Chandigarh, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) In yet another proud moment for the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh cricketer Nandini Sharma has been selected in the Indian Women's squad for the 2026 Asian Games which is scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya in Japan in September.

The Indian women's team will be entering in the competition as the defending champions after winning the gold at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou in China held from September 23 to October 8, 2023.

Nandini has been rewarded for her impressive performances across various domestic and national competitions.

Earlier this year, she represented India A in the ACC Rising Star Women's Asia Cup, gaining valuable international exposure.

Having represented both Punjab and UTCA in BCCI-organised tournaments at the Under-19, Under-23 and Senior levels, Nandini has consistently excelled in major domestic competitions, including the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal tournaments, Women's T20 Challenger Trophy and Senior Women's One-Day Challenger Trophy.

Her association with Delhi Capitals Women in the Women's Premier League (WPL) also played a significant role in her development at the highest level.

Her performances in the league showcased her ability to compete against some of the world's leading cricketers and later ensured her berth at the ongoing World Cup T20 Indian squad for England.

Expressing his delight, UTCA President Saraansh Tandon said, "Nandini's selection in the Indian team for the Asian Games is a matter of immense pride for Chandigarh and UTCA. She has earned this opportunity through her dedication, discipline and consistent performances over the years. We are confident that she will make a significant contribution to the Indian team and continue to inspire young cricketers from the region."

Source: IANS

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Hubballi, July 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) Mysore Warriors held their nerve in a thrilling finish to defeat Coastal Kings Mangaluru by two wickets off the final ball in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament in Hubballi on Tuesday.

Needing seven runs from the final over, tail-end batter and wicketkeeper Yuvraj Arora produced a sensational finish, smashing an unbeaten 19 off just nine balls, including two sixes and a four, to guide the Warriors to only their second victory in seven matches. The win, while keeping them at the bottom of the table, took them to four points.

Meanwhile, Coastal Kings remain second in the standings with seven points, three behind leaders Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters.

Chasing a revised target of 162 in a rain-curtailed 19-over contest, the Warriors appeared firmly in control at 111 for three, thanks to a fluent 78-run partnership off just 42 balls between L R Chethan and Ritesh Bhatkal.

Chethan struck a brisk 37 off 20 balls, with five fours and a six, before his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse. The Warriors lost three wickets in the space of five deliveries, allowing Coastal Kings to claw their way back into the contest.

Bhatkal, however, held one end together with a superb 66 off 39 balls, studded with eight fours and three sixes. After reaching his half-century, he immediately shifted gears by striking four successive boundaries to keep the chase on course.

Veteran leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal nearly turned the game on its head with a superb spell of 4 for 37, including two wickets in successive deliveries during the 17th over. His efforts, which also earned him the tournament’s Purple Cap with 11 wickets, ultimately proved insufficient as Arora kept his composure to complete a memorable chase.

Earlier, Coastal Kings posted a competitive total, built around captain Karun Nair’s fluent 48 off 27 balls, which included seven fours and a six.

Nair dominated a 47-run second-wicket partnership with opener Nikin Jose after the early dismissal of Aadharsh SJ, scoring 36 of those runs as Coastal Kings looked set for a much bigger total.

However, left-arm seamer Lavish Kaushal changed the complexion of the innings with a decisive spell. After conceding a boundary to Nair in the ninth over, Kaushal responded immediately by dismissing the Coastal Kings captain off the very next delivery before removing Suraj Ahuja to leave the innings wobbling at 78 for four.

Kaushal returned later to claim the prized wicket of the well-set Siddharth Akhil, who made 28 off 24 balls, finishing with impressive figures of 3 for 32.

Shreyas Gopal contributed a useful 22 before he was clean bowled by Manoj Bhandage as Coastal Kings finished with a total that ultimately fell just short.

Brief scores:

Coastal Kings Mangaluru 161 all out in 19 overs (Karun Nair 48, Siddharth Akhil 28, Shreyas Gopal 22; Lavish Kaushal 3-32) lost to Mysore Warriors 167/8 in 18.5 overs (Ritesh Bhatkal 66, L R Chethan 37, Yuvraj Arora 19 not out; Shreyas Gopal 4-37) by two wickets.

Source: IANS

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London, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Australia captain Sophie Molineux praised her team's composure and all-round performance after the six-time champions stormed into their eighth ICC Women's T20 World Cup final with a commanding eight-wicket win over West Indies at The Oval on Tuesday.

Australia once again underlined why they remain the benchmark in women's cricket, restricting West Indies to 125/7 before chasing down the target with 42 balls to spare. Beth Mooney (61 not out) and Ashleigh Gardner (35 not out) combined for an unbroken stand of 84 for the third wicket to see the chase through. Earlier, Molineux, Gardner, and Georgia Wareham claimed two wickets apiece to set up the crushing win.

Reflecting on Australia’s unbeaten run to the final, Molineux said the team had focused on enjoying the tournament, rather than looking too far ahead.

"Umm, you just have to ride it in the T20 World Cups. It's full of momentum and swings. I have really enjoyed it. The group has really enjoyed it. That's probably the biggest thing for us. We have helped and stopped ourselves from thinking too far ahead, and now we can think about the final, which is pretty cool," she said.

The Australian captain also explained her decision to persist with the seamers during the powerplay, a move that eventually paid dividends after Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph made a steady start.

"Kimmy (Kim Garth) shapes the ball beautifully both ways and bowls beautifully in the Power-play. Lucy did a really good job as well. I just thought it was the best matchup between those two (Matthews & Joseph). I thought we bowled really well. Hayley and Joseph tried to go hard at us, but we managed to hold our nerve, which was pretty cool," Molineux said.

Australia never allowed the modest target to become complicated despite early wickets, with Mooney and Gardner ensuring there were no late nerves.

"No. We just wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. Moons and Ash were clinical. Volly played a good hand to get us away and just calmed our nerves in the change room. It was really good to see," she said.

There was a brief concern when Ellyse Perry walked off during the chase with quad awareness, but Molineux played down fears over the veteran all-rounder's availability for Sunday's final.

"Yeah, bit of that again (precaution). It was just quad awareness. Sounds like she will be more than okay to go on Sunday," she said.

With five days before the title clash, Molineux said the squad would first enjoy the achievement before shifting its focus to the championship match.

"Sleep (laughs). I am looking forward to a good night of sleep tonight. We will make sure that we celebrate what's been a pretty cool two weeks for the girls. We will make sure we do that. We will rest and recover for a little bit and then build up without thinking too much. We will play the game over and over in our heads. We will make the most of the week and ensure we enjoy every part of it," she added.

Source: IANS

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London, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Indies captain Hayley Matthews admitted her side never produced their best cricket during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 but insisted there were enough positives to build on after Australia outclassed them by eight wickets in the first semi-final at The Oval on Tuesday.

Chasing just 126, Australia rode on an unbeaten 61 from Beth Mooney and 35 not out from Ashleigh Gardner to cruise home with 42 balls to spare, reaching their eighth Women's T20 World Cup final. The defending champions earlier restricted West Indies to 125/7 with skipper Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham picking up two wickets each.

Reflecting on the defeat, Matthews felt it was a combination of an off day and an inconsistent tournament for the Caribbean side.

"Maybe a bit of both. We didn't have our best game, nor did we play to our potential for the entire tournament. Our great game could have been far better than that. We couldn't put an entire game throughout the tournament," Matthews said.

West Indies were given an early scare even before the first ball was bowled when star all-rounder Deandra Dottin had to be escorted off the field shortly after the national anthems following a medical emergency. Matthews said the incident had a big emotional effect on the squad.

"I think it was a bit scary for some of us. She's a massive player for us. To see her pass that like that after the anthem, it was scary. Just a medical emergency. Nice to see her get back and throw a few punches, which shows a lot about her character," she said.

Matthews herself made a fluent 30 during a 47-run opening partnership, but West Indies collapsed from 47/0 to 83/6, leaving Dottin's unbeaten 26 off 16 balls to help them post a competitive-looking total.

The skipper admitted Australia squeezed them from the outset and that the uncertainty surrounding Dottin's availability also influenced their batting plans.

"I wanted to get off to a good start. Australia put us under pressure in the first six overs. We weren't sure whether she (Dottin) was going to bat. So, we wanted to take it deep. It was hard for me to assess. We wanted to get the run rate up," Matthews explained.

Despite the heavy defeat ending West Indies' title hopes, Matthews believes the campaign showed the depth developing within the squad and expects the team to emerge stronger.

"As a group, we can still hold our heads high. Aaliyah Alleyne and Stafanie Taylor were good. Even Chinnele Henry, after getting out of the injury. When you speak of the West Indies team, you take only a few names. We didn't have any super stand-up performances from anyone. Everyone had to chip in. To get to this stage, it was good. We have players who play different roles, and we will only get better," she said.

Source: IANS

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Durham, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) England captain Harry Brook reaffirmed his commitment to international cricket after the hosts announced their playing XI for the opening T20I against India at Chester-Le-Street in Durham on Wednesday.

England have made two changes to the team that lost to India in the semi-finals of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Fast bowler Saqib Mahmood replaces Jamie Overton, and Luke Wood comes in for Jofra Archer. Archer and fellow pacer Josh Tongue are both rested after playing in England's recent Test series against New Zealand.

Brook will lead England in what could be one of his biggest challenges yet. After guiding the team to the World Cup semi-finals, the 26-year-old is also a strong candidate to be England's next Test captain.

Before the series opener, Brook emphasised that representing England is his only priority. This is why he has opted out of most franchise leagues.

"I've committed completely to England cricket. I've said that I don't want to play any franchise cricket except for the Hundred," Brook stated. "Everything I do is to play cricket for England. Whatever I do on and off the field is to perform as well as I can for England. That's why I don't play in the IPL, PSL, or any other franchise competitions."

Brook believes that skipping franchise tournaments allows him valuable time to prepare physically for the demands of playing all three formats. “The fact that I don't play franchise cricket means there are times in my calendar when I'm not playing. I'd focus on my fitness and get ready to play all three formats, which has been my dream since I was a child."

The right-hander also downplayed any speculation around England's future Test captaincy. “If I am or am not the captain for England in Test cricket, I'd be happy just to still be playing for England."

England XI for first T20I against India:

Phil Salt, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook (captain), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Luke Wood.

Source: IANS

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London, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Beth Mooney produced another masterclass in an ICC knockout match while Ashleigh Gardner capped an outstanding all-round performance as six-time champions Australia crushed West Indies by eight wickets with 42 balls to spare in the first semifinal of the Women's T20 World Cup at The Oval on Tuesday, booking their place in the tournament final for the eighth time.

Australia's chase of 126 runs finished with seven overs to spare, marking the biggest victory by balls remaining in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup knockout history for targets over 100. The previous record was 29 balls remaining, set by Australia against England in the 2014 and 2018 finals.

Mooney stayed unbeaten at 61 off 36 balls, achieving the fourth-highest individual score by an Australian in a Women's T20 World Cup knockout match. Only her own 78 against India in the 2020 final, Alyssa Healy's 75 against India in the 2020 final, and her 74 against South Africa in the 2023 final rank higher.

Earlier, Australia won the toss and chose to field in the important semi-final. Even before the match began, West Indies faced a setback when star all-rounder Deandra Dottin was taken to the medical room shortly after the national anthems. The West Indies head coach confirmed during the innings break that Dottin experienced a minor medical issue.

West Indies started steadily, with captain Hayley Matthews leading the effort. She looked in good form and hit some impressive boundaries, while Qiana Joseph had trouble rotating the strike at the other end. As dot balls piled up, Australia found the breakthrough they needed when Georgia Wareham took a wicket with her first delivery, getting Matthews out for 30 off 28 balls and ending the 47-run opening partnership. Joseph's tough innings ended when she scored 16 off 22 balls.

The innings quickly fell apart as West Indies went from 47/1 to 83/6, with Australia's disciplined bowling taking charge. Shemaine Campbelle tried to rebuild with 22 off 25 balls, but wickets kept falling around her.

