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Settled SL meet a Bangladesh in transition for ODI series opener

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Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be full-time Bangladesh captain in ODIs for the first time

Madushka Balasuriya01-Jul-2025

Big picture: A new era for Bangladesh

After a hard-fought Test series, the action now switches to the white-ball format, with the first of three ODIs starting on Wednesday. For Bangladesh it’s the dawn of a new era in many ways. They have a new ODI captain for starters, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz taking over from Najmul Hossain Shanto, but more pressingly are the recent retirements of stalwarts Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah.To say it signals a changing of the guard would be an almost textbook definition of the idiom, in fact, as Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah were the last remaining vestiges of Bangladesh’s fab five, which also included Mashrafe Mortaza, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. You would have to go all the way back to September 2005 to find the last ODI that neither of these players took part in – coincidentally, also against Sri Lanka in Colombo.Related

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  • Freed from the burden of captaincy, Shanto could relaunch his career

  • Rebuild, resurrect, recalibrate – Mehidy has an unenviable task as ODI captain

So what does this new look Bangladesh entail? Well, they’ll be hoping recent form isn’t an accurate indicator. They’ve lost their last six completed ODIs, and 8 of their last 11 ODIs since the start of 2024. Though more promisingly, two of those wins were part of a series victory against Sri Lanka.Since that series defeat though, Sri Lanka have been on a bit of a tear, particularly at home. They’ve beaten India, West Indies, New Zealand and Australia on home turf in the past year, with their only ODI series loss coming away to New Zealand.And while Bangladesh are seeking to fill some big holes, Sri Lanka very well might be settling into a favoured setup. Their batting is now replete with ever more dependable performers, while their bench strength is becoming quite formidable.Nowhere is this more exemplified than in the pace contingent with Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka included ahead of the likes of Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana. Meanwhile a spin department headed by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana is comfortably in world-class territory, and even deadlier in home conditions.But Bangladesh have exciting talents of their own, even if overall depth is still lacking. Rishad Hossain was a key part of Bangladesh’s most recent win against Sri Lanka, while in Mehidy they have one of the premier allrounders in world cricket. Shanto, meanwhile, unburdened by captaincy will be eyeing to turn over a new leaf of his own.So it very well could be a fresh start for this young Bangladesh outfit, and where better to start than by targeting a first-ever series win in Sri Lanka.

Recent form

Sri Lanka WWWLL (most recent first)

Bangladesh LLLLL

In the spotlight: Theekshana & Rishad

Maheesh Theekshana played just one out of a possible three ODIs against India last year, and then two out of three against West Indies. But since then he’s played in every home ODI he’s been available for, while even picking up seven wickets across two games in New Zealand. While Theekshana has for the most part been considered a T20 specialist, it seems the think tank is increasingly more attuned to the utility of his skillset in ODIs as well. And even when he’s not picking up wickets, he’s creating the pressure for the bevy of spinners around him to profit.Unlike Sri Lanka’s, Bangladesh’s spinners haven’t had all that great a time as of late, but in Rishad Hossain they have the kind of talent every team in world cricket is looking for – namely, a leg spinning all-rounder that can hit the ball far. But sadly for Bangladesh and Rishad, neither facet of his skillset has been coming off as of late. His last 10 games, internationally and in franchise cricket, has seen a high score of 13 and 11 wickets. But when Bangladesh last played Sri Lanka in the format, Rishad struck a devastating 48 off 18, with a wicket to go with it. If Bangladesh are to challenge a strong Sri Lankan outfit, Hossain will have to be on top of his game.

Team news: Major changes expected for visitors

Sri Lanka’s XI is largely settled but there are a few areas wherein things might not be as nailed down. An opening partner for Pathum Nissanka is one of them, with Nishan Madushka preferred over Avishka Fernando in Sri Lanka’s last ODI. Eshan had a storming IPL and domestic season, which means it’ll likely be between Asitha and Madushanka for that final seamer spot.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Nishan Madushka/Avishka Fernando, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Kamindu Mendis 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana 10 Eshan Malinga 11 Asitha Fernando/Dilshan MadushankaThe visitors have to make at least two major changes to their middle-order with Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah gone from ODIs since their last match in this format. Shanto will likely move into the middle-order with Mohammad Naim and Litton Das set to get into the top-order.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Litton Das (wk), 3 Mohammad Naim, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 5 Towhid Hridoy, 6 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Mustafizur Rahman, 11 Nahid Rana

Pitch and conditions

The weather looks to be mostly clear, so ideally there shouldn’t be any rain interruptions. The pitch itself will likely be your standard Khettarama surface, with any score in the region of 300 a challenging target, while spin is expected to play a prominent role.

