Cricket news round-up – 2 November: West Indies beat India by one run in thriller

Cricket news round-up – 2 November: West Indies beat India by one run in thriller

Chedean Nation West Indies India Women

West Indies Women sealed a dramatic one-run victory against India in the first IWC ODI in the Caribbean, with Stafanie Taylor and Anisa Mohammad playing starring roles. Elsewhere, Joe Denly suffers an injury blow, Smriti Mandhana recovers from her own injury, and Kane Williamson can bowl again.

Denly out after sustaining ankle injury

England batsman Joe Denly has been ruled out of the T20Is against New Zealand after sustaining an ankle injury during practice on Thursday, the ECB have stated.

The 33-year-old sustained ligament damage in his ankle during a training session, and though England have not yet named a replacement, it is unclear at the moment whether he’ll recover in time for the Tests, starting on November 21.

It’s a blow for Denly, who would have been hoping to make his T20 credentials clear, with a host of first-team players being rested, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2020 next year.

Taylor, Mohammed star as West Indies seal dramatic win

West Indies secured an extremely narrow one-run win against India in a dramatic encounter in North Sound in the first ICC Women’s Championship ODI of a three-match series.

West Indies first posted 225/7 thanks to Natasha McLean’s 82-ball 51 and Stafanie Taylor’s 91-ball 94. Chedean Nation’s 43 off 55 was also a massive boost for West Indies, as they set a daunting chase.

However, India started well with Jemimah Rodrigues and Priya Punia. They put on 78 before Rodrigues was snared, but Punia went on to score 75 to set up the chase. There were Punam Raut, MIthali Raj and Deepti Sharma, as the chase went down to the wire.

However, Anisa Mohammed’s two-wicket final over, including that of Poonam Yadav on the last ball, sealed victory for West Indies.

Smriti Mandhana to join squad in Caribbean after recovery  

India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana has recovered from her toe injury and will join the India squad in the Caribbean for the ODI series against West Indies, it was reported by ESPNCricinfo.

Mandhana sustained a toe fracture when batting in the nets last month, but has recovered and is expected to travel to the Caribbean on November 2. The BCCI said Mandhana would be available for selection from the third ODI onwards.

After the ODIs, West Indies and India will also play five T20Is as part of the build-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia next year.

Kane Williamson can bowl again

The ICC have cleared New Zealand captain Kane Williamson to bowl again after his action was deemed within the legal permits of elbow extension, after he underwent tests in Loughborough.

Williamson was reported for suspect action during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in August, but during the assessment, Williamson was within the 15-degree limit.

Williamson was first reported for suspect action in 2014, and at the time had to make changes to his bowling action.