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New Zealand shoot India out for 102 amid high drama to script big win
New Zealand opened their women’s T20 World Cup with a resounding 58-run win over pre-tournament favourites India and ended their ten-match losing streak in T20Is in the process.
Sophie Devine’s unbeaten 57 off 36 after a flying start from openers Georgia Plimmer and Suzie Bates helped New Zealand post 160 for 4, which proved way too much for India.
India’s batters couldn’t handle the New Zealand pace attack, as Rosemary Mair starred with four wickets and Lea Tahuhu picked up three. But it was all set up by legspinner Eden Carson, who struck a double-blow early, removing openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. With Harmanpreet Kaur – at No. 3 for the first time in 18 months – falling for a 14-ball 15 inside the powerplay, the chase got tricky for India, who were a batter short, and lost six wickets for 60 runs to be bowled out for 102 in 19 overs.
After conceding 55 runs in the powerplay, India fought their way back into the game in the middle overs but they couldn’t keep Devine quiet. Between the last World Cup and this one, she had batted mostly at No. 4 barring two games – this was after playing at the top of the order from 2017 to early 2023 – to bring more power to the middle order. But Devine had not found a lot of success this year, averaging 21.25 in nine innings with just two half-centuries. The New Zealand captain had also come into the tournament with scores of 5, 12, 4, 5. But it didn’t matter on Friday as Devine once again proved her credentials as a big-match player to lift New Zealand.
After seven boundary-less overs, she punished S Asha for back-to-back fours, dancing down the track to smash one through mid-off and pulling one away to deep square-leg off the back foot. She kept the scorecard ticking and didn’t spare the pace of Renuka Singh either, hitting consecutive fours in the 15th over. She found the extra-cover boundary to bring up her 21st T20I fifty. Along the way, Devine shared a 46-run stand off 26 balls with Brooke Halliday for the fourth wicket and gave New Zealand a strong finish.
New Zealand showed their intent from the word go with Suzie Bates pulling the first ball of the innings to deep square-leg for four, and she stepped down the track as early as third ball for a drive past mid-off for her second four, all off Pooja Vastrakar. Plimmer – who is fresh off her first maiden T20I fifty, against Australia – also unsettled Deepti Sharma in the third over. This included a six when she came down the track and lofted one over long-on. They also benefited from India’s sloppy fielding – Richa Ghosh dropped Bates, who got a top edge to the keeper, in the final over of the powerplay. The duo brought up the team 50 in 34 balls, hitting five fours and a six, to end the powerplay strongly at 55 without losing a wicket and set the platform for a competitive total.
Both Arundhati Reddy and Asha have been in and out of India’s XI this year but when they got an opportunity on a big stage on Friday, they delivered. Bowling the final over of the powerplay, Reddy had leaked 12 runs. Asha was then introduced into the attack and she started with a six-run boundary-less over. Coming back for her second, Reddy removed Bates with a slower one for 27 and provided India the breakthrough they craved. In the following over, Asha tossed one up and forced the well-set Plimmer to step out and heave one into the hands of Smriti Mandhana at long-on, bringing out footballer Leandro Trossard’s goggles celebration to mark the moment. Bowling in tandem after the powerplay, the pair conceded just 20 runs off 30 balls from the seventh to the 11th to slow down New Zealand.
The game wasn’t without its share of drama.
India thought they had run out Amelia Kerr in the 14th over and the batter also thought she was gone, and headed for the dugout before being stopped by the fourth umpire. The umpires had decided the ball was dead when the dismissal was effected.
Kerr and Devine were trying to sneak a second off the last ball of the over when the ball was in Harmanpreet’s hands, and it seemed the ball was dead. They ran, Harmanpreet threw, Ghosh broke the stumps, and Kerr was well short of getting back to the striker’s end.
Meanwhile, after the first run, Deepti, the bowler, had asked the umpire to hand her cap back and had also collected it.
Play was paused for a few minutes with India coach Amol Muzumdar having a conversation with the fourth umpire. But it was decided the ball was dead, and the run-out dismissal would not be counted as the ball was not “in play”.