Stats and trivia

  • Since Mahmudullah’s debut in July 2007, Bangladesh will play their first ODI without any of Mahmudullah, Mortaza, Tamim, Shakib or Mushfiqur
  • Bangladesh have never won an ODI series in Sri Lanka
  • In five innings, Shanto has a century and two fifties against Sri Lanka, averaging 85.50
  • Hasaranga is one wicket away from 100 ODI wickets

Quotes

“Actually, we are good friends. When it comes to playing, it looks like a rivalry. That’s what everyone expects to see – those kinds of games, that kind of heat. But we’re good friends.”
“Our numbers doesn’t necessarily mean we are a bad team. We only played two ODI series last year. We mainly played Tests in 2024. We understand our situation. We are planning to make things better. Hopefully, with regular ODIs, we will be back in full flow.”

Renshaw keeps name in Test frame with third century

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The opener made a timely hundred against the pink ball following Usman Khawaja’s fitness problems in the first Ashes Test

AAP23-Nov-2025Matt Renshaw’s golden summer continued with a magnificent 112 in front of Australia selector Tony Dodemaide at the Gabba.His innings drove Queensland to 352 for 7 at stumps on day two of the top-of-the-table Sheffield Shield clash after Victoria had declared late on the opening day.Renshaw had made scores of 128, 29, 101 and 51 in the Shield before Sunday’s knock. He also had a consistent ODI series against India which included an accomplished 56 in Sydney.Related

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Runs are runs and Renshaw has filled his cup with them. The 29-year-old doesn’t have to do anything more to convince Australia selectors that he is ready for a return to the Test arena. All he needs is an opportunity.”I’m just keeping it really simple and having a lot of fun out there and having good intent,” Renshaw told AAP. “It’s been a good start and hopefully it amounts to something at the end of March. I will keep trying to put in performances to help win games for Queensland. I’m just concentrating on what I can control and that is trying to do my job for the team.”There is doubt over who will open in the second Test of the Ashes series at the Gabba, which starts on Thursday-week.Usman Khawaja’s back spasms in the first Test have put him in some doubt while Travis Head’s blistering century as opener has also put him in the frame to stay at the top of the order alongside Perth debutant Jake Weatherald.Renshaw now has 421 Shield runs for the summer, putting him on top of the aggregate list with 19 runs more than Marnus Labuschagne.He was patient early in his innings against Victoria before finding a more aggressive tempo and his drives down the ground were exquisite. Once Renshaw reached his half-century the runs started to flow all around the ground.He brought up his century with a controlled cut for three off spinner Todd Murphy. A healthy contingent at the Vulture St end of the ground gave him a rapturous reception, realising what a vital innings it was in the context of the summer.His stay ended when he nicked a delivery that just moved away from Fergus O’Neill, who toiled manfully all day with his tight lines.Renshaw received solid support from Angus Lovell in an 88-run opening stand and Hugh Weibgen.Former Australia Under-19 captain Weibgen, playing his second Shield match, looks a promising prospect with his classy strokeplay and composure. The tall 21-year-old will play for the Prime Minister’s XI against an England XI in a two-day, pink-ball match that starts on November 29 in Canberra.He was caught in a juggling effort by Mitchell Perry trying to loft Murphy over the long-on boundary.Lachie Hearne (47) continued the momentum until he was brilliantly caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Campbell Kellaway.

Buttler: We're blessed with bowlers that are capable batters

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England captain also talks up 21-year-old Bethell who is on his first international tour of Asia

Sreshth Shah21-Jan-2025A belligerent batting line-up is a dream for most international sides. Throw in a coach who firmly believes in that style and a squad where nearly everyone has at least one first-class hundred and the ability to hit monster sixes, and England possess a unit that could blow away the best bowling units on most days.Having batting depth through the team sheet served them magnificently in their ODI World Cup triumph of 2019 and their T20 World Cup victory in 2022. And in their lead up to the T20Is against India and next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, England appear to be shaping up the same way.Bowlers who bat not only shorten the tail but positively affect the top order too. England captain Jos Buttler acknowledged that the batters, consequently, can play with much more freedom.Related