A vital 42-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Jannillea Glasgow, who scored 15, and the returning Dottin, who finished not out on 26 off just 16 balls, lifted West Indies to 125/7 after 20 overs. However, this total seemed low against Australia's strong batting lineup.

Australia began their chase aggressively. Georgia Voll scored regularly until Chinelle Henry dismissed her for 16 off 11 balls, while Phoebe Litchfield managed just 4 before getting out cheaply.

From that point on, Mooney took control. The left-hander kept the scoreboard moving with sharp shot selection, reaching a fantastic half-century off just 29 deliveries, ensuring Australia remained in command throughout the chase.

There was a minor injury concern in the seventh over when Ellyse Perry left the field with a quad issue for assessment. Australia hopes the experienced all-rounder recovers in time for Sunday’s final.

Any worries with the batting soon faded as Mooney and Gardner formed a strong partnership. Gardner, who had earlier excelled with the ball, contributed an unbeaten 35, while Mooney remained not out on 61. The pair added an unbroken 84-run partnership for the third wicket, leading Australia to a confident eight-wicket victory and another appearance in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.

Earlier, Gardner also shone with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/13. Captain Sophie Molineux took 2/30, Georgia Wareham had 2/17, and Annabel Sutherland contributed with 1/26, as Australia delivered another strong all-around performance that highlighted why they are a top team in women's cricket.

Brief scores:

West Indies 125/7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26; Ashleigh Gardner 2-13, Georgia Wareham 2-17) lost to Australia 127/2 in 13 overs (Beth Mooney 61 not out, Ashleigh Gardner 35 not out; Chinelle Henry 1-20) by eight wickets.

Source: IANS

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Durham, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) India captain Shreyas Iyer refused to reveal whether teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his international debut in the opening T20I against England at Durham on Wednesday, but backed the 15-year-old to shine whenever his opportunity comes.

Speaking before the first T20I at Chester-le-Street, Shreyas mentioned that India were keeping their team combination under wraps.

"You never know what is going to happen," he said in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday. "Our hands are tied right now in terms of what we will do. This is private. It’s something we discuss within the team. We can't reveal our combination to the opponents."

"Everyone on the team has performed. It's not just one person. We need to build confidence and provide chances for each player so that everyone feels good going into the tournaments. The players who helped India win the T20 World Cup understand the format; they have been essential. So, it's important to support them."

The captain praised the young player, saying, "Definitely, he is a brilliant talent. When he gets a chance to play, he will certainly excel."

Shreyas also spoke about India’s disappointing 2-0 T20I series defeat to the Ireland cricket team. He admitted the result was hard to accept, though he stopped short of calling it embarrassing.

"It wasn't embarrassing, but it was tough for us since we didn't expect Ireland to perform that well," Shreyas said. "They outplayed us in every aspect. They had good strategies regarding the ground dimensions, and we fell short in analysing and preparing for the field and how the wicket would play. So, credit to them, but we learned a lot from that series."

The captain feels the five-match series in England offers a new challenge and that India is better prepared this time. "This is a fresh chapter for us. A few of us have played in England before, and we understand the conditions and dimensions here. We are looking forward to an intense and challenging series."

He dismissed the idea that the struggles in Belfast would linger in the team.

"No, those issues are behind us," he said. "As I mentioned earlier, a few of us have experience playing in England, we know how the wickets typically behave, and we watch the matches on TV. In Belfast, we played after many years. It’s not an excuse, but I’m saying that adjusting to the wicket and the conditions was a bit of a challenge for us."

Describing the differences between the two venues, Shreyas noted that Belfast’s unique layout made it hard for India to adapt.

"I think it’s very different because the Belfast ground wasn’t a proper stadium. The outfield wasn’t even, and the dimensions were a bit square. It made it tricky to take singles and doubles, especially when fielding. As a captain, setting the field felt odd because we were not used to it."

"Here, the ground is flat, and the atmosphere is electrifying; the crowd will be intense. We have played in such conditions before."

Despite only scoring modest runs in Ireland, Shreyas is not concerned about his batting form. "Not at all," he responded when asked if captaincy had added pressure. "I am timing the ball well in the nets. Even in the last game, I felt my timing was great; a couple of odd balls just bounced differently. That doesn’t represent my batting or the pressure I feel."

"I trust my instincts. I know how well I perform under pressure. So, I just want to keep that faith in myself and move forward in the upcoming matches."

Shreyas also dismissed suggestions that England might struggle after switching from Test cricket to T20 following their recent series against New Zealand.

"I don't know what the atmosphere is like in the England team," he said. "But the shift from Test matches to a white ball is something most players have experienced. It’s not new for them. I’m sure they will manage just fine."

Source: IANS

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London, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Captain Sophie Molineux, Ashleigh Gardner, and Georgia Wareham claimed two wickets each as six-time champions Australia produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict West Indies to 125/7 in 20 overs in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 at The Oval, London, on Tuesday.

After choosing to bowl on a green-top surface, Australia proved their decision right from the first over by putting constant pressure on the West Indies batters. The Windies only found relief through Deandra Dottin's unbeaten 26 off 16 balls, which helped them reach a respectable total after a middle-order collapse.

Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph opened the innings for the West Indies. Matthews had a strong start, while Joseph struggled to get going. Australia kept their lines and lengths tight, preventing the scoring rate from accelerating. The Windies ended the powerplay at 35/0.

The pressure finally took its toll in the ninth over when Matthews was bowled for 30, ending their 47-run opening partnership. Her dismissal marked the beginning of a dramatic collapse, as the Southern Stars quickly dismantled the middle order. Joseph managed 16, but Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton both fell for 0. The Windies went from 47/0 to 59/4 in just a few overs.

Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry tried to stabilise the innings with a steady partnership. However, Henry was dismissed for 10, caught deep in the 15th over. Campbelle added 22 before falling in the next over, leaving the West Indies struggling for momentum.

Dottin, who had been forced off the field shortly after the national anthems but returned to bat, brought some energy back. The seasoned all-rounder hit regular boundaries in her 16-ball innings, scoring 26 not out and helping the Windies cross the 120-run mark.

Glasgow contributed 15 before getting out on the last ball of the innings. Molineux finished with 2/30, with Ashleigh Gardner (2/13) and Georgia Wareham (2/17) taking two wickets apiece to cut through the middle order after Hayley Matthews was dismissed. Annabel Sutherland also picked up a wicket, returning figures of 1/26 as West Indies were restricted to 125/7 in their 20 overs.

Brief scores:

West Indies 125/7 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 30, Deandra Dottin 26; Ashleigh Gardner 2-13, Georgia Wareham 2-17) against Australia

Source: IANS

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Hubballi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Shivamogga Yodhas scored a thrilling 1-run victory over Gulbarga Mystics via the VJD Method in a rain-interrupted match of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi on Tuesday.

After the target was revised to 128 in 12 overs from 181, Manish Pandey nearly pulled off a heist, slamming 36 runs in 13 balls (4 sixes, 1 four), including 23 runs in the final over. For the Yodhas, it was sweet revenge after having lost by a huge 95-run margin in the first-round match in Mysore.

With their third victory from seven matches, the Yodhas moved to fourth on six points while the Mystics, with their fourth loss, stayed third on the same number of points.

The Mystics kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually found themselves in a difficult situation, needing 39 runs from 12 balls and 26 from six. Besides Pandey, Macneil Noronha was the next highest scorer with 34 runs from 20 balls at the top of the order.

Put into bat first, the Yodhas reached a stiff 180-7 with two key partnerships and vital contributions from the top and lower-middle-order.

Explosive wicketkeeper-batter Luvnith Sisodia once again gave the Yodhas an aggressive start, adding a 29-ball 53 for the second wicket with Tushar Singh (35, 27 balls, 1 four, 3 sixes) after Macneil Noronha had dismissed the other opener, Naveen MG, off the third ball of the innings.

Sisodia continued his consistent run and took his tally to 273 runs with three half-centuries and a strike rate of over 163. Sisodia fell four balls before the end of the powerplay after scoring 31 runs in 18 balls, but by then he had set a good tempo and the Yodhas reached 63-2 at the end of six overs.

But Tushar Singh and captain Smaran Ravichandran (19, 19 balls, 2 fours) fell in quick succession, and the Yodhas were down to 105-5 in 12.1 overs. Sujay Sateri, however, came to the rescue at the right time to salvage the innings in the company of Yashovardhan Parantap (25, 19 balls, 2 fours).

Stroking the ball well and finding the boundaries at regular intervals, Sateri contributed an unbeaten 47 in the crucial 69-run sixth-wicket stand with Parantap that came off 44 balls. Dhruv Prabhakar, with 2-16, was the most successful bowler for the Mystics.

Brief scores:

Shivamogga Yodhas 180/7 in 20 overs (Luvnith Sisodia 31, Tushar Singh 35, Sujay Sateri 47 not out, Yashovardhan Parantap 25; Dhruv Prabhakar 2-16) bt Gulbarga Mystics 126/7 in 12 overs(Macneil Noronha 34, Manish Pandey 36 not out; Yashovardhan Parantap 2-34, Ambareesh K 2-33) by 1 run (VJD).

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) EIPL & Eleve Karimnagar Diamonds continued their rise to the top with an exceptional 133-run victory over Medak Falcons during the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday. With a second win in as many games, they are now fourth on the points table.

Rahul Radesh was excellent with the bat, scoring 101 off 48 balls, including eight fours and eight sixes, while Chandan Sahani (56* off 36) also chipped in to power the Diamonds to 232/4. Ashish Srivastav (2/13) and Shubham Sharma (2/16) led the charge with the ball as they bundled out the Falcons for 99 in 19.1 overs in what is the lowest total in the tournament to date.

Diamonds got off to a steady start with Satwik Reddy and Tanmay Agarwal (11 off 9) laying the platform for their side. The former led the charge as they scored 21 runs off the third over, rollicking along at 40/0. Kartikeya Kak provided the breakthrough for the Falcons, dismissing the Diamonds’ captain in the fourth over.

That wrestled back momentum for the bowling side as Sai Varun Yerram also got rid of Sai Sharan (11 off 10), with Falcons conceding only 14 runs in the latter half of the powerplay. Skipper Ravi Teja bagged the prized scalp of Satwik Reddy, who scored 35 off 18, including 4 fours and a couple of maximums - in the seventh over, putting the batting side in a spot of bother at 58/3.

Rahul Radesh and Chandan Sahani bided their time by knocking the ball around and rotating strike to rebuild in the middle overs. The two found some rhythm as they began to accelerate in the 13th over, adding some impetus to the innings.

The pivotal moment of the match came in the 15th over, when Rahul took Ahwinan Ram to the cleaners. He smashed four sixes as he marauded his way to a 30-ball fifty. Chandan also made his presence felt, as they scored 35 runs off the over, making it the most expensive over of the tournament so far.

The pair continued to put the Falcons bowlers under the pump as they found boundaries at will. Rahul blazed his way to a sensational century (the fifth of Sreenidhi University TG20) in 46 balls. Chandan also notched up his half-century in 30 balls, as the two batters swung the pendulum in their side’s favour. They combined for the highest partnership of the tournament, scoring 163 runs off 76 balls.

Madhukar Manne eventually got the better of Rahul in the final over, but the damage had been done by then. The colossal partnership provided a strong finish for the Diamonds as they scored 135 runs in the last eight overs, posting a total of 232/4.

Chasing a daunting target, the Falcons had the worst possible start as Ishan Sharma (0 off 5) fell to Harish Thakur in the first over of the chase. Vikram Naik (10 off 7) and Adithya Varma (12 off 12) also fell to Akhil Kumar and Shubham Sharma, respectively, as the batting side found themselves reeling at 37/3 in the powerplay.