India had three fast bowlers in the XI for the first time in a T20I this year, with Vastrakar, Renuka and Reddy all included. Left-arm spinner Radha Yadav, India’s second best bowler this year in terms of wickets taken, was left out to accommodate an extra seamer. The six-bowler strategy meant Harmanpreet was promoted to No. 3 with Jemimah Rodrigues and Ghosh at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. But playing with one batter fewer did not help India on a day their batting unit underperformed.
Chasing a competitive 161, India lost their top three inside the powerplay and the middle order faltered against the hard lengths of Tahuhu before Mair’s swing troubled the lower order. Ghosh consumed 19 balls to make 12 and Deepti made 13 off 18. Harmanpreet’s 15 remained the top score.
Brief scores :
New Zealand Women 160 for 4 in 20 overs (Suzie Bates 27, Sophie Devine 57*, Georgia Plimmer 34, Renuka Singh 2-27, Arundati Reddy1-28, Asha Sobhana 1-22) beat India Women 102 in 19 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 15; Rosemary Mair 4-19, Lea Tahuhu 3-15, Eden Carson 2-34, Amelia Kerr1-19) by 58 runs
(Cricinfo)
Two years ago, Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup. Not only did they make the competition this time, they entered the Super Eights unbeaten.
First, it was Blessing Muzarabani who shut Australia down on a slow pitch in Colombo. Then their top four silenced the Khettarama crowd by chasing down 189 against Sri Lanka. The common factor in those wins were also Brian Bennett’s fifties and Sikandar Raza’s quick cameos. Muzarabani and Brad Evans are also among the top ten wicket takers in the tournament.
With contributions from several players, Zimbabwe could prove a handful for West Indies in Mumbai. They will have to make a quick adjustment, though, having played all their group matches in Sri Lanka, while West Indies have already played twice at the Wankhede.
These two sides have faced each other only four times in T20 internationals. When lined up player-against-player, West Indies – also undefeated – look stronger with bat, with an in-form Shai Hope, a rejuvenated Shimron Hetmyer at No. 3, and a solid finisher in Sherfaine Rutherford.
Having as many as three allrounders – with Romario Shepherd in line to return after injury – gives them the option of playing three fast bowlers and three spinners. It’s an ideal mix in Mumbai, where the quicks (35 wickets) and spinners (34) have been equally effective, averaging 26.28 and 26.25 respectively this tournament.
It’s a big game for both sides, with matches against India and South Africa to follow next. Who will get on the points table first?
Blessing Muzarabani is an early wicket-taker and a serial wicket-taker. He has height, pace and discipline on lengths that can be threatening, especially with the new ball. He also bowls at the death where he generally goes on the shorter side peppered in with the odd slower ball. That’s as all-conditions as it gets in T20s, and form is on his side too.
West Indies have a clear batting approach outlined by regular boundary hitting, and Shai Hope is the initiator and the glue as he sets up and builds innings. He has the virtues of an upgraded anchor who doesn’t have to shut down when the team is on the back foot. He is coming off two fifties, the second of which against Nepal saw him power through even as wickets fell at the other end.
Shepherd is fit again. He had strapping on his right leg as he bowled and batted for a while on Saturday. He hit one over the roof, but wasn’t as comfortable while bowling. If fit, he could replace Matthew Forde.
Zimbabwe haven’t tinkered with their squad much and that’s likely to remain the case. They could bring back Richard Ngarava for Graeme Cremer if they feel the need for pace.
West Indies (probable): Brandon King, Shai Hope (capt & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Chase, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd/Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosain, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.
Zimbabwe (probable): Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Graeme Cremer/Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
[Cricinfo]
Mexico’s most wanted man and the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) drug cartel has been killed during a security operation to arrest him, the defence ministry has said.
Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho”, died on Sunday as he was being taken to the capital Mexico City, after being seriously injured in clashes between his supporters and the army.
Four CJNG members were killed in the town of Tapalpa, the central-western Jalisco state. Three army personnel were also injured. The US had given Mexico with information that assisted the operation.
