India clean up West Indies to win the T20 series 5-0

India's dominance over West Indies on the Caribbean soil continued as the Women in Blue white washed the hosts 5-0 in the T20 series. After winning the ODI series 2-1 and leading the T20 series 2-0, Harmanpreet Kaur and co. stamped their authority by clinching the T20 series clinically.

The third T20 was a lopsided affair as India chased down a paltry target of 60, winning the match by seven wiockets. Riding on Jemimah Rodrigues' unbeaten innings of 40, India took an unassailable lead of 3-0. 

The fourth T20 was like a trailer of a three hour movie as the game was reduced to nine overs a side due to rains. India set a target of 51 for West Indies. Hayleyt Mattews was the pick of the bowlers as she struck with 3-13 in her two overs. For India, it was Anuja Patil who tuned around the match for her with scalping 2-8 in her two overs. In the end, it was a nail biting finish as India managed to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat winning the match by just five runs.

The fifth and final T20 was no different as India with its strong artillery of quality batters and bowlers continued to dominate West Indies. Twin half centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues (50) and Veda Krishnamurthy (57 not out) helped India post a respectable total of 134-3 in 20 overs on board. In reply, West Indies dwindled down to 73-7 losing the dead rubber by 61 runs. It was Anuja Patil again who wrecked havoc as she picked up 2-3 in her three overs. 

A strong batting performance coupled with an equally powerful bowling display, India clinically clinched the T20 series 5-0. 

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Shafali Verma breaks Sachin's record to become the yougest Indian to score an international 50; takes India 2-0 up against WI in T20 series

The new kid on the Indian women's cricket block has been making headlines for her wonderful batting display in the T20 series against West Indies. 15 year old Shafali Verma shattered Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar's 30-year old record to become the youngest Indian to score an international 50 on Saturday in the first T20 that was played between India and West Indies at St. Lucia.

Riding on the child prodigy's aggressive 73 (49) that included six fluent boundaries and four ferocious maximums, India posted a mammoth 185-4 in 20 overs. Having played just six international T20s, Shafali's batting is pleasing to the eyes. With a perfect blend of milking ones-twos and ability to use the long handle, Verma is bound to go a long way. India won the first T20 comprehensively by 84 runs on Saturday.   

On Sunday, the two sides met for the second T20. Continuing from where she had left on Saturday, Shafali piled up another brilliantly constructed half century, steering India to a 10-wicket victory. Chasing a paltry 104, India openers Shafali Verma (69 not out) and Smriti Mandhana (30 not out), made mockery of the run chase as they finished off the game in just 10.3 overs. Early in the day, Deepti Sharma, who opened the bowling wrecked havoc with her gentle off spins to pick up 4-10 in her four overs. 

The hosts looked listless in the first two T20s and will look for redemption on Thursday to keep the series alive.

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Smriti Mandhana makes her comeback in style; guides India to win the ODI series 2-1 against West Indies

With the ODI series being levelled 1-1, all was at stake for the two teams who locked horns against each other on Wednesday at Antigua. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, West Indies was bowled out for 194 in 50 overs, courtesy an all-round bowling effort from the Women in Blue. India's ace spearhead Jhulan Goswami and leggie Poonam Yadav struck with two wickets apiece. West Indies skipper Stafanie Taylor who had a wonderful series so far with the bat, smashed a delightful 79 to help her team put up a fighting score on board. 

Chasing 195, the famous Indian opening pair of Jemimah Rodrigues (69) and Smriti Mandhana (74) stitched a solid partnership of 141 runs in 25.1 overs taking the game away from the opposition. Mandhana announced her comeback in style as she stuck a mellifluous half century, including six smooth hits to the fence and three ferocious ones over it. Punam Raut (24) and Mithali Raj (20) played their parts to see the team home. The visitors convincingly chased down the target in just 42.1 overs with six wickets to spare. Hayley Matthews was the standout performer with the ball picking up 3-27 in 8.1 overs. 

With 0-1 down, the Women in Blue came back strong in the remaining two ODIs to clinch the series 2-1. The two sides will now play a five match T20 series starting Saturday.

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An all round performance helps India level the series 1-1 against West Indies

After going 1-0 down against West Indies on Friday at Antigua, Mithali Raj and co. came out all guns blazing in the second ODI that was played on Sunday at the same venue. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Women in Blue put up 191-6 in 50 overs, riding on Punam Raut's delightful knock of 77 (128) coupled with Mithali Raj's 40 (67) and Harmanpreet Kaur's 46 (52). The fall of opening pair cheaply meant that the middle order had to consolidate and shoulder the responsibility. The powerful Indian middle order absorbed the pressure and came out with flying colours. With the ball, Aaliyah Alleyne and Afy Fletcher struck with two wickets apiece. 

After winning the first ODI by a solitary run, the hosts would have fancied their chances to take an unassailable lead in the series. However, the Indian spinning trio of Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Deepti Sharma and Poonam Yadav thrashed the Caribbean hopes as they bowled tight lines and lengths scalping two wickets each. Wicket-keeper Shemaine Campbelle top scored with a sluggish 39 (90). West Indies was bundled out for 138 in 47.1 overs, losing the match by 53 runs.