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“That gives a lot of depth to the XI and confidence to the guys at the at the top that there’s plenty [of batting] to come,” Buttler said on the eve of the series opener in Kolkata. “So we can be really aggressive and, you know, not worry too much about our wicket, because we’ve got guys behind us who can do exactly the same job.”We’re really blessed actually in terms of the bowlers that we have here, on this tour. They’re all very, very capable bats. I think if you look at guys like Gus Atkinson with a Test hundred, and then Brydon Carse is an excellent hitter of the ball, and then Adil Rashid down at No. 11 [No. 10 on the team sheet for the first T20I] who’s got multiple first-class hundreds. So, yeah, I think we’re very fortunate in that sense that a lot of our bowlers are very, very capable batters.”England announced their XI for the Kolkata T20I more than 24 hours before the game, and on a batting-friendly Eden Gardens track, a score of 200 appears to be the minimum. In Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, Buttler himself, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone, England have a plethora of batters who could aim for the roof. The addition of the exciting Jacob Bethell – who averages 57.66 and scores at 167.96 in six T20I innings – has only made them look more lethal. But can he conquer Indian conditions, especially the spinners? Like the other batters, Bethell spent large periods trying to face spin in the nets in the two practice sessions leading up to the first game.”It’s a new challenge for him to come and play in India,” Butter said. “But I know he’s excited [for it].”I think he’s been someone who in English cricket has been talked about for a while knowing the talent he possesses, even when he’s been playing in the Under-19s. So, he was a name you’d hear being talked about that he’s gonna be a special player. And I think, you know, all credit to him. I think he’s done brilliantly well coming into international cricket.”And he has got a good head on his shoulders, and obviously, he’s got the game for it, as you’ve seen in in the white-ball stuff. And then obviously, moving into Test cricket, you know, it’s fantastic to watch him in New Zealand. So, yeah, he’s been playing really well.”Jacob Bethell is coming on the back of decent scores in the BBL•Getty Images

For Buttler, though, having the chance to work with Brendon McCullum for the first time (Buttler has not been in the Test side since McCullum took over as the Test coach) is especially exciting. But even more so that the leadership can work with their best players. Nobody’s workload is being managed, fast bowlers like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are injury-free, and that’s as perfect a situation as England can imagine as they face a coaching transition that wants to build into the Champions Trophy and next year’s T20 World Cup.”It’s a really exciting tour, coming to India with what I’d say is a full line-up for us,” Buttler added. “You know sometimes there’s so much cricket that certain players have to be rested or managed. But that’s certainly not the case for us at all in this series. So we’ve got a full complement of players, which is really exciting. Obviously, Baz is coming into the white-ball set-up for the first time too.”[I] also want to build that captain-coach alliance. Obviously, it’s not a new set-up because Baz has been around for a while and there are a lot of players in this squad that have been with him in the Test set-up for a number of years already.”So, yeah, just looking forward to building that relationship in the white-ball set-up. It’s going to be a great series against a really top side in their own conditions. So, loads to look forward to.”

Nottinghamshire sign Fergus O'Neill for start of Championship

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Australian agrees short-term deal for first four rounds of red-ball competition

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2024Nottinghamshire have signed Australian seamer Fergus O’Neill for the first four rounds of next year’s County Championship.O’Neill, who has an impressive first-class record of 94 wickets at 19.91, is only eligible for a short-term visa but he will cover for the absence of Dane Paterson for the start of the season, with the South African’s availability uncertain after his Test recall earlier in the year.”It’s really exciting to get Fergus on board as a player who has enjoyed real success over the last couple of seasons for Victoria and I hope this is just the start of the Notts’ relationship with him,” Notts head coach, Peter Moores, said.”Whilst we can only secure his services on a short-term basis due to visa restrictions, it looks like he’s improving all the time and I think his style of bowling will work well in the early season conditions in England.Related

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“His strengths are his consistency and lateral movement, which are ideal skills to complement the rest of our bowling unit. He is more than capable with the bat, too, and will bolster our lower middle-order, from which runs are crucial – especially early in the season.”He will, in effect, replace Dane Paterson, who won’t be with us for the start of the season as his re-entry into the Test arena and our desire to strengthen our batting means we have opted for a slightly different style of player.”It is worth highlighting what a fantastic servant Dane has been to the club, though. His record is outstanding; he has built a great legacy with Notts in just a few years and remains an immensely popular character in the dressing room.”O’Neill is currently the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield with 22 at 19.31. Last season, he took 40 wickets at 17.25.”The opportunity to play in England is really exciting, and one I’m looking forward to,” O’Neill said. “That it’ll be for Nottinghamshire with Trent Bridge as home is extra special – it’s somewhere that, as an Australian, has a real aura, and I can’t wait to step out there.”Hopefully I’ve got attributes with the ball which suit the conditions, and, coming off the back of an Australian summer, I’ll be heading into the Championship with games under my belt which always helps.”Notts finished eighth in Division One of the Championship last season, having been promoted from the second tier the summer before.

