[embedded content] Anya Shrubsole highlighted the importance of England starting their one-day international series against South Africa strongly as they attempt to climb the ICC Women’s Championship. The seamer was influential in helping her side advance into a 1-0 lead in Benoni today, returning figures of 4-29 in a seven-wicket Duckworth-Lewis win. With a victory worth two points, England moved level with fourth-placed South Africa in the Women’s Championship table…
Nawaz, Pietersen set up tense Quetta win
Quetta Gladiators 139 for 7 (Pietersen 35, Afridi 2-17, Wahab 2-29) beat Peshawar Zalmi 135 for 7 (Sammy 48, Nawaz 3-29) by three wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details File photo – Kevin Pietersen marshalled Quetta Gladiators’ chase of 136 © Cricket Australia/Getty Images In the second thriller of the day, Quetta Gladiators knocked off seven runs off the last over with a ball to spare to establish themselves as the early…
Shrubsole pegs back South Africa
Anya Shrubsole took 4-29 as England women fought back strongly to restrict South Africa to 196 all out in the first one-day international in Benoni. Opener Trisha Chetty made 90 and skipper Mignon du Preez compiled 38 as the hosts threatened a big score when they reached 119 for one. But Shrubsole, who had earlier snared opener Laura Wolfvaardt lbw for five, returned to the attack with devastating effect. WICKET!…
Hales hopes white-ball form can restate Test case
Alex Hales hopes his white-ball contributions will keep him in the Test frame © Getty Images Alex Hales hopes to get another chance to succeed as Alastair Cook’s Test opening partner despite an underwhelming maiden series in South Africa. Hales made 136 runs in eight Test innings but has returned to form in the subsequent ODIs, hitting 57 and 99 in back-to-back wins in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. Hales became…
Hales hopes white-ball form can push Test case
Alex Hales hopes his white-ball contributions will keep him in the Test frame © Getty Images Alex Hales hopes to get another chance to succeed as Alastair Cook’s Test opening partner despite an underwhelming maiden series in South Africa. Hales made 136 runs in eight Test innings but has returned to form in the subsequent ODIs, hitting 57 and 99 in back-to-back wins in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. Hales became…
Bowlers help Cobras stay on top; Knights off the bottom
Beuran Hendricks justified Justin Ontong’s decision to bowl first in Paarl © Getty Images Cape Cobras consolidated their position at the top of the standings with a comfortable six-wicket win over Lions in Paarl. Lions, who were sent in to bat, were shot out for 133. Save Dominic Hendrick’s unbeaten 44, there was little of note in the innings that lasted 40.3 overs. Beuran Hendricks, the left-arm seamer, returned figures…
Shrubsole, Taylor put England 1-0 up
England 150 for 3 (Taylor 41*) beat South Africa 196 (Chetty 90, Shrubsole 4-29) by seven wickets (DLS method)Scorecard Anya Shrubsole removed the South Africa top order © Gallo Images Four wickets for Anya Shrubsole and an unbeaten 41 from Sarah Taylor were the major components of England’s seven-wicket win over South Africa in Benoni, giving new coach Mark Robinson victory in his first match in charge. England’s innings was…
Ajmal helps Islamabad clinch last-ball thriller
Islamabad United 132 for 8 (Latif 39, Sharjeel 28, Bopara 2-25) beat Karachi Kings 130 for 9 (Bopara 32*, Ajmal 3-27) by two runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details File photo – Saeed Ajmal’s three-wicket haul played a key role in Islamabad United’s tense win © AFP Saeed Ajmal, playing only his second competitive match since November 2015, struck with his first ball and then produced a double-strike in his last over…
Taylor rues lack of runs
Brad Taylor reflected on a poor England batting performance that resulted in a heavy defeat by Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. England had piled up big totals in each of their three group games, but lost two early wickets and were unable to recover against a Sri Lanka attack including six spinners. They were all out for 184 in the 50th over and Sri…
Yasir suspended for three months for doping offence
Yasir Shah clarified before the ICC that he had inadvertently taken his wife’s blood pressure medicine © AFP Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah has been handed a three-month suspension by the ICC after he pleaded guilty to breaching the ICC’s Anti-Doping Code that relates to the presence of a banned substance in a player’s sample. The bowler will be available to play again from March 27, once the retrospective penalty ends….