Sports
Wolvaardt, Brits in record stand as South Africa clinch series 2-1
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Bits forged a record-breaking partnership to give their side a series victory in Benoni. After losing the first ODI by 119 runs, South Africa bounced back strongly to end 2023 on a high.
After opting to bat on Saturday in Benoni, Wolvaardt struck up a 243-run stand for the first wicket with Brits,the highest for South Africa in Women’s ODIs. South Africa finished with 316 for 4 – their third highest total in Women’s ODIs. In response, Bangladesh folded for 100 in 31.1 overs.
Wolvaardt notched up her fifth ODI century – and second this year – while Brits got to her first ton in the format. The pair looked good for more but Marufa Akter separated South Africa’s openers when she bowled Wolvaardt for 126 off 134 balls in the 43rd over. In the next over, Ritu Moni had Brits stumped for 118 off 124 balls, before Anneke Bosch (28* off 19) and Sune Luus (34 off 17) provided the final flourish, powering the hosts to a formidable total.
Rabeya was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, coming away with 2 for 49 in her ten overs. Bangladesh, though, never really got going in the chase, with Moni being the only batter to pass 20. She top-scored for them with 33 off 67 balls, including four fours.
Marizanne Kapp struck twice in the first powerplay before she injured her ankle in the 11th over. Having stepped on a sprinkler cover at midwicket, she didn’t return to the field. Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk shared six wickets between them to hasten Bangladesh’s collapse. Bangladesh left 18.5 overs unused in their innings, suffering a 216-run defeat.
Brief scores:
South Africa 316 for 4 in 50 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 126, Tazmin Brits 118, Anneke Bosch 28, Sunee Luus 34; Rabeya Khan 2-49) beat Bangladesh 100 in 31.1 overs (Ritu Moni 33; Nadine de Klerk 3-10, Ayabonga Khaka 3-15, Marizanne Kapp 2-21) by 216 runs
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup
PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
Afghanistan refugee women’s team set for England tour under ECB initiative
DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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