Falcons never managed to recover from the early setback as they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals. Sai Varun (9 off 13) and Surya (1 off 3) fell in successive overs to Satish Kumar and Narayana Teja, respectively, as the Falcons sank further into trouble. Ashish Srivastav trapped Ahwinan in the 11th over, as the team stumbled to 63/6.

Skipper Ravi Teja managed to muster 37 off 28 balls before he, too, succumbed to Satwik, triggering a flurry of wickets. Ashish bagged his second wicket as he got the better of Bunny Jagam (3 off 11). The innings unravelled quickly thereafter as Arjun Gorrapalli (3 off 5) was run out and Shubham Sharma cleaned up Kartikeya to complete the rout.

Brief scores:

EIPL & Eleve Karimnagar Diamonds 232/4 in 20 overs (Rahul Radesh 101, Chandan Sahani 56*, Madhukar Manne 1/33, Sai Varun Yerram 1/34) beat Medak Falcons 99 in 19.1 overs (Ravi Teja 37, Ashish Srivastav 2/13, Shubham Sharma 2/16) by 133 runs.

Source: IANS

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London, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Australia won the toss and elected to bowl against West Indies in the first semifinal of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, here at The Oval.

Australia captain Sophie Molineux said her side opted to bowl first after assessing the pitch, believing the surface offered enough assistance early on to put West Indies under pressure. She noted that the grass covering had increased overnight and wanted her bowlers to exploit the conditions first up. Molineux confirmed Australia were unchanged for the semi-final and acknowledged the challenge posed by the West Indies, insisting her team would stick to its plans regardless of the opposition.

She also shared a light-hearted moment while speaking about Hayley Matthews, saying: "We are going to have a bowl. Looks like a good pitch here, and want to put early pressure. It does look like it has got some on it. It has grown overnight. Just get out of here and have a run first. We have the same team. I feel like the West Indies are an incredible team, and we have to bring our best. We have to stick to our plan, no matter who we are playing. We were just talking about the Renegades before (laughs). She's always good to play against."

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews said she was happy to bat first after losing the toss, backing the surface at The Oval to remain consistent throughout the match. Although the Windies had initially wanted to bowl, Matthews stressed that her side had nothing to lose and would approach the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final with an aggressive, fearless mindset. "Yeah. I think it's a good wicket here at The Oval. It's not going to change too much. We were looking to bowl first as well, but we have nothing to lose. We will go out there and play a fearless brand of cricket," she said.

Playing XIs:

West Indies Women: Qiana Joseph, Hayley Kristen Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, Jahzara Claxton, Jannillea Glasgow, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack

Australia Women: Georgia Voll, Beth Mooney (wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham, Annabel Sutherland, Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton

Source: IANS

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Harare, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Zimbabwe cricket team, under the leadership of Richard Ngarava, has etched its name in the history books as it registered its biggest win in Test cricket history, beating Bangladesh by an innings and 85 runs in the one-off test at the Harare Sports Club on Tuesday.

Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Zimbabwe dominated against the visitors from the outset as Bangladesh were off to a poor start and lost eight wickets for just seven runs to get bowled out for just 140 on Day 1. Mominul Haque was the lone warrior for the team as he scored 60 runs off 81 balls. Newman Nyamhuri was brilliant with the ball and took four crucial wickets. While captain Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, and Brad Evans also chipped in with two wickets each.

After the pacers' domination, it was time for the batsman to show their class against the Asian side as Innocent Kaia hit a brilliant century and top-scored with 140, while Craig Ervine, Brian Bennett, and Wessly Madhevere chipped in with half-centuries as Zimbabwe posted a match-winning 410 runs in the first innings. Taijul Islam was the most efficient Bangladesh bowler as he took seven wickets.

The hosts also took a massive first-innings lead of 270, which proved to be too much for Bangladesh, who failed to pull off a miracle as none of their batters showed the resilience, and they were bowled out for 185 in the second innings. Zimbabwe's pace quartet of Ngarava, Muzarabani, Evans, and Nyamhuri hunted in a pack, with none of them going wicketless in either innings.

This is also the first time Zimbabwe have won consecutive Tests in more than 25 years. In their previous Test match played in October, they beat Afghanistan by an innings and 73 runs, and have now backed it up with a victory over Bangladesh to register successive Test wins.

Brief scores:

Bangladesh 140 (Mominul Haque 60; Newman Nyamhuri 4-61, Blessing Muzarabani 2-19) & 185 (Mushfiqur Rahim 34; Blessing Muzarabani 4-65, Richard Ngarava 3-32) lost to Zimbabwe 410 (Innocent Kaia 140, Wessly Madhevere*, Craig Ervine 60; Taijul Islam 7-138) by an innings & 85 runs.

Source: IANS

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Durham, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's white-ball tour of the United Kingdom reaches a defining juncture on Wednesday when they face England in the opening T20I of a five-match series at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street.

After a disappointing start to the tour that saw them lose both matches against Ireland, Shreyas Iyer's side arrives in England with questions to answer and an opportunity to reset against one of the world's strongest T20 outfits.

The defeat in Ireland exposed several concerns, particularly with India's batting unit. Despite boasting a line-up packed with explosive stroke-makers, the visitors failed to build substantial partnerships or capitalise at key moments in both matches. With a longer series now ahead of them, India will hope those setbacks serve as lessons rather than lasting scars.

Much of the spotlight will once again fall on Shreyas Iyer. Having recently taken charge of India's T20I side, the captain faces his first major challenge against elite opposition.

Iyer has earned a reputation for proactive leadership in franchise cricket, but leading India in overseas conditions presents an entirely different challenge. His own batting form could be equally significant, as India look for stability through the middle overs after an inconsistent showing against Ireland.

One of the biggest selection debates surrounds teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The 15-year-old travelled with the squad but remained on the sidelines throughout the Ireland series despite widespread anticipation surrounding his arrival. With Sanju Samson struggling to convert starts during those matches, speculation has only intensified over whether India will hand the youngster his long-awaited international debut.

Should Sooryavanshi feature, he would become the youngest male cricketer to represent India, marking another remarkable milestone in a career that has already generated extraordinary attention. However, the management has indicated that his development remains a long-term priority, suggesting patience could prevail despite mounting public interest.

England, meanwhile, enters the contest with greater continuity. Harry Brook's side may have fallen short in the T20 World Cup semifinals, but their performances during the tournament reaffirmed their ability to peak when momentum builds. After a measured start, England evolved into one of the competition's most dangerous batting units before eventually being halted by India.

Home conditions also offer England a significant advantage. The Riverside surface has traditionally rewarded disciplined seam bowling with the new ball before becoming more batter-friendly later in the innings. England's pace attack will aim to exploit any early movement against an Indian top order still searching for rhythm.

India, however, has received a timely boost through the return of mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. His variations could become a crucial weapon during the middle overs, particularly against England's aggressive batting philosophy. If the visitors can control that phase of the innings, they stand a strong chance of neutralising England's power hitters.

While the series is only beginning, the opening match already carries added importance. England will seek to capitalise on India's recent struggles, while the visitors have an opportunity to erase memories of the Ireland disappointment with a statement performance.

Whether through tactical adjustments, personnel changes, or improved execution, India knows a positive start in Durham could completely alter the direction of its tour.

When: Wednesday, July 1, 10:00 PM IST

Where: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, Durham

Where to watch: The India vs England T20I series will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network, while the games will be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app.

Squads:

England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton (wk), Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), James Coles, Jordan Cox (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt (wk), Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 Season 3 Player Auction is scheduled for July 1 in Delhi. Eight men's franchises and four women's franchises will build their squads for the upcoming season.

More than 600 players are vying in the two competitions, including over 400 men and more than 200 women. Among them, 65 men's players and 28 women's players have already been retained by their franchises before the auction.

DDCA President Rohan Jaitley said, "The player auction is one of the most exciting days in the Delhi cricket calendar. It is the moment when teams begin taking shape, and franchises make the strategic calls that will define their season. The DPL has grown into a competition that genuinely matters for Delhi cricket, both as a platform for established players and as a stage for emerging talent to prove themselves. I am looking forward to seeing how the franchises put their combinations together and what the auction throws up on the day."

Before the season, each of the eight men's franchises received a total purse of Rs 1.5 crore, with retention amounts already deducted. The remaining balance is what each franchise will contribute at the auction on July 1. Similarly, each of the four women's franchises was allocated a purse of Rs 75 lakhs, also adjusted after retention deductions.

Players in both competitions are categorised into four groups according to their experience and cricket level.

In the men's competition, the Marquee category includes India internationals, India A players, and those who have been part of an IPL squad in any of the last three seasons. Category A consists of players who represented Delhi's senior men's team in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, or Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy within the past three domestic seasons. Category B encompasses Delhi Under-23, Under-19, and Under-16 players from the same timeframe. Category C comprises DDCA-registered players from Delhi's league cricket circuit.

In the women's competition, the Marquee category features India international women cricketers from Delhi/DDCA, along with players who participated in Women's Premier League squads over the past three seasons. Category A includes players who represented Delhi's senior women's team in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy or T20 Trophy during any of the last three domestic seasons. Category B comprises Delhi Under-23, Under-19, and Under-15 players. Category C consists of DDCA Women's T20 League performers and registered players who have not been part of the senior team's playing XI.

Men's Auction Pool:

Across the four categories, 65 men's players have been retained by their franchises: eight from the Marquee category, 16 from Category A, 22 from Category B, and 19 from Category C. The base prices are Rs 10 lakhs for Marquee players, Rs 5 lakhs for Category A, Rs 3 lakhs for Category B, and Rs 1 lakh for Category C.

At the men's auction, the Marquee players feature Rishabh Pant prominently, along with Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Simarjeet Singh, Mayank Yadav, Anuj Rawat, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sarthak Ranjan, Suyash Sharma, Vansh Bedi, and Tejasvi.

Women's Auction Pool:

Across the four categories, 28 women's players have been retained by their franchises, with three retained from the Marquee category, eight from Category A, 12 from Category B and 5 from Category C. The base price for Marquee players is Rs 5 lakhs, Category A is Rs 3 lakhs, Category B is Rs 1.5 lakhs and Category C is Rs 75,000.

The Marquee players available at the women's auction are Priya Punia, Priya Mishra, Parunika Sisodia, Pratika Rawal and Simran Dil Bahadur.

Right To Match:

Every franchise in both competitions has one RTM card, usable once during the auction. When a player from a franchise's previous season squad is up for bidding, the original franchise can allow others to bid and, upon reaching a final bid, use the RTM card to match the bid and re-acquire the player.

Squad Composition

Men's franchises are required to field a squad of 20 to 25 players, including exactly two Marquee players, exactly four Category A players, six to 10 Category B players, and eight to nine Category C players. Women's franchises must assemble a squad of 18 to 22 players, with exactly two Marquee players, exactly four Category A players, seven to eight Category B players, and five to eight Category C players.

