Cricket news round-up – 21 June: Australia claim top spot, record loss for Mali women

Australia defeated a spirited Bangladesh to move to the top of the points table. Inclusion of Women’s T20 to the 2022 Commonwealth Games has been proposed. Mali women lost by a record margin against Uganda.

Australia move to the top

Australia moved to the top of the points table and almost confirmed their entry to the semi-final with a 48-run win over Bangladesh in a high scoring match at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. For Australia, David Warner scored his second century of the tournament as his 147-ball 166 and Usman Khawaja’s 89 were the main base for the eventual total of 381/5. Soumya Sarkar scalped three top order wickets.

The 7^th ODI century from Mushfiqur Rahim helped Bangladesh to fight bravely and push for 333 runs. Rahim and Mahmudullah built a partnership of 127 runs for the 5^th wicket and gave some hope to Bangladeshi fans but the target was too much to achieve. With Mahmudullah’s (69 off 50 balls) dismissal the match was sealed for Australia. Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile, and Marcus Stoinis took two wickets each. Coulter-Nile gave the most important breakthrough by picking up Mahmudullah and Sabbir Rahman in the same over at the end.

Injury scare for Vijay Shankar

Indian cricket team had another injury scare as Vijay Shankar was hit on his toe by a Jashprit Bumrah Yorker. According to the reports, the pain has subsided and it will be interesting to see whether the team management would risk him to play against Afghanistan on Saturday.

Shankar is the designated number four batsman for India and also provides a medium pace bowling option. In case, he is rested Rishabh Pant can make his World Cup debut. This is the third incident of injury for team India after Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Whereas Shikhar Dhawan is out of the tournament, Kumar is expected to be back in the match against England or later.

Women’s T20 in 2022 Commonwealth Games

In another move to spread the women’s game, the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games may see Women’s T20 as one of the events. A proposal to include the sport was submitted by ICC along with support from England and Wales Cricket board and with full support from MCC World Cricket Committee to the Commonwealth Games Federation. The proposal was approved by the Federation and now is kept for voting by the 71 member countries. A final decision will be made in the next six weeks. If included it will be the return of cricket in Commonwealth Games after 24 years.

Mali women register record loss

Mali women’s wretched run continues in the Kwibuka Women’s Twenty20 Tournament as they again became part of a host of negative World Records. After conceding 314 runs in 20 overs to Uganda, the highest ever total in any T20 international for both men and women, they were all out for just 10 runs. The margin of 304 runs became the highest ever victory margin in any T20 internationals.

For Uganda, opener Prosscovia Alako and captain Rita Musamali both scored a century and registered the first instance of two centuries in a women’s T20 international. Only Oumou Show could manage one wicket at the cost of 82 runs in three overs. Mali conceded 61 extras including 30 no-balls and 28 wides.

During the chase, six Mali batters made duck as Tenin Konate became the highest scorer with four runs. They were eventually all out in 11.1 overs for 10 runs. Mildred Anyigo and Susan Kakai took three and two wickets respectively.

County updates

Kent registered a 285-run victory over Nottinghamshire as Harry Podmore picked up 5/41. Chasing 406 Nottinghamshire had a collapse and could not recover. They were 43/1 at one stage before bowling out for 120.

Warwickshire registered their third victory of the season as they beat Yorkshire by three wickets. Chasing 217 for a win, the openers Will Rhodes (83) and Dominic Sibley (81) built a strong foundation with 132 runs for the first wicket. But they kept losing wickets regularly after that; between 166 and 215 they lost six wickets. However the target was too low and the captain Jeetan Patel remained on the crease to complete the victory.

The contest between Leicestershire and Gloucestershire ended in a high scoring draw. Gloucestershire were bowled out for 571 as Ryan Higgins was unlucky to miss his double century by just one run. Leicestershire in their second innings scored 211 without loss as both the openers Hasan Azad and Paul Horton scored 100 not out. The teams agreed on a draw post tea once the duo reached their respective centuries.

After conceding a lead of 128 runs, Sussex made a strong recovery in their second innings. Laurie Evans scored unbeaten 106 not out and Ben Brown added 64 runs. They are now 236/5 with a lead of 108 runs. They would look to push their lead on the final day against Worcestershire.