Afghanistan board discusses resuming training with captain, head coach

The training camp will be held this month in Kabul while adhering to guidelines of WHO and the country's Ministry of Public Health, says Afghanistan cricket board.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) leadership on Tuesday discussed the resumption of training with the skipper Asghar Afghan and head coach Lance Klusener.

Afghanistan Cricket Board, in a tweet, said that the training camp will be held this month in the national capital, Kabul while adhering to the guideline of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the country's Ministry of Public Health.

"ACB leadership held a video conference with Head Coach Lance Klusener, Chief Selector Andy Moles, Skipper Asghar Afghan and some ACB officials as they discussed the training camp in June which shall be held in Kabul as per guidelines by WHO and Ministry of Public Health," the Board tweeted.

 Cricket Australia, on May 28, announced its 2020-2021 men's and women's international schedule. As per the schedule, Australia will take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test at Perth Stadium, beginning from November 21.

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a huge toll on sports across the globe. Several events have either been postponed or cancelled due to the deadly virus.

The T20 World Cup is also under threat because of the virus. The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday deferred a decision on 'all agenda items' until June 10.

Won't force any player for England tour in July: WI captain Holder

The tour, which was due to start on June 4, stands postponed until at least July over Covid-19 pandemic. It is believed that the new schedule for the series could be announced at the end of this month.

Windies cricket team captain Jason Holder has said that he won't be forcing any of his players to take part in the England tour, where the two teams are currently scheduled to play three-match Test series this summer.

"Each player has to be comfortable in making the step," BBC Sport quoted Holder.

"It's been made clear if we are to hop on a plane and go over to England to play, it must be safe."

"Certainly from my perspective, I won't be forcing anyone to go anywhere," he added.

The tour, which was due to start on June 4, stands postponed until at least July because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is believed that the new schedule for the series could be announced at the end of this month.

ALSO READ: Lockdown 4.0: Do new govt rules pave the way for decision on IPL 2020?

"We've been given assurances from Cricket West Indies that we'd only go over to England if they deem it safe for us to play," said Holder.

"It's no different from a frontline worker going into a hospital every day - they're putting their lives at risk, and still going to make money. The longer we stay off the field, the longer it'll take for us to make money," he added.

Earlier, Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave had said that some of the players will be "very nervous" about the prospect of travelling to the UK amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Banter with Flintoff to coaching in limited-overs: Here's what Yuvraj said

During the must-win game for India against England in 2007, Yuvraj smashed six sixes in an over bowled by Stuart Broad.

Former India batsman Yuvraj Singh recalled his tussle with English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff during the 2007 T20 World Cup match against England.

Yuvraj was doing an Instagram live session with former England skipper Kevin Pietersen. During the session, Yuvraj was then asked to talk about what Flintoff told him during the T20 World Cup in 2007.

During the must-win game for India against England in 2007, Yuvraj smashed six sixes in an over bowled by Stuart Broad.

However, before the feat, Yuvraj was involved in an aggressive war of words with Flintoff.

Yuvraj Singh's 6 sixes vs Stuart Broad

"I think Freddie bowled two good balls and he bowled a yorker which I managed to hit for a boundary. Then he told me that this was a dash shot, he got pretty elaborative. He said I am gonna cut your throat off and then I replied saying you see this bat in my hand? You know where I am gonna hit you with this bat? I remember I was so angry, when I hit Broadie for six sixes, I looked at Dimitri Mascarenas and then I looked at Freddie."

"Mascarenas had hit me for five sixes during an ODI match so that is why I looked at him first. It was one of those games which we all will remember," he added.

Coronavirus: Afghanistan cricket board announces 25% pay cut for coaches

Head coach Lance Klusener, batting coach HD Ackermann and assistant coach Nawroz Mangal are among those impacted by the decision.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a 25 per cent pay cut of the coaching staff in May to deal with the financial crisis emerged due to coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

Head coach Lance Klusener, batting coach HD Ackermann and assistant coach Nawroz Mangal are among those impacted by the decision.

According to a report in cricket website ESPNcricinfo, salary cut could jump to 50 per cent in June if its tour to Zimbabwe in June will get cancelled.

