Tag: New Zealand

INDORE: Nonkululeko Mlaba’s four-fer followed by a Tazmin Brits sublime century powered South Africa to a resounding six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the seventh fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 here at the Holkar Stadium on Monday.

Set 232, South Africa comfortably knocked off the winning runs on the loss of four wickets with 55 balls to spare.

After losing skipper Laura Wolvaardt (14 from 10) on the last ball of the third over, Tazmin Brits and Sune Luus forged a monumental 159-run stand, which threw New Zealand out of the game.

Tazmin Brits went on to score his maiden ton in the World Cup, whereas Sune Luus remained unbeaten, ensuring that the Proteas crossed the finishing line to get off the mark on the points table.

Brits made 101 from just 89 balls peppered with 15 fours and a six, whereas Luss made 83* from 110 deliveries, which was laced with 10 fours and a six.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

For New Zealand, Amelia Kerr was the only silver lining in the bowling as she picked up two wickets in her quota of ten overs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, the Blackcaps were bundled out for 231 in 47.5 overs.

New Zealand struggled to get going and lost wickets at key intervals. The highlight of their batting was an 86-run partnership between Sophie Devine and Brooke Halliday for the fifth wicket.

However, once the stand culminated, South Africa took control of the game and never allowed New Zealand to post a formidable total.

Devine made 85 from 98, studded with nine fours, whereas Halliday, briskly 37 from 45 balls, was laced with six boundaries.

Nonkululeko Mlaba remained the standout bowler for South Africa, picking up a four-wicket haul. Ayabonga Khaka and Chloe Tryon supported her well with one wicket each.

READ: Asad Shafiq urges school, colleges to invest in sports

INDORE: Skipper Sophie Devine’s ton went in vain as Australia humbled New Zealand by 89 runs in the second fixture of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 here at the Holkar Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The defending champions started their title defence with a 16th straight victory over New Zealand.

“The defending champions started their title defence on a perfect note, as Australia’s opening World Cup win marked their 16th straight victory over the Black Caps.”

Set a daunting 327-run target, New Zealand’s batting faltered and were bundled out for 237 in 43.2 overs.

Australia’s bowlers endured a miserable start in New Zealand as they lost both of their openers on ducks. As a result, they were reduced to 0-2 in 1.3 overs.

However, Amelia Kerr and Sophie Devine put New Zealand back on course in the chase with a 75-run partnership. However, Australia chipped in with regular wickets in the middle, which never allowed the Black Caps to play with freedom.

Devine remained the top-scorer with 111 off 112 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes.

For Australia, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux starred with the ball, picking up three wickets each.

Earlier, Ashleigh Gardner rose to the occasion with a masterful century, rescuing her side as Australian women posted a strong total.

After opting to bat first, Australia were bowled out for 326 runs in 49.3 overs.

The openers were off to a flyer with 40 on the board at the end of five overs. Skipper Alyssa Healy scored 19 from 17 balls with the help of three fours before getting dismissed by Bree Illing.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Australia batters kept up the run rate despite the wickets tumbling, and at the end of the powerplay, they were 81-1. However, New Zealand made a strong comeback once the fielding restrictions were lifted.

Phoebe Litchfield was bowled on the first ball after the power play. She made 45 from 31 balls, striking two sixes and half a dozen fours.

The wickets in the middle over shifted momentum towards New Zealand until Ashleigh Gardner’s arrival, who added a string of partnerships with the lower order, which steadied Australia’s innings.

The 28-year-old was involved in 64, 47, and 69 runs stands with Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, and Kim Garth, respectively.

She was eventually removed in the 46th over after scoring 115 from just 83 balls, peppered with 16 fours and a six.

For New Zealand, Lea Tahuhu and Jess Kerr shared six wickets between them.

READ: Marsh’s sublime knock powers Australia to victory in T20I opener

Mitchell Marsh’s swashbuckling knock overshadowed Tim Robinson’s maiden ton as Australia cruised to a comfortable six-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening T20I at Bay Oval on Wednesday.

Skipper Mitchell Marsh led Australia’s chase with 85 off 43 balls as they raced to 185-4 off 16.3 overs in response to the home side’s 181-6.

