification zone for the 2025 World Cup.Wolvaardt's century was a significant milestone, making her South Africa's leading run-scorer in ODI cricket. The Proteas captain has now amassed 2,753 runs in 94 matches, surpassing Lizelle Lee's previous record.The match was also marked by a lightning delay, with the players taken off the field for a brief period due to approaching thunderstorms. However, the chase resumed shortly after, and Wolvaardt guided South Africa to victory.

Australia's all-rounder Sophie Molineux made a triumphant return to ODI cricket, leading her team to a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second match of the three-game series. Molineux, who had been sidelined for over a year due to injuries, claimed impressive figures of 3 for 10 from 10 overs, helping to restrict Bangladesh to a meager total of 97.Bangladesh's innings was characterized by a lack of resistance, as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Molineux played a pivotal role in their downfall, claiming the wickets of opener Shamima Sultana, captain Nigar Sultana, and all-rounder Fahima Khatun. The Australian bowlers, including Megan Schutt, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, and Alana King, collectively overwhelmed the Bangladesh batters, with only No. 9 Nahida Akter managing to reach double figures.In response, Australia's batters chased down the target with relative ease, despite losing three early wickets. Ellyse Perry top-scored with an unbeaten 35 from 50 balls, anchoring the innings and guiding her team to victory. Phoebe Litchfield and Tahlia McGrath both fell cheaply, but Perry combined with Gardner to steer Australia to a comfortable win.Molineux's performance was particularly impressive, as she demonstrated her versatility and ability to contribute in both bowling and batting. Her return to the Australian set-up is a significant boost for the team, as they prepare for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.Australia's victory gives them a 2-0 lead in the series, with the third and final ODI scheduled for Wednesday. The series will be followed by three T20Is, providing both teams with valuable preparation for the global tournament.