Day: January 21, 2023

Dubai, January 21, 2023 (PPI-OT):Hosts, South Africa continued picking up form at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup with a well-judged, five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Super Six League stages in Potchefstroom. Set a modest 106 to win, South Africa were in trouble at 41/4 after 10 overs, thanks to a beguiling spell of leg-spin bowling by Rabeya (3/5 off three overs) and an intense display in the field by Bangladesh. Player of the match, Madison Landsman (37 off 38 balls, three fours and a six) and Karabo Meso (32 not out off 30 balls, four boundaries) came together for a composed 70-run stand which came off 62 balls, which broke the back of the chase to guide the hosts home.

Bangladesh’s decision to bat on the same JB Marks Oval surface on which England had powered to over 200 runs in the morning, met with more resistance than they would have liked. While their batters generally got starts, they never quite could string partnerships, their highest being 31 runs off 33 balls between the Akters, Sumaiya and Shorna.

Two things contributed to the sedate nature of Bangladesh’s progress: disciplined bowling by the South African attack and committed fielding – particularly by the lightning quick Simone Lourens and Jenna Evans – in the outfield. Off-spinner Kayla Reyneke, who has a happy knack for contributing in all aspects of the game, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/19 off four overs and the prized wicket of the explosive Bangladesh opener Afia Prottasha.

Prottasha, who seemed to struggle with injury, cut a frustrated figure in a 21-run innings in which she tried to hit the ball too hard and often missed, with Dilara Akter top-scoring with 23 off 28 balls (one boundary). Bangladesh’s total of 106/6 was seen to be a touch on the modest side, but Marufa Akter’s opening spell of none for two in her first two overs – and the run-out of Elandri Janse van Rensburg with just four runs on the board – meant winning the match would be easier said than done for South Africa.

Enter Landsman and Meso with a partnership that made everyone wonder what the fuss was all about.

Scores in brief:

Toss: Bangladesh, who elected to bat.

Bangladesh 105 for 6 in 20 overs (Sumaiya Akter 23, Afia Prottasha 21, Kayla Reyneke four for 19, Miane Smit one for 20)

South Africa 108 for 5 in 18.5 overs (Madison Landsman 37, Karabo Meso 32 not out, Rabeya three for 18, Marufa Akter one for 16)

South Africa won by 5 wickets with seven balls to spare.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, January 21, 2023 (PPI-OT):The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is now just 20 days away, as the world’s leading cricketers share their excitement ahead of the event which begins on 10 February, when South Africa face Sri Lanka at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.

The wait for Africa’s first Women’s T20 World Cup is nearly over with squads putting in their final preparations to contest the ultimate prize in T20 cricket. The 10 best teams in the world will be in action across three iconic venues, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Boland Park in Paarl and St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Fans can watch 15 days of world-class cricket and enjoy an exclusive promotion of 30,000 tickets selling for only R30 rands. Excited South Africans marked the 20 days to go milestone with a celebration of beach cricket at Camps Bay in Cape Town, with Proteas One-Day International (ODI) captain Temba Bavuma, local celebrities including the Queen of radio Anele and fans soaking up the anticipation that is building across the country.

South Africa men’s captain, Temba Bavuma said: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in South Africa this year. It’s an incredible opportunity for all the players to be a part of history with South Africa hosting its first ever Women’s T20 World Cup. Playing in a World Cup is the pinnacle for any cricketer and I can’t wait to watch the ladies turning it up on the biggest stage.”

As the world turns up to watch fast-paced, high-energy cricket the focus will quickly turn to who will be crowned the eighth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup champions on 26 February. South Africa’s Lara Goodall, West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and India’s Jemimah Rodrigues who are all a part of the 100% Cricket Superstars programme, an initiative that celebrates the best talent in the women’s game will be in action in South Africa from 10 – 26 February and share their thoughts ahead of the event.

South Africa’s batter, Lara Goodall said: “The countdown is on, we are getting closer, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the world’s best cricketers to South Africa. This is a historic moment for South Africa and the Proteas, I hope all South Africans will turn up and be a part of it.”

West Indies’ all-rounder, Hayley Matthews can’t wait to play in South Africa again: “I believe all the players are looking forward to playing in South Africa, as a team, we the West Indies love playing there. Personally, I am excited to be playing a World Cup there, having played bilateral cricket before and I’m hoping that the crowds come out and support us. The pitches in South Africa have something for everyone, the spinners get something, the batters get something, and the fast bowlers all get something out of them.”

New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr, the world record holder for the youngest international double centurion, said: “I have heard many great things about South Africa, I can’t wait to play in a T20 World Cup in such an amazing country. We are coming off from hosting a World Cup at home and it was incredible to see the support for women’s cricket. We hope the fans will be out in their numbers for this incredible event.”

India’s Jemimah Rodrigues said: “It’s great to be in South Africa already preparing for the Women’s T20 World Cup. You can see and feel the excitement around the country for this event, which is the pinnacle of T20 cricket. We can’t wait for the tournament to get started come 10 February.”