Pressure mounts on ICC amid Afghanistan women's fundraising drive

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Afghanistan’s exiled players launch plea for donations as MCC, ECB show their support

Valkerie Baynes and Firdose Moonda31-Jan-20252:03

Mel Jones: This group of Afghanistan women are trying to rebuild their lives

Pressure is mounting on the ICC to act amid the announcement of fundraising efforts to support Afghanistan’s exiled women’s cricketers, who played their first match together this week.The Pitch Our Future campaign, led by former Australia cricketer turned commentator Mel Jones, launched on Friday aimed at attracting online donations to support the players’ sporting, physical and mental needs so that they can continue to compete regularly as a team.Meanwhile, the MCC and MCC Foundation have set up the Global Refugee Cricket Fund to support refugees worldwide, backed by a £100,000 donation from the ECB and with an initial focus to raise money for Pitch Our Future.Related

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  • Powerplay: How cricket helped Afghanistan women escape

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In announcing the fund and the establishment of an advisory board, the MCC “invited” the ICC’s participation, while Clare Connor, the ECB’s deputy chief executive, hoped the fund’s launch would “inspire other cricketing organisations” to lend their support.The announcements follow pleas to the ICC to ring-fence funding for the players on the basis that Afghanistan remain full ICC members despite no longer being able to fulfil the requirement to field a women’s team under its Taliban government.The players wrote to the ICC last July asking for help in establishing themselves as a refugee team. In lieu of a response, they formed an Afghanistan Women’s XI with the help of Jones and a team of dedicated volunteers, and played their first game on Thursday.As told to ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast, Jones was instrumental in helping 19 players formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board and their families escape to Australia after the Taliban took over in 2021 and banned women’s sport in their country. Since then, women have been subjected to increasingly restrictive laws in Afghanistan which have effectively excluded them from public life.Jones was helped by Emma Staples, Cricket Victoria’s Head of Diversity and Community, and Dr Catherine Ordway from the University of Canberra among others, whose efforts resulted in Thursday’s T20 exhibition against a Cricket Without Borders XI.

Cricket Without Borders won the fixture by seven wickets but the match represented a significant step for the Afghan players, not only in their development as cricketers but in raising awareness of their plight.Jones said that for their first couple of years in exile, the Afghan players feared for their safety if it became known that they were in Australia playing cricket for various club and community sides.”Now, we want to build a really strong community and high-performance programme around these young women, so they can develop not only as players, but also as coaches and administrators, so that they can stay within the sport and progress,” Jones said.The exiled Afghanistan women’s team played their first game at Junction Oval in Melbourne•AFP/Getty Images

Pitch Our future aims to raise A$1.5 million for an initial three-year program which will also include education and life-skill support for the players, some of them not even 18 years old when they escaped and many of whom couldn’t speak English when they arrived in Australia.Meanwhile, the MCC and MCC Foundation have launched the Global Refugee Cricket Fund to support refugees worldwide and with an initial focus to raise money for Pitch Our Future.The Global Refugee Cricket Fund aims to provide access to facilities, offer education and mentorship, promote advocacy and awareness and build high-performance and community programs for players, coaches and administrators.Announcing the fund in a press release on Friday, MCC said an advisory board would be set up including representatives from the MCC
Foundation, MCC, ECB, Pitch Our Future, refugee organisations, and community leaders such as Afghan women’s advocates. “The ICC is also invited to participate in this effort,” the statement added.Aiming to raise £1 million initially, the fund was boosted by the ECB’s donation.Connor said: “The cricket community must take action, to support the brave Afghan women, and to give hope that cricket can be a sport for any woman or girl. We hope the launch of the Fund will inspire other cricketing organisations to support this cause, and to unlock cricket’s power to unite communities around the globe.”Dr Sarah Fane, Director of the MCC Foundation, said: “With Pitch Our Future leading the way in Australia, we hope to amplify their efforts and inspire the global cricketing community to join us in making a difference.” Donations to Pitch Our Future from Australia can be made here and from outside Australia via Global Refugee Fund here.

Compton digs deep for Kent after Scriven makes 99 from No.10

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Table-toppers still lead by 268 overnight as stragglers make good fist of first innings