India level the three match ODI series 1-1, with the decider to be played on Wednesday at the same venue.

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West Indies clinch a 1-run thriller win over India in the first ODI

The three match ODI series between India and West Indies started off with a nail biting finish as the hosts West Indies managed to pocket a 1-run win over the Women in Blue at Antigua on Friday. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, West Indies managed to put up a sub-par 225-7 in 50 overs. The Indian bowlers bowled well to restrict the hard hitting Caribbeans to a humble score. Skipper Stafanie Taylor kept the Indian bowlers at bay with her aggressive strokeplay as she hit a mellifluous 94 (91) smashing eight boundaries and two sixes. Opener Natasha McLean (51) and middle order bat Chedean Nation (43) too made significant contributions with the bat. With the ball, Shikha Pandey and Deepti Sharma were the pick of the bowlers as they scalped two wickets apiece.

Chasing 226 was arguably going to be a cake walk for the formidable Indian batting line-up. The opening pair of Priya Punia (75) and Jemimah Rodrigues (41) stitched a solid partnership of 78 runs giving the perfect start to the chase. However the Indian middle order that boasts of Mithali Raj, Punam Raut, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepi Sharma managed to put up just 66 runs among themselves. Anisa Mohammed wrecked havoc with the ball as she picked up a fifer giving away 46 runs in 10 overs. The first ODI went all the way down the wire as the hosts fell short of a solitary run.

It was a cracker of a contest at Antigua and the series has definitely got off to a thrilling start. The two sides will meet on Sunday at the same venue for the second ODI. West Indies lead the three match ODI series 1-0.


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India Women snatch victory from the jaws of defeat; win ODI series 3-0 against South Africa

Women in Blue clean swept the Proteas as they went on to win the three-match ODI series 3-0 on Monday at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India managed to put up a paltry 146 in 45.5 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur top scored with a cautious 38 (76) and found an able ally in Shikha Pandey who hit a fluent 35 (40). With the ball, Shabnim Ismail provided the perfect start as she sent back Priya Punia in the very first over of the match. Marizanne Kapp was the most lethal of the lot as she struck with 3-20 in her nine overs picking up important wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues (3), Mithali Raj (11) and Harmanpreet Kaur (38).

Chasing 147 was going to be a cake walk for the visitors however the Indian bowlers got the better of them and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The South Africans were bundled out for 140 in 48 overs falling short of just six runs. The batters got off to starts but failed to capitalize and the Indians made sure to pounce on every opportunity that was presented to them by Sune Luus and co. Kapp top scored with 29 (43) and batted well with skipper Luus (24). With the ball, Ekta Bisht was the pick of the bowlers as she struck with 3-32 in her 10 overs. The spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up two wickets apiece.

A nail biting finish by the Women in Blue made the third and the final ODI of the series thoroughly entertaining.

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Mithali and Punam steer India to an unassailable lead of 2-0 against South Africa

India continued its dominance over South Africa when the hosts beat the visitors by five wickets on Friday at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara. Winning the toss and electing to field first, India restricted South Africa to 247-6 in 50 overs. Opening bat Laura Wolvaardt top scored with a patient 69 (98) and received good support from her opening partner Lizelle Lee (40), together stitching a solid 76 run opening partnership. In the middle overs, Mignon du Preez (44) and Lara Goodall (38) played some fantastic cricket to take the South African score past 200. With the ball, India’s veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami failed to pick up any wickets. Shikha Pandey alongwith the spin twins Ekta Bisht and Poonam Yadav struck with two scalps each.

India’s highest ODI run chase also came against the Proteas when they chased down the target of 245. On Friday, the Women in Blue created a new record as they went on the chase 247 quite comfortably. Riding on mellifluous half centuries of skipper Mithali Raj (66) and Punam Raut (65), India managed to win the game with two overs to spare. Harmanpreet Kaur provided just the right finish as she struck a delightful 39 (27) which included five smooth hits to the fence and one ferocious one over it. With dollops of hardwork put together by the Indian batters who kept the South African bowlers at bay, India created history on Friday.

The two sides will meet on Monday at the same venue for the last and final ODI of the three-match ODI series. India has taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 and the Monday match will be nothing more than a dead rubber.

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Priya Punia and Jhulan Goswami guide India to 8-wicket win over South Africa

Riding on debutant Priya Punia’s mellifluous knock of 75 (not out), India chased down the target set by South Africa quite comfortably on Wednesday in the first ODI that was played at Reliance Stadium, Vadodara. Earlier in the day, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. However they were bundled out for 164 in 45.1 overs, courtesy Jhulan Goswami’s (3-33 in 7.1 overs) fiery bowling. Shikha Pandey gave her good company as she struck with 2-38 in her 10 overs. The spin trio of Ekta Bisht (2-28), Deepti Sharma (1-31) and Poonam Yadav (2-33) joined the party as they picked up the remaining five wickets. Marizanne Kapp top scored with a gritty 54.

In reply, the hosts achieved the target in 41.4 overs with eight wickets to spare. The opening pair of Priya Punia (75 not out) and Jemimah Rodrigues (55) stitched a solid partnership of 83 giving the right kind of platform for the batters to follow. Picking up one wicket each, Nadine de Klerk and Nondumiso Shangase were the only two successful bowlers out of the seven used.  