The powerful Marsh struck nine fours and five sixes in cold, windy conditions at Mount Maunganui.

He was caught in the deep in the 15th over to fall short of what would have been his first century in 74 T20 internationals.

Fellow-opener Travis Head scored 31 in an electric opening stand of 67 off just 5.3 overs that set up victory and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Marsh said he and Head complemented each other as opening batters.

“We’ve got a great relationship off the field and I’m hoping that translates into good partnerships,” he said.

“Tonight was a lot of fun.”

Robinson plundered 106 not out off 66 balls after a dreadful New Zealand start when they were asked to bat first.

The hosts collapsed to 6-3, with seamer Ben Dwarshuis removing Devon Conway and Mark Chapman off successive balls in the second over.

The fightback was launched by Robinson and Daryl Mitchell (34), whose fourth-wicket stand of 92 came from just 55 deliveries.

Robinson, 23, became the second-youngest New Zealander to score a T20 century when he blasted a four and then a six from the last two balls of the innings from Dwarshuis.

“I got streaky through the middle there and got away with a few chances but that’s cricket,” Robinson said.

“Those Aussies bowled really well at the top and Daryl and I spoke about getting through that really tough period when the ball was nipping around.”

Both teams had a key player ruled out of the series in training incidents on Tuesday.

New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra suffered facial cuts when he collided with a boundary fence during fielding practice.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell broke his arm when struck by a shot from team-mate Mitchell Owen while bowling in the nets.

The remaining two games are also day-night fixtures in Mount Maunganui on Friday and Saturday.

READ: Never apologised to BCCI nor will I: Mohsin Naqvi dismisses Indian media reports

Australia suffered another setback ahead of their three-match T20I tour of New Zealand as wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis was ruled out with a calf strain, with Alex Carey drafted in as his replacement.

Inglis complained of discomfort in his right calf during a running session in Perth on Tuesday, and scans the following day confirmed the injury.

The 29-year-old is now sidelined for the series scheduled from October 1–4 in Mount Maunganui.

This marks Inglis’ second calf issue in less than a year, after a low-grade strain during the Boxing Day Test against India curtailed his BBL campaign last season.

Despite the latest setback, he is expected to regain fitness in time for the ODI series against India starting October 19 in Perth.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The absence of Inglis adds to Australia’s growing list of withdrawals for the tour. Captain Pat Cummins is missing due to lumbar bone stress, Cameron Green has stayed back for Sheffield Shield duties as part of his Ashes buildup, and Nathan Ellis withdrew to be present for the birth of his first child.

With no reserve wicketkeeper in the original 14-man squad, selectors turned to Alex Carey, who was preparing to feature for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Carey last appeared against South Africa in Cairns in August 2023, stepping in when Inglis was unwell, and hasn’t kept wicket in a T20I since 2020.

Australia T20I squad for New Zealand series

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

READ: Australia skipper Pat Cummins ‘hopeful’ of playing in Ashes

MELBOURNE: Australia have named a 14-member squad for next month’s three-match T20I series against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, with allrounder Marcus Stoinis making his international return.

Stoinis, who stepped away from ODIs earlier this year and has been without a central or state contract for 12 months, last featured for Australia in late 2024.

His comeback headlines a squad that also sees Mitchell Owen and Matthew Short back in the fold. Owen returns after a concussion ruled him out of the South Africa series, while Short has recovered from a side strain picked up during training in Jamaica.

Selectors have opted to rest captain Pat Cummins as he manages a back problem in the lead-up to the Ashes summer, while pacer Nathan Ellis will miss the series due to paternity leave.

Cameron Green has also been left out, with his immediate focus on Sheffield Shield cricket as he builds back towards bowling.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Fast bowler Xavier Bartlett has earned a recall, but back-up keeper Alex Carey and allrounder Aaron Hardie, both injury replacements during the South Africa series, miss out.

Ellis, who has played 10 of Australia’s last 11 T20Is, is widely regarded as a long-term option in the pace attack following Mitchell Starc’s retirement.

Left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis also remains in contention after impressive performances in the Caribbean and against South Africa.

The three-match series begins on October 1, with all games scheduled at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The second and third T20Is will be played on October 3 and 4, respectively.

