Sports

New queens of cricket: A changing of the guard in Women’s World Cup

Published

4 months ago

2025/11/2

Jemimah Rodrigues’ stunning century sent seven-time champions Australia crashing out of the World Cup

The world order has shifted. Four-time champions England have packed their bags and mighty Australia, winners of the title a record seven times, are gone too. Come Sunday night, cricket will have new queens of the world. Whether it’s South Africa or India lifting the trophy, the balance of power has tilted, perhaps for the better.

For decades, England and Australia have ruled the women’s game with mechanical precision. Their cricket, though effective, often lacked sparkle, more substance than style. West Indies had style, in plenty, but no substance.

South Africa and India, on the other hand, bring flair to the crease. Tazmin Brits caresses the ball through covers like Kumar Sangakkara in full flow, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s inside-out drives are pure vintage Mahela Jayawardene. Their strokeplay is poetry in motion.

England had thumped South Africa by ten wickets in the group stage, and many expected a repeat in the semis. But cricket is the game of glorious uncertainties. The Proteas, skittled out for 97 against Australia earlier, regrouped under their ice-cool captain Laura Wolvaardt. Much like Arjuna Ranatunga in his pomp, she led from the front — calm amid chaos. Her majestic 169 turned the tables, setting up a target that left England shell-shocked. The English top order folded like a deck chair, losing three wickets before troubling the scorers.

Veteran Marizanne Kapp was again the heartbeat of South Africa’s effort. A tireless trier, she swung the new ball with guile and chipped in with valuable middle-order runs — including two fifties in this tournament.

There’s a certain guilty pleasure in seeing the Aussies tumble. For a nation so small, their sporting dominance often inspires envy. Unbeaten throughout the competition, they looked destined for another crown. Even after posting 339, they somehow found a way to lose. The hosts, India, chased down a World Cup record total — proof that in cricket, the ball is never dead until it crosses the rope.

Australia’s hallmark has been fielding that borders on art — not a blade of grass missed, not a chance spilled. Yet, under Bombay’s floodlights, they melted. Sitters went down, even from Alyssa Healy. Pressure, that invisible twelfth man, did the damage.

Enter Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s new darling. Dropped earlier in the tournament, she returned with a vengeance — a live wire in the field and a match-winner with the bat. For long, Smriti Mandhana stole the limelight with both grace and glamour. Now she has competition. Jemimah’s century not only floored the seven-time champions but also won Indian hearts by the millions.

Tears flowed as she thanked her parents and coach before quoting the Bible: “Just stand there and God will fight for you.” (Exodus 14:14). It was faith meeting firepower — and a moment for the ages.

Most Sri Lankans will quietly cheer for South Africa in the final. The Rainbow Nation, after years of turmoil, has become every neutral’s sentimental favourite. And they’ve got some remarkable stories too — none more inspiring than Tazmin Brits. Once a javelin gold medallist bound for the 2012 London Olympics, a car crash nearly ended her career. She fought back, traded the spear for a bat and now stands on the brink of World Cup glory.

Yet, an Indian triumph could redefine the women’s game. Remember 2007? When India’s T20 win lit the fuse for franchise cricket and sent player earnings skyrocketing. A World Cup crown for Harmanpreet’s side could do the same for women’s cricket. Love it or loathe it, India’s influence is the sport’s “necessary evil” — a force impossible to ignore.

by Rex Clementine

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Sports

England turn the heat on Sri Lanka with 51 run rout

Published

3 hours ago

2026/02/23

Thilina Walpola

Will Jacks ran through the Sri Lankan middle order claiming three wickets as England secured a big 51 run win over Sri Lanka in a Super Eight game of the T20 World Cup at Pallekele yesterday

England’s bowlers turned the screws after their batters had spluttered, skittling Sri Lanka for 95 in under 17 overs to seal a commanding 51-run victory and open their account in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup at Pallekele on Sunday.

Defending a modest 147, England hit the right lengths from ball one. Their quicks bent their backs and their spinners gave the ball a rip as Sri Lanka were reduced to 34 for five inside the Powerplay, a collapse that all but signed the death warrant.

Once half the side was back in the hutch within six overs, there was no Lazarus act from the lower order. England wrapped things up clinically, boosting a healthy Net Run Rate that could yet prove gold dust in the race for the semi-finals.

England’s stranglehold over Sri Lanka in this format continued unabated. This was their 12th straight win against the former champions. Earlier this month they had whitewashed them 3-0 and Sri Lanka’s last T20 win over England dates back to 2014 at The Oval. The hoodoo shows no signs of lifting.

Joffra Archer set the tone with thunderbolts that kissed 150 kmph on the speed gun. He removed both openers, but the prize scalp was that of the in-form Pathum Nissanka, who had lit up the tournament with its first hundred against Australia. Archer lured him into the trap, a fuller delivery inviting the flick. Nissanka took the bait but failed to clear deep mid-wicket and with that wicket, the rot set in.

Will Jacks then put the game beyond doubt, weaving a web with his off-spin to snare three middle-order wickets. The packed Pallekele crowd, buoyant at the start, fell into a hush as the middle order caved in.

Dasun Shanaka waged a lone battle, striking 30 off 24 balls, but his counterattack was snuffed out by Adil Rashid. Attempting to take on the leg-spinner, Shanaka holed out to Jacks in the deep. Losing his balance near the ropes, Jacks showed sharp presence of mind to flick the ball back to Tom Banton before tumbling over.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had done well to restrict England to 146 for nine after opting to bowl. Left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage was the pick of the attack with three for 26, applying the brakes just when England threatened to shift gears.

Phil Salt provided the early impetus with a brisk 62 off 40 balls, peppering the boundary with six fours and two sixes. But with Sri Lanka missing three frontline bowlers, their attack punched above its weight to ensure England never ran away with the game.

Wellalage struck in the Powerplay, trapping Jos Buttler and Harry Brook leg-before as England stumbled to 68-4 at the halfway mark.

Jacks (21) was the only other batter to cross 20 as wickets fell at regular intervals. Dilshan Madushanka kept it tight up front, finishing with two for 25, while Maheesh Theekshana impressed with two for 21, varying his pace cleverly on a surface that offered grip.

Rex Clementine at Pallekele

Latest News

High stakes for a rare West Indies-Zimbabwe clash

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

Shimron Hetmyer gets out the slog sweep [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]

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All-round South Africa hammer India in Ahmedabad

Published

4 hours ago

2026/02/23

Priyan

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]