India lead the three match ODI series 1-0. The two sides will meet for the second ODI on Friday at the same venue.

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South Africa end the T20 series with grace; India win the series 3-1

It seemed to be an altogether different South African outfit that took the ground on Friday when they locked horns against India in a dead rubber at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Surat. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa posted a mammoth total of 175-3 in 20 overs, riding on twin half centuries of the opening pair Lizelle Lee (84) and skipper Sune Luus (62). The pair stitched a match winning partnership of 144 against an unusually listless Indian bowling. Having sealed the series, team India decided to test their bench which meant giving rest to pace duo of Shikha Pandey and Pooja Vastrakar and spinner Radha Yadav. The South Africans made the most of the opportunity and handed one of the biggest defeats to the Women in Blue as they fell short of 105 runs.

In reply, India was cheaply bundled out for 70 in 17.3 overs, courtesy an extra ordinary bowling display from the Proteas. Veda Krishnamurthy (26) and Arundhati Reddy (22) were the only two batters to reach a double digit score. The rest of the otherwise formidable Indian batting faltered like a pack of cards. Nadine de Klerk was the standout bowler for South Africa as she struck with 3-18 in her four overs picking key wickets of Smriti Mandhana (5) and Deepti Sharma (2) apart from Arundhati Reddy.

South Africa concluded the six-match T20 series with grace as they managed a solitary win in the final outing. India won the series 3-1, with two games being washed out without a ball being bowled.

The two sides will now head to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series starting October 9.

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Radha Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur star in India’s win over South Africa in the fifth T20

South Africa’s disappointment in India continued as the visitors failed to get the better of the opposition yet again on Thursday in the fifth T20I that was played at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Surat. Winning the toss and electing to field first, the Women in Blue dwindled down the Proteas for a paltry 98-8 in 20 overs. Out of the eight wickets, seven were picked up by the Indian spinners with Radha Yadav leading the pack with 3-23 in her four overs. The South African batters got off to starts however failed to capitalize. Laura Wolvaardt top scored with 17.

Chasing a modest 99 was going to be a cake walk for the strong Indian batting line-up, but the visitors made sure that the Indians did not run away with the game easily. The South Africans kept picking wickets at regular intervals to unsettle Harmanpreet Kaur and co. Shabnim Ismail was the pick of the bowlers striking 2-19 in her four overs. In the end the Women in Blue sailed through winning the match by five wickets with 17 balls to spare. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur top scored with an unbeaten 34 that included some smooth hits to the fence.  

India take an unassailable lead of 3-0 with one match to go. The sixth and the final T20I will be played at the same venue on Friday.

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India Women seal the T20 series 2-0 against South Africa

In a rain curtailed outing on Tuesday, the Women in Blue pocketed the T20 series 2-0 against South Africa on Tuesday at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Surat. Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the visitors gave away for too many runs than expected as the hosts put on a challenging 140-4 in 17 overs, riding on 15-year old Shafali Verma’s gritty 46 (33) and 19-year old Jemimah Rodrigues’ blistering 33 (22). Among the wickets was Nadine de Klerk who struck with 2-24 in her three overs, with Tumi Sekhukhune and Ayabonga Khaka picking up solitary wicket each.

Chasing 141, the Proteas were reduced to a paltry 89-7 in 17 overs, courtesy Poonam Yadav’s brilliant bowling spell where she picked up 3-13 in her three overs. Radha Yadav was the perfect partner as she chipped in with 2-16 in her three. The Yadav duo spun the web to trap the South Africans, who fell short of 51 runs. Tazmin Brits (20) and Laura Wolvaardt (23) were the only two batters to score in double digits for the visitors.

The two sides meet on Thursday to play the fifth T20 of the six-match series. India lead the series 2-0 with two games being washed out without a ball being bowled.

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Have you hear of a stand-in coin tosser? Australia captain Meg Lanning just introduced one

Australia captain Meg Lanning pulled a rabbit out of the hat when she asked wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy to accompany her to the field for the toss at the North Sydney Oval on Sunday when the hosts took on Sri Lanka in the first T20I.

With a horrific record with the coin toss, Lanning got Healy at the ground for the toss to try her luck. Earlier this month, when the Aussies toured West Indies, Lanning managed just to win just the solitary toss.

At the time of the toss here on Sunday, there was Meg Lanning, Alyssa Healy and Sri Lanka captain Chamari Atapaththu. Healy flipped the coin and won the toss for Lanning. We have heard of a stand-in captain but seldom has anyone heard of stand-in tosser. Alyssa Healy was the stand-in tosser during the first T20I, courtesy Meg Lanning’s poor run with the coin toss.  

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Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma shine in India’s 11-run win over South Africa in the first T20

Riding on Deepti Sharma’s brilliant bowling performance and Harmanpreet Kaur’s strong batting display, Women in Blue managed to sneak in a victory from the jaws of defeat against the Proteas on Tuesday at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium in Surat, Gujarat.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the visitors put up a good show as they restricted the hosts to a gettable 130-8 in 20 overs. For India, the top performer with the bat was its skipper Harmanpreet Kaur who struck a delightful 43 (34) smashing three boundaries and two sixes. 15-year old Shafali Verma who has given the responsibility of opening the batting has to fill in the big shoes of former captain Mithali Raj. However the child prodigy failed to impress as she was outdone by Shabnim Ismail. Verma made her way back to the dugout without troubling the scorers. For the Proteas, Ismail was the pick of the bowlers as she struck with 3-26 in her four overs.

