Ground not available for practice; Indian Women’s Team forced to hit the gym

Amidst the dispute between MCA and BCCI, the Indian Women’s team selected to play the ICC Women’s World T20 starting November 9 in West Indies had to bear the brunt. The preparatory camp for the Women in Blue was scheduled to start from Tuesday, however, due to the unavailability of the ground, Harmanpreet Kaur and co. were forced to hit the gym. There was ambiguity whether CCI or Wankhede Stadium will be the venue for the preparatory camp. A few weeks back, BCCI announced that CCI will host the fourth ODI between India and West Indies, therefore, it had to be the Wankhede that would host the women cricketers. On Monday, MCA informed the BCCI that it will not be able to make the Stadium available for practice.

The bickering between the two brothers has caused distress to the sister, and it is high time that they resolve their differences, not only for their own good, but also for their sister’s well-being. The BCCI officials will be meeting on Wednesday to finalize the venue for the preparatory camp. Where the other participating nations are firing on all cylinders, the Indian Women’s T20 team is struggling with the externalities. The only hope is that BCCI arrive at a decision at the earliest, so that the girls can kick-off their preparations for the ICC event.

Source: The Hindu

Australia A Women beat India A by 91 runs

In the three match ODI series that is being played between Australia A and India A at the MCA ground in Bandra Kurla Complex, the visitors made a solid start to their outing on Monday. Batting first, the Aussie Women piled up a competitive score of 271-8 in 50 overs. Tahila McGrath top scored with a delightful 58 and was ably supported by Heather Graham, who chipped in with 48 runs. The Indian bowlers had an ordinary day at office barring the offie Preeti Bose who struck with 3-42.

After the first innings, a lot was expected from the Indian batting line-up, however the Women in Blue made a mess of the chase as they were bundled out for a paltry 180 in 46.2 overs, losing by 91 runs. The top order collapsed like a pack of card, with Mona Meshram being the only warrior at the top of the order. Meshram fought hard for her 28. Coming in at no. 8, Shikha Pandey scored a solid 42, however, her efforts went in vain as the team failed to click together. Aussie skipper Molly Strano was the pick of the bowlers as she accounted for 3-23.

No Money, No Practice for India and West Indies women cricketers

India and West Indies were scheduled to play a three match T20 series in the Caribbean in the last week of October. Though the bilateral series was not a part of the FTP (Future Tours Programme), arguably, the three T20s would have given the required match practice to both the sides before the commencement of ICC Women’s Word T20. CWI (Cricket West Indies) cited financial constraints as the main reason for being unable to host India.

Since the bilateral series is now cancelled, India will hope to make the most of the warm up games that it plays on November 4 and November 7 against the defending champions West Indies and England respectively. The Indian team led by Harmanpreet Kaur has had a dismal record at ICC World T20 events, making it to the semi finals in 2009 and 2010 only.

The Indian outfit is relatively inexperienced when it comes to playing in the Caribbean conditions, with only four players from the squad having played in the panoply of islands. The team will seek insights form Harmanpreet Kaur, Mithali Raj, Veda Krishnamurthy, and Ekta Bisht, before they kick-off their campaign.

India will lock horns against New Zealand on November 9, the opening day of ICC Women’s World T20.

Source: BCCI

The squads of all teams playing the ICC Women’s World T20 announced

The ICC Women’s World T20 is less than a month away. This biennial event will be held in West Indies this year starting November 9, with the final being played on November 24. The 10 playing nations are divided into two groups; Group A and B.

Group A	Group B
Bangladesh	Australia
England	India
South Africa	Ireland
Sri Lanka	New Zealand
West Indies	Pakistan

The squads of the 10 teams are as follows:

Australia: Meg Lanning (captain), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Alyssa Starc, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.

Bangladesh: Salma Khatun (captain), Ayasha Rahman, Fahima Khatun, Fargana Hoque Pinky, Jahanara Alam, Khadiza Tul Kubra, Lata Mondol, Nahida Akter, Nigar Sultana Joty, Panna Ghosh, Ritu Moni, Rumana Ahmed, , Sanjida Islam, Shamima Sultana, Sharmin Akhter Supta.

England: Heather Knight (captain), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Kirstie Gordon, Jenny Gunn, Danni Hazell, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Linsey Smith, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Tanya Bhatia, Ekta Bisht, Dayalan Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Veda Krishnamurthy, Smriti Mandhana, Anuja Patil, Mithali Raj, Arundathi Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Poonam Yadav.

Ireland: Laura Delany (captain), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Ciara Metcalfe, Lucy O’Reilly, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Clare Shillington, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.