Men's Retentions

North Delhi Strikers - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 74L

Harshit Rana (Marquee, Rs 21L), Pranav Rajvanshi (Category A, Rs 5L), Vaibhav Kandpal (Category A, Rs 13.5L), Arnav Bugga (Category B, Rs 7.75L), Yash Bhatia (Category B, Rs 6.75L), Arjun Rapria (Category C, Rs 11.5L), Vikas Dixit (Category C, Rs 2L), Yash Dabas (Category C, Rs 8.5L)

Central Delhi Kings - 9 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 76.2L

Yash Dhull (Marquee, Rs 15L), Money Grewal (Category A, Rs 18L), Jonty Sidhu (Category A, Rs 10L), Yugal Saini (Category B, Rs 3.8L), Aditya Bhandari (Category B, Rs 3L), Siddharth Joon (Category B, Rs 3L), Gavnish Khurana (Category C, Rs 1L), Jasvir Sehrawat (Category C, Rs 1L), Tejas Baroka (Category C, Rs 19L)

East Delhi Riders - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 90.05L

Mayank Rawat (Marquee, Rs 26L), Arpit Rana (Category A, Rs 13L), Rounak Waghela (Category A, Rs 6.25L), Hardik Sharma (Category B, Rs 5.5L), Vansh Jetly (Category B, Rs 3L), Ashish Meena (Category C, Rs 1L), Rohit Yadav (Category C, Rs 4.2L), Vaibhav Baisla (Category C, Rs 1L)

New Delhi Tigers - 9 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 91L

Prince Yadav (Marquee, Rs 33L), Lakshay Thareja (Category A, Rs 5L), Vaibhav Rawal (Category A, Rs 5.5L), Pradyuman Sanan (Category B, Rs 1L), Keshav R Singh (Category B, Rs 10.5L), Parikshit Singh Bhati (Category C, Rs 1L), Shivam Gupta (Category C, Rs 1L), Yashjeet (Category C, Rs 1L), Parth Kr. Bali (Category C, Rs 1L)

Outer Delhi Warriors - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 83.75L

Priyansh Arya (Marquee, Rs 21L), Shivam Sharma (Category A, Rs 5L), Siddhant Sharma (Category A, Rs 12.5L), Mohit Panwar (Category B, Rs 3L), Shaurya Malik (Category B, Rs 6.25L), Aman Chaudhary (Category B, Rs 4L), Dhruv Singh (Category C, Rs 13.5L), Rishab Drall (Category C, Rs 1L)

Puraani Dilli 6 - 7 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 86.3L

Lalit Yadav (Marquee, Rs 10L), Samarth Seth (Category A, Rs 9L), Dev Lakra (Category A, Rs 14L), Rajneesh Dadar (Category B, Rs 19L), Udhav Mohan (Category B, Rs 6.5L), Yug Gupta (Category B, Rs 4.2L), Aditya Malhotra (Category C, Rs 1L)

South Delhi Superstarz - 7 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 99.05L

Ayush Badoni (Marquee, Rs 21L), Sumit Kumar (Category A, Rs 5.5L), Sumit Mathur (Category A, Rs 5L), Aman Bharti (Category B, Rs 5.75L), Divansh Rawat (Category B, Rs 3L), Anmol Sharma (Category B, Rs 6.5L), Vision Panchal (Category C, Rs 4.2L)

West Delhi Lions - 9 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 68.25L

Nitish Rana (Marquee, Rs 34L), Ayush Doseja (Category A, Rs 10L), Manan Bhardwaj (Category A, Rs 6.5L), Ankit Rajesh Kumar (Category B, Rs 10L), Krish Yadav (Category B, Rs 7L), Ravneet Tanwar (Category B, Rs 1L), Shubham Dubey (Category B, Rs 6L), Anirudh Chowdhary (Category C, Rs 6.25L), Vikas Rana (Category C, Rs 1L)

Women's Retentions

South Delhi Superstarz - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 32.6L

Shweta Sehrawat (Marquee, Rs 11.55L), Tanisha Singh (Category A, Rs 13L), Disha Nagar (Category A, Rs 5.5L), Himakshi Chaudhary (Category B, Rs 1.6L), Tanishqa Singh (Category B, Rs 3.8L), Chhavi Gupta (Category B, Rs 4L), Kashish (Category B, Rs 2.2L), Mitali R (Category C, Rs 0.75L)

East Delhi Riders Women - 6 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 61.05L

Bharti Rawal (Category A, Rs 6.75L), Vanshika Lila (Category A, Rs 2.1L), Aarna Dudeja (Category B, Rs 2.1L), Suhana Attri (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Hridya Sharma (Category C, Rs 0.75L), Urvashi Gupta (Category C, Rs 0.75L)

Central Delhi Queens - 6 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 49.95L

Soni Yadav (Marquee, Rs 5.5L), Deeksha Sharma (Category A, Rs 2.5L), Nidhi Mahto (Category A, Rs 7.75L), Riya Kondal (Category B, Rs 4.8L), Saachi (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Mallika Khatri (Category C, Rs 3L)

North Delhi Strikers Women - 8 Players Retained | Purse Remaining: Rs 39.5L

Ayushi Soni (Marquee, Rs 5.5L), Nazma (Category A, Rs 12.5L), Upasana Yadav (Category A, Rs 6L), Anshu Nagar (Category B, Rs 5.75L), Archana (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Reshika Beniwal (Category B, Rs 2L), Armeet Kaur (Category B, Rs 1.5L), Shivani (Category C, Rs 0.75L)

When and where to watch: The auction will begin at 9:00 am IST and will be broadcast live on Jio Hotstar and the official DPL T20 YouTube channel.

Source: IANS

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Durham, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) India begins the second leg of its United Kingdom tour with a challenging five-match T20I series against England, hoping to leave behind the disappointment of a winless trip to Ireland. The opening fixture at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street offers Shreyas Iyer's side an immediate chance to rebuild confidence against one of the format's strongest teams.

The visitors struggled to find consistency during the Ireland series, where batting failures ultimately proved costly. As a result, team selection has become a major talking point ahead of Wednesday's encounter.

Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi remains firmly in the spotlight after watching both Ireland matches from the dugout. Whether India opts for continuity or introduces fresh energy at the top of the order could become one of the defining decisions of the evening.

Captain Shreyas Iyer also enters the contest under scrutiny following his first series in charge. While his leadership credentials are well established from franchise cricket, England presents a far sterner examination. Beyond tactical decisions, India will also need meaningful contributions from Iyer with the bat to stabilise an inconsistent middle order.

England, led by Harry Brook, returns home after another impressive World Cup campaign that ended in the semi-finals. Their batting depth and familiarity with local conditions make them favourites heading into the series opener, although they will be wary of an Indian side capable of responding strongly after recent setbacks.

India's bowling attack has received a timely boost with the return of Varun Chakaravarthy, whose variations could prove vital against England's attacking batters. Early wickets with the new ball and disciplined middle-over bowling will be essential if the visitors are to put pressure on the hosts.

With four matches still to follow, neither side will define its campaign in Durham. However, a winning start would provide valuable momentum, making the opening clash an important opportunity for both teams to set the tone for what promises to be a highly competitive series.

When: Wednesday, July 1, 10:00 PM IST

Where: Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, Durham

Where to watch: The India vs England T20I series will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network, while the games will be live-streamed on the SonyLiv app.

Squads:

England: Harry Brook (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton (wk), Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler (wk), James Coles, Jordan Cox (wk), Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt (wk), Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

India: Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Suryansh Shedge, Prasidh Krishna, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former England spinner Graeme Swann believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi presents one of the toughest assignments for England's bowling attack ahead of India's T20I series, saying the teenage batter has so far found answers against every challenge put before him.

Speaking ahead of the series in England, Swann suggested that while most bowlers are still searching for a way to contain the youngster, Jofra Archer could hold a slight advantage because of his familiarity with Sooryavanshi from the IPL. He admitted that preparing for a batter with limited international exposure but extensive franchise experience is far from straightforward.

“It's hard to prepare for a player like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He is still new to international cricket, but he has already played two IPL seasons. That means there is video footage available. Some of the England bowlers may have bowled to him in the IPL,” Swann told JioStar.

Even with that information at their disposal, Swann feels England have little evidence to suggest there is a clear blueprint for dismissing the young left-hander.

"But the truth is, no one has really had much success against him so far. He has looked almost unplayable,” he added.

Among England's pace options, however, Swann identified Archer as the bowler best placed to test Sooryavanshi, citing the fast bowler's first-hand knowledge of the teenager's game.

“The one bowler who might have a slight advantage is Jofra Archer. He has seen Sooryavanshi from the dugout, bowled to him in the nets, and watched him closely. He has probably seen more of him than anyone else,” Swann opined.

Swann believes that familiarity could help Archer uncover a method to challenge the youngster, particularly given his ability to combine insight with genuine pace. "Maybe he has spotted a weakness. Maybe he has a plan. And he has the express pace to back it up."

At the same time, the former off-spinner stressed that Sooryavanshi's record against top-class bowling leaves England with no guarantees.

"But so far, no matter who has bowled to Sooryavanshi, no matter how highly rated the bowler, he has always had an answer," he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should not allow the growing attention around him to become a distraction as he awaits a possible opportunity in India's upcoming T20I series against England.

Speaking ahead of the tour, Pujara said the youngster is unlikely to feature immediately given the stability of India's current top order, while stressing that preparation and patience will be crucial to his long-term success.

Pujara first advised Sooryavanshi to stay grounded despite the widespread excitement surrounding his emergence.

“There is a lot of hype around Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. As a young player, he shouldn't pay attention to what is being said about him. He needs to block out the outside noise and focus on his game,” Pujara told JioStar.

While backing the youngster's mindset, Pujara explained that earning a place in the playing XI depends on more than just talent, especially with India's batting lineup already settled.

“But even if he is mentally ready, selection is a different matter. I don't think he will get a chance straight away in the England series because India wouldn't want to change their top three. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan are quality batters who have helped India win the T20 World Cup. So, Vaibhav may have to wait for the first three games,” he added.

Pujara also outlined the approach he believes Sooryavanshi should adopt whenever his opportunity eventually arrives.

“If the opportunity arrives, the key for him will be to stay relaxed and calm. He shouldn't put pressure on himself to score big runs. He should just go out and express himself,” he said.

The veteran batter cautioned that conditions in England will pose a fresh challenge, making thorough preparation essential before expecting the same level of success he enjoyed in franchise cricket.

“What he did in the IPL won't be easy to replicate in English conditions. So, he needs to prepare well and get used to the conditions. Once he has done that, it will be about watching the ball and playing it on its merit. Everything else will fall into place,” Pujara stated.

India begin their T20I series in England with a settled batting unit, meaning Sooryavanshi may have to bide his time before receiving his first opportunity at the international level.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shreyas Iyer has the leadership qualities to guide India in the upcoming T20I series in England but says the new captain’s biggest examination will come with the bat.

Speaking ahead of India’s T20I series against England, Pujara also addressed the growing excitement around teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, suggesting the youngster is unlikely to make an immediate debut because of the strength of India’s established top order.

Pujara acknowledged that Iyer faces a demanding assignment as he prepares to lead India in T20Is for the first time while returning to the format after a lengthy absence.

"It is going to be challenging for Shreyas Iyer to become the third Indian skipper after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to win a T20I series in England. There is no doubt about that. Playing in English conditions, even with better white-ball pitches, is still a different kind of challenge. Shreyas is leading the Indian team for the first time, and he is playing T20Is after a two-year gap. So, the challenge is real,” he told JioStar.

Despite those challenges, Pujara expressed confidence in Iyer’s leadership credentials, pointing to his recent success in franchise cricket.

“But as a captain, I don't have doubts about him. He has done a great job with Punjab Kings in the IPL, and that is why he has been given this role. He is a proactive leader, leads from the front, and gives freedom to his players. So as a captain, he should be fine,” he added.

However, Pujara believes Iyer's performances with the bat will ultimately determine how successful his return to the T20I side proves to be, as he said, “The real test will be with his batting. He will have to prove himself in the middle order and deliver in English conditions.”

Source: IANS

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Dubai, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) India left-arm spinner Sree Charani retained her position as the world's No.1 T20I bowler in the latest rankings released on Tuesday, although England duo Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Bell have moved closer to the summit following their impressive performances at the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup.

Charani, who finished India's campaign with 14 wickets to emerge as one of the tournament's standout bowlers, continues to lead the rankings despite the team's group-stage exit. However, with several players still featuring in the knockout stages, her lead remains under threat.

Ecclestone climbed one place to third after taking eight wickets in the tournament so far, while fellow England pacer Bell made an even bigger jump, rising three places to fourth. South Africa spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba also gained one place to move into fifth, while Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu improved one spot to ninth.

Among the other notable movers in the bowling rankings, South Africa all-rounder Marizanne Kapp jumped seven places to 14th, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce surged 17 spots to 26th, and New Zealand seamer Bree Illing climbed six places to 31st.

