Cricket news round-up – 30 May: World Cup 2019 gets underway

As the cricket fraternity is set to welcome the 12th edition of the World Cup in a few hours, Mashrafe Mortaza has announced that he will brave his hamstring injury to play Bangladesh’s first match of the tournament, against South Africa. And not too far away, West Indies Women completed a 3-0 whitewash of Ireland Women.

World Cup gets underway

The 12th edition of World Cup cricket is all set to go, with hosts England taking on South Africa at The Oval on Thursday. The return of the round-robin league will mean the tenacity of the teams will be tested as much as talent and strategies, leaving no room for error.

The World Cup has not witnessed a new champion since 1996: maybe this time?

Mortaza desperate to play South Africa match

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza had pulled a hamstring during the warm-up match against India. He pulled out after bowling 6 overs (which cost him 23 runs). He did not bat either.

However, in an interview with benews.com, Mortaza announced that he will play in Bangladesh’s first match, against South Africa.

Three Bangladeshi stars – Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Mustafizur Rahman – are already struggling with injuries.

West Indies Women seal series

West Indies Women completed a 3-0 rout of Ireland Women, thrashing the hosts by 72 runs at Dublin. Asked to bat, they scored 188/1, with Hayley Matthews (107* in 62) and Chedean Nation (63* in 46) adding an unbroken 164 in 90 balls.

Ireland finished with 116/3, most of the runs coming from Mary Waldron (55* in 62) and Kim Garth (45 in 46). Stafanie Taylor had 3-0-19-2 and Stacy-Ann King 3-1-8-1.

County Championship Division 1 roundup

Essex lead by 312 against Kent at Chelmsford. Alastair Cook followed his first-innings 125 with 90 to take them to 181/6 by stumps on Day Three. They will aim at an early declaration.

Warwickshire finished Day Three on 76/2 against Surrey at Edgbaston. They lead by 181 what that is likely to end in a draw. Similarly, Yorkshire’s 207/3 at Headingley got them to a 153-run lead over Hampshire.

County Championship Division 2 roundup

No play at Cheltenham on Day Three meant that Lancashire’s score stayed on 47/2 