New Zealand: Amy Satterthwaite (captain) Suzie Bates, Bernadine Bezuidenhout, Sophie Devine, Kate Ebrahim, Maddy Green, Holly Huddleston, Hayley Jensen, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, Katey Martin, Anna Peterson, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu, Jessica Watkin.

Pakistan (captain to be announced later): Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz.

South Africa: Dane Van Niekerk (captain), Trisha Chetty, Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus, Zintle Mali, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Robyn Searle, Tumi Sekhukhune, Saarah Smith, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt.

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Ama Kanchana, Sugandika Kumari, Eshani Lokusooriya, Dilani Manodara, Yashoda Mendis, Hasini Perera, Udeshika Prabodani, Inoshi Priyadarshani, Oshadhi Ranasinghe, Shashikala Siriwardena, Rebeka Vandort, Sripali Weearakkody.

West Indies: Stafanie Taylor (captain), Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Natasha Mclean, Anisa Mohammed, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman.

 

Source: Wikipedia

India Women's World T20 squad at a glimpse

With just over a month to go for the ICC Women's World T20, let's take a quick look at the Indian squad.

1. Harmanpreet Kaur (March 8, 1989)

Source: ESPN Cricinfo 

The captain of the Indian team is an aggressive bat in the middle order and a handy part time off spinner. Her leadership skills will be tested against the likes of Australia and New Zealand in the Group stage. Just like there is MS Dhoni for Virat Kohli, there is Mithali Raj for Harmanpreet Kaur. Harmanpreet is also the first Indian cricketer, male or female, to play for a foreign T20 league. Playing for Sydney Thunder in WBBL, she won the franchise's Player of the Tournament award for her all-round show in the debut season. Post that she represented Surrey Stars in the second edition of ECB’s Women’s Cricket Super League. Carrying with her bounty of experience from India and abroad, a lot is expected from the Moga girl.

2. Smriti Mandhana (July 18, 1996)

Source: Cricbuzz

The stylish southpaw has quickly gained the reputation of being India’s one of the best openers. Her free flowing back lift and delightful stroke making are nothing less than a splendid spectacle. India will bank on Mandhana to give a solid start. At just 22 years of age, Smriti has matured as one of the finest cricketers. Just like her captain, the vice captain of the Indian team

featured in the WBBL playing for Brisbane Heat and Western Storms in the ECB’s Women’s Cricket Super League.

3. Mithali Raj (December 3, 1982)

Source: Cricbuzz 

The senior-most player in the Indian outfit, Mithali Raj is the vital cog in the batting line-up. She is the highest run-getter in women’s ODI cricket and has a phenomenal career average of over 51. Having come so close to lifting the World Cup twice (2005 and 2017), it is expected that Raj will leave no stone unturned to grab the ICC Women’s World T20 this year.

4. Jemimah Rodrigues (September 5, 2000) – RHB and right arm off break

Source: Sportstarlive

The 18-year old Mumbai girl has raised many eyebrows with her scintillating start to the international career. Fearless but at the same time a thoughtful cricketer, Jemimah is a rock solid batswoman.

5. Veda Krishnamurthy (October 16, 1992)

Source: Cricbuzz

A lightning quick fielder and an aggressive middle order bat, Veda is unequivocally one of the best finishers in the Indian side. Coming from a land that has produced many great cricketers, Veda is a shining star of Karnataka.   

6. Deepti Sharma (August 24, 1997)

Source: Cricbuzz 

Technically sound and pleasing to watch defines Deepti Sharma. In addition to her batting brilliance, Deepti rolls her arm over to bowl part time off spin.

7. Taniya Bhatia (WK) November 28, 1997

Source: Hindustan Times

Wicket keeping is in her genes. Taniya Bhatia’s father Sanjay Bhatia was a part time keeper-batsman for Punjab in the late 1980s. She has inherited the wicket-keeping skills from her father and with her tremendous hard work she has scaled great heights.

8. Poonam Yadav August 24, 1991

Source: Cricbuzz

Poonam has been one of the spin bowlers in the Indian side. A gutsy cricketer, she flights the delivery to tempt the batter to have a go at her. She has the reputation of breaking partnerships and is the go-to bowler for her captain.

9. Radha Yadav (April 21, 2000)

Source: Mid Day

Replacing the relatively senior player Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Radha has come out all guns blazing from her domestic performances. A slow left arm orthodox bowler, Radha offers variety to the spinning department of India. 

10. Ekta Bisht (February 8, 1986)

Source: ESPN Cricinfo

The 32-year old left arm orthodox bowler from Uttarakhand is a partner in crime with Poonam Yadav. The spin twins are more often than not wreckers-in-chief, and have bowled well in tandem to bail out their side from difficult situations.

