21 h. ago Australia’s Women’s World Cup defeat exposes need for a reset – not an overhaul | Mrinal Asija

Australia’s women have lost their grip on both the T20 and ODI crowns within 12 months but were the most well-rounded unit at this year’s tournamentWhat a difference a night makes? The Australian women’s cricket team, undefeated at the tournament and hot favourites to again lift the Women’s Cricket World Cup, fumbled the semi-final in Navi Mumbai and coughed up the chance to defend their title.Known as the mentality monsters for their unmatched ability to fight back from the most dire of situations, Australia failed to defend their total of 338. In a contrasting display, their opponents – co-hosts India – shed their own tendency to buckle under pressure in knockout games and held their nerve to overhaul the record for the highest successful run chase in women’s ODIs. Continue reading...

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57 h. ago India beat Australia in historic chase to reach Women’s Cricket World Cup final – live

Reaction from the second semi-final in Navi Mumbai Post-Ashes review was meant to change England. Did it? Sign up for The Spin | And you can mail Tanya“Morning from a cold Warsaw,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “I came to know today (TIL in the modern lingo) that Ian Healy is an uncle of Alyssa. The batting depth in the Indian line up is amazing but we have to wait and see if the bowlers can give them an easy target to chase.”Whatever the target, and whether India chase it or not, I can’t see it being easy. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago England’s top three dismissed for ducks in Cricket World Cup semi

Amy Jones, Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were removed in quick succession, all for ducks

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3 d. ago England chasing 320 to beat South Africa: Women’s Cricket World Cup semi

England face ominous target after Wolvaardt’s 169 The Spin: celebrating Sophie Devine | Email Rob4th over: South Africa 21-0 (Wolvaardt 13, Brits 6) Neat and tidy from Smith. That Bell semi-drop not withstanding, the BBC report that – stats wise - England are the best fielding team in the competition.3rd over: South Africa 19-0 (Wolvaardt 12, Brits 5) A half-chance not held. Brits flays Bell back back with fire, through the left hand of her follow through and down to the rope. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago Australian women’s cricketers exceed $1m in earnings – with more riches on the horizon

Five players surge past mark amid growing financial opportunitiesThey could soon be joined by others with WPL ‘mega auction’ loomingFive of Australia’s all-conquering team set for a showdown against hosts India in the women’s cricket World Cup semi-final on Thursday have surged through the threshold of $1m annual earnings, as the growing financial opportunities in the global game approach and even exceed the value of Cricket Australia contracts.That group might soon expand too, given an Indian Women’s Premier League “mega auction” is scheduled for November. The Australians – who have won three of the past four world T20 titles and are defending 50-over champions – are set to attract significant interest from the five franchises, each of which have approximately $2.6m to spend for the month-long tournament. Continue reading...

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9 d. ago India beat New Zealand to secure last Women’s Cricket World Cup semi

A fabulous opening partnership between Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana secured India’s place in the semi-finals2nd over: India 2-0 (Pratika 0, Smriti 0) Jess Kerr at the other end, neat lengths, Smriti, watchful, taps the ball back. An excellent maiden.1st over: India 2-0 (Pratika 0, Smriti 0) Rosemary Mair, hair scraped back, earrings dancing, starts with an outswinger that Pratika lets go safely by. And so it continues for much of the over, with two leg byes from the last ball. Continue reading...

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1 week ago England hold nerve to beat India and seal Women’s Cricket World Cup semi

England, 288-8, bt India, 284-6, by four runsIndia fail to chase down target after Knight’s centuryEngland won a last-over thriller against India at Indore on Sunday to seal their place in the World Cup semi-finals, holding two crucial catches at the death to defend 288 and win by just four runs. Earlier Heather Knight’s third ODI century in her 300th international set up the exciting finale.India were left needing 27 off 18 but, defying England’s recent ­reputation of falling to pieces under pressure, Linsey Smith conceded just four runs from the 48th over and then defended 14 off the last to ensure ­England came out on top. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago ‘I look up to her’: Phoebe Litchfield learning from captain Alyssa Healy at Women’s Cricket World Cup

Young gun inspired by Healy’s back-to-back centuries and 7,000 international runsAustralia has locked in semi-final place and next plays EnglandPhoebe Litchfield may go on to become an all-time batting star for Australia, but for the moment the young gun is simply enjoying the best view in the house as her fellow opener and skipper shows her the path to success.Litchfield watched in awe from the other end as Alyssa Healy first caned India on Sunday then Bangladesh on Wednesday for thrilling back-to-back centuries that have helped to push the champions into the semi-finals in their Women’s Cricket World Cup title defence. Continue reading...

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