Author: Zahid Noor

MELBOURNE: Ellyse Perry struck 60 while Alana King took four wickets to help Australia defeat England by 21 runs in a nail-biting second ODI of the ongoing Women’s Ashes at the Junction Oval here on Tuesday.

England, who won the toss and elected to field, bowled Australia out for 180 inside 45 overs, with spinner Sophie Ecclestone taking 4-35 and Alice Capsey impressing with 3-22.

The hosts lost their last eight wickets for just 49 runs after Capsey removed Ellyse Perry, who scored an impressive 60.

In reply, England were down two early, with Kim Garth removing both Maia Bouchier (17) and Tammy Beaumont (3) in the powerplay.

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Leg spinner Alana King halted England’s run-chase, finishing with four for 25.

Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt steadied the ship for England before King, Ash Gardner and Garth took key wickets to wrestle momentum back for Australia.

Lauren Bell and Amy Jones provided some resistance for the 10th wicket, but Megan Schutt picked up her first wicket of the series to secure the win for Australia.

The result means Australia take a 4-0 lead in the Women’s Ashes series against England. The two teams meet in the final ODI in Hobart with two more points up for grabs on Friday 17 January.

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SYDNEY: Ashleigh Gardner gave an all-round performance to help Australia defeat England by four wickets in their first ODI of the Women’s Ashes here at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

Gardner took 3-19 as England were bowled out for 203 in the first innings before scoring an unbeaten 42 to lead Australia to victory with 11.1 overs to spare.

The home side won the toss and elected to bowl.

After Maia Bouchier’s early dismissal, captain Heather Knight (39 off just 49 balls) combined with Tammy Beaumont and later Nat Sciver-Brunt to put some pressure on the hosts while 69 runs from Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones kept hopes of setting a competitive score alive.

England were at 91-2 before Australia removed Knight and all-rounder Sciver-Brunt in consecutive Gardner overs.

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The tourists lost four of their final five wickets for single digits, setting the hosts a score of 204 for victory.

Lauren Filer dismissed opener Phoebe Litchfield but a dominant performance from captain Alyssa Healy set the hosts on their way.

Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone impressed with the ball, the former taking an important wicket of Ellyse Perry and recording figures of 1-25 but captain Healy’s knock of 70 from 78 balls and Gardner’s quick 42 helped the hosts across the line.

The win gives Australia a 2-0 lead on points in the multi-format series. The second ODI of three takes place at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on 13 January (23:05 GMT).

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LONDON: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Saim Ayub continues his recovery journey as he visited a private clinic in London on Thursday to undergo a detailed evaluation of his injured ankle.

The 22-year-old cricketer, accompanied by assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, had his appointment with Dr. David, a specialist consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, who is set to provide a comprehensive update on Ayub’s condition.

“The doctor has said that the ankle is fine and I can put weight on the leg,” said Saim after the checkup. “The test reports will be sent to the medical panel.”

Earlier, Saim underwent an initial assessment with Dr. Lucky Jeyaseelan, a renowned Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon.

The test results from these evaluations are expected to be presented to a medical panel today, which will determine the course of treatment and provide a timeframe for his recovery.

“There are some positive developments regarding the treatment. The reports will be out soon,” Azhar Mahmood shared.

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Saim sustained a fractured ankle on the opening day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa, ruling him out for an initial six weeks.

In response, Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), took swift action, ensuring the young star received specialized treatment in the United Kingdom.

“Saim Ayub is a valuable asset for Pakistan cricket,” Naqvi stated. “We will provide every possible resource for his treatment and recovery.”

Naqvi also extended his heartfelt wishes for the player’s swift recovery.

“I am praying for his complete health and will continue to monitor his condition closely by staying in constant contact with the doctors,” he remarked.

READ: Pakistan suffer major blow ahead of Test series against West Indies

Somerset all-rounder Archie Vaughan, the son of former captain Michael Vaughan, will captain the England Men U19 team for the first time on their upcoming tour of South Africa.

Vaughan will lead an 18-man squad across three Youth ODIs and two Youth Test matches.

The squad will fly out on Thursday 9 January with the opening Youth ODI at Cape Town on Friday 17 January.

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The two-match Test series begins in Stellenbosch on Sunday 26 January before the second Youth Test in Cape Town starting Monday 3 February.

