World T20 shifted to UAE, confirms BCCI

WI vs SA | 2nd T20I: Fabian Allen's late surge goes in vain as South Africa level series

South Africa levelled the T20I series against West Indies on Sunday in Grenada after being the hosts by 16 runs. Chasing 167 in 20 overs, West Indies were restricted to 150/9 eventually. The hosts had a decent start to the chase after openers Even Lewis and Andre Fletcher put 31 runs on the board for the wicket before Lewis departed for 21. West Indies then lost some wickets at regular intervals and were soon left tottering at 104/6. While Fletcher tried to hold the innings from one end, the West Indies middle-order failed to make any significant contributions. The opener eventually was sent back in the hut by Kagiso Rabada for 35. Fabian Allen though tried to provide some resistance to the side after he chipped in with a 12-ball 34 that included five maximums. But Allen’s late surge went in vain as the home side fell short of the target. Rabada picked up a three-for while George Linde scalped a couple of wickets. Earlier, South Africa rode on some fine batting display from the top-order to put 166/7 in the allotted 20 overs. Hendricks notched up 42 off 30 while captain Temba Bavuma top-scored for the Proteas with 46 off 33. For West Indies, it was Obed McCoy who was the pick of the bowlers as he returned with figures of 3/25 in 4 overs. West Indies captain Kieron Pollard appreciated the bowling efforts but admitted that it was in middle-overs where they lost the game. “Second day in succession our bowlers came up trumps for us. We knew they would come hard at us. It is always difficult to defend in the first 6 with only two guys outside. Was a matter of bowling some good balls and trying to limit the boundaries as much as you can. Having said that, they got off to a flier. But we used the conditions well after that and were happy when we kept them to 166. We had a normal discussion at the innings break as we were starting afresh at 0 for 0. I think we lost it between the 7th to the 11th over as we lost three wickets there,” he said. South Africa skipper Bavuma hailed the bowlers for making a vital contribution. “In the past we have been good in the first 6 overs. We didn't capitalize after that. But probably we got a par score after that. The spinners were amazing. George bounced back superbly. It makes your game easy as a skipper if your spinners control the game. We wanted to keep our energies high and maintain the intensity. Bowling quickly is our strength. Rabada and Nortje try to do that. And also change the pace according to the wicket,” Bavuma said after the match. The third T20I match between the two sides will now be played on Tuesday at the same venue.

SLC launches inquiry against Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis for bio-bubble breach

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) has launched an inquiry against Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis for reportedly breaching the bio-secure bubble in England. The Sri Lankan team is on a tour to England for a three-match T20I series and as many ODIs. The two cricketers were spotted roaming in Durham after the end of the T20I series on Sunday night. The board will now investigate as to whether they breached the bio-bubble. “An investigation is underway as they have breached the (code of) conduct,” said SLC chief Shammi Silva said after a video of the players went viral on social media. The visiting team was thumped by England 0-3 in the T20I series after David Willey and Sam Curran rattled the Sri Lankan batting line up while chasing a stiff target of 181 in 20 overs. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 91 with Binura Fernando top-scoring with 20 during the course. The Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Perera expressed his disappointment on the batting collapse. “We know it was always going to be tough but the batting has not been upto the mark. We are not used to the pace and bounce and the execution was not great and we need to have good back-up plans facing a team like this. We have to take responsibility and play to our strengths and that's the best way to approach these kinds of situations,” he said after the game. The two teams will now lock horns in the ODI series scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Chester-le-Street.

Kieron Pollard spill beans on Sunil Narine's future in international cricket

Caribbean T20I skipper Kieron Pollard has made it clear that ace spinner Sunil Narine can only return to the team, once he feels confident about his bowling action after being warned for a suspect action in last year’s edition of IPL which was held in UAE. He was reported during a match against the Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in Abu Dhabi. Despite being on the warning list by the IPL’s suspect bowling action committee, he was later cleared and also played four matches in the 14th season of the season which was halted midway. The mystery spinner hasn’t been part of the national squad since August 2019 and doesn’t feature in the squad for the ongoing five-match series against South Africa. Windies began the series with a resounding 8 wickets victory over the Proteas. “He (Narine) had indicated to the selectors that he might have been available after the IPL. Then, the IPL was cut short halfway through so he might not have got the necessary preparation or confidence in his action, so he indicated that he is still not ready. We’ll play it by ear as we go along," Pollard was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo. This is not the first time that the tweaker has been reported for a suspect action. He was first reported back in 2014 and has been constantly changing his actions to bowl within the limitations. Windies are currently languishing at the 10th position in the Latest ICC T20I team rankings. However, Pollard thinks that when it comes to big tournaments Windies tend to take their performance several notches higher. He also feels when it comes to World Cups the big match players are available which makes a huge difference. “Our results in ICC tournaments are good and I wouldn’t want to change that. It’s just that when it comes to these kinds of (bilateral) series, it’s about having the guys available or not. In World Cups, we tend to get the guys we want to have playing, playing, Pollard said.

ENG W vs IND W | 1st ODI: Brilliant Beaumont and bowlers blank bemoaning India in the opener

The Indian Women were outplayed in all departments of the game b the English Women as they thumped the guest by eight-wicket to win the opening match of the three-match ODI series in County Ground, Bristol on June 27. Tammy Beaumont was the hero of the game for England along with its bowlers for their first win. Beaumont, playing her 75th ODI, hit a brilliant run a ball unbeaten 87 to diffuse any hopes that India Women had after scoring a mediocre 201 in their innings batting first. Along with Beaumont, vice-captain Nat Sciver was also on the money as after, bowling seven overs in the first innings, she came back in the second innings to bat at number four after skipper Heather Knight and Lauren Winfield Hill got out early. The all-rounder also scored run a ball unbeaten 74 to see her team through alongside Beaumont. On her way to 74, the 28-year-old also completed her 200o ODI runs, in only her 69th innings. Thanks to these two the game was finished in the 35th over itself. The two of them added unbeaten 119 runs for the fourth wicket. Beaumont was also awarded Player of the Match for her performances. For India, Jhulan Goswami was the only bowler able to bring in some difference in the game with the ball. She picked Winfield-Hill’s wicket and then Knight was bowled by Ekta Bisht. Earlier in the day, after losing the toss, India were sent to bat first, but lost two quick wickets in the form of debutant Shafali Verma and strike maker Smriti Mandhana. Those wickets in the early phase of the game meant that Punam Raut and Mithali Raj scored very slowly while trying to build a partnership. Just as the partnership got going, Raut was dismissed trying to accelerate and soon Harmanpreet Kaur was removed as well. Raj then partnered with Deepti Sharm and the two added 65 in 85 balls. Sharma too was out trying to accelerate the innings. In the ned, Raj also fell trying to score too quickly, but not before completing her 56th fifty. She top-scored with 72 from 108 balls. After her dismissal, India could make only 21 runs in the last 27 balls. With the series on the line, India Women would have to pick themselves up and also make some changes in the next game in Taunton on June 30.