CJNG retaliated by setting cars alight, building roadblocks and attacking security forces in eight states.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo later urged people to remain “calm”.
In a post on X, she wrote that “in most parts of the country, activities are proceeding normally”.
The CJNG cartel – which had its original power base in Jalisco – is now present across Mexico.
El Mencho, a 59-year-old former police officer, ran a vast criminal organisation responsible for trafficking huge quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl into the US.
It had offered a $15m (£11.1m) reward for information leading to El Mencho’s capture.
In a statement, the Mexican defence ministry said the operation was “planned and executed” by the country’s special forces.
Aircraft from the Mexican Air Force and the National Guard were also deployed.
It also said that several armoured vehicles and weapons – including rocket launchers – were seized during the operation.
The US had been providing information to Mexico that assisted its operation, the statement said.
Eyewitnesses have filmed plumes of smoke rising over several cities including Guadalajara – one of the host cities of the forthcoming Fifa World Cup.
In the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta, on the Jalisco coast, potentially thousands of tourists are trapped in the resort around the fighting.
Throughout Sunday, there were reports of gunmen on the streets in Jalisco and elsewhere.
The governor of Jalisco, Pablo Lemus Navarro, on social media advised residents of the state to adhere to a code red warning and avoid leaving their homes.
He also said that public transport was suspended in the state.
The US Department of State issued a shelter-in-place warning for US citizens in the states of Jalisco, Tamaulipas, as well as some areas in Michoacan, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon.
Former US ambassador to Mexico and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described El Mencho on social media as “one of the bloodiest and most ruthless drug kingpins.”
He added that El Mencho’s death was “a great development for Mexico, the US, Latin America, and the world”.
The killing of El Mencho represents a victory for the Mexican president in her fight against the country’s drug cartels.
It also could strengthen her relationship with US President Trump, who often has demanded more progress on security in Mexico.
However, if the security forces can’t bring the situation under control quickly, the Mexican administration’s victory may be overshadowed by the cartel’s violent response.
The Jalisco cartel has gained notoriety since it was formed in about 2010 for a series of attacks on security forces and public officials.
It has downed an army helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, killed dozens of state officials, and has even been known to hang the bodies of its victims from bridges to intimidate its rivals.
[BBC]
Stop press. India’s victory streak in T20 World Cups was halted at 12 by the side they stole one from in the final of the last World Cup. After a surprise call to bat first, South Africa recovered from 20 for 3 to post 187 and then launched just about the perfect defence both with tactics and execution in significant dew to secure a 76-run win, which could have significant net-run-rate implications as well.
David Miller and Dewald Brevis started the comeback with some special hitting to balance Jasprit Bumrah’s 3 for 15 with analysis of 4-0-47-1 for Varun Chakravarthy. Even though they lost muscle just before the death overs, Tristan Stubbs took 20 to give South Africa something to work with.
Given the dew and the improvement in batting conditions after the first four overs, 187 seemed light, but almost everything they tried with the ball worked.Aiden Markram bowled the first over and had an India opener out for a duck, Ishan Kishan this time. Marco Jansen had a wicket first ball, Lungi Ngidi was unhittable with his slower balls, Keshav Maharaj produced three boundary catches in one over, the catching was sensational, and the biggest partnership they allowed was 35.
Bumrah, Arshdeep hurt South Africa
It feels like a long time ago, but South Africa’s decision to bat first didn’t look good when Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh ran through the top order. Bumrah was spot on, getting Quinton de Kock with a ball that seamed back in to hit top of leg and bowling a bewitching slower offcutter with the new ball to get rid of Ryan Rickelton. With Arshdeep Singh getting Aiden Markram for the seventh time in the last 51 balls he has bowled at him, India looked unstoppable.
Miller, Brevis show class
Coming in at 20 for 3, it would have been easy for Miller to play the scoreboard and not the conditions. It is a skill we can’t even fathom the enormity of to judge that the conditions are improving and that they need to go for a big score and then to be able to execute it.
