Connect with us

Sports

Australia win ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 with special victory over England 

Published

on

Australia won their seventh ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup with a 71-run victory over England in Christchurch.

Alyssa Healy’s staggering innings of 170 saw Australia put on 356 for five as England’s bowlers had no answer to a batting masterclass, Anya Shrubsole’s three for 46 the only highlight for the defending champions.

Nat Sciver once again steered England’s reply by battling to her highest score in international cricket with 148 not out, but it proved in vain after Shrubsole was dismissed to hand Australia the trophy once more.

Having been put in to bat in the bright Hagley Oval sunshine, Australia were measured in the powerplay, taking 37 off the seam attack of Katherine Brunt, Shrubsole and Nat Sciver.

But the introduction of spin in the form of Charlie Dean proved Healy and Rachael Haynes’ cue to start finding the boundary regularly.

England’s fielding errors – that had started in their opening group game against the same opponent -re-emerged as Haynes was dropped on 47 before Healy was put down on 41 in the same Kate Cross over.

As against the West Indies in the semi-final, Haynes’ half-century came first – off 69 balls – before Healy’s was brought up off 62 as they eased their way to the highest opening partnership in a World Cup final.

Even as Dean continued to be targeted, spin made the breakthrough as Sophie Ecclestone took her 21st and final wicket of the tournament to dismiss Haynes for 68, Tammy Beaumont holding on to a mistimed shot as Haynes ended the World Cup on 497 runs.

The partnership had ended on 160 runs, but Healy built a new one with Beth Mooney who was promoted up the order from five.

But first Healy became only the second woman to score a hundred in a World Cup final, going at a run a ball as she became the only player to score two centuries in the knockout stage of a World Cup.

And she then surpassed the highest score in a Women’s World Cup final as she moved to 111 with a four off Cross.

More records came when Australia reached 260 for one to rack up the highest score in a World Cup final – with eight overs still to go.

Amy Jones twice sent the umpire upstairs to review stumpings before she finally grabbed her wicket, stumping Healy who ended on a spectacular 170 from 138 balls – the highest individual score in a Men’s or Women’s World Cup final – with over 100 runs coming in boundaries.

A packed Hagley Oval rose to applaud as Healy departed with Australia on 316 for two before another wicket came in Shrubsole’s over as Ashleigh Gardner was run out for one.

Meg Lanning, making her 100th ODI appearance, did not last too much longer as she departed for 10 before Mooney was out off the very next ball following a sparkling 62 from 47.

New batter Tahlia McGrath negotiated the Shrubsole hat-trick ball as she and Ellyse Perry added 25 off the final 13 balls to see Australia post 356 for five.

In reply, England’s opening partnership failed to fire once again as Danni Wyatt was bowled by Megan Schutt for just four.

Australia’s young seamer Darcie Brown was the target of England’s aggression, with Beaumont leading the charge until she was dismissed LBW by Schutt for 27 from 26 balls.

Sciver was again called upon to deliver against Australia, having made 109 not out in the group game, and this time her presence at the crease gave England faint hope.

She saw an LBW overturned off the bowling of Alana King before partner and captain Heather Knight was given out the same way two balls later for 26.

Jones fell for 20 to end a promising partnership as England slipped to 129 for four before Sophia Dunkley was again part of an England rebuild.

But she was bowled by King two balls after the fifty partnership was brought up, the leg-spinner extracting turn to bowl her round her legs for 23.

Brunt then went for one as Healy got a stumping of her own before Ecclestone departed for three, out LBW to McGrath.

Jess Jonassen grabbed another caught and bowled against England as Cross went for only two to leave Knight’s side needing an unlikely 144 with only two wickets remaining.

Sciver was joined by Dean in time for her to bring up another brilliant century, coming off 90 balls with 10 fours and one six.

The pair built a partnership of 65 before Dean holed out to Jonassen at third man attempting a reverse sweep.

Shrubsole, the hero in 2017 as England beat India in the final, was once again involved in the closing action as she was the final wicket to go, Gardner taking the winning catch as England fell 71 runs short with Sciver stranded on 148 not out.



Sports

Clash of the Sisters set for October 4

Published

on

Past students of eight schools will come together in the inaugural 'Clash of the Sisters.'

The St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association will bring together former students from several leading schools for a day of cricket and camaraderie when the ‘Clash of the Sisters ’26’ takes place at the Wesley College Grounds, Campbell Park, on Sunday, October 4.

The tournament will feature a series of fast-paced 10-over softball cricket matches, with past pupils renewing old friendships while representing their respective schools in a spirit of friendly rivalry.

The women’s competition will feature teams representing St. Lawrence’s Convent, St. Bridget’s Convent, Holy Family Convent, St. Anne’s BMV Wattala, Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Ladies’ College, Musaeus College and Methodist College.

A men’s invitational exhibition match will also be staged, with the Old Wesleyites Sports Club taking on the S. Thomas’ College OBA.