Chasing a modest 131, South Africa would have fancied their chances. However, the strong spinning combination of India trapped the visiting batters in a web thus reducing them to 119 in 19.5 overs. The spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur and Poonam Yadav picked up eight wickets among them, with pace spearhead Shikha Sharma accounting for the remaining two. Mignon du Preez (59) was the lone warrior in the fight and was just a stone’s throw away from taking her side home.

Overall, it was a thrilling contest between the two sides. The second of the three T20s will be played at the same venue on Thursday.

Two questions that the Indian team might grapple with before the second T20:

1. Should Jemimah Rodrigues open the innings and child prodigy Shafali Verma bat in the middle order?
2. Do the pacers alone have enough gas to run through the opposition's batting line-up if the spinners do not chip in?

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Women's Ashes: England end the Ashes with dignity; Australia hold on to the Ashes yet again

The Women's Ashes was concluded on Wednesday when the two sides locked horns for the one last time at Bristol in the third T20. Apart from academic interest and an opportunity for England to redeem itself the match was a dead rubber. 

Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Australia reduced England to 139-5 in 20 overs. Lauren Winfield top scored with an unbeaten 26 and was supported well by Katherine Brunt (25 not out) helping England to post a respectable score on board. Jess Jonassen finished with the best figures for the visitors with 1-19 in her four overs.

Chasing 140, the Aussies were dwindled down for 122-8 in 20 overs falling short of 17 runs. Riding on Ellyse Perry's unbeaten 60, the defending champions failed to chase down the target. England put up a solid performance with the ball, courtesy Katherine Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone, who picked up three wickets apiece. 

The Women's Ashes turned out to be a one-sided affair and the mighty Australians defended the Ashes yet again with the points table reading 12-4 in Australia's favour. Australia won the ODI series 3-0, T20 series 2-1, and the one-off test ended in a draw.

 
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Women's Ashes: With 1000 runs and 100 wickets Ellyse Perry makes history; Australia take an unassailable lead of 2-0 in T20 series

Australia seems to have a gala time in England as the team records yet another win against England in the on-going Ashes series. A clinical performance in the ODI series, a comprehensive show in the longest format, and a envious start to the T20 series amplify Australia's dominance in the Ashes. 

With 1-0 lead in the T20 series, the two teams locked horns on Sunday at Hove. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, England posted a paltry 121-8 in 20 overs. Apart from Tammy Beaumont (43), none of the English players looked in shape. The Aussie bowling seemed to be too good for the hosts. Jess Jonassen and Georgia Wareham picked up couple of wickets apiece with Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, and Delissa Kimmince contributing with one scalp each. 

Chasing a modest score of 122, Australia achieved the feat in style winning the match by seven wickets and 13 balls to spare. The star performer of the day was the prolific all-rounder Ellyse Perry who scored an unbeaten 47 and joining hands with Perry was the skipper Meg Lanning with an equally blistering 43. Kate Cross, Katherine Brunt, and Sophie Ecclestone picked up one wicket apiece.

During the match, Ellyse Perry with her 1-17 and 47 not out became the first ever cricketer (both male and female) to score 1000 runs and pick up 100 wickets in T20 internationals. She also bagged the Player of the Match award for her scintillating all-round performance. 

The last match of the T20 series and also the Ashes series will be played on Wednesday at Bristol. Though a dead rubber, England would look to close the series with some pride.

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Women's Ashes: Centurion Meg Lanning steers Australia to a 93-win over England in the first T20

After having clinched the three-match ODI series 3-0 and drawing the one-off test, the defending champions Australia seem to show no mercy towards the lack luster English side as the visitors handed a 93-run defeat to the hosts on Friday at Chelmsford in the first of three T20s.

Winning the toss and electing to field first, England went for far too plenty as the mighty Aussies packed a punched with a formidable 226-3 in 20 overs. Leading from the front, Australia skipper Meg Lanning scored an unbeaten 133 (63) smashing as many as 17 boundaries and seven sixes. Beth Mooney (54) and Ashleigh Gardner (27) played couple of useful cameos to take the Aussies past 200.  The English bowlers looked hapless as they were hammered all over the park. Among the wickets were slow left arm bowler Sophie Ecclestone who struck with 2-42 in her four overs and Kate Cross who picked up 1-28 in her three. 

Considering a decent English batting line-up, the fans expected it to be a exciting contest. However, the match turned out to be a lopsided affair as the English side was dwindled down to 133-9 in 20 overs, falling short of 93 runs. The openers Danielle Wyatt and Amy Ellen Jones went back to the dug out without troubling the scorers. The fact that just four English players managed to score a double digit figure shows the dominance enjoyed by the Australian bowlers. Lauren Winfield top scored with 33. For the visitors, Megan Schutt was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 3-25 in her four overs, receiving good support from Ellyse Perry who struck with 2-11 in her three. 