Young Lions Head Coach, Michael Yardy, said: “After putting in a lot of purposeful work on a really good camp before Christmas, we get the opportunity to play against South Africa Under-19s, which will be very exciting for the boys competing in an England shirt.”

England Men U19 squad for the tour of South Africa

• Archie Vaughan (Somerset – captain)
• Farhan Ahmed (Nottinghamshire)
• Tazeem Ali (Warwickshire)
• Ben Dawkins (Kent)
• Kesh Fonseka (Lancashire – Test squad only)
• Alex French (Surrey)
• Alex Green (Leicestershire)
• Jack Home (Worcestershire)
• James Isbell (Middlesex)
• Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
• Ben Mayes (Hampshire)
• James Minto (Durham)
• Harry Moore (Derbyshire)
• Joe Moores (Lancashire – ODIs only)
• Thomas Rew (Somerset)
• Aaryan Sawant (Middlesex)
• Naavya Sharma (Middlesex)
• Alexander Wade (Yorkshire)

England U19 tour schedule

14 January: 50-over warm-up – England Men U19s v Western Province CC

Friday 17 January: 1st Youth ODI

Sunday 19 January: 2nd Youth ODI

Wednesday 22 January: 3rd Youth ODI

Sunday 26 January – 29 January: 1st Youth Test

Monday 3 February – 6 February: 2nd Youth Test

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LONDON: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Sunday, recalled star batter Joe Root to the national ODI squad for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in Pakistan.

The England Men’s selection panel named 15-member ODI and T20I squads that will play tour India for the white-ball series in January, followed by the Champions Trophy 2025 in February and March.

Root has been a key member of England’s Test team, however, he has not featured in any ODI since the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup in November 2023.

Alongside Root, Jos Buttler has also returned to the team and will be leading them during the tour of ODI as well as the eight-team mega-event.

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Meanwhile, Test captain Ben Stokes was not considered for selection owing to a left hamstring injury, which he sustained during the third Test match against New Zealand earlier this month.

England squad will depart on 17 January 2025 for India, where they will play three T20Is and as many ODIs from January 22 to February 12 before heading to Pakistan for Champions Trophy.

England squad for T20I series against India

Jos Buttler (c), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood

England squad for India ODIs and Champions Trophy

Jos Buttler (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Jamie Smith, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Saqib Mahmood, Phil Salt, Mark Wood.

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Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been suspended from bowling in all competitions organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following an independent assessment of his bowling action.

Shakib’s action was reported by the standing umpires while he was playing for Surrey in the County Championship match against Somerset in September.

Shakib completed an independent assessment at Loughborough University earlier this month, which found that the elbow extension in his bowling action exceeded the 15-degree threshold as defined in the Regulations.

The suspension is officially dated from December 10, the date when the ECB received the results of the assessment from Loughborough University.

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This action follows the established protocol outlined in the ECB’s Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with a Suspected Illegal Bowling Action.

In order to lift this suspension, Shakib Al Hasan must successfully undergo an independent reassessment of his bowling action.

Specifically, during this evaluation, the degree of elbow extension in his bowling must be measured and found to be below the 15-degree threshold stipulated in the regulations.

Notably, Shakib showcased his skills by claiming an impressive nine wickets during the aforementioned match for Surrey. This match marked his return to county cricket after a long hiatus since the 2010-11 season.

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DURBAN: Charlie Dean claimed four wickets to steer England Women to a series-levelling six-wicket win over South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series here on Sunday.

England Women invited South Africa to bat first and bundled them for a meagre 135 runs in 31.3 overs, courtesy of Dean’s bowling figures of 4-45.

Meanwhile, Lauren Filer and Sophie Ecclestone contributed to the destruction with three wickets each.

Only three South African players managed to reach the double figures with Chloe Tryon top-scoring with 45 runs from 49 balls.

South Africa Women captain Laura Wolvaardt played a scratchy knock of 35 runs after conceding 50 balls, while Annerie Dercksen took 44 balls to score 29.

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England Women successfully chased the paltry total in 24 overs after losing four wickets.

Tammy Beaumont (34) and Maia Bouchier (33) knitted a 69-run opening pair to put their team in the dominant position while chasing.

However, both openers fell in quick succession followed by the early dismissal of their c captain Heather Knight (7).