Australia opener Georgia Voll retained her place as the world's No.1 T20I batter despite a poor performance in the last group stage match against India.

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt moved up one place to joint third, while Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu climbed two positions to seventh after her unbeaten century against Ireland during the group stage.

England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, currently the tournament's leading run-scorer, gained five places to 11th. Australia veteran Ellyse Perry also rose five spots to 17th, South Africa's Annerie Dercksen advanced four places to 24th, and Scotland's Darcey Carter jumped 13 positions to 42nd.

There was no change at the top of the T20I all-rounders' rankings, with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews retaining the No.1 position ahead of New Zealand's Melie Kerr.

Ireland's Orla Prendergast was the biggest mover among the leading all-rounders, climbing two places to joint third. Kapp improved to eighth, Bryce rose to 11th, while Australia's Annabel Sutherland advanced two spots to 17th.

-IANS

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Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh paid an emotional tribute to Ben Stokes following the England star’s retirement from international cricket upon the conclusion of the third Test against New Zealand.

The Indian stalwart reflected on Stokes’ defining moments and lasting influence on the game, praising his ability to overcome adversity throughout a 15-year international career.

Yuvraj began by highlighting the moments that, in his view, defined Stokes’ place among cricket’s modern greats. 'A World Cup final innings that nobody who watched it will ever forget. A 135 not out at Headingley that rewrote what was possible. The courage to speak openly about mental health when most wouldn’t. Losing his father. And coming back every single time,” Yuvraj wrote on X.

The former India star drew parallels between Stokes’ journey and his own experiences, saying resilience, rather than statistics or silverware, ultimately defines greatness. “I know what it feels like to be on top of the world one day and at your absolute lowest the next and I saw that same journey in you,” he added.

Yuvraj said it was Stokes’ repeated ability to recover from setbacks that elevated him beyond being just a successful cricketer. “That is what separates the good from the truly great. Not the records. Not the trophies. The ability to get back up.”

He also reflected on the achievements that marked Stokes’ international career, acknowledging both his leadership and his success on the biggest stages, stating, “15 years. Two World Cup winners medals. A captain who made his team believe anything was possible. One of the finest that the game will always remember.”

Yuvraj concluded his message by congratulating Stokes on his career and wishing him well for life after international cricket, as he wrote, "Congratulations on an epic career! The game will miss you, Ben. Enjoy the next chapter. You’ve earned it!"

Stokes, one of England’s most influential all-rounders, brought the curtain down on a career that included two ICC World Cup titles, Ashes heroics, and a transformative spell as England’s Test captain.

Source: IANS

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London, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Australia fast bowler Lucy Hamilton says she will carry renewed belief into her side’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final against the West Indies after producing three disciplined performances with the new ball during the tournament.

Speaking at The Oval ahead of the knockout clash, the 20-year-old reflected on her experience of playing on cricket’s biggest stage, her confidence after facing India at Lord’s, and the challenge awaiting Australia as they chase a place in Sunday’s final.

Hamilton, who earned selection in Australia’s World Cup squad despite limited international experience, said every outing has strengthened her confidence as she continues to settle into the role of opening the bowling.

"It's been really fun. (It's) really exciting to run out there and take the first over,” Hamilton told cricket.com.au.

The left-arm quick identified Australia’s group-stage victory over India as a defining moment in her tournament, saying the occasion had helped reinforce her belief ahead of the semi-finals.

“Personally, I took heaps of confidence (out of the India game). Everyone feels nervous, and you always have those moments, but running out, singing the anthem in front of so many people (at Lord's) and knowing how much it means to everyone, you always have those couple of nerves, but I think once you get that first over under underway you settle into the game,” she added.

Hamilton believes those experiences have prepared her for another high-pressure contest, with Australia needing to overcome the West Indies to keep their title hopes alive.

“Knowing that the team did really well ... the semi-finals are an even bigger occasion, so knowing that I've got that under my belt, and with a massive crowd and against a really strong Indian team, gives me lots of confidence,” she stated.

She also welcomed the short turnaround between matches, saying the team wants to build on its recent performances rather than lose momentum.

“It's a fast turnaround, but I think it's really good in T20 cricket to have that momentum; we're all ready to go and can't wait. The quality of cricket that we've been playing recently ... you want that leading into a semi,” Hamilton said.

The semi-final will also mark Hamilton’s first appearance at The Oval, prompting her to visit the venue before match day to familiarise herself with the conditions.

“I haven't played at The Oval before ... I'm glad I came down (on match eve) just to have a look at the facilities and get used to it and see how fast the outfield is. The conditions can change a lot, so we just have to adapt to them as fast as we can and play our style of cricket,” she mentioned.

Hamilton expects a fearless approach from the West Indies, whose captain has already suggested her side will embrace the underdog tag in the knockout contest.

“I think (West Indies) have nothing to lose in the semi, so they'll come out hard, and they're a great opposition,” Hamilton said.

Australia face the West Indies in the first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-final at The Oval, with the winner advancing to Sunday’s final at Lord’s.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former England captain Joe Root paid a candid tribute to Ben Stokes, lauding the all-rounder's ability to thrive under immense pressure, describing him as a player who consistently produced match-winning moments when the game hung in the balance.

Stokes, one of England's modern-day cricketing icons, has retired from international cricket after the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge, bringing the curtain down on a glittering 15-year international career that began in 2011 and included four years as England's Test captain.

Few players have shaped England's fortunes across formats quite like Ben Stokes. A genuine match-winner with bat and ball, Stokes delivered some of the most unforgettable moments, none bigger than his unbeaten 84 in the 2019 ODI World Cup final that helped England lift their first-ever world title.

"We've been through a huge amount as two players, but one thing I've always admired about you is, whatever's happened, you've always owned your own... But also that old saying of you can only make diamonds in pressure. Whenever the game's been in the balance, the amount of times, there are only so many players that can create moments like you have. And to say that you can count on two hands more, that your career will be remembered for that," Root said in a video shared by England and Wales Cricket Board.

Brook further recalled Stookes' legendary 135 not out at Headingley that inspired one of the greatest Ashes victories in history.

"There's so many different moments that you have done for this team across all formats but especially in Test cricket and there'll be generations of people out there that have been inspired by what you've achieved throughout.

"And we are all very lucky to have been a part of that journey and to have spent time in the same dressing room as you and everything that you've done. Whether it be winning World Cups, Ashes series, individual moments like that, ridiculous innings at Headingley in 2019," he added.

In 2022, following Joe Root's resignation as Test captain, Stokes took charge of the red-ball side and, alongside head coach Brendon McCullum, ushered in the fearless attacking philosophy that became known as "Bazball", leding the team to 11 wins in his first 13 matches in charge.

Under their leadership, England rediscovered its identity, recording memorable series victories over New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and others while bringing fresh excitement to Test cricket.

Root concluded his speech by looking ahead to life after their playing days. "You inspired most of the lads in this room because you're so old now and they were little teenagers growing up and learning the game. It's been a hell of a ride mate, I've loved every minute playing alongside you.

"I'm so grateful that I've been able to spend the journey with you, and I really look forward to just at some point, when we're dusty old veterans like the coaching staff, sitting down having a beer," he said.

He finished his Test career with 7273 runs at 34.46, including 14 centuries, and 252 wickets at 30.98, including six five-wicket hauls in 122 Tests, including 44 as England captain. In 114 ODIs, he has 3463 runs and has 585 runs in 43 T20Is.

Source: IANS

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Mumbai, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) The BCCI on Tuesday announced a Harmanpreet Kaur-led 15-member squad for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games. The selection committee has shown faith in the same contingent that featured in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with left-hand batter and wicketkeeper G Kamalini’s inclusion inplace of Yastika Bhatia remaining the only change.

India will head into the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to be played in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, as the defending champions, having clinched the historic gold medal in the women’s cricket competition at the previous edition of the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.

Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues will spearhead the batting department alongside vice-captain and Smriti Mandhana. Star all-rounder Deepti Sharma anchors a middle order, while the Richa Ghosh leads the wicketkeeping duties alongside backup glovewoman Kamalini.

The pace attack will be spearheaded by swing specialist Renuka Singh Thakur and the experienced Arundhati Reddy. Meanwhile, the spin department boasts the expertise of left-arm orthodox Radha Yadav and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil.

However, the BCCI said Shreyanka's inclusion in the final squad remains subject to fitness clearance following a recent injury layoff. The all-rounder was ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a twisted ankle.

Cricket has been retained for the Asian Games 2026 following its successful inclusion in the 2022 edition after being dropped from the programme at Jakarta 2018. Overall, this will be the fourth time that cricket will be making an appearance in the Asian Games programme. It made a debut as a medal event in the Asian Games at Guangzhou 2010 and returned at Incheon 2014, although the matches were not accorded international status.

India's squad for the 2026 Asian Games: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (Vice-Captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Bharti Fulmali, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Radha Yadav, Nandni Sharma.

Source: IANS

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Bermuda, June 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bermuda have secured qualification for the Americas Qualifier 2027 for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after finishing first at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Sub-Regional Americas Qualifier A on home soil.

After a no-result due to weather on the opening day, Bermuda showcased their talent by overcoming every opponent convincingly and completing a flawless campaign that earned them a spot in the regional qualifier.

Delray Rawlins was crucial in Bermuda’s win, picking up the Player of the Tournament trophy after an exceptional campaign, which was capped by an historic 121 against Brazil.

The Bahamas finished in second place, followed by Panama in third, Belize in fourth, and Brazil finishing bottom of the five-team table, according to a report on the ICC website.

Following their win, Bermuda captain Terryn Fray said: “We are delighted with the result. It’s always special to perform in front of our own fans. We now look forward to the next challenge and give it our best in the Regional Final next year”.

Results:

Day 1

Bermuda v Bahamas (No result)

Belize v Panama (No result)

Day 2

Panama 155-4 (20) v Brazil 86-8 (20) – Panama won by 69 runs. Scorecard

Belize 45-7 (12/12) v Bermuda 48-0 (5.2/12) – Bermuda won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Day 3

Bahamas 114-5 (20) v Panama 115-6 (16.5) – Panama won by 4 wickets. Scorecard

Brazil 133-9 (20) v Belize 134-2 (17.5) – Belize won by 8 wickets. Scorecard

Day 4

Panama 69-10 (18.5) v Bermuda 73-0 (4.3) – Bermuda won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Brazil 111-10 (20) v Bahamas 113-4 (18.1) – Bahamas won by 6 wickets. Scorecard

Day 5

Bahamas 143-6 (20) v Belize 121-9 (20) – Bahamas won by 22 runs. Scorecard

Bermuda 220-4 (20) v Brazil 74-10 (16) – Bermuda won by 146 runs. Scorecard

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT

Delray Rawlins (Bermuda)

BEST BATTER

Delray Rawlings (Bermuda): 190 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 197.92.

BEST BOWLER

Derrick Brangman (Bermuda): Seven wickets at an average of five and an economy of 3.23, with best bowling figures of 3/9.

Source: IANS

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Hubballi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Bangalore Blasters beat their closest rivals on the points table, Coastal Kings Mangaluru, by eight runs (VJD method) in the second fixture of the day in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 in Hubballi on Monday.

After rain-induced stoppages, the Blasters were set a revised target of 109 in 11 overs, the original target of 180/6 in 20 overs.

Having moved to 28 for no loss in three overs before the match was halted due to more rain, the Blasters clearly knew what was needed of them, and they used that vital knowledge fully to clinch a clinical victory late into the night. When the match was finally stopped again with the Blasters at 68-0 in seven overs, they were well ahead of the par score of 60.

With their fifth victory in six matches, the Blasters further consolidated their position at the top of the table with 10 points.

For the Coastal Kings, who had already lost a point with a washed-out match against Hubli Tigers in Mysore, their second loss in six matches leave them stuck in second spot on seven points, but the gap widened to three points behind the leaders.

Openers Bhuvan Mohan Raju (50, 31 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) and Rohan Patil (17, 11 balls, three fours) were unbeaten when the match was called off.