"This is part of our cost saving strategy as we have been also impacted by the Covid-19 crisis," ACB chief executive Lutfullah Stanikzai said.

"We have decided to cut 25 per cent (of the salary for the coaches) for May, 50 per cent for June if we are not able to resume international cricket. We will try and keep them for as long as our financial situation allows," he added.

Stanikzai said the   re has been a loss of revenue for them and they will be negatively impacted if the T20 World Cup -- slated to be held in Australia in October-November -- does not go as planned.

"We are just trying to save costs wherever we can. There has been a loss of revenue for us - the government grant we receive is at risk because the government is spending that on dealing with the pandemic," he said.

"We are not 100 per cent sure the Asia Cup will take place and the revenue we will receive from there. If there are problems with the T20 World Cup, that will also impact us negatively going forward to next year and beyond," he added.

Although Afghanistan's next official assignment is the Asia Cup, the ACB and Zimbabwe Cricket have agreed to play five T20Is in Zimbabwe, which isn't part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP).

Australia to start pre-season with new training rules from May-end: Report

CA is churning out strategies for resumption of training under the watchful eyes of its chief medical officer Dr John Orchard and head of sports science and sports medicine Alex Kountouris.

Cricket Australia (CA) is set to begin the team's pre-season by the end of May under a set of new training protocols devised for the safety of players amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a report in Australia daily 'The Sydney Morning Herald', CA is churning out strategies for resumption of training under the watchful eyes of its chief medical officer Dr John Orchard and head of sports science and sports medicine Alex Kountouris.

The duo is working closely with counterparts of other cricket playing nations and are part of committees of the Australian government and the International Cricket Council (ICC) which are trying to find ways for the resumption of sports.

The report said CA's immediate priority is to draw up protocols for players' pre-season, which include barring the use of saliva or sweat to shine the ball during training.

CA's head of sports science and sports medicine Kountouris said the coronavirus-forced new normal shouldn't have much impact of teams' training in a sport like cricket.

ALSO READ: England cricket fears 380 million pound loss if entire season is wiped out

"There's physical distancing in the nets - there's two or three bowlers in each net. One bowls at a time, the batter is 22 yards away so it's not a big problem," Kountouris said.

"We don't see it as too big a problem to manage, but these are the things we're spelling out. This is what you should do: keep your distance, how you should handle the ball, these are things easy to manage."

IPL franchise KKR open to evaluate investing in ECB's 'The Hundred': Report

KKR CEO Venky Mysore did not entirely rule out the possibility of the IPL franchise "evaluating" investment opportunities in 'The Hundred'.

The owners of IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) would be looking to invest in the England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) new cricket tournament, The Hundred.

The Telegraph newspaper reported that the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned KKR are open to investing in the 100-ball a side competition, which has now been postponed to next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here’s what KKR CEO Mysore said

KKR CEO Venky Mysore did not entirely rule out the possibility of the IPL franchise "evaluating" investment opportunities in 'The Hundred'.

However, Mysore was categorical that at this moment it's nothing more than speculation.

"I know this story is going around. All I said was 'if we are approached to consider investing in 'The Hundred', we will evaluate it'," news agency PTI quoted Mysore, after the report in the English daily.

KKR’s investment in foreign T20 leagues

Caribbean Premier League

Owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, the two-time IPL champions had in 2015 acquired Caribbean Premier League side Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, who are now known as Trinbago Knight Riders, a winner of successive CPL titles in 2017 and 2018.

T20 league in South Africa

They also had acquired a third team, the Cape Town franchise in Cricket South Africa's Global T20 league which however did not see the light of the day and was cancelled in 2017.

Coronavirus: PCB announces financial help for cricketers, umpires, scorers

The Board said it will distribute the funds before the Eid holidays and the privacy of applicants will be respected.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a special one-time financial package to help out first class cricketers, scorers, umpires and ground staff, facing hardships due to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

The Board said that the first class cricketers who meet the criteria will be paid 25,000 Pakistani rupees (PKR), the match officials 15,000 PKR and ground staff Rs 10,000 PKR and their identity will not be revealed.