Meg Lanning was awarded as the Player of the Match for her scintillating knock of 133. Having defended the Ashes quite comfortably, Australia will take on England in the second T20 on Sunday at Hove. The remaining two T20s will be nothing more than dead rubber.

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Women's Ashes: England not even close to Australia’s “Perry”phery; one off test ends in a draw

The defending champions Australia retained the Ashes as the one-off test that was played between July 18 and July 21 at Taunton ended in a draw, with the visitors taking an unassailable lead of 8-2 over the hosts.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Australia posted a mammoth 420-8 in 154.4 overs. Opener Alyssa Healy provided a perfect start to the day as she muscled a 81-ball 58 smashing 12 boundaries. The loss of her partner Nicole Bolton did not hurt much as skipper Meg Lanning (57) and all-rounder Ellyse Perry (116) put their heads down to send England on back foot. After the fall of Lanning and Perry, England would have thought to take a breather, but Rachael Haynes (87) and Beth Mooney (51) were in no mood to let it loose. Finally the Aussies decided to declare the innings after Mooney was out. The English bowlers had a tough outing with the ball as none of their bowlers looked to break the long Aussie partnerships. Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Laura Marsh picked up two wickets apiece, with Natalie Sciver and Kirstie Gordon striking with one dismissal each.

To go ahead the 420-run mark set by Australia, special effort was required from England. However, Perry clean bowled the in-form opening bat Tammy Beaumont which put the hosts in a predicament, whether to play out the innings or try to surpass 420 runs. Amy Ellen Jones (64), the other opener partnered with skipper Heather Knight (28) to put up a 79-run partnership. After the loss of Knight, England’s chances to stay in the match looked bleak. However Natalie Sciver (88) steadied the sinking ship as she played a patient 180-ball knock. England kept losing wickets at regular intervals with half of their back in the hut inside 50 overs. 21 year old Sophie Molineux wrecked havoc with her slow left arm bowling as she scalped 4-95 in her 37 overs. Jess Jonassen picked up 2-50 in 21.1 overs with Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner striking with one wicket each. England scored 275-9 in 107.1 overs at the end of first innings.

Batting again, riding on Perry’s unbeaten 76, Australia posted 230-7 in 64 overs. Laura Marsh again picked up two wickets, with Kirstie Gordon and Heather Knight also bagging couple of wickets each. May be wanting to replicate Aussie Sophie’s success, English Sophie was asked to open the attack. Ecclestone struck with 1-37 in her 16 overs. 

Australia’s Ellyse Perry was presented with the Player of the Match for scoring 116 and 76 not out and picking up one wicket.

The test ended in a draw. The four points were shared by the two teams equally. The two sides will lock horns in a three-match T20 series starting July 26 at Chelmsford. Even if England wins all the three T20s and equals with Australia’s 8 points, the visitors will still retain the Ashes. 

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Women’s Ashes: Australia dominate the ODI series to win 3-0 against England

The visiting Australian team under Meg Lanning has shown no mercy as they embarrassed the otherwise strong looking England side with a 3-0 defeat in the ODI series that concluded on Sunday in their own backyard.

Winning the first two ODIs clinically, the Aussies came out even stronger in the third ODI at Canterbury. Batting first, Australia put up a challenging score of 269-7 in 50 overs. Riding on twin half centuries from Alyssa Healy (68) and Meg Lanning (69), the visitors were in a commanding position at the end of the first innings. For England, it was only Natalie Sciver (3-51) who stood out with the ball.

Chasing 270, England would have liked the top order to fire, but Aussie spearhead Ellyse Perry had some other plans. Perry wrecked havoc with the new ball as she reduced England to 10-4 in 5.2 overs. Fran Wilson (17), Anya Shrubsole (11), and Laura Marsh (21) were the only English three players to reach a double digit score. Perry ended up with magnificent figures of 7-22 in her 10 overs. Megan Schutt (2-21) and Jess Jonassen (1-15) also joined the Perry party. To England’s horror, they were bundled out for a paltry 75 in 32.5 overs, losing the match by a mammoth margin of 194 runs.

Record breaking Ellyse Perry won the Player of the Match for her breath-taking bowling performance. Australia won the ODI series 3-0 pocketing 6 points. The two sides will meet for the one off test starting July 18 at Taunton. England will have to win all the remaining matches to regain the Ashes.      

Brief Scores:  Australia 269-7 in 50 overs (M Lanning 69; N Sciver 3-51) beat England 75 all out in 32.5 overs (L Marsh 21; E Perry 7-22) by 194 runs

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Women's Ashes: Tammy Beaumont's century goes in vain as Aussies take an unassailable lead of 2-0 against England

Opening bat Tammy Beaumont's century went in vain as England failed to defend 217 in the second ODI of the Ashes series against Australia on Thursday at Leicester. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, England would have like to put a score over 250, but the regular fall of wickets did not help their cause. Beaumont (114) was the lone warrior scoring more than half of the runs put up by her side. Delissa Kimmince was the star performer with the ball as she picked up a fifer giving away just 26 runs in 7.4 overs.