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay30-Jul-2025Kent 203 for 3 (Compton 101*) trail Leicestershire 471 (Rehan 119, Patel 85) by 268 runsBen Compton was leading Kent’s resistance as they reached 203 for three on day two of their Rothesay County Championship match with Leicestershire at Canterbury, a deficit of 268.The Division Two leaders posted 471 after a final-wicket stand of 108 between Tom Scriven, who slapped Kent’s bowlers around to make a career-high 99, and Josh Hull, whose 35 was also his highest first-class score.Compton, however, replied with a mixture of doggedness and adventure to make his 18th first-class century and he was 101 not out when bad light stopped play.Leicestershire were 386 for nine overnight and quickly secured a fourth batting bonus point when Scriven swept Matt Parkinson for four.Scriven was on 70 when he was dropped by Ekansh Singh at cow corner after mowing a Joey Evison full toss and the number 11 Hull took them past 450 when he drove Parkinson for four.Parkinson was then denied what would have been a career-best eighth wicket when Compton somehow dropped Hull at midwicket.If that suggested Scriven’s luck was in, he missed out on his century in agonising fashion. The four that took him to 98 fell just short of the rope; he was on 99 when the batters ran two and the crowd were already applauding, only for the umpires to signal leg byes; two balls later he was plumb lbw to Joey Evison.(The only previous number 10 to get out one short of a first-class century was Athar Laeeq for Karachi Blues v Islamabad at Karachi, March 1996).Kent survived five dicey overs to reach lunch on 18 without loss but Jaydn Denly was then lbw for 20 to Louis Kimber.Ekansh got a life when he was on 22. He tried to pull Hull, who nearly had him caught and bowled, only to drop a head high chance.Compton reached 1000 runs for the summer when he passed 23, eased to 50 with two off Rehan Ahmed and Kent were 117 for one at tea.Ekansh went for 33 in the first over after the resumption, driving Ian Holland straight to Scriven at mid on, and with so many young players in Kent’s side the third-wicket partnership between senior players Compton and Tawanda Muyeye always looked like being crucial.The former’s battle with Rehan Ahmed was gripping, especially in the 90s, as he missed out on a rank long hop and then might have been run out but for a misfield. He was stuck on 99 at the other end when Rehan produced a sharply turning delivery that found Muyeye’s edge and was caught by Peter Handscomb for 46.George Garrett was sent in as the night watcher and he blocked the rest of the over before Compton stole a single off Green at the start of the 68th to reach three figures and that was the last meaningful action before the light deteriorated and the players went off with two overs remaining.

Pakistan to host SL, Afghanistan for T20I tri-series in November

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Rawalpindi will host two games and Lahore will host five, including the final

Danyal Rasool07-Sep-2025Pakistan will host a T20I tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Afghanistan in November. The series will begin on 17 November, with all teams playing each other twice. The first two games will game place in Rawalpindi, with the other five, including the final on 29 November, in Lahore.This is the second time this season that a bilateral T20I series Pakistan were scheduled to host has ended up being a tri-series. Afghanistan were scheduled to play a three-match T20I series in August, which was later converted into a tri-series involving the UAE, the final of which takes place later today.Similarly, Sri Lanka were scheduled to play a three-ODI, three-T20I bilateral series in Pakistan, but the T20I series has now been replaced by yet another tri-series. ESPNcricinfo understands those bilateral T20Is will no longer happen, though a three-match ODI series is still scheduled to go ahead, with a schedule expected in due course.

Schedule

17 Nov – Pak v Afg
19 Nov – SL vs Afg
22 Nov – Pak vs SL
23 Nov – Pak vs Afg
25 Nov – SL vs Afg
27 Nov – Pak v SL
29 Nov – Final

This is set to be the first time Afghanistan play Pakistan in Pakistan. Afghanistan have played in Pakistan before in 2023, when they competed in two matches of the Asia Cup, as well as earlier this year for the Champions Trophy. However, they did not face Pakistan on either of those occasions, and this series comes amidst a general deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.The series begins nine days after the conclusion of South Africa’s all-format tour of Pakistan. Pakistan have made no secret of their desire to play as much T20I cricket as possible ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan playing all their games in Sri Lanka.”We look forward to hosting Sri Lanka and Afghanistan for Pakistan’s maiden T20I tri-series, PCB COO Sumair Ahmed said in a statement on the PCB website. “This event will not only offer excellent preparation for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, but also present fans with exciting cricket across venues.”

Henry's onslaught, Harris and Goud's dream spells get Warriorz off the mark

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Warriorz became the first team to successfully defend a total in WPL 2025 despite Rodrigues’ 56

Srinidhi Ramanujam22-Feb-2025Chinelle Henry’s late onslaught, uncapped seamer Kranti Goud’s four-wicket haul, Grace Harris’ last-over hat-trick. UP Warriorz had brilliant moments on the field and produced a thumping win over Delhi Capitals to finally get off the mark, in their third attempt, in WPL 2025. In the first reverse fixture of this season, Warriorz defended 177 by bowling Capitals out for 144 for a 33-run victory. They are also the first team to defend a total in this edition.The Chinnaswamy Stadium came alive late in the first innings thanks to Henry’s fireworks. From 89 for 6, her entertaining 23-ball knock lifted Warriorz from a potential below-par total to a match-winning one. Striking at an astonishing 269.56, Henry smashed eight sixes and two fours to reach the joint-fastest fifty, off 18 balls, in WPL history.In the chase, Jemimah Rodrigues’s 56 held the fort but Capitals collapsed from 97 for 3 to 111 for 7 and couldn’t recover. Niki Prasad and Shikha Pandey’s handy contributions at the death weren’t enough as Goud and Harris shared eight wickets between them to topple Capitals.