Nat Sciver-Brunt then played a 20-run knock, while Danni Wyatt-Hodge scored an unbeaten 25 to steer England to a six-wicket victory.

South Africa Women Playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Chloe Tryon, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Ayanda Hlubi

England Women Playing XI: Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, Lauren Filer

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KIMBERLEY: South Africa Women captain Laura Wolvaardt and Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten knocks steered their team to a six-wicket victory in the first ODI against England at Diamond Oval on Wednesday.

Laura Wolvaardt struck an unbeaten half-century, scoring 59 runs from 114 balls, while Nadine de Klerk smashed a quick 48* off 28  to steer South Africa to chase the 187-run target in 38.2 overs.

Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer and Nat Sciver-Brunt all contributed with one wicket each for England.

Earlier, England Women opted to bat first and were struggling on 106-7 before number eight Charlie Dean played an unbeaten 47-run knock.

Opening batter Sophia Dunkley was dismissed for four in the first over while her fellow opener Tammy Beaumont was bowled after scoring 11.

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Heather Knight’s 40 steadied England before Dean added 64 runs with Sophie Ecclestone (17) for the eighth wicket. They were ultimately bundled for a mere 186.

Marizanne Kapp and Annerie Dercksen took three wickets each for South Africa, while Nonkululeko Mlaba contributed with two wickets.

South Africa and England will be back in action for their second of three ODIs in Durban on Sunday 8 December.

England Women Playing XI: Sophia Dunkley, Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones (wk), Alice Capsey, Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Lauren Filer, Lauren Bell

South Africa Women Playing XI: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Suné Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine de Klerk, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Chloe Tryon, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka, Ayanda Hlubi

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CENTURION: England Women recorded a nine-wicket victory against South Africa in the third T20I to complete the series sweep here at SuperSport Park on Saturday.

Heather Knight’s side headed into the match having sealed a series win after taking a 2-0 lead earlier this week.

England Women, while chasing a target of 125, finished the match in a convincing manner with 51 balls to spare.

Opening batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge top-scored with an unbeaten 53 off 31 balls, which featured ten boundaries and one six. Meanwhile, Sophia Dunkley stuck 24* off 17 with four boundaries, including one six.

Opener Maia Bouchier was England’s only dismissal, caught by Nondumiso Shangase for 35 from 21 balls.

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Earlier, England Women won the toss and invited South Africa to bat first, with Lauren Filer drawing first blood with the wicket of Anneke Bosch on the second ball of the match.

Faye Tunnicliffe was dismissed by Lauren Bell in the next over and South Africa soon slipped to 45-5.

But Nadine de Klerk and Nondumiso Shangase hit a combined half-century to help South Africa reach 124 before bundling out.

Charlie Dean took 3-26 and a run out while Bell took two; Filer, Freya Kemp and Sophie Ecclestone contributed with a wicket each.

England and South Africa will now contest a three-match ODI series, starting in Kimberley on Wednesday 4 December.

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Uncapped wicket-keeper Ollie Robinson has been added to the England Men’s Test squad for the ongoing tour of New Zealand for the Crowe-Thorpe Trophy.

Robinson came into the squad as a replacement for Jordan Cox, who sustained a fractured right thumb during the team’s warm-up period over the weekend in Queenstown.

This marks the 25-year-old Robinson’s first call-up to the senior England squad. He has delivered solid performances for Durham in the County Championship, boasting an average of 48 with the bat in 2022 and an impressive 58 in 2023.

Robinson has also demonstrated his skill behind the stumps, with 92 Championship dismissals across the past two seasons.

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A regular in England Lions squads since 2019, Robinson has gained valuable experience on tours to Australia, Sri Lanka, and India in recent years.

It’s worth noting, he has become the second player bearing the same name to receive an England call-up within the last three years. He does not have any familial ties to the fast bowler Ollie Robinson.

Interestingly, both athletes hail from the county of Kent and share the same birthdate — December 1.

Robinson will join the England squad on Saturday, meanwhile Ollie Pope donned the wicket-keeping gloves in the first Test against New Zealand, which got underway in Christchurch earlier today.

Squads

England: Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ollie Robinson, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Tour Itinerary:

First Test: 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Second Test: 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington

Third Test: 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton

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