Organisers are also planning a carnival atmosphere away from the cricket, with food stalls, games, entertainment and other activities lined up for alumni, families and visitors.

The event is being organised by the St. Lawrence’s Convent Past Pupils Association 2026/27 with the aim of bringing together different alumni communities and strengthening ties between past pupils through sport.

With eight schools involved in the women’s competition and an exhibition fixture adding further interest, organisers expect the event to provide a lively mix of cricket, fellowship and school spirit.

Continue Reading

Sports

Play cricket with passion, Madugalle tells youngsters

Published

on

Ranjan Madugalle delivering the key note address

by Rex Clementine

Former Sri Lanka captain Ranjan Madugalle urged the next generation of cricketers to wear the national colours with passion and pride, reminding youngsters that there is no greater honour in the game than representing their country.

The ICC’s Chief Match Referee was speaking at a ceremony at the P. Sara Oval where Tamil Union’s players and coaching staff were felicitated following their triumph in the domestic T-20 competition a fortnight ago.

“I hear that four players from this team will be travelling to Japan tomorrow to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. That’s a very good achievement for any club and I urge you to play with passion and be committed. There is no bigger honour than representing your country,” Madugalle said.

Madugalle, who charmed cricket lovers with his elegant stroke play during his playing days, held the gathering spellbound with an eloquent address that also took him on a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

“I have many fond memories of P. Sara Oval. I walked into this ground as an 11-year-old to watch the Royal-Thomian. I played our inaugural Test here, but above all, my most memorable moment at this ground was when we won our maiden Test against India in 1985.”

The P. Sara Oval occupies a special place in Sri Lankan cricket history. It hosted the country’s inaugural Test against England in 1982 and, three years later, the island’s maiden Test victory when Sri Lanka stunned India.

Madugalle also paid tribute to several Tamil Union stalwarts who had played an influential role in his cricketing journey.

“This club has several stalwarts of the game and there are three people I looked up to. One was Sathi Coomaraswamy, who invited me into the dressing room when I was a kid and ignited the passion in me for the game. Then, of course, there are other gentlemen like Chandra Schaffter and T. Murugaser, who were managers when I was representing the Sri Lankan team.”

Madugalle, a former Head Prefect of Royal College, received a prolonged ovation at the conclusion of his address. Also present was another former Royal Head Prefect, Eran Wickramaratne, who represented Tamil Union in First Class cricket and currently heads Sri Lanka Cricket.

Tamil Union’s championship winning players and coaching staff were felicitated during the ceremony, while club patron Chandra Schaffter made a personal donation of Rs. 1.5 million to the players.

SLC officials, Tamil Union members and several former presidents of the club, including S. Skandakumar, Dinal Philips, A.R. Rasiah, Selva Perumal, Kandos Kandasamy and N. Vasanthakumar, were among those present.

Tamil Union enjoyed a remarkable run in this season’s T-20 competition, winning nine matches on the trot before overcoming SSC in the final. The side was captained by wicketkeeper batter Minod Bhanuka.

The club had further reason to celebrate with four of its playersl Tharindu Rathnayake, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando and Sineth Jayawardene selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in Japan.

Continue Reading

Sports

Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy on October 4

Published

on

Connaissance de Ceylan will be looking to defend their title

Mosvold Sri Lanka, whose portfolio includes Mosvold Villa Ahangama and Sundara by Mosvold Balapitiya, will stage the second edition of the Mosvold Sixes in partnership with the Mosvold Martinus Foundation on Sunday, 4th October 2026, at the Colombo Malay Cricket Club.

The six a side softball cricket tournament brings together twenty destination management companies from across the travel trade for a day of competition, networking and celebration ahead of the industry’s busiest months.

Play runs from 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM, with food and beer available throughout the day. Once the final match is done, the tournament moves into an evening of live music and an after party for players and guests.

Now in its second year, the Mosvold Sixes began as a way to bring the travel trade together as a season opener, a chance for agents, suppliers and partners to network, play cricket and unwind before the season ahead gets busy. Mosvold Sri Lanka says the longer term goal is to widen the tournament to foreign agents, giving international partners a firsthand look at how the local trade works, plays and welcomes visitors.

The tournament trophy, the Mosvold Martinus Foundation Challenge Trophy, is named after the Foundation by design. Giving back sits at the centre of the event, and the Foundation’s work spans education, women and community upliftment.

Twenty DMCs have confirmed for this year’s tournament: Tangerine Tours, Sri Lanka Tailormade, Olanka Travels, Antiquity Sri Lanka, Travel Trends Leisure, House of Travels & Tourism, NKAR Travels & Tours, Jetwing Travels, Walkers Tours, Connaissance de Ceylan, Delux Holidays, Ceylon Roots, Spiceland Holidays, Infinity Vacations, Tropiculture, Serene Travels, Authenticities, Red Apple Travel & Holidays Lanka, DTH Travel Lanka and Ceylon Tours.

Connaissance de Ceylan enters as the defending champions, having won the inaugural tournament last year.

Continue Reading

Trending