Australia squad for New Zealand T20Is

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.

READ: Mitchell Starc announces retirement from T20I cricket

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers opened up on the 2015 World Cup nerve-wracking semi-final against New Zealand, reflecting on the chat with pacer Dale Steyn before the final ball of the match.

Back in 2015, New Zealand defeated South Africa by four wickets with just one ball to spare to set up the final with Australia.

Speaking on the Beard Before Wicket Podcast, AB de Villiers reflected on the key moments, pressure, and the crowd at Eden Park during that semi-final

“We had so many chances to win that semi and I think we had Aussiey’s number in that final,” he said.

“Never know now, but we beat them quite a few times leading up to that. So, we had a bit of a mental edge, and I was incredibly excited to go and face them in the final, which obviously never happened, ” he lamented.

He also recalled the noisy crowd that day and the impact on South Africa while rueing the dropped chances.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“That day at Eden Park, one of the hardest challenges of my life. It was so loud.  They [the crowd] did well to sort of intimidate us. I thought we played well, played a good game of cricket, just fumbled a couple in the field, and it is what it is now,” revealed De Villiers.

The batting maestro highlighted the pivotal moment before the final ball, revealing a chat with Dale Steyn.

“I had told Dale,’ You get that natural away shape, go hard length, cross seam, just fire it in, beat the bat,” he said.

“Looking back now, maybe a yorker. But at the time, I honestly thought that was the right plan. Hard length, he can hit it straight up, you’ve got him. And he pulled it off.”

Following that ball, De Villiers and the South Africa players became emotional and were seen lying on the ground.

“That’s why I dropped to my knees, because I immediately felt like, it’s on me. And that’s what you feel like—you know, that’s how we play the game, that’s how you want sportsmen to play: to put everything on the line and feel like you’ve got everything to lose,” he concluded.

READ: Former captain comments on Babar Azam’s match-winning ability

New Zealand speedster Lockie Ferguson has shared his thoughts on former India captain MS Dhoni knock in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup.

Chasing a challenging target of 240, India were in all sorts of trouble at 71-5 IN Manchester.

Nevertheless, Dhoni steadied the Indian innings in the crucial encounter, bringing the total to 178-6 in 44 overs.

However, the stalwart’s batting in the last phase of the innings came under scrutiny and sparked debate among cricket pundits.

With 52 runs required of 31 balls, Dhoni had scored 10 runs of Ferguson’s over; however, he decided to leave the last ball of the over with the required rate mounting.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

During an interview on an Indian sports platform, Lockie Ferguson recalled the moment and expressed at Dhoni’s decision to leave the ball during such a crucial time.

“I can’t remember what they were needing to chase at the time, but I knew they had to score a few runs. The plan was to bowl and see if MS would undercut it, and he left it. So I was surprised because naturally, when you’re bowling, you’re trying to restrict runs, then it’s nice when a batter leaves it,” he said.

“But I think the next over, the first ball, I tried again, and he just got it over the boundary for six. So the plan almost worked the second time as well. But it was nice to get him out that game and, of course, get across the line in the semi-final,” he added.

Eventually, MS Dhoni was run out courtesy of a direct hit from Martin Guptill after scoring 50 off 70 balls, with India requiring 24 runs off nine deliveries.

As a result, the Men in Blue were knocked out of the tournament, falling 18 runs short of the target.

It is worth noting that the semi-final match against New Zealand turned out to be the final game for MS Dhoni in the Indian jersey—the captain who led India to victory in the 2011 World Cup.

READ: Wasim Akram predicts winner of India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash

Fast bowler Will O’Rourke will be out for at least three months with a stress fracture in his lower back, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Tuesday, adding to a mounting injury list.

The 24-year-old was injured while bowling in the first Test against Zimbabwe this month and returned home, where scans revealed the extent of the damage.

“We’re really feeling for Will at the moment and wishing him a speedy recovery,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said.

Will O’Rourke will miss the home white-ball series against Australia in early October, England later that month, and the West Indies in November.

All-rounder Glenn Phillips was also ruled out of the Australia series as he recovers from the groin injury that saw him miss the Zimbabwe tour.