The 100% Cricket campaign is the long-term commitment to accelerate the growth of women’s cricket. Over the past year many opportunities have been provided to females in the game through the campaign including the 100% Cricket Coach and Umpire Workshops, webinars, the 100% Cricket podcast, the next edition of the Future Leaders Programme and most recently in the introduction of the first ever mentorship programme at the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 will be putting on a spectacular show for all spectators, with entertainment and festivities at the centre of a day out at the cricket. Fans can look out for top South African artists performing at prominent matches, DJs on the decks, giveaways and more, a memorable and inclusive experience for everyone. Fans can get in on the action by purchasing their tickets at www.t20worldcup.com/tickets or ticket offices at any of the venues.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, January 21, 2023 (PPI-OT):New Zealand were forced to work hard for their victory, but they eventually prevailed by four wickets, defeating plucky Rwanda in their opening Super Sixes fixture in the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Potchefstroom on Saturday. The East Africans won the toss and elected to bat first, keen to set the Kiwis a testing target. They didn’t make the best of starts, Merveille Uwase was smartly stumped by Izzy Gaze in the first over bowled by Olivia Anderson, before a run had been scored. Fellow opener Cynthia Tuyizere (3) didn’t last much longer, and it was up to Gisele Ishimwe and Henriette Ishimwe to repair the damage.

That they did, thanks to Gisele (27 from 28 balls, three boundaries) who played more freely than Henriette (30 from 46 balls, four boundaries). Belise Murekatete swiped a four and a six to make 14 from 12 balls, but the Kiwis kept the rate under control. Anderson picked up two for 21, while Kate Chandler’s leg-spin was good for two for 21. Rwanda had to settle for 95 for seven in their allotted overs.

The chase by New Zealand was steady, if not spectacular. They also lost two wickets upfront, slipping to nine for two inside the first couple of overs. Rosine Irera did the early damage, trapping Georgia Plimmer (9) in front and then having Gaze caught and bowled without scoring.

Emma McLeod then took it upon herself to change the course of the contest. She carted two sixes and nine boundaries, as she sped to 59 from 39 balls.

Izzy Sharp (11 from 24 balls) hung around while McLeod made merry. Though both fell before the last rites, the heavy lifting had been done. McLeod became Irera’s third victim of the day – also trapped leg-before – but it counted for little by that point.

Chandler (7 not out) and Abigail Hotton saw the Kiwis home, as they went to six points in the Super Sixes standings, leaving them in a strong position to make it into the semi-finals.

Scores in brief:

Toss: Rwanda, who elected to bat first.

Rwanda 95 for seven in 20 overs (Henriette Ishimwe 30, Gisele Ishimwe 27, Olivia Anderson two for 21, Kate Chandler two for 21)

New Zealand 99 for six in 16.1 overs (Emma McLeod 59, Izzy Sharp 11, Rosine Irera three for 17)

New Zealand won by six wickets.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, January 21, 2023 (PPI-OT):England finally cracked the 200-run code at the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in a dominant, 121-run Super Six stage win over Ireland in Potchefstroom. Having threatened to reach that milestone a couple of times in the group stages of the tournament, England finally broke through by scoring 207 for the loss of just two wickets on a placid JB Marks Oval wicket and bowled Ireland out for 86.

The total was the second over the double century mark (after India’s 219/3 against the UAE). Dynamic opening duo of skipper Grace Scrivens and Liberty Heap again laid the foundation with a massive opening stand of 136 which bettered their own record for the biggest in the tournament by 13 runs.

Scrivens, who scored a typically aggressive 93 (56 balls, 15 fours and two sixes), came perilously close to being the first player to score a century in the tournament, while Heap chipped in with a brisk, 29-ball 42 (seven boundaries). Niamh Holland (34 off 21 balls, four fours) and Seren Smale (30 off 14, five boundaries), kept the foot on the gas by finishing with a quick and unbeaten 49-run partnership of their own to get England over the 200-run mark.

On a day in which the Irish team were chasing leather, the bowlers understandably came in for a bit of punishment, with left-arm orthodox Aimee Maguire’s figures of 1/24 off three overs the nearest thing to someone reining in the English batters. Ireland’s reply began with the carefree approach of a team with nothing to lose, but they lost wickets early and lost them regularly, four of them in the power play to see them slip to 34/4 after six overs.

With the England bowling attack – which on the day was led by the miserly left-arm spinner Sophia Smale (3/11 off four overs) and the talented leg-spinner Hannah Baker (3/9 off 2.5) – in typically clinical mood, the question became how much Ireland would lose by.

Only Abbi Harrison (16), Maguire (14) and Siuin Woods (13) broke into double figures in what they will be the first to admit was a disappointing batting effort.

England now have six points in the Group 2 standings of the Super Sixes stage, having entered the group with four points.

Scores in brief:

Toss: England, who elected to bat.

England 207 for 2 in 20 overs (Grace Scrivens 93, Liberty Heap 42, Aimee Maguire one for 24, Freya Sargent one for 48)

Ireland 86 all out in 16.5 overs (Abbi Harrison 16, Aimee Maguire 14, Sophia Smale three for 11, Hannah Baker three for 9)

England won by 121 runs after 16.5 overs.

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com