The Board said it will distribute the funds before the Eid holidays and the privacy of applicants will be respected.

"The Board will not make any announcements in relation to who and how many benefited from this one-time scheme," PCB said in release.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani also appreciated the individual work being done by players such as Shahid Afridi, Azhar Ali, Rumaan Raees, Sarfaraz Ahmed and others to help and support the needy during the lockdown.

"It is also heartening to see our cricketers coming out and supporting the people in need by auctioning their prized possessions and through various charities," Mani said.

"While I am sure many players are making donations in private, I want to applaud and appreciate Shahid Afridi, Rumman Raees and Azhar Ali who have been at the forefront of this noble cause and have been doing outstanding work.

Sachin won't celebrate 47th birthday as mark of respect for Covid warriors

Tendulkar has already contributed a total of Rs 50 lakhs to the CM Relief fund.

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who will turn 47 on Friday, has decided not to celebrate his birthday this year as a mark of respect for the frontline workers leading India's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Sachin has decided that this is not the time for celebrations. He feels that this is the best tribute he can pay to all the doctors, nurses, para-medics, policemen, defence personnel, who are at the frontline," news agency PTI quoted a source close to the player.

Tendulkar has already contributed a total of Rs 50 lakh to the CM Relief fund. He is also involved with several other relief work initiatives.

ALSO READ: On april 22, 1998: Sachin magic wowed us in Sharjah 'desert storm' match

"He has always been very uncomfortable talking about this aspect," the source said.

Numerous fan clubs are coming up with innovative tributes on social media for the iconic batsman.

One fan club will be releasing 40 rare photographs of the maestro and another will be highlighting all the social work and initiatives that the legend has undertaken in all these years.

ICC T20 World Cup can be moved to Feb to accommodate IPL: RCB coach Katich

The Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday suspended the IPL 2020 "till further notice" in the wake of the fast-spreading Covid-19 pandemic.

Former Australian batsman and current Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) coach Simon Katich believes that the ICC T20 World Cup can be postponed and the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) can be fitted into the cricketing calendar that has gone for a toss due to the Covid-19 or coronavirus outbreak.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday suspended the IPL 2020 "till further notice" in the wake of the fast-spreading Covid-19 pandemic.

"Potentially there's a chance to host it later in the summer, like the (recent) Women's T20 World Cup (which was held in February), and whether that's an opportunity to re-jig things. It'll be interesting to hear those discussions (which are) probably taking place at the moment and whether that's logistically possible with the FTP the way it is," Katich told Australian radio station Sen.

The IPL took place in South Africa in 2009 owing to the general elections in India at the same time and due to the same reason, a part of the tournament was held in the UAE in 2014.

ALSO READ: IPL 2020: MS Dhoni doesn't sulk over defeats, says Michael Hussey

"But I'm sure that a T20 World Cup is a priority for all the organisers at the moment, to try and make sure that goes ahead at some point in the Australian summer given that we're hosting it."

Katich had replaced Gary Kirsten as the RCB head coach after the IPL last year. The Virat Kohli-led team is yet to win the league.

Commenting on the IPL and if it can be held in Australia as a precursor to the World T20, Katich said: "Whether it would be in Australia (or elsewhere), that's an interesting topic of conversation. There would be a few teams -- us in particular at RCB, we'd be very happy for it to be played abroad -- because a number of our overseas players are Australian and South African, who really would enjoy these conditions in Australia.

England board bans cricketers from wearing smartwatches in field of play

England and Wales cricket board hoped the decision will ensure that the integrity of players are not in doubt.

The England Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday banned cricketers from wearing smartwatches on the field of play in all upcoming matches, tightening its anti-corruption regulations in the wake of live streaming in county cricket.

"But with the vast majority of fixtures now available to watch live worldwide thanks to the growth of live-streaming services in the county game, the regulations have been tightened, meaning that smartwatches are completely banned in televised games and are permitted in the players' and match officials' areas (dressing rooms, balconies, dugouts) only in non-televised games," a report in ESPNcricinfo said.