And opening batter Finn Allen will be out for a minimum of three months after having surgery on his right foot.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“It’s disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn, who have played important batting roles in our T20 set-up in recent times,” said Walter.

White-ball captain Mitchell Santner returned home from England’s The Hundred tournament at the weekend after feeling groin pain.

Walter said the spinning all-rounder will now have abdominal surgery with an expected recovery time of a month, but would be given every chance to prove his fitness before the three T20s against Australia.

“Mitch is a world-class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view,” said Walter.

“With that in mind, we expect to name him in our squad. From there, we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progress following surgery, before making a call on the eve of the series.”

Pace bowler Ben Sears has recovered from a side strain that saw him miss the Zimbabwe tour and is expected to be available.

READ: Former India cricketer believes team atmosphere behind Virat Kohli’s Test exit

BULAWAYO: New Zealand completed a crushing win by an innings and 359 runs on the third day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club here on Saturday.

New Zealand pacer Zak Foulkes, playing in his first Test match, took five for 37 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 117 in their second innings.

Nic Welch, batting at number three, made an unbeaten 47 and stood virtually alone against the New Zealand pace attack.

Notably, it was the third-biggest win by an innings in Test history.

England beat Australia by an innings and 579 runs at The Oval in London in 1938. Australia defeated South Africa by an innings and 360 runs in Johannesburg in 2001/02.

“We bowled well in the first innings after losing the toss,” said Mitch Santner, who captained New Zealand in both Tests in the absence of the injured Tom Latham.

“And the batters got through some tough periods with their partnerships and then cashed in.”

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The largest victory for New Zealand and the worst defeat for Zimbabwe occurred during the Napier Test in the 2011/12 season, where the Kiwis won by an innings and 301 runs.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe suffered their sixth successive defeat, four of them by an innings, since beating Bangladesh in Sylhet in April.

New Zealand declared their first innings closed on their overnight total of 601 for three.

It took only three balls for Matt Henry to start the home team’s collapse when he bowled Brian Bennett for his second duck of the match.

Henry had Brendan Taylor caught at second slip and Jacob Duffy caught Sean Williams off his own bowling before Matthew Fisher had Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine held at third slip.

Foulkes, who briefly returned to New Zealand after a triangular Twenty20 series but was recalled after Nathan Smith was injured in the first Test, took the next five wickets. Foulkes had match figures of nine for 77.

Devon Conway, who scored 153 for New Zealand, was the player of the match, while Henry, who took 16 wickets across the two matches, was the player of the series.

READ: Manchester United sign forward Benjamin Sesko: club

Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, and Rachin Ravindra hit centuries as New Zealand produced a relentless batting performance on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Friday.

New Zealand were 601 for three at the close in reply to Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 125, a lead of 476 runs.

Conway scored 153, ending a 16-match streak without a Test century.

Henry Nicholls, playing in his first Test series since December 2023, made 150 not out, while Rachin Ravindra hammered an unbeaten 165 at better than a run a ball.

It was another day of one-sided cricket after the Black Caps resumed on 174 for one, already 49 runs ahead. It took Zimbabwe an hour to remove nightwatchman Jacob Duffy, who made 36.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

The rest of the day brought only one more wicket, that of Conway, who fell to the second new ball when he misjudged the bounce against Blessing Muzarabani and was bowled off his body.

Nicholls was on 64 when Ravindra joined him after Conway’s dismissal. Ravindra, a left-hander like the other two centurions, quickly went on the attack and by the close had overtaken his partner.

Ravindra reached his century off 104 balls. With stand-in captain Mitchell Santner opting not to declare despite having a significant lead, Ravindra went on the rampage towards the close, adding another 65 runs off just 35 balls.

Zimbabwe fast bowlers Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, usually the team’s most effective bowlers, were both expensive against formidable New Zealand batting.

Muzarabani took one for 101 in 24 overs, while Chivanga went wicketless in conceding 94 runs off 17 overs.

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine used seven bowlers in a futile attempt to stop the flow of runs on a day in which New Zealand scored 427 runs for the loss of two wickets.

READ: Australia’s opening pair confirmed for T20 World Cup 2026