11. Anuja Patil (June 28, 1992)

Source: ESPN Cricinfo

Hailing from Maharashtra, Anuja Patil, is known to be one of the best all-rouders in the side. Her jaw dropping cameos and more than handy off-spinners provides a perfect mix to the team dynamics. No ground in this world is too big for Anuja as she holds the capability to clear any boundary with ease.

12. Mansi Joshi (August 18, 1993)

Source: ESPN Cricinfo

The Punjab express is a right arm medium fast bowler. When she is on song, she makes the batswomen dance to her tunes. Shouldering the pace bowling responsibility with Pooja Vastrakar, a lot will be expected from the two, in the absence of the experienced Jhulan Goswami.

13. Pooja Vastrakar (September 25, 1999)

Source: Naidunia

A right arm quick bowler and a right hand bat, Pooja Vastrakar, at just 19 years of age, made it big in the Indian cricket. She is the one player to watch out for who can win you the games with both, bat and ball.

14. Arundhati Reddy (October 4, 1997)

Source: Telanagana Today

A right hand bat from Telangana, Arundhati has climbed up the ladder of success, thanks to her prolific domestic performances. With a good head over her shoulders, Reddy has a long way to go with the Indian team.­­

15. Dayalan Hemalatha (September 29, 1994)

Source: Fantasy2win

Dayalan is another all-rounder in the Indian squad, who can bat in the middle order and bowl right arm off-spin. The 24-year old from Tamil Nadu just gives the side an additional all-rounding cushion.

India squad announced for ICC Women’s World T20

After a successful tour of Sri Lanka, the Women in Blue will be packing their bags to go to West Indies to play the ICC Women’s World T20 starting November 9. The swashbuckling all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur has been named as the captain of the Indian team and will be assisted by the stylish southpaw Smriti Mandhana.

India squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Capt), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Mithali Raj, Jemimah Rodrigues, Veda Krishnamurthy, Deepti Sharma, Taniya Bhatia (wk), Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Anuja Patil, Ekta Bisht, Dayalan Hemalatha, Mansi Joshi, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy.

The Indian outfit looks balanced in terms of batting and bowling. India fans will hope that the spin twins Ekta Bisht and Poonam Yadav wreck havoc. The batting line-up looks formidable on paper with a perfect blend of energy and experience. Veteran Mithali Raj will be expected to shoulder the batting responsibility. Young Jemimah will look to carry from where she left in Sri Lanka.

India is placed alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Ireland in Group B in the 10-team tournament. The Women in Blue will play their first fixture of the T20 World Cup on November 9 against New Zealand.

Source: Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

India Women tour of Sri Lanka: A Quick Recap

Setting their foot on the island country early this month, the Women in Blue relished the Sri Lankan platter served to them. Led by Mithali Raj in the ODIs, the India Women defeated the hosts 2-1 in the three-match ODI series.

Smriti Mandhana (73 not out) and Mansi Joshi (3-16) starred for the visitors in the first ODI, winning the match by nine wickets. Wicket-keeper Taniya Bhatia (68) was the vital cog in the batting wheel of India in the second ODI guiding her side to a nail biting 7-run win. The third ODI which was just a matter of academic interest saw the hosts conclude the ODI series on a positive note as they finally managed to register a win. The skippers on either side; Mithali Raj (125) and Chamari Athapaththu (115) scored delightful centuries. The Sri Lanka Women had the last laugh as they crossed the finishing line, winning the game by three wickets.

Sri Lanka was expected to take a leaf out of their third ODI however the fresh looking Indian T20 side led by Harmanpreet Kaur came out all guns blazing. The five-match T20 series concluded in India’s favour; 4-0, with one match being washed out. Thanks to the efforts of Taniya Bhatia (46) and leg spinner Poonam Yadav (4-26), the visitors won the opening T20 by 11 runs.  Rain God played a spoil sport in the second T20, as the match was called off after 7.5 overs of play. The Women in Blue were ruthless in the last three T20s as they handed over big defeats to the hosts. India won by five wickets in the third T20, courtesy the batting brilliance of Jemimah Rodrigues (57). In the fourth T20 as well, Jemimah (52 not out) scored a blissful half century. But the star of the match was all-rounder Anuja Patil, who wrecked havoc with her off-spin grabbing 3-36 and smashing an unbeaten 54 off 42 balls. The Indian skipper gave the perfect ending to the T20 series as she muscled 63 (38), smacking five sixes and three boundaries. Leggie Poonam Yadav led the bowling attack from the front clinching 3-18.

Having won the T20 series convincingly, Harmanpreet Kaur and co. will look to take their form to the Women’s World T20 that is scheduled to be played this year between November 9 and 24 in West Indies.

Source: Sportstarlive