Earlier, asked to make first use of a rain-soaked pitch, captain Karun Nair (43, 31 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Shreyas Gopal (35, 24 balls, 5 fours) again combined well to add a 40-ball 55 for the third wicket after an early wobble (50-2)

The veterans used all their experience to rotate the strike and score at a steady pace, with boundaries and sixes coming at regular intervals. But once both fell in the space of nine balls for the addition of just 13 runs, the Coastal Kings slipped to 118 for four with five more overs remaining.

Aggressive wicket-keeper batter Suraj Ahuja (45, 22 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) produced a crucial knock. The 26-year-old boosted the total to a challenging 179-6, adding a crucial 26-ball 51 for the fifth wicket with Siddharth Akhil (11).

Ahuja had earlier blasted a 38-ball 96 not out in the defeat against the same team on June 24 in Mysore. But this time too, the youngsters' efforts went in vain.

Brief scores:

Coastal Kings Mangaluru 179/6 in 20 overs (Nikin Jose 20, Karun Nair 43, Shreyas Gopal 35, Suraj Ahuja 45) lost to Bengaluru Blasters 68-0 in 7 overs (Bhuvan Mohan Raj 50 not out, Rohan Patil 17 not out) by eight runs (VJD Method)

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hyderabad E-Champions produced a dominant all-round display to register a commanding 56-run victory over Anvita Khammam Aces in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 in the second match at the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad on Monday.

A blistering half-century from Abhirath Reddy, valuable contributions from district player Ganesh Gadugu as well as Anvith Reddy, and disciplined bowling led by Sriniketh and Ajay Dev Goud helped the E-Champions defend 211 and extend their impressive unbeaten run at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Abhirath’s impressive 59 off 26 balls puts him on top of the Orange Cap standings with 252 runs to his name. Adding to the team’s impressive run, Ajay Dev also took his place at the top of the Purple Cap standings with 10 wickets to his name.

E-Champions recovered from a watchful start through an explosive opening partnership between Sai Vikas Reddy (22 off 20) and Abhirath. The skipper then took the attack to the bowlers with a flurry of boundaries and sixes, including a 24-run fifth over, as the E-Champions raced to 77/1 at the end of the powerplay before Ved Reddy dismissed him.

Sai Vikas continued to anchor the innings alongside Anvith Reddy (32 off 21) as the E-Champions crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over. Ved then removed Sai Vikas, while Shanmukha Ashwin's quickfire cameo of 19 in 13 balls featuring two sixes kept the momentum going before GSK Reddy struck. Anvith and Ganesh Gadugu (44 off 21) followed up with a brisk partnership of 31 runs in 16 balls to take the score to 136/3 after 13 overs.

Ganesh accelerated brilliantly at the death, striking two sixes off Vidyananda Reddy before Anvith's run-out briefly slowed the innings. Pranav Varma (18 off 13) chipped in with timely boundaries as Hyderabad E-Champions surged past 170 with four overs remaining.

Saaketh Dhatrak picked up two wickets in the penultimate over before Sahendra Mallu claimed two more in the final over, including Ganesh and Ajay Dev (6 off 2). Despite the late collapse, E-Champions finished with a formidable 211/9.

With a tough target to chase down, Aces endured a shaky start to the chase, losing GSK Reddy (7 off 5) in the second over despite a brisk beginning from Wafi Kachchhi (21 off 15) and Himateja Kodimela. Wafi looked dangerous with a couple of boundaries but was dismissed by Sriniketh in the fifth over, while Mayank Gupta (5 off 8) struggled to accelerate as the Aces reached 50/2 at the end of the powerplay.

The innings lost further momentum through the middle overs as Ashwin and Anvith kept the scoring in check. Ashwin accounted for Mayank, while Anvith removed Mickil Jaiswal (3 off 8) to leave the Aces at 68/4 after 10 overs. Himateja, however, kept the chase alive with an aggressive counterattack, smashing two sixes and a four off Akhil Rathod before finding support from Prateek Reddy (11 off 12).

The pair stitched together a useful stand, with Himateja continuing to find the boundary and Prateek chipping in with a crucial six to take the Aces past the 100-run mark. However, Sriniketh broke the partnership by dismissing Prateek, before Ajay Dev struck in the following over to remove the well-set Himateja after his fighting knock of 64 runs in 44 balls.

Aces' hopes of a late comeback faded in the death overs despite a few blows from Sahendra Mallu (16 off 9). Ajay Dev struck a crucial blow by dismissing Sahendra in the 18th over before Ganesh Gadugu wrapped up the innings with two wickets in the final over, restricting the Aces to 155/9 in 20 overs.

Brief Scores:

Hyderabad E-Champions 211/9 in 20 overs (Abhirath Reddy 59, Ganesh Gadugu 44, Ved Reddy 2/24, Sahendra Mallu 2/35) beat Anvita Khammam Aces 155/9 in 20 overs (Himateja Kodimela 65, Wafi Kachchhi 21, K. Sriniketh 3/28, Ajay Dev Goud 2/36, Ganesh Gadugu 2/2) by 56 runs

Source: IANS

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Nottingham, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) New Zealand sealed a memorable Test series triumph over England with a commanding 160-run victory in the third and deciding Test at Trent Bridge on Monday, spoiling Ben Stokes' final appearance in international cricket and condemning the hosts to their first home defeat in a Test series of three matches or more since 2012.

Chasing a tough target of 373, England got bowled out well short after starting the final day at 103/4. They had already wasted much of their chance with a careless batting collapse late on day four. New Zealand had scored 438 in their first innings and then bowled out England for 354. Enjoying a lead of 85 runs, the Black Caps declared at 288/9 in their second innings, leaving England to chase a massive target.

This loss marked England's seventh defeat in their last nine Tests. It will likely increase the criticism of the bold 'Bazball' style that has characterised the team over the past four years.

Fans expected to see Stokes deliver one last classic performance after announcing his retirement on the fourth afternoon. Instead, the sparse crowd at Trent Bridge, which received free tickets, only saw Jamie Smith's determined half-century as England's innings ended weakly.

England's struggles began the night before when Stokes was out after scoring a quick 30 off 20 balls. Jacob Bethell went out for a duck, Harry Brook made 21 off just nine balls, and Ben Duckett added 36 off 42. This left the hosts with a steep task overnight.

New Zealand's players could hardly believe England's approach. Stump microphones picked up the visitors asking, "What are they doing?" after Brook lost his wicket with an ill-advised shot to deep fine leg.

England's slim hopes rested on Joe Root, but they quickly faded on the final morning. Nathan Smith, who ended the series as the top wicket-taker with 16 wickets, first dismissed Emilio Gay for 10 after finding the outside edge.

Just four balls later, Root's fight ended when Henry Nicholls made a brilliant direct-hit run out while losing his balance, sending the former England captain back for 18.

Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson briefly delayed the inevitable with a stubborn 75-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Smith played aggressively, hitting a great straight six off Mitchell Santner during his innings of 60 from 90 balls. Atkinson batted for 70 balls to score 19.

Their partnership temporarily lowered the target below 200 before Santner trapped Atkinson lbw just before lunch.

New Zealand faced a brief challenge when paceman Will O'Rourke hurt his hamstring midway through the morning session, adding to an already weakened pace attack, but the visitors stayed in control.

After lunch, England's lower order collapsed quickly. Jofra Archer edged behind, and Josh Tongue was brilliantly run out by Santner shortly after Smith reached his fifty from 87 balls with three consecutive boundaries. The wicketkeeper-batter eventually holed out in the deep off Santner, ending the match and the series.

The victory capped an impressive overall performance from New Zealand. Their disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and steady batting proved too much for England throughout the three-Test series.

For England, the loss not only marked a disappointing end to Stokes' brilliant international career but also raised new questions about the team's approach following a dramatic decline, losing seven of their last nine Test matches.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 438 & 288/9 decl. beat England 354 & 212 (Jamie Smith 60; Zakary Foulkes 3-52, Mitchell Santner 2-54, Nathan Smith 2-64) by 160 runs.

Source: IANS

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Hubballi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hubli Tigers bounced back in style following back-to-back losses in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, comprehensively beating Gulbarga Mystics by 10 wickets in Hubballi on Monday.

In a match reduced to 15 overs a side due to rain, the Tigers first restricted the Mystics to 139 in 15 overs, thanks to some fabulous left-arm swing bowling by young Vaibhav Sharma (3-9).

In reply, the Tigers, true to their name, pounced on every bad delivery to score big and eventually made very short work of the 140-run target. Openers Mayank Agarawal and the consistent Mohammed Taha both completed aggressive and unbeaten half-centuries to finish the job, reaching 143 for no loss in 12.1 overs.

The 35-year-old veteran star Agarawal, in particular, was at his fluent best and provided glimpses of his greatness with an attacking unbeaten 81 off 38 balls, studded with eight fours and five sixes. Taha was equally opportunistic and continued his good run with another half-century despite a wrist injury (57 not out, 35 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes).

Earlier, the 19-year-old Vaibhav Sharma did all the damage, claiming the top three Mystics’ batters with only 28 runs on the board. He dismissed the Mystics opener B R Sharath (2) with his first ball and then did even better, catching and bowling the other opener Lochan Gowda (6) a ball later.

The youngster got rid of Prakhar Chaturvedi off the first ball of his second over to complete a match-winning spell. The mystics did not recover from there, though Thippa Reddy (51, 34 balls, 6x4, 2x6) and Macneil Noronha (10) added a 31-ball 30 for the fourth wicket.

Captain Manish Pandey (35 not out, 20 balls, 3 sixes) played another inspired knock to shore the innings to 139, adding a 24-ball 44 for the fifth wicket. But in the end, it proved too little too late.

For Hubli Tigers, it was their second victory in five matches, and they moved to fourth position on five points. Though the Mystics suffered their third loss, they stay third with six points.

Brief scores:

Gulbarga Mystics 139/6 in 15 overs (Thippa Reddy 51, Manish Pandey 35 not out; Vaibhav Sharma 3-9) lost to Hubli Tigers 143 for no loss in 12.1 overs (Mayank Agarawal 81 not out, Mohammed Taha not out 57) by 10 wickets.

Source: IANS

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London, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) West Indies captain Hayley Matthews believes her side still has another level to reach as they prepare to face World No. 1 Australia in the semifinals of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, insisting the Caribbean side will need their biggest stars to deliver if they are to upset the tournament favourites.

Australia head into Tuesday's match at The Oval in strong form, having won all four of their group-stage games. They finished the group with a record run chase in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup against India at Lord's.

West Indies took a much more dramatic path to reach the semifinals. They started the tournament with three straight wins, but then lost to England and Ireland. This left their future uncertain until England's win over New Zealand secured their place in the semi-finals.

Matthews has scored 115 runs in five innings so far. She acknowledged that she has not yet played her best cricket but believes the Windies still have a lot of potential.

"We need big performances from our top players. A standout individual effort will be important," she said. "However, to beat a team like Australia, we need more than one player stepping up. Our best players need to rise to the occasion tomorrow.

"I feel like players like Aliyah Alleyne and Jahzara Claxton have been excellent role players throughout the tournament. With our stars alongside them stepping up, we'll need a complete team performance.

"We haven’t played our best match yet. Neither I nor Deandra Dottin nor I have scored enough runs, which gives us plenty of room to improve as a team. Hopefully, some of us can step up more and challenge the Aussies."

Matthews has had memorable success against Australia in the past. Three years ago, she scored 132 runs off just 64 balls, helping the West Indies achieve the highest successful chase in women's T20 international history by chasing down 213 runs with one ball left. Earlier in that series, she also scored an unbeaten 99, and in Kolkata a decade ago, her 45-ball 66 helped the West Indies win the Women's T20 World Cup.

Australia's Ellyse Perry, one of the few players still around from the side that lost that 2016 final, chose not to focus on the past, despite entering the semi-final on the back of two consecutive half-centuries.

