Cricket news round-up – 10 May: Supernovas go top after controversial Velocity strategy

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Supernovas went top of the table after they beat Mithali Raj’s Velocity by 12 runs. Elsewhere, there was a hat-trick as South Africa beat Pakistan in their second IWC ODI match, even as the Ireland-Bangladesh clash in Dublin was rained out.

Supernovas go top of the table

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Supernovas saw off Mithali Raj’s Velocity in the third match of the Women’s T20 Challenge. The 12-run victory helped them reach the top of the three-match table.

Jemimah Rodrigues hammered a 48-ball 77* to help Supernovas post 142/3. Velocity were then reduced to 21/2 in their chase, before Daniel Wyatt’s 33-ball 43 helped add some impetus to the innings.

With Mithali Raj and Veda Krishnamurthy coming together for the fourth wicket, it seemed Velocity had a great chance to go for victory – however, they were circumspect, and tried to ensure their net run-rate was superior to Trailblazers.

In the end, though Raj (40 off 42) and Krishnamurthy (30 off 29) put on an unbroken 50, Supernovas were comfortable winners.

South Africa daw level in IWC ODI series

Masabata Klaas took a hat-trick as South Africa restored parity to their three-match ICC Women’s Championship ODI series against Pakistan in Potchefstroom.

South Africa had been defeated by a handsome eight wickets – Pakistan’s highest margin of victory in terms of balls remaining (212) – in the first ODI. But they opted to field here, and Klaas’ hat-trick helped restrict Pakistan to 147.

That target was no match for the home side as Laura Wolvaardt scored a 104-ball 74*, putting on a 76-run opening stand with Lizelle Lee, to see the chase through.

The third ODI will be played on Sunday.

Rain washes out Ireland-Bangladesh clash

The third match of the  tri-series between Ireland and Bangladesh was washed out without a ball bowled after persistent rain in Dublin made play impossible.

The result left Ireland rooted to the bottom of the table with just two points from as many matches – Bangladesh lead the table with six points, West Indies are second with five.

Ireland can still revive their campaign if they can secure victories in their final two matches – against West Indies on Saturday, and Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Root says England ‘unified’ after Hales episode

Joe Root has said despite the potential of the Alex Hales episode to split the side, England had moved on and come together.

Hales was suspended after reports suggested he had been banned after testing positive for recreational drug use a second time. Eoin Morgan, the England captain, later revealed the team was livid with Hales, and had suggested to the ECB that he be removed.

The episode, so close to the World Cup, could have had troubling ramifications for the team, but they’ve come together closer than ever. “Yes, absolutely,” said Root when asked if Hales episode had a unifying effect on the squad. “Now we’re back playing cricket, that is really good for the group. We can concentrate on our full focus being on the cricket going into the World Cup.”