It was Lancashire spinner Matt Parkinson who brought to light the opportunity for information exchange when he had revealed that he came to know about his maiden England call-up via a notification on his teammate Steven Croft's smartwatch during the 2019 County Championship.

Now with the rise of live streaming of matches, the governing body has decided to tighten its regulations.

ECB hoped the decision will ensure that the integrity of players are not in doubt.

"We review the anti-corruption codes and PMOA minimum standards on a yearly basis so that they remain relevant to the current threats and risks to cricket," an ECB spokesperson said.

Suresh Raina urges fans not to spread misinformation about coronavirus

Earlier, India opener and Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma had posted a video on his social media handles.

Suresh Raina on Monday cautioned against spreading deception identified with coronavirus and to follow wellbeing warnings. The batsman is relied upon to be seen next in the deferred 2020 period of the Indian Premier League for the Chennai Super Kings.

"It's significant that we comprehend the need of social segregation to break the chain, don't spread data from inconsistent sources, don't overlook the wellbeing warnings and without a doubt follow the cleanliness measures.#coronavirus" he tweeted.

CSK were booked to confront Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29 in the opening match of the IPL. In any case, the rising worry over the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has prompted the season being delayed to April 15. Leading group of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly said that a choice on whether the matches will be held in void arenas or the new calendar can be chosen after the circumstance is evaluated after April 15.

Prior, India opener and Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma had posted a video on his web based life handles.

"Most recent couple of weeks have been extreme for us all and the world has ground to a halt which is dismal to see. The main way we can come to commonality is by us all meeting up. Also, we can do this by being somewhat shrewd, somewhat proactive, knowing our environment and as and when we get any indications illuminate your closest clinical specialists," said Rohit in the video.

The legislatures across different states in the nation have prescribed individuals to follow social separating separated from requesting terminations of schools, shopping centers, film lobbies in their offer to stay away from get-togethers.

"This is on the grounds that we as a whole need our children to go to the school, we need to go to the shopping centers and we as a whole need to watch films in the theaters," said the Indian opener.

South Africa terminates all forms of cricket over coronavirus pandemic

CSA said in its statement that this includes domestic first class cricket, List A matches, semi-professional and provincial cricket and all junior and amateur 

cricket.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) declared on Monday that it has ended all types of cricket in the nation in the midst of the rising worry over the coronavirus pandemic. 

CSA said in its explanation this incorporates residential top of the line cricket, List A matches, semi-expert and commonplace cricket and all lesser and novice cricket.

"We at CSA take this profession by the President and the bureau truly and we will unquestionably utilize our influence to guarantee that we limit the effect of the infection in our spaces," CSA CEO Jacques Faul said in the announcement.

"Thusly and during this season of outright alert and reconnaissance, we might want to call upon every one of our individuals and partners to halt from partaking in any cricket related social occasions and other transversal occasions that will incorporate the gathering of huge quantities of individuals as well as up to 100 individuals," he included.

Prior, South Africa's voyage through India for a three-coordinate ODI arrangement was delayed. The group is as of now in Kolkata from where they will take a trip back home to South Africa by means of Dubai.

Finch, Warner question Australia govt's moves to combat COVID-19 pandemic

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the country will impose 14-day self-isolation on all international passenger arrivals from March 15.

Australian cricketers Aaron Finch and David Warner have questioned the government's new policy to tackle the coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced that the country will impose a 14-day self isolation on all international passenger arrivals from midnight Sunday (March 15) to try and contain the spread of coronavirus, which has so far claimed more than 6,000 lives across the world.

In response to Morrison's announcement, a journalist tweeted: "Genuine question -- how does the government know if new arrivals are actually self-isolating?"

Finch re-tweeted the comment and said: "Have been wondering the same thing!!"

In response to Finch's remarks, Warner added: "Or, what about the uber/taxi/bus/train they catch from the airport to their place."

The rapid spread of the disease has led to the sporting calendar around the world come to a virtual standstill. Australia's ODI series against New Zealand was called off, as was India's ODI series against South Africa. Both series were to be held in empty stadia before being called off altogether.