"We don't want to think about past losses. That was 10 years ago. The game has changed a lot since then. You can't even relate things to our last match because sports can be unpredictable," she said.

"We've played against each other quite a lot in the past couple of months. Earlier this year, we toured the West Indies and had a warm-up match, so we know each other fairly well right now.

"They have tremendously talented and dangerous players with a lot of experience. This will be a great challenge for us. The quick turnaround and the change of venue make it even more interesting. We're really looking forward to it."

Australia's Ash Gardner also recognised the challenge posed by Matthews and Deandra Dottin. They previously played together at the Gujarat Giants.

"The West Indies present a different threat. They have a lot of talent and power within their team. They also have plenty of experience, led expertly by Hayley Matthews, who can change a game quickly. Then you have Deandra Dottin, who is a threat in every aspect of the game.

"She’s an excellent player, and I've had the chance to play alongside her. I admire her fearless approach to cricket, which can be intimidating because she can turn a game around in an instant.

"They definitely offer a unique challenge. Fortunately, we just played a series against them. We can prepare quickly for this new venue, which is great for batting.

"We need to do our homework fast since we only have one day before the match. Then we can get excited about the occasion."

Source: IANS

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Hyderabad, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Anurag Nalgonda Knights secured their third win on the trot, registering a comprehensive six-wicket victory against Palamuru Strikers in the first match of the day in the Hyderabad Cricket Association's TG20 at the G. M. C. Balayogi Stadium at Gachibowli in Hyderabad on Monday.

Knights’ bowlers were sensational in executing their plans as Md Arfaz Ahmed (3/39) and Nishanth Saranu (2/16) were the standouts, restricting the Strikers to 148/9. Skipper Rahul Buddhi (68* off 40) held his nerve in the run chase to lead his side to a comfortable victory with 28 balls to spare, helping them jump to second on the points table.

It was a wobbly start for the Strikers as they lost three wickets in the Power-play. A run out cost the in-form Vignesh Reddy his wicket in the first over, while Aniketh Reddy (1/18) got the better of Karan Yadav (0 off 2) in the following over to have the batting side reeling at 5/2. Strikers found themselves in deeper trouble as Arfaz bounced out Rohit Rayudu (4 off 10) in the fifth over.

Pragnay Reddy (55 off 35) led the counterpunch to add some impetus to the innings as he stitched a 37-run stand with Chaitanya Reddy (17 off 18). The latter rotated strike cleverly before he too succumbed to Divesh Singh in the ninth over.

With their team in trouble, Pragnay and Rathan Teja (50 off 33) dug deep to strike a 74-run stand in 50 balls. Both batters displayed maturity to rotate strike regularly while also finding boundaries at regular intervals as they struck their respective half-centuries in 32 balls. The duo carried their side past the 100-run mark and seemingly set the platform for a big finish.

They scored 22 runs off the 17th over before Nishanth broke the partnership to dismiss both batters within a span of four deliveries in the 18th over. The twin strikes left Strikers struggling at 134/6. They scored only 14 runs in the last two overs, losing three wickets in the final over, courtesy a brilliant performance from the Knights bowlers as they restricted the Strikers to 148/9.

Debutant Jashwanth Mote (17 off 11) and Gaurav Reddy (18 off 10) got the Knights off to a strong start in the run chase, with the openers scoring 21 runs in the first couple of overs. Rishab Baslas gave the Strikers a glimmer of hope as he dismissed both openers in successive overs, putting the Knights in a spot of bother at 47/2 in the fifth over.

Skipper Rahul and Nitish Reddy (19 off 15) steadied the ship for the batting side, with the former taking the onus on himself to keep up with the scoring rate as he unleashed a range of strokes. They constructed a 48-run partnership to wipe off a chunk of the target.

Rohit got the better of Nitish in the tenth over with Varun Goud (13 off 12) falling to a soft dismissal soon after. However, Rahul made sure he finished the job for his side. He amassed his fifty with a maximum, reaching the milestone in 30 balls. His knock included seven fours and three sixes, as he comfortably led his side over the line with 28 balls to spare.

Brief scores:

Palamuru Strikers 148/9 in 20 overs (Pragnay Reddy 55, Rathan Teja 50, Md Arfaz Ahmed 3/39, Nishanth Saranu 2/16) lost to Anurag Nalgonda Knights 149/4 in 15.2 overs (Rahul Buddhi 68*, Nitish Reddy 19, Rishab Baslas 2/26) by six wickets.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop firmly believes that women’s cricket has now established itself as a standalone product capable of drawing massive crowds despite competing with major global sporting events.

Bishop's observations come at a historic juncture for the tournament which has been competing for attention alongside the FIFA World Cup, men's Test series against New Zealand, and Wimbledon. The group stage attendance record at an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group stage match was broken for the second time in 24 hours, as a total of 27,163 fans were in attendance at Lord's for India-Australia Group A game.

That tally went past the total of 21,018 recorded in the match between England and New Zealand at The Oval. The attendance on the final day of the group stage comes on the back of the tournament crossing the 125,000 mark in on-ground attendance, making it the highest-selling ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in history.

"The women's game is a standalone thing. I think we've talked about that for a couple of years now. Even just as the pandemic started, it has grown where my little girl, just as an example close to me, now loves the game. She wants to play cricket every day. She's a teenager. She never used to play. She wasn't interested.

“Now at school, she wants to play every cricket game every day of the week and I'm sure that is reflected across other nations. I have been to a lot more age group games in Trinidad in the last couple of years because of my daughter, and I have seen the love and passion for the game.

“So the gospel has been spreading more and more, and that is reflected also in the attendance. I still think that there's a lot going on - football World Cup, Test series with the men, Wimbledon starting, and that the numbers could have been better otherwise. So I think the women's game is growing," Bishop, an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup expert, told IANS on JioStar's Media Day on Monday.

Questioned about the tournament being heavily batting-friendly with five 200-plus scores recorded and batting records broken, Bishop credited the evolution of the game and the pitches maintained by ground staff members, despite a heatwave coming in the later phase of the competition.

"I think batting form is proven. What's the example that I can use? Obviously, England have been, with Australia, the two of the highest scoring teams in the tournament. It's no surprise that they are two out of four in the semi-finals, as it stands. If I may take the team from the region where I emanate the West Indies, and some of their struggles from a batting perspective have been critical to their faltering in the last couple of matches that they've played.

"The dominant forces have been Australia and England, who have scored runs, but who also have bowling lineups that are able to hold their own against most other competitors. Maybe in a semi-final clash or final clash, it could come down to that, because they both bat deep, England and Australia.

“South Africa, when they have been good? We saw Marizanne Kapp with that match-winning innings. But in addition to that, they've got good variety in their bowling. So the top teams in the world now, as in any facet of T20 cricket, you more or less have to have a dynamic batting team," he explained.

Bishop expanded on the technical aspects driving these big totals, adding that lower-ranked sides are being left behind in power-hitting and that modern bowlers must adapt now. "I just think the evolution of the game. The evolution of the game where the women with each passing World Cup, the better teams are being more dynamic and you find the lower-ranked teams are getting left. It's a similar story, have been left behind with regards to the power in their batting – Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We've had some really good batting conditions as well.

"I think the grounds staffs and the grounds where we've played, these are some kudos for leaving enough grass on the pitch for the ball to come on. The ball hasn't ragged square on too many of the pitches. But I think it's the evolution and the advancement of the women's game. This is where bowlers now have to catch up.

“One of the big things that I feel going forward is that we have to give more autonomy to organizations to find some more fast bowling and seam bowling options in the women's game. I think the women's game has got to a point now where it stands on its own.

“But I want to see more fast bowling, seam bowling options come through because we have a lot of spin. That's a good thing, but we need to put a search on to get some more dynamic fast bowling. We know Shabnam Ismail has been excellent in the past, one or two of the Australians," he elaborated.

When asked to evaluate the performances of teams that came through the qualifiers like Scotland, the Netherlands, and Ireland, Bishop lauded their spirit while calling for greater administrative focus and professionalization. "I love the Netherlands, for example. I love what Babette de Leede has brought and Sterre Kallis being the two players that have been very professional in their lineup.

“I think they've won a lot of plaudits because so many of the other players have lives outside of the game and are very, are not professionals, they're amateurs with careers, with university degrees and qualifications. I love the energy that they brought, but you saw the shortcomings where some of their fielding. Bowling under pressure against the better teams is still a work in progress.

“I love what Darcey Carter of Scotland brought and for Netherlands, Iris Zwilling is another one that I can put my hand up. I love the way she bowled in the final game, hitting her lengths and her lines. Katherine Fraser is another one from Scotland and so I really have enjoyed, even with Ireland, but we've known about Ireland for a while, right? We've known about Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter for a while, but they showed and they reminded us, and not forget that match against the West Indies some time ago, that they have quality," he detailed.

Bishop further stressed that closing the gap between top-tier sides and developing nations requires structured exposure and dedicated governing arms for the women's game. "If we give them more exposure, and of course Ireland is a full member nation, and not an associate nation as such, they've shown us hope. I love the Netherlands and I hope the Netherlands get more help.

“I hope that they find another coach who is able to take them to another level. I hope they get to professionalise the game. I hope that Scotland will see much more of what they can bring, because I'm big on having the lower-ranked nations elevate themselves, because they bring a lot to the game.

“Where we see them falling short is only because they have not had the opportunity to play against more high-level competition, to play professionally and rub shoulders apart from a few players with the other great players in the game. If we can get the balance of that, we will see much more of a challenging situation from these teams.

“If I may just say one more thing, even with Sri Lanka, who is kind of one of the lower-ranked members, I saw one or two things with their seam bowling that are promising. If we give more autonomy to the women's game, I don't know if it's right to say this or not, but I feel that we can specialise in the administrations that run the women's game.

“Give them autonomy so that they have all the attention at the local, territorial, country boards, and maybe at the top governing body, to pour more into the women's game, and it will get even better. So that would be my cry from here on. A lot of work has gone into that, but I still want to see more," Bishop concluded.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop has termed heavyweights Australia and England as the two standout form teams heading into the high-stakes semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, adding that adaptability to varying conditions for the knockouts will be the ultimate differentiator for any side looking to stop them from lifting the trophy.

Six-time champions Australia, the Group A toppers, will take on West Indies, the 2016 champions, who finished second in Group B at The Oval, London, on Tuesday. Hosts and 2009 champions England will take on two-time runners-up South Africa at the same venue on Thursday. The winners of the two semifinals will square off in the title clash at Lord's on July 5.

“Adapting to conditions is always critical - for example, in this World Cup. As with most tournaments, you find teams playing at different venues, and a lot of teams have had to play - for example, down in Southampton, then go all the way up to Leeds, back down to Manchester, and down to Lord’s.

So, adapting to those varying conditions without much practice time, sometimes a team would have gotten to a new venue a day or two before. It's not new in the international game, and it's not an excuse, but it is critical to adapt. But you have some form teams, and we can get into that a little bit later. Obviously, Australia and England are the two form teams in the tournament,” Bishop, an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup expert, told IANS on JioStar's Media Day on Monday.

Asked what it would take for the West Indies to stop the Australian juggernaut, Bishop admitted that the Caribbean side must lift their game in the big clash. “Given the number of titles Australia has had, it's self-evident that they have been far ahead of many of us in the world game. They've lost in the finals to the West Indies, former champions in 2016, and England have had their day.

“New Zealand won the last T20 World Cup. But if you talk about consistency over time, Australia have obviously have been ahead more consistently. How can they stop them? The West Indies are going to have to lift their game significantly, and they're capable of Hayley Matthews, who hasn't really fired yet, and Deandra Dottin, who hasn't really fired yet.

“We've seen some good things from Stafanie Taylor, so hopefully she's fit, healthy, firing and ready to go. Shemaine Campbell had a good outing. Those big players, I think one or two or some of them are going to have to stand tall, simply because Australia have decent enough bowling resources, very experienced in the spin department, and their batting depth and power is amongst the best in the game, certainly in the top two.

