2 w. ago India’s World Cup win can set a new world order in women’s cricket – if it spends money wisely

India would do well to remember that Australia’s domination was based on building from the grassroots upSunday was a long day for the India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. It began with a two-hour rain delay; it concluded with a catch at cover, taken on the stroke of midnight, which sealed a 52-run victory against South Africa and a maiden World Cup title.But amid the fireworks, tears, hugs, a lap of honour at the DY Patil Stadium, and rumours of a forthcoming winners’ parade in Mumbai, Kaur found time to deliver an important message to the media. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. “The celebration will go on all night. And then let’s see what BCCI is planning for us This is just the beginning.” Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago India’s World Cup win can set a new world order in women’s cricket – if it spends money wisely | Raf Nicholson

India would do well to remember that Australia’s domination was based on building from the grassroots upSunday was a long day for the India captain, Harmanpreet Kaur. It began with a two‑hour rain delay; it concluded with a catch at cover, taken on the stroke of midnight, which sealed a 52-run victory against South Africa and a maiden World Cup title.But amid the fireworks, tears, hugs, a lap of honour at the DY Patil Stadium, and rumours of a forthcoming winners’ parade in Mumbai, Kaur found time to deliver an important message to the media. “We’ve been waiting for this moment,” she said. “The celebration will go on all night. And then let’s see what BCCI is planning for us this is just the beginning.” Continue reading...

Economics

2 w. ago Women’s World Cup win can be defining moment for India cricket says Sachin Tendulkar

After two defeats in World Cup finals, India’s victory over South Africa could be a defining moment for the women’s team

Politics

2 w. ago India rejoice in first Women’s World Cup triumph as South Africa chase falls short

Final: India, 298-7, beat South Africa, 246, by 52 runsShafali and Deepti shine as Navi Mumbai rejoicesAt last, 50 years on from their debut on the world stage, India’s dream came true: a maiden World Cup win, in front of a deafening full house in Navi Mumbai, as they defeated South Africa by 52 runs.Laura Wolvaardt struck a magnificent century, going back-to-back after her winning effort in the semi-final, but while she finished the tournament with a run-tally of 571 – the most by any woman in a World Cup – the ultimate prize belonged to India. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. 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...

Politics

3 w. ago Standing on their own: Cricket World Cup highlights drive to reclaim public space for Indian women | Emma John

As India’s most popular sport, cricket offers a forum to help change attitudes – educating men and empowering womenIf there was any better sight than India’s cricketers celebrating victory over Australia on Thursday, it was that of their supporters doing the same. For several hours, the nerves of the 35,000 spectators in Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium – most wearing Indian blue – had jangled in sympathy. As the home team booked themselves into Sunday’s Cricket World Cup final, the TV cameras picked out the men and women in the stands caught up in the flood of delight and relief. It was more than a moment of triumph – it was a vision of solidarity.But let’s leave the stands, now, and head to the city streets of Indore, the largest city in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It’s here that a pair of Australia players were sexually harassed as they walked from their hotel to a nearby cafe, the morning after last week’s game against England. They reported the incident, there was an immediate invest...

Politics

3 w. ago India stun holders Australia to book place in Women’s World Cup final

Jemimah Rodrigues smashed an unbeaten 127 to secure India a sensational five-wicket victory in the second semi-final

Politics

3 w. 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...

Politics

3 w. ago England knocked out of World Cup as supreme South Africa power into final

Laura Wolvaardt made a quite magnificent 169 before Marizanne Kapp dismantled England’s top order

Politics

3 w. ago South Africa claim historic World Cup final spot as Wolvaardt blows England away

South Africa, 319-7, beat England, 194 all out, 125 runsCaptain smashes 169 as Proteas reach first 50-over finalSouth Africa made history in Guwahati on Wednesday, after a phenomenal innings from captain Laura Wolvaardt and remarkable figures of five for 20 from Marizanne Kapp helped them to a 125-run against England and launched them into their first ever 50-over World Cup final.Wolvaardt took 115 balls to bring up a maiden World Cup hundred, which was reason enough to celebrate. But with wickets tumbling at the other end and England looking like they might have an easy-enough chase on their hands, she then unleashed a remarkable display of boundary-striking on the unsuspecting English bowlers, adding a further 69 runs in 28 balls. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. 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...

Politics

3 w. ago The Spin | Sophie Devine’s impact on women’s cricket should be measured in more than statistics

The New Zealand legend played with joy and fun, but was also a true fighter who spanned eras in the women’s gameAs the Women’s World Cup has progressed, sanding down the edges and turning up the four semi-finalists you might have predicted from the start, a sideshow has been quietly playing stage left. A down-to-earth sideshow – just like the woman herself – the Sophie Devine farewell.Devine made her New Zealand debut in October 2006, in an ODI and T20 series against Australia. Nineteen years later, still with the same open face and broad smile, she has played her final one-day international – a losing affair against England neither side will polish up for the mantelpiece. The most memorable moment came at the end with the affectionate guard of honour given to Devine by both sides and the Māori tribute led by Melie Kerr and sung by her teary teammates as the stadium emptied. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. 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...

Politics

3 w. ago Indian minister condemned for ‘victim blaming’ after Australian women cricketers allege sexual harassment

Cricket Australia says players of Women’s Cricket World Cup team were ‘touched inappropriately’ in Indore

Politics

3 w. ago Women’s Cricket World Cup: England face wait over Sophie Ecclestone injury scare

The 26-year-old fell to the ground after chasing a ball to the boundary in the first over of an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand.

Events

3 w. ago Women’s Cricket World Cup: England crush New Zealand in final group match

England, 172-2, bt New Zealand, 168, by eight wktsJones hits unbeaten 86 but Ecclestone hurts shoulderEngland finished the group stages of the World Cup with a dominant eight-wicket win against a limp New Zealand, after bowling them out for 168 in 38.2 overs.Sophie Devine’s final ODI ended in disappointment after she departed caught behind to Nat Sciver-Brunt on 23, sparking a collapse which saw New Zealand lose their last five wickets for 13 runs. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago England crush New Zealand in final group match but Ecclestone injured

England, 172-2, bt New Zealand, 168, by eight wktsSophie Ecclestone hurts shoulder while fieldingEngland finished the group stages of the World Cup with a dominant eight-wicket win against a limp New Zealand, after bowling them out for 168 in 38.2 overs.Sophie Devine’s final one-day international ended in disappointment after the 36-year-old departed caught behind to Nat Sciver-Brunt on 23, sparking a collapse in which New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 13 runs. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago England beat New Zealand by eight wickets: Women’s Cricket World Cup – live reaction

England secure second place in group with victorySign up for the Spin | Email Jim with your thoughts11th over: New Zealand 58-1 ( Plimmer 20, Kerr 27) Better from Sciver-Brunt, just a single from it. It’s hot, hot, hot out there – 40 degrees in the middle.10th over: New Zealand 57-1 ( Plimmer 20, Kerr 26) Charlie Dean replaces the struggling Smith, and Kerr sweeps her immediately and with gumption for four. Eccleston is still off the field after hurting her left shoulder fielding on the rope earlier in the innings. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago Alana King leaves South Africa in a spin as dominant Australia top World Cup group

The leg-spinner finished with remarkable figures of 7-18 as South Africa were bowled out for 97

Politics

3 w. ago Two Australia players ‘touched inappropriately’ at Women’s Cricket World Cup

Cricket Australia said two members of the team were involved in the incident in Indore, India

Sport