ALSO READ: Now, cricketers are recognised only if they perform across formats: Jaffer

England also postponed their two-match Test series in Sri Lanka while the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was due to start on March 29, has also been suspended till April 15.

After that, Cricket Australia also called off final round of domestic first class tournaments, including the Sheffield Shield.

Visa curbs over Covid-19 force foreign players to miss IPL till April 15

India has reported 60 positive cases in the outbreak which has led to over 4,000 deaths globally.

No foreign player will be available for this year's IPL till April 15 due to visa restrictions imposed by the government to contain the novel coronavirus threat, a top BCCI source told PTI on Thursday, casting fresh doubts on the fate of the event.

"The foreign players who play in the IPL come under the Business Visa category. As per the government's directive, they can't come till April 15," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

The government issued fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till April 15 in the wake of new positive cases of novel coronavirus in the country.

India has reported 60 positive cases in the outbreak which has led to over 4,000 deaths globally.

The fate of the IPL itself will be decided on March 14 at the event's Governing Council meeting in Mumbai.

"All decisions will be taken by the GC in Mumbai," the source said.

Having the IPL, starting March 29, played in empty stadiums is an option being explored.

ICC World Cup 2019: Rishabh Pant flies to England as back up for Dhawan

Rishabh Pant's omission from the original squad had become a topic of heated debates given his stupendous form in the past one year.

Young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant was Wednesday brought in as cover for the injured Shikhar Dhawan in India's World Cup squad.

Pant, whose omission from the original squad became a topic of heated debates given his stupendous form in the past one year, will reach here Wednesday.

His arrival will be a day before India's game against New Zealand and he won't be considered a replacement till the time the team management takes a final call on Dhawan's availability for the rest of the tournament.

ALSO READ: Injured Shikhar Dhawan under observation, will remain in England: BCCI

"Rishabh Pant is being flown in from India as cover at the request of the team management," a senior BCCI official currently in England told PTI.

The 21-year-old is one of the most exciting players to have emerged in Indian cricket. He impressed with Test hundreds during the tours of England and Australia earlier and was in fine form during the IPL last month.

Several former players such as Sunil Gavaskar advocated for his inclusion in the squad if Dhawan fails to recover quickly enough for India. Dhawan has been ruled out of three matches due to a hairline fracture on his left thumb which he sustained during his match-winning hundred in the clash against Australia on Sunday.

"...Dhawan is presently under the observation of the BCCI medical team. The team management has decided that Dhawan will continue to be in England and his progress will be monitored," the Indian team said in a statement on Wednesday night.

"Dhawan sustained an injury on the back of his left hand in the region between the index finger and thumb...," it added.

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Who will win ICC World Cup 2019? Check out who the punters are betting on

Bookies expect the Indian captain, Virat Kohli to emerge as the tournament's top run scorer.

With less than a fortnight remaining before the 12th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup gets underway in England and Wales, the squads for all the 10 participating teams have been announced and the race to predict the winner is gathering steam.

Most online betting websites expect host England to win the tournament. Ladbrokes, for instance, pegs the odds of an England win at 15/8, followed by India (at 3/1) and then defending champions Australia (at 9/2). Simply put, 15/8 is the fraction the bookie is willing to multiply your stake by.

Mathematically, 15/8 implies 15 divided by 8, or the fraction 1.875. So if you bet on England with the odds currently placed at 15/8, the amount you bet will be multiplied by 15 and then divided by 8. The winnings, on this case, will be the result of the above-mentioned fraction plus the amount you originally bet.

For example, bid money Rs 50,000. Odds: 15/8. If you win, the total amount you get will be:

(Rs 50,000 x 15)/8 + Rs 50,000 = Rs 1,43,750

Remember, most websites do charge a small commission on the winnings as well.

Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan are placed at the bottom of the pyramid with the odds for winning placed at 1000/1, 1000/1 and 100/1, respectively.

Another online betting site, Betway, also expects England to win the ICC World Cup (odds at 3.25), followed by India (odds at 3.75) and Australia (odds at 4.5). It, however, places Sri Lanka (51), Afghanistan and Bangladesh at the bottom of the winners pyramid with odds of 81.