Goud’s dream spell

Goud, 21, bowled just four overs in the first two matches in her debut WPL season. Warriorz lost both games and she leaked 47 runs. But Deepti Sharma persisted with her.Kranti Goud celebrates dismissing Meg Lanning•BCCI

Goud quickly found her feet and repaid the team’s faith in the team’s first game in Bengaluru this season. She was hit for a first-ball four by Meg Lanning but, two balls later, nipped one back sharply to disturb the stumps of Capitals’ captain. She conceded just two off her next over, the seventh overall, and dismissed Shafali Verma in her next over with a short delivery. Three overs, 16 runs and two wickets. When Goud finished her first spell, Capitals needed 126 runs from 66 balls.When she came back for her final over, Capitals had to chase 76 off 36 with Rodrigues going strong. But Goud had Jess Jonassen caught and bowled and Rodrigues caught at extra cover in the same over to leave Capitals 111 for 6.

Henry’s rescue act

Deepti batted at No. 4 in the opening game, making a 27-ball 39. In the next two games, both against Capitals, she came in at No. 3 and made a run-a-ball seven in Lucknow, and 13 off 19 balls in Bengaluru. Whether it’s the ideal slot for her is something to keep an eye on especially when the middle order isn’t firing.In the last WPL, she accumulated 295 runs at a strike rate of 136.67 in eight innings. She came in at No. 3 only once and scored 59. But mostly she batted in the middle order, where she remained unbeaten four out of five times and smashed 218 runs including two fifties, at a strike rate of 143.42.Deepti Sharma’s has had a tough time batting at No. 3•BCCI

In this WPL, the likes of Tahlia McGrath and Harris not stepping up in the middle order has been a concern for Warriorz. It has left Henry with a lot of rescue work to do late in the innings. In the last match, she blazed away an unbeaten 33 off 15 to power them to 166.On Saturday, Henry came in at No. 8 in the 14th over when Warriorz were 89 for 6 and straightaway dispatched two sixes off Arundhati Reddy to ease some pressure. She then targeted Pandey, smashing a four and two sixes in the 17th over, and threw a few more big blows before eventually losing her wicket to Jonassen on the final ball of the innings.Warriorz have been the poorest team in the middle phase (from overs seven to 16) this WPL, having lost 15 wickets in the three games including five on Saturday, but Henry helped them fight back on this occasion.

Rodrigues fights but Capitals fail to adapt

The ball was swinging and nipping around at the start of the second innings, troubling the likes of Shafali and Lanning. But Warriorz were sloppy in the field; Saima Thakor, brought back but not given a bow, dropped two catches and wicketkeeper Uma Chetry failed to hold on to chances; however Goud pulled them back. Barring Rodrigues, no one in the Capitals top seven was able to adapt to the conditions in Bengaluru.Jemimah Rodrigues made 56 off 35 balls•BCCI

Even Rodrigues took 19 balls to score her first 23 runs and once she found her rhythm, she grew in confidence and smashed eye-pleasing boundaries to the cover region. She raced to her first fifty of this season, off 30 balls. And her eight fours and one six gave Capitals some hope but the middle order let the game slip away from them in the end.

Harris bags a hat-trick

In her own words, Harris is a batting allrounder. But she has not set the stage on fire in this WPL yet, scoring just 18 runs in three games. However, with the ball, she had picked up two wickets in her first two matches and went one better on Saturday. She first dismissed Capitals’ Player of the Match from last fixture, Annabel Sutherland, in the 14th over of the chase.In the final over, with 34 needed for a win, Harris removed Prasad, Reddy and Minnu Mani off successive deliveries to become the third player in the WPL to bag a hat-trick after Deepti and Issy Wong.

Ajaz triggers late India slide after Jadeja five-for keeps New Zealand to 235

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Mitchell and Young hit half-centuries for New Zealand, while India lost three wickets in two overs just before stumps

Sidharth Monga01-Nov-2024Stumps Ravindra Jadeja bowled 22 unchanged overs in the oppressive heat and humidity of Mumbai to pick up his 14th Test five-wicket haul and help bowl New Zealand out for 235. However, India threw away the advantage with the loss of three wickets in the last two overs of the day to end at 86 for 4.Jadeja had to work much harder for his wickets than New Zealand did at the fag end of the day. It included bowling through the whole middle session, during which Washington Sundar, who took four wickets, went off the field to rehydrate, and the batters got drinks almost every three overs.Jadeja’s was a timely intervention, as Daryl Mitchell and Will Young, half-centurions both, threatened to run away to a big total on a pitch that showed enough signs – with puffs of dust and variable turn – that it was going to be a nightmare for the side batting last. Mitchell and Young added 87 runs in a fourth-wicket partnership that looked under more threat from dehydration than the bowling.The collapse from 159 for 3 to 235 all out brought some respite for India, playing to avoid their second-ever series whitewash at home (of two or more Tests) and also vital WTC points. However, the last two overs – Yashasvi Jaiswal bowled to a reverse-sweep, the nightwatcher Mohammed Siraj burning a review, Virat Kohli running himself out – were a downer for them.Virat Kohli was run out looking for a quick single•BCCI