“So whatever happens at the toss, the West Indies are going to have to bat a lot better than they've batted before in this tournament. The batting has been shaky, and they have to hope their bowling group is on target. Chinelle Henry is a vital piece of the puzzle, and she had injuries in the last game, so hopefully she is fit. That, to me, is another big thing.

“West Indies have to be fit, and they have to bowl to the best of their ability because that Australian machine is very, very good all round. So I'm not saying it can't be done. For it to be done, the West Indies have to be on top of their game, bat well with the big three or four they have, and hope that Chinelle, amongst the other bowlers, is fit,” he elaborated.

Analysing the second semi-final between South Africa and hosts England, Bishop warned against discounting the Proteas, despite England's formidable record in tournaments held on home soil. “You never write off South Africa. South Africa have been plugging away in every format and genre of the game, men's and women's, over the last few years, and the women's team in particular have been knocking at the door.

“Their win yesterday was a little bit shaky in that run chase, but I think they have enough soldiers in their leader, in Marizanne Kapp and several other players, Tasmin Brits, etc., who can win a game on the day. So I would never write them off at all. I hope that one day they push all the way to lifting one of these trophies in the female game.

“However, England's record of never having lost a Women's World Cup of any kind at home is a strong one. If Nat Sciver-Brunt is running and available and running at 100 percent, then I think they are one of the favourites. With Australia battling there in that form, I wouldn't say they are runaway favourites. They're going to be tough to beat. But Australia are also a strong team and, on their day, South Africa can surprise you.”

Lauding the impact of England head coach Charlotte Edwards, Bishop stated that her aggressive philosophy has transformed the host nation into a self-assured, structure-driven side, as seen from their ending in Group B as an unbeaten side.

“Everything takes time. WPL takes time to get things better. IPL would have taken time to get things better. In the Caribbean, we have our own systems and leagues that took time. In Australia, I'm sure the privatisation or the professionalisation of the game took time to advance the women's game, as in England. So look, I've known Charlotte for a while and known about her and spoken to her on a couple of occasions.

“I think I said it on social media that she would do a good job a couple of years ago, before she got the job. What she has them doing is playing an aggressive brand of cricket with great self-belief, which I think England needed. She's given them a good structure.

“Being at home now for this World Cup, I think we've seen her philosophy coming to pass through Danny Wyatt-Hodge, obviously, Sophia Dunkley, and at times Amy Jones. So again, I don't know the news on Nat Sciver-Brunt, and I don't know if you guys have probably heard a lot more than I have. That's a big miss if they get to the final, and let's say in front of them is an Australian team if they can get past South Africa.”

Watch ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, Australia vs West Indies on June 30, and England vs South Africa on July 2, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop believes that India must aggressively unearth more fast bowlers and inject more power into their batting lineup if they want to bridge the gap with six-time champions Australia, who sent them crashing out of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup.

India’s campaign in the ongoing tournament ended in another league-stage exit after losing to Australia by six wickets at Lord’s on Sunday. In a tournament with very little margin for error, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led India paid the price of not knowing their best playing eleven and all departments not being in sync, as they suffered crucial defeats to South Africa and Australia.

"From India's point of view, I wouldn't say that I call myself the most knowledgeable person on it, but I just felt from a bowling perspective, there needs to be (more penetration). They were unfortunate with injuries, Shreyanka Patil going out, and they need some pace additions, I believe.

"Not just being a former fast bowler, but I think generally, and I asked Charlie Dean about this - I've been talking about the Australians and how they have managed to win six T20 World Cups -- with a little bit more balance in the bowling attack, with a little bit more pace, cutting edge in addition to the spinners is one thing and in T20 cricket now, where Australia have been very good in winning six titles, is the power in their batting.

"India does have a little bit of that, but they need more, and looking back at the game yesterday, I wonder if Richa Ghosh could have come in a little bit earlier, when Jemimah Rodrigues was struggling to get the ball away. So those are little points to look back on,” Bishop, an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup expert, told IANS on JioStar's Media Day on Monday.

As per statistics from CricViz, India had a few positives – Shafali Verma having a Power-play strike-rate of 171 and evolving as an all-rounder, while Sree Charani has been the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 14 scalps. But what stood out as a concern was the misfiring middle-order and constant changes in batting positions.

It meant key mainstays like Jemimah Rodrigues, Yastika Bhatia, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti Sharma struggled to find a consistent rhythm. India were also forced to field a different bowling combination in all five matches, including a pace bowling attack and new ball takers. Injuries to Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, and Shreyanka Patil also upset the balance.

In fielding, India dropped 12 catches across the tournament, including shelling four chances against Bangladesh and giving veteran Marizanne Kapp twin reprieves.

When questioned on whether a target of 170 was a par score against Australia at Lord’s and whether bringing Kranti Gaud in place of Nandni Sharma was a good move, Bishop noted that India needed to aim significantly higher to put the six-time champions under pressure.

"If 170 was par, it was a better total. I think that you had to aim for that sort of total. That's where I suppose the discussions will be around Jemimah's knock. She eventually had to retire out, and Richa Ghosh came in and didn't have the chance, apart from a ball or two, to flex her muscles.

"But that's the sort of power that you wanted to utilise a little bit more of in hindsight. So I think that total would have been about par if I had just gone back to the result of it. You want to be above those given the power of Australia's batting, and the other point about it. So I would agree with you, India needed to be above that 170, right?

"What I will say is that even for the injuries that India have had with their bowling pre-tournament and with Shreyanka Patil being injured in the tournament, India still need to find a couple of seamers before the next T20 WC comes and through the phase until then, a couple of potent seamers (need to be unearthed). There has to be a deliberate hunt to get those effective seamers to go with their spinners."

Responding to queries about why India still lacks format-specific players despite the Women's Premier League (WPL) being around for four years, Bishop defended the tournament, explaining that it is still in its infancy and needs time to yield full results.

“I think you're starting to see some of the benefits of the WPL. It's still a very young tournament. A handful of years ago, it was still very young, but you're starting to see some spin-offs of that, where young women in India are starting to see more and more cricket as a career option. Not just internationally, but on the domestic front, and I think that stretches across the world as well.

"A lot of players across the world want to play the WPL in addition to the WBBL, in addition to playing professionally in England, for example. We get several players now coming out to the WCPL in the Caribbean. So, WPL, given the vastness of the nation, is a great thing. But you're still going to have to wait a little bit longer to see the full impact of that.”

Drawing a parallel with the Indian Premier League (IPL) and citing the WCPL’s example, Bishop pointed out that the evolution of domestic talent takes time, and the WPL must be structured to groom Indian players for high-stakes roles.

"If I may just draw, and now may not be a good time for it, given that India lost a couple of games to Ireland in the last couple of T20s, but those are blips. I believe those are blips, right? What we've seen with the IPL is that initially, in the IPL, several finishers with the bat and a number of excellent all-rounders were drafted in from across the cricketing globe to franchises to take up key positions to try to win games.

"Now we're starting to see a little bit of an evolution in that where India are starting to produce their own all-rounders who are finishing games with the bat and who can bowl a bit of seam, and that still needs growth. So I think in the WCPL, you still have to position teams in a way where you want the overseas players coming in, but also ensure that, as T20 internationals demand, a number of your key positions still have to be influenced by Indian selections.

"It's because when you go on to the world stage, you don't have that foreign assistance. It's your national team. So you want your fast bowling group to be developed in the WCPL more and more. You want your wrist-spin bowling to be found. I still think India will need a couple of wrist spinners, something that Australia have going for them very well. Your power-hitting dynamics still need to grow. So that will come in time, but we're already seeing the benefits of WCPL," he concluded.

Watch ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals, Australia vs West Indies on June 30, and England vs South Africa on July 2, LIVE on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network.

Source: IANS

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London, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) There will be few surprises when Australia and West Indies meet in Tuesday's Women's T20 World Cup semi-final at The Oval. The two sides know each other well after sharing seven white-ball contests earlier this year, with Australia emerging victorious on every occasion.

That recent dominance gives Australia confidence, but not certainty.

The six-time champions head into the knockout clash on the back of an unbeaten group campaign, capped by a commanding victory over India at Lord's. However, history offers a note of caution. Australia entered the last four of the previous T20 World Cup in similarly impressive fashion before suffering a shock defeat to South Africa, while another semi-final exit followed in last year's ODI World Cup.

Those setbacks underline the challenge of knockout cricket, where one off day can undo weeks of consistency. West Indies' journey has been considerably more dramatic. A surprise defeat to Ireland left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread before England's win over New Zealand confirmed their place in the semi-finals.

If they are to overturn Australia's recent supremacy, much will depend on captain Hayley Matthews producing another all-round masterclass, with experienced campaigners Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor expected to shoulder the responsibility in key moments.

Australia, meanwhile, have had little time to celebrate their win over India. They have shifted base from north London to prepare at The Oval, where a single training session will be their only opportunity to reacquaint themselves with conditions before the semi-final.

The winner will earn a place in Sunday's final at Lord's, where either England or South Africa await. For Australia, it is a chance to reassert their dominance on the biggest stage. For West Indies, it is an opportunity to turn a remarkable escape into an even more remarkable run.

When: Tuesday, June 30, 7:00 PM IST

Where: Kennington Oval, London

Where to watch: The Australia vs West Indies clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and will be live-streamed on JioHotstar.

Squads:

Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector

Source: IANS

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London, June 29 (SocialNews.XYZ) Australia's march to the Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals has been as commanding as any side left in the tournament, but the heavyweights know all too well that form counts for little once the knockout stage begins.

After powering past India at Lord's in a record-breaking performance to complete an unbeaten group campaign, Australia now turn their attention to a familiar opponent in West Indies, with Tuesday's semi-final at The Oval standing between them and another World Cup final.

The turnaround has been swift. Australia's players packed up from their north London base on Sunday before moving closer to The Oval, where they will have just one training session to get accustomed to conditions before the semi-final.

On paper, Australia appear overwhelming favourites. Their recent record against West Indies is difficult to ignore, having defeated the Caribbean side in all six white-ball encounters during their tour earlier this year before adding another victory in a pre-tournament warm-up fixture in Cardiff.

Yet Australia's recent World Cup history serves as a reminder that dominance before the knockouts guarantees nothing. They arrived at the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-finals unbeaten only to be stunned by South Africa, while last year's ODI World Cup ended in similar heartbreak after India produced a record chase in the last four. Those defeats have reinforced the importance of resetting mentally after every victory, regardless of how convincing it may have been.

The challenge posed by West Indies also extends beyond recent head-to-head results. The Caribbean side had to survive a nervy final day in the group stage after an unexpected defeat to Ireland left qualification hanging in the balance before England's victory over New Zealand eventually secured their passage.

That dramatic route into the semi-finals could also leave them playing with freedom. Captain Hayley Matthews remains the heartbeat of the side, capable of influencing matches with both bat and ball, while the experienced duo of Deandra Dottin and Stafanie Taylor bring invaluable know-how in pressure situations.

If West Indies are to challenge Australia, the senior trio will almost certainly need to produce something special. The six-time champions, meanwhile, continue to boast enviable depth throughout their squad. Their batting unit has fired consistently during the tournament, while the bowling attack has repeatedly found ways to apply pressure regardless of conditions.

The Oval is expected to pose a different challenge from Lord's, making Australia's brief preparation session crucial as they seek to adapt quickly to a new venue.

With another World Cup final within touching distance, Australia have every reason to start as favourites. But after suffering consecutive semi-final disappointments across ICC events, they know better than anyone that knockout cricket rarely follows the script.

When: Tuesday, June 30, 7:00 PM IST

Where: Kennington Oval, London

Where to watch: The Australia vs West Indies clash will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and will be live-streamed on JioHotstar.

Squads:

Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham

West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector

Source: IANS

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