In reply, the visitors chased down the target in 45.2 overs keeping four wickets in hand. After the initial hiccups, the Aussies applied themselves well with Ellyse Perry (620) and Rachael Haynes (30) stitching a 53-run partnership to put their side in a comfortable position. However all was not lost for the hosts as they reduced Australia for 158-6 in 35.4 overs. With 60 runs to get and four wickets in hand, the match could have gone any way. But to Aussies' delight Beth Mooney (43 not out) and Jess Jonassen (31 not out) played matured knocks to see their team home. With the ball, Anya Shrubsole was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 3-47 in her eight overs.

Australia's Delissa Kimmince bagged the Player of the Match award for her scintillating bowling performance.

After two ODIs, the defending champions Australia lead the points table 4-0. The two sides will lock horn against each other for the dead rubber on Sunday at Canterbury.


Brief Scores: England 217 all out in 47.4 overs (T Beaumont 114; D Kimmince 5-26) lost to Australia 218-6 in 45.2 overs (E Perry 62; A Shrubsole 3-47) by 4 wickets


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Women’s Ashes: Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy star in Australia’s win over England in the first ODI

The Ashes is back and this time the urn is in England. The defending champions Australia will look to retain their might over the Ashes while the hosts England will look for redemption. Unlike the men’s Ashes, women’s Ashes will be a composition of three ODIs, one test and three T20s. The winner of the Ashes will be judged on the basis of points each team earns during the series.

The first ODI was played on Tuesday at Leicester when the visiting Australians got the better of England in a nail biting finish. Batting first, England were bundled out for a paltry 177 in 46.5 overs, courtesy a brilliant bowling performance from the Aussies. Ellyse Perry spearheaded the bowling attack and ripped apart the English line-up as she finished off with figures of 3-43 in her seven overs. Perry found able allies in Megan Schutt, Jess Jonassen, and Ashleigh Gardner, each of them accounting for two scalps. England got off to a horrendous start as they were found wanting at 19-4 in 5.1 overs. Natalie Sciver (64) batted like a champion and stitched couple of good partnerships with Fran Wilson (15) and Katherine Brunt (20) to help her side put up a decent total on board.

Chasing an ordinary score of 178 should not have been a tough ask for the powerful batters of Australia. However, England after a horrific batting performance came out all guns blazing to put the visitors in all spots of bother. Opening bat Nicole Bolton (2) was sent back to the pavilion by Anya Shrubsole, and the Aussies kept losing wickets at the regular intervals. Wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy stood like a rock and played well for her 71-ball 66. Healy kept losing wickets at the other end. The match went all the way down the wire as Australia somehow managed to sneak in a victory by two wickets. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers for England as she grabbed 3-34 in her 10 overs.

Ellyse Perry was awarded with the Player of the Match for her outstanding bowling performance. The two sides meet on Thursday at the same venue for the second ODI. After the first ODI, Australia leads the points table 2-0.

Brief Scores: England 177 all out in 46.5 overs (N Sciver 64, E Perry 3-43) lost to Australia 178-8 in 42.3 overs (A Healy 66, S Ecclestone 3-34) by 2 wickets

Source: Getty Images

Women’s T20 set to be included in Common Wealth Games 2022

There is some good news for women’s cricket. Women’s T20 is all set to be included in the Common Wealth Games 2022 in England. The inclusion of women’s cricket in an event as big as the CWG is absolutely unicorn. Eight teams will be featuring in the competition. This move will certainly give more exposure to the women cricketers and also popularize the sport in the non-cricket playing nations that will feature in CWG. As the talks of Women’s IPL are doing the rounds, the inclusion of Women’s T20 in CWG will certainly provide an impetus to these discussions. The success of Women’s Big Bash League in Australia and Kia Super League in England has brought limelight to the ‘other’ cricket.

The International Cricket Council the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have had a lion’s in the inclusion of Women’s T20 in CWG. The last time cricket was included in CWG was way back in 1998, when 16 men’s teams participated in a 50-over format at Kuala Lumpur. South Africa under the leadership of Shaun Pollock went on to bag the gold medal as they defeated the mighty Aussies in the final.

Let’s see how the women’s cricket pans out in the Common Wealth Games of 2022.

Source: AFP

Rain plays a spoil sport again; England Women win the T20 series 1-0 against West Indies

After having clinched the ODI series 3-0, England Women would have liked to clean sweep the visiting West Indies in the three-match T20 series as well. However one thing that was standing strong between England and the T20 series clean sweep was the rain. Out of the three T20s that were scheduled, the two sides could play just one, with other two being washed out. England won the second T20 to take an unassailable lead of 1-0.

On Tuesday, the third T20 at Derby was washed out without a ball being bowled as the rain was pelting. This British summer has rather tured out to be a disappointing affair for the cricket lovers across world. With four of the men's World Cup matches being washed out and two of the women's matches being abandoned, rain has absolutely been a spoiler.



Source: Getty Images

“Wyatt” an innings; England Women beat West Indies in the second T20 to take an unassailable lead of 1-0

After a disappointing washout on Tuesday, a wonderful game of cricket was witnessed between England and West Indies when the two sides locked horns against each other on Friday at Northampton. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, England posted a daunting total of 180-6 in 20 overs, thanks to opening bat Danielle Wyatt’s delightful innings of 81 (55). Amy Ellen Jones (37) along with Wyatt stitched a 67 run opening partnership to give just the right start. Natalie Sciver (31) and skipper Heather Knight (22) then joined hands to take their side to a challenging total. The visitors had an ordinary day with the ball as none of their bowlers looked to jeopardize the English batting line-up.