That’s because they had got into a desirable position after Tom Latham won another important toss and got the right to bat in the best batting conditions of the match. He led New Zealand’s initial progress even though he lost Devon Conway to Akash Deep from around the wicket. A pace attack missing Jasprit Bumrah was only going to go so far. R Ashwin came on to bowl as early as the eighth over, the last time of the day he would be considered the likeliest spinner to get wickets.Latham scored 28 off 44 before a vexing one-two from Washington sent him back. From a near identical spot, with near identical seam orientation, Washington beat the inside edge one ball and the outside edge next ball to take out top of off stump. For the third time in three times of asking, Washington hit the off stump of Rachin Ravindra with a near identical delivery to leave New Zealand delicately poised at 72 for 3.The half-an-hour to lunch was a nervous period for Young and Mitchell as both their edges were threatened regularly. Post lunch, though, the pitch settled down for an hour and a bit. With the temperature hitting 37 degrees, the high humidity of the coast and little breeze, this session tested everybody’s fitness. The batters got a drink every couple of overs to go with iced towels or ice packs around their necks.Every now and then, the ball turned if Jadeja slowed it down, but he was looking for quick turn. Young and Mitchell, though, looked at ease. The sweeps and reverse-sweeps were employed to good effect, but Young also danced down the wicket to languidly loft the ball. This was Young’s first fifty of the series even though he has given the impression he has been the most comfortable batter on either side.Ravindra Jadeja acknowledges the cheers after his 14th Test five-for•BCCI

Washington, Siraj and Ashwin bowled from the other end, but Jadeja kept going from his. Towards the end of the session, he got what he wanted: turn at high pace. Now he was in it. Young edged to slip one that turned at 94kph. Three balls later, Blundell saw one pitch on leg and hit off at 92kph. Puffs of dust started making more regular appearances.Now Jadeja took full control. He kept attacking the stumps with subtle changes of pace and the occasional undercutter. He took out Glenn Phillips with one that didn’t turn to go past Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma into the list for top-five wicket-takers for India.India began the final session with Jadeja and Washington again, something that will hurt the competitor in Ashwin. Jadeja wasted little time to dismiss Ish Sodhi and Matt Henry in the same over. Sodhi fell to one that turned and stayed low, and Henry was bowled on the off to Jadeja’s slowest wicket-taking delivery: at 90kmph.Whatever the support staff did to Mitchell during the tea break worked wonders as he found enough energy to hit three sixes in three Washington overs after having struggled to run during the middle session.Mitchell didn’t farm the strike with the No. 10 for company, but eventually made a mental error by guiding a flat delivery straight to slip just like how coaches do during catching drills. Not before having scored 82, though. Ajaz Patel, on whom lay the onus to improve dramatically from Pune, hit a six before padding up to one that didn’t turn, giving Washington his fourth wicket.Daryl Mitchell celebrates his fifty•Getty Images

Rohit Sharma enjoyed some early luck as Will O’Rourke dropped him at long leg, but his attacking mindset meant he had committed too much to a forceful shot when Henry seamed one ball away. The Rohit that went to England in 2021 would have had time to bail out, but now he just edged it to second slip.Jaiswal and Shubman Gill weathered the storm to assuage fears of a repeat of what happened in Pune. They even began to dominate the bowling in a 53-run second-wicket stand. Then, with about ten minutes to stumps, Jaiswal was beaten on the reverse-sweep, the first time he has got out to the shot in Test cricket having tried it 14 times previously for 36 runs. Ajaz then bowled perhaps his best delivery to Mohammed Siraj first up, pitching on leg and hitting off. For some reason, though, Siraj decided to review it.Amid the DRS drama, Kohli walked in for the first time this series without an applause for the wicket preceding him. Part-time spinner Ravindra tried the old left-arm-spinner-full-toss trick but Kohli got past the lethal delivery – it had been his downfall in the previous Test – with a boundary. However, he couldn’t get the better of his own instinct of running with the shot despite hitting the ball firmly enough to mid-on. The only way Kohli could survive this was if Henry misfielded or missed. He did neither.

Winless Pakistan have uphill task of facing near-invincible Australia

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The pitch in Colombo isn’t expected to allow free-flowing batting

Madushka Balasuriya07-Oct-20252:07

Preview – Should Australia play Megan Schutt?