Miller, at his home ground in the IPL, used all his experience of the conditions to aim straight, go after spin more than pace, and pull South Africa out of the hole. Before Brevis could join his party, Miller had already raced away to 32 off 17, including a step-hit six and a four off Varun, which does suggest a bit of overpitching thanks to his proficiency off the back foot. Brevis announced him with a no-look six off Varun in the same over.
There was a point when the first seven overs of seam had gone for 3 for 37 as against 3-0-39-0 from spin. This is when India’s sloppiness turned up. That last ball to make it seven overs was a no-ball from Hardik Pandya. Miller hit the free hit for a six. Soon Shivam Dube offered him another free hit, which he again hit for a six to get to fifty.
Between those two free hits, Brevis showed glimpses of his genius, putting paid to Dube’s wide lines with two sixes and a four. Dube had his own back with another Brevis dismissal on the pull for 45 off 29, but followed it up with that no-ball.
Stubbs provides the finish
Varun was headed for his worst analysis in T20Is when he managed to have Miller caught at long-off for 63 off 35, staying seven short of the most he has conceded. The wicket came just before the death overs, allowing Bumrah to bowl at new batters. Bumrah returned two overs for eight runs and the wicket of Corbin Bosch, but Stubbs took toll of the only slightly soft over he could get at the death. Facing all six balls from Pandya in the last over, he hit two sixes off the last two balls to end up with 44 off 24.
Dream start for South Africa
It had been telegraphed, emailed and faxed that Markram would take the new ball against the three left-hand batters at the top. This time Kishan played two balls normally for dots, then tried to go over mid-on, but nearly fell prey to the low bounce of the black-soil pitch. Then he tried to slog across the line, Markram got this ball to grip, and India had lost an opener for a duck in four of their five matches.
India didn’t separate the left-hand batters with Suryakumar Yadav sticking to his comfort zone of No. 4. Varma didn’t quite wait for offspin to do damage as he charged at Jansen first ball and edged a lifting delivery.
The field sets against Abhishek Sharma, who got on the board in World Cup with a four off Markram and then a six and four off Rabada, but South Africa tied him down with clever fields and bowling. In his 12-ball stay, Abhishek played seven false shots. When he connected, there was a deep point and a deep cover in place. The final false shot was a product of that field set and a knuckle ball from Jansen. Abhishek must have thought even half a hit would be good enough with no one out on the leg side, but the knuckle ball stood up off his bat, and Bosch took a sensational catch despite a collision with Maharaj.
Bosch can do now wrong
India promoted Washington Sundar, who played ahead of Axar Patel because of South Africa’s left-hand batters but bowled only two overs for 17. He found himself stuck before edging the first ball he faced from Borch through to the keeper. Soon a length ball down the leg side took the cue end of Suryakumar’s bat for a catch to short midwicket. Surya scored 18 off 22. The asking rate had gone past two a ball four balls he was dismissed.
Strange last quarter
A perplexing sixth-wicket stand followed when Pandya and Dube seemed happy with 30 off 23 balls leading into the drinks break, suggesting they might be taking the MS Dhoni route of narrowing the gap and salvaging the net run rate. However, immediately after drinks everybody wanted to hit a six off every ball, and we had three c Stubbs b Maharaj dismissals in the 15th over.
With no batting left, Dube could do only so much although Miller did drop Dube once to impart the only little blemish on South Africa’s night. It didn’t hurt them much.
Brief scores:
South Africa 187 for 7 in 20 overs (David Miller 63, Dewald Brevis 45, Tristan Stubbs 44; Arshdeep Singh 2-28, Jasprit Bumrah 3-15, Varun Chakravarthy 1-47, Shivam Dube 1-32) beat India 111 in 18.5 overs (Abhishek Sharma 15, Suryakumar Yadav 18, Washington Sundar 11, Shivam Dube 42, Hrdik Pandya 18; Aiden Markram 1-05, Marco Jansen 4-22, Keshav Maharaj 3-24, Corbin Bosch 2-12) by 76 runs
[Cricinfo]
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