Chasing over nine runs per over, the West Indies would have hoped for a better start. To their horror, both their openers were back in the hut inside two overs. Stacy-Ann King (43) looked to stabilize the innings with captain Stafanie Taylor (19), but the latter’s run out opened the floodgates. Chedean Nation’s knock of 32 went in vain as she ran out of partners. The visitors were reduced to 138-9 in 20 overs, falling short of 42 runs. Linsey Smith and Katherine Brunt were the pick of the bowlers as they scalped two wickets apiece.

Danielle Wyatt was adjudged as the Player of the Match for her scintillating knock of 81. The series will conclude on Tuesday as the two teams will meet for the third and last T20 at Derby. The West Indies will look to level the T20 series and leave the British soil with some cheer. 

Source: Getty Images

First Women’s T20 between England and West Indies abandoned due to rain

This English summer has been uncharacteristically wet as the rain has played a spoil sport quite a few times now. The latest victim of the incessant rain is the first T20 between England and West Indies.

After being at the receiving end of an ignominious 3-0 defeat, West Indies women would have looked for redemption against England in the three match T20 series. However, to their misfortune, the game that was scheduled on Tuesday was washed out without a single ball being bowled. This is the fifth time (four times in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup  and once in the Women’s T20) a match has been called off in the last 20 days.

The two sides will meet on Friday at Northampton for the second T20. Hope the Rain God turns a Nelson’s eye to the upcoming game. Fingers crossed. 

Source: Getty Images

England Women trounce West Indies by 135 runs; clean sweep the ODI series 3-0

Amy Ellen Jones’ wonderful run with the bat continued as she muscled yet another delightful half century against the visiting West Indies on Thursday in Chelmsford. Winning the toss and rightly electing to field first in a rain curtailed match, West Indies restricted England to 258-4 in 39 overs. The opening pair of Amy Ellen Jones (80) and Tammy Beaumont (46) stitched a solid partnership of 84 in 15.1 overs before Hayley Matthews got rid of Beaumont against the run of play. Wicket-keeper Sarah Taylor played a gem of an innings as she smashed a 61-ball 70 that included seven boundaries. Coming lower down the order skipper Heather Knight showed her class yet again as she bludgeoned West Indies’ bowlers with a 19-ball 40 smashing five boundaries and two sixes. Hayley Matthews picked up 2-52 in her eight overs, with Afy Fletcher and Karishma Ramharack stricking with one wicket apiece.

The first innings was interrupted by rain and the DLS target for the visitors was set at 267 in 39 overs. After losing the first two games, West Indies would have hoped for a rain-free day, however, the British summer seems to show no respite. Chasing more than run a ball target was always going to be difficult and the West Indies opening pair did no good as they were sent back to the dressing room inside six overs. Kycia Knight (38) showed some intent but was running out of partners. English bowlers did a good job to skittle out the visitors for 131 in 37.4 overs, short of 135 runs. Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone scalped two apiece, with Bryony Smith, Jenny Gunn, and Heather Knight accounting for one dismissal each.

For her standout performance with the bat, Amy Ellen Jones was presented with the Player of the Match award. Having clean swept the ODI series 3-0, England will now take on West Indies for a three-match T20 series. The first T20 will be played in Northampton on Tuesday.  

Source: Cricbuzz

A historic moment for Cricket Australia as WBBL will stand alone in 2019

The fifth edition of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) will be a standalone tournament this year for the first time since its inception. The seven festival weekends will be power-packed with some exciting cricket.

The WBBL this year will precede the Australian Women's home summer prior to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 in February-March. WBBL has garnered tremendous popularity with every passing year, courtesy the high standard of cricket played by the global cricketing stars. The tournament has reaped rich dividends from the broadcasters as the volume of televised content nearly doubled last season with the 23 broadcast matches averaging 2,13,000 on Seven and Fox Cricket.

The much awaited WBBL will kick start on October 18 when Sydney Sixers take on Sydney Thunder at the North Sydney Oval. Each team will play 14 matches with the semifinals and final to be hosted by the top-ranked team after the preliminary round. The final will be played on December 8.

Source: Getty Images

Cricket World Cup sees yet another disappointing day as the Rain God has the last laugh

As people in Mumbai were eagerly waiting for Rain God to wake up, quite contrastingly, people in England were waiting for Rain God to take some rest. With today’s Asian extravaganza between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh being called off due to rains, the ICC Cricket World Cup has witnessed three ‘No Result’ games out of 16. Let’s hope there are no more disappointing days in this exciting contest.

It is known to many that the British summer is a gamble. One year the weather will be picture perfect sunshine and the next will involve three months of non-stop rain. Will this year turn out to be a summer washout? Fingers crossed.

At the hindsight, the cricket fans must contemplate over two questions, number one, “Did ICC not check the weather forecast before scheduling the World Cup in England?” and number two, “Could the World Cup have taken priority over the IPL, just like in 2015?”

