Cricket news round-up – 27 April: PNG, Namibia get ODI status, Mumbai climb to second spot

Papua New Guinea and Namibia have regained their ODI status following wins in ICC World Cricket League Division 2, while Mumbai Indians reached the second spot in the IPL 2019 points table after a convincing win against Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk.

In other news, Alex Hales has failed a second drug test, while Sune Luus has been appointed stand-in captain for South Africa Women.

ODI status for PNG, Namibia

After Oman and USA, PNG and Namibia have earned ODI status till 2021 following their performances in ICC WCL Division 2.

PNG were in trouble at 32/5 against league toppers Oman before Kiplin Doriga (65( and Sese Bau (80) lifted them to 221/8. Fayyaz Butt took 4/46 and Mohammad Nadeem 4/47. In response, Oman were bowled out for 76 in 28.2 overs by Nosaina Pokana (5/14) and Chad Soper (3/15). Khawar Ali carried his bat for 29.

Elsewhere, Stephan Baard (122 in 128 balls) and JP Kotze (148 in 86) added 243 in 166 balls for the second wicket to take Namibia to 396/3. Then, from 136/1 in the 23rd over, Hong Kong were bowled out for 246 (Anshuman Rath 76, Kinchit Shah 56).

Navneet Dhaliwal (121* in 126) took Canada to 255/4 despite Ali Khan’s 3/65. Then Romesh Eranga (4/47) restricted USA to 215/9. However, the margin of win meant Canada’s net run rate stayed at -0.415, just behind PNG’s -0.403, thus enabling the latter to qualify.

Chennai lose at home, finally

Chennai Super Kings finally got a dose of their own medicine on a slow Chepauk turner. Asked to bat, Mumbai Indians reached 155/4 thanks to Rohit Sharma’s 48-ball 67. In a late surge, Hardik Pandya and Kieron Pollard took 17 off the last over. Mitchell Santner had 4-0-13-2 and Harbhajan Singh 4-0-23-0.

Chennai were never in the hunt in the absence of MS Dhoni. Murali Vijay’s 38 was the only score worth a mention in their total of 106 against Lasith Malinga (3.4-0-37-4), Krunal Pandya (3-0-7-2), and Jasprit Bumrah (3-0-11-2).

The win took Mumbai past Delhi Capitals to the second spot.

Hales fails second drug test

Alex Hales, part of England’s provisional World Cup squad, has failed a second drug test, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo. In fact, a Guardian report mentions him already serving a 21-day ban for usage of recreational drugs.

Hales had cited personal reasons for opting out of the Royal London Cup soon after the squad was announced.

Luus to lead South Africa Women

Sune Luus will lead South Africa Women for their ODI and T20I series against Pakistan Women in the absence of Dane van Niekerk, who has been ruled out with a stress fracture. The squads read:

ODIs: Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon (vc), Lizelle Lee (wk), Sinalo Jafta (wk), Andrie Steyn, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Zintle Mali, Nondumiso Shangase.

T20Is: Sune Luus (c), Chloe Tryon (vc), Lizelle Lee (wk), Sinalo Jafta (wk), Tazmin Brits, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnim Ismail, Mignon du Preez, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas, Marizanne Kapp, Nadine De Klerk, Moseline Daniels, Nondumiso Shangase.