And the prediction does have a solid reasoning. England skipper Eoin Morgan will have the company of Jonny Bairstow, Jason Roy, Jos Buttler and Joe Root in the batting department - and all of them have been in good touch.

As regards India, Virat Kohli will lead the side and will to play a crucial role in the batting line-up along with Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and MS Dhoni, who is a seasoned wicket-keeper and a true 'game finisher'.

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India vs New Zealand: Martin Guptill ruled out from 3-match T20 series

Guptill sustained injury prior to the final ODI against India and now will be eyeing a return against Bangladesh in a series starting next week.

Senior New Zealand opener Martin Guptill has been ruled out of New Zealand for the upcoming three-match T20 series against India after failing to recover from back injury.

Guptill will be replaced by all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who also featured in the final two ODIs against India in the recently concluded five-match series.

"Unfortunately Martin hasn't recovered in time for this Twenty20 series which is very condensed with three games over five days," New Zealand coach Gary Stead was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

ALSO READ: In pictures: Team India beats New Zealand in 5th ODI, win series 4-1

"It's a shame as he's obviously a big part of our white-ball sides, but we've got to look at the big picture and ensure he gets the injury right."

Guptill sustained injury prior to the final ODI against India and now will be eyeing a return against Bangladesh in a series starting next week.

The three-match T20 series against India starts on February 6 at Wellington, followed by second match at Auckland's Eden Park on February 8 and the final game at Hamilton on February 10.

The New Zealand squad also includes rookie all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, who is the son of former All Blacks coach John Mitchell.

New Zealand T20 squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.

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Women's T20 World Cup: Want to watch India play in semis? Sacrifice sleep

While all the matches featuring India have taken place at 8 pm so far, the semi-final match will be played at 5 am on November 23.

The women’s T20 world cup has thus far proved to be a big advertisement for Indian women’s cricket. After making a mark in the 2017 women’s 50-over world cup in England, where they lost to the home team in the final, the women in blue have sparkled in the shortest format of the game in Guyana.

The four games thus far have all been played on what constitutes prime time in India – starting at 8 pm IST. But now as the tournament moves from the South American mainland to the Caribbean island of Antigua for the knockout stage, the games would be played under floodlights. This would mean that to watch the action against England in the semi-finals, ardent cricket lovers would have to be up and about at 5 am IST.

Many have grumbled that the Board of Control for Cricket in India could have done better and impressed upon the International Cricket Council to host all the games at a time when more Indians could also watch them, but it has not.

Incidentally, during the 2010 T20 men’s world cup in West Indies all the games in which India played were held during the daytime there so that people caught the action in the evenings here. More recently, the Asia Cup held in the United Arab Emirates had seen all the games being played at 7 pm. IST which provided a huge audience for the tournament in South Asia. It is keeping in mind the viewership that all the premier leagues also have evening games.

Unfortunately, while the women’s cricket team through its sterling performance has done all it can to popularise the sport in India, the BCCI administrators have disappointed. They should have tried to impress upon the organisers the need to hold the women’s T20 world cup semi-finals and final too at times when most people could have watched them. But that did not happen. In India people will have to rise early on Friday, which is a working day, to see some part of the game.

For their part, the girls have not put a foot wrong so far. They topped their group by authoritatively defeating all their four opponents, who by the way were no pushovers. Among them Australia is the top ranked and New Zealand is the second placed. The first to feel the heat were the Kiwis, who are ranked fourth, just behind India in the T20 rankings.

The New Zealand girls were out-batted by India. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur hit a scintillating 103 of just 51 balls, her second 50 coming of just 17 deliveries. A half-century at the other end by Jemima Rodrigues and two three-wicket hauls by spinners Poonam Yadav and Dayalan Hemalatha gave India a 34 run win and announced its arrival at the world cup.

The next match was against arch-rivals Pakistan, which was riding high over its win over Ireland. But the girls in blue held their nerves. They restricted their neighbours to 133. Then as they walked in to bat, they did not carry the burden of the 10 runs they had been awarded as Pakistani players – in a first for any team in international cricket – were docked five runs twice for running on the danger zone.... Read More

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