A team like South Africa who has had horrendous of starts would have felt more miserable when their match against West Indies was called off on Monday, courtesy the downpour. After today’s match also being abandoned due to heavy showers, both, the Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi outfits would be disappointed as the two sides would have fancied pocketing 2 points against each other. With practically no reserve days in store for the league matches, it will be interesting to see how the Cricket World Cup unfolds amidst the heavy rains.

As of now the millions of cricket enthusiasts can simply pray to Rain God to take it easy with its English child till July 14.   

Source: AFP

  

England Women take an unassailable lead of 2-0 against the West Indies

It seemed that the Rain God was not too happy on Sunday, as the game between West Indies Women and England Women was a rain curtailed affair. West Indies faced yet another embarrassing defeat at the hands of England when the two sides locked horns against each other in the second ODI at Worcester.

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the hosts managed to score 233-7 in 41 overs. Opener Tammy Beaumont yet again showed her class with the bat as she muscled a gritty 61 (83), which included seven boundaries. Anya Shrubsole played a cameo at the end scoring 32 (16), to take the England score past 200. With the ball, Afy Fletcher was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 3-48 in her eight overs.

In reply, as per the DLS, the visitors were set a challenging target of 209 in 28 overs. West Indies looked troubled and were in sorts whatsoever of chasing down the revised target. Shemaine Campbelle top scored with 29 (49) and was the solitary star in the West Indies batting card. Anya Shrubsole and Kate Cross bowled well consistently to pick up two wickets apiece, and received good support from Laura Marsh and Heather Knight, both accounting for one dismissal each. The visitors were reduced to 86-8 in 28 overs, thus, losing the match by a 121-run margin.

Anya Shrubsole was awarded as the Player of the Match for her scintillating all-round performance.

England has taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three match ODI series. The third ODI, which is just of academic interest for the hosts, but grace saver for the visitors, will be played on Thursday at Chelmsford.  

Source: Cricbuzz

England Women thrash West Indies by 208 runs to lead the three match series 1-0

West Indies cricket had a disappointing Thursday, as both the men’s team and women’s side were at the receiving end of defeat from Australia and England respectively.

At Leicester, English skipper Heather Knight won the toss and opted to bat on a batting paradise. Opening bat Amy Ellen Jones (91) and middle order bat Heather Knight (94) were the star performers for England as they helped their side post a daunting 318-9 in 50 overs. Windies offie Hayley Matthews was the pick of the bowlers as she scalped 4-57 in her 10 overs.

Chasing a humungous 319 was always going to be difficult. The disciplined English bowling coupled with electrifying fielding were responsible for West Indies’ dismal performance with the bat. The visitors were done and dusted for a paltry 110 in 36 overs, losing the game by a mammoth margin of 208 runs. Sophie Ecclestone and Laura Marsh bowled well in tandem to pick up three wickets apiece. Pace spearhead Katherine Brunt brought all her experience into the game as she accounted for 2-6 in her five overs.

Amy Ellen Jones was presented with the Player of the Match for her gritty knock of 91 (99). Both the Taylors, Stafanie and Sarah, who are the big match players for their respective countries, had an off day on the field. Probably a century from their skipper Stafanie Taylor would have made the match much more interesting.

The two sides will play the second of the three ODIs on Sunday at Worcester.

Source: Getty Images

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Are hosts always the favourites?

The 12^th ICC Cricket World Cup is already underway, with couple of lopsided affairs to begin with. The hosts England played the inaugural match against South Africa on May 30 and showed clear signs that they are a side to watch out for this World Cup. Eoin Morgan and co. humbled the Proteas by a thumping win.

England in their own backyard is twice as lethal as they could be otherwise. Being the hosts this time around, talks have already started that England are the favourites. But are hosts always the favourites? Here are some of the startling facts that will compel to rethink about this question.

Year	Hosts	Winner	Runner-Up
1975	England	West Indies	Australia
1979	England	West Indies	England
1983	England	India	West Indies
1987	India and Pakistan	Australia	England
1992	Australia and New Zealand	Pakistan	England
1996	India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka	Sri Lanka	Australia
1999	England	Australia	Pakistan
2003	South Africa	Australia	India
2007	West Indies	Australia	Sri Lanka
2011	India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh	India	Sri Lanka
2015	Australia and New Zealand	Australia	New Zealand

It is evident that out of the 11 instances, only three times (1996, 2011, and 2015) the hosts have gone on to win the World Cup. Do you think England is still the favourite just because they are hosting the ICC event? Numbers don’t lie. Do they?

Moreover, England alongwith New Zealand and South Africa are the only three teams that have never won the World Cup.  Though England has made it to the finals three times but it was even before the start of this new century.

With a successful bilateral record since 2017, given the side’s strength under the able aegis of Eoin Morgan, mental toughness, batting firepower, and equally good bowling in the middle overs and at the death, England has a strong chance of making it to the finals this time around.

Hosting a mega event as World Cup comes with its own set of boon and bane. Boon is ofcourse the playing conditions are familiar to you, and the bane is the enormous expectations from the media and public to deliver. Will England take the boon in their stride and combat the bane? We will find it out only over the next one and a half month of extravaganza.

Source: Wikipedia