Big picture: Pakistan 0, Australia 16

Pakistan have never beaten Australia in any format of women’s international cricket. And if that trend continues on Wednesday, their path forward in the ODI World Cup will become very complicated given they have already lost their opening two matches to Bangladesh and India.What might be even more concerning for Pakistan is that in 16 ODIs against Australia, they’ve not even come close to victory, with the narrowest margins of defeat being 37 runs and four wickets, both way back in 2014.Pakistan’s most recent contest against Australia, a three-match rubber in 2023, had these results: eight-wicket defeat, 10-wicket defeat, 101-run defeat. And while they are also yet to beat India (12 tries) or England (15 tries) in women’s ODIs, their 16 defeats to Australia make them, statistically, the toughest opponent.Related

  • Ellyse Perry and Sidra Amin highlight the contrasts in Australia and Pakistan

  • Schutt praised for response to omission as another selection call awaits

All this is to say that Pakistan have a considerable mountain ahead of them. As for Australia, their opening game against New Zealand was an ultimately comfortable win, and their second against Sri Lanka was washed out. They are also a team in near-invincible form. In 32 matches since the last World Cup, they’ve won 27 and lost just four. Pakistan in that same period have played 34 ODIs, won 13 and lost 18.So what exactly are the straws Pakistan might look to clutch here? One, Australia haven’t played since October 1 as a result of their washout against Sri Lanka. They are also yet to play at the R Premadasa stadium, where conditions don’t necessarily seem conducive to free-flowing batting. With Pakistan already having experienced these conditions in their defeat to India, there could be an advantage to be exploited.Finally, Pakistan will be hoping the law of averages catches up and gives them the crucial win and points that they need.2:40

Australia exude an attitude of ‘we know how to win this’

Form guide

Australia WWLWW (last five ODIs most recent first)
Pakistan LLWLL

In the spotlight: Sandhu and Mooney

Since the 2022 World Cup, no Pakistani bowler has picked up more wickets than spinner Nashra Sandhu – her 42 strikes in this period coming from 28 matches. But more interestingly her 248.1 overs are the sixth-most bowled by any bowler in the last three and a half years. This serves to highlight just how much Pakistan lean on Sandhu. This year has also been her most impactful one – she’s picked up 17 wickets in 10 games, including a six-wicket haul against South Africa. The only thing is, in her past five matches, she’s gone wicketless three times. Pakistan will need her at her best if they are to upset Australia.You’d be hard pressed to find a team Beth Mooney doesn’t like batting against, but even so, her ODI record against Pakistan is better than most. Across eight innings she’s struck 279 runs at an average of 69.75, an average that has been boosted by the fact that she’s only been dismissed four times. Mooney’s recent form too has been ominous, with a century and two fifties across her last five innings.Megan Schutt has a good record against Pakistan: 10 wickets in nine ODIs•Getty Images

Team news: Will Schutt get a look in?

With a week’s break since their last game, Australia will be itching to get out on the field. Their biggest dilemma is down to healthy competition, as it remains to be seen if Darcie Brown continues to keep Megan Schutt out of the XI.Australia (probable): 1 Alyssa Healy (capt & wk), 2 Phoebe Litchfield, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Beth Mooney, 5 Annabel Sutherland, 6 Ashleigh Gardner, 7 Tahlia McGrath, 8 Sophie Molineux, 9 Alana King, 10 Kim Garth, 11 Darcie BrownOmaima Sohail was replaced at the top of the order by Sadaf Shamas last time out, but with both openers struggling Sohail might find herself back in the side.Pakistan (probable): 1 Muneeba Ali, 2 Sadaf Shamas, 3 Sidra Amin, 4 Aliya Riaz, 5 Natalia Pervaiz, 6 Fatima Sana (capt), 7 Rameen Shamim, 8 Diana Baig, 9 Sidra Nawaz (wk), 10 Nashra Sandhu, 11 Sadia Iqbal

Pitch and conditions: Tricky batting conditions

Rain has been pestering Colombo and its surrounding suburbs over the past week, but Wednesday should arrive with clear, if cloudy, tidings. The pitch at the Khettarama has stayed true to form in the first two games its hosted at this World Cup, making life tricky for batters – expect that to stay the same.

Stats and trivia: Australia’s return to Colombo

  • This will be Australia’s first women’s ODI in Colombo since 2016
  • Only against Ireland (17-0) do Australia hold a more dominant ODI record than the one they have against Pakistan
  • Australia have won their last 10 completed Women’s World Cup matches
  • Annabel Sutherland is four away from 50 WODI wickets

Quotes

“We do have an edge but it all depends on what the team does with this advantage. We were unlucky to have our warmup game against Sri Lanka washed out but we’ve also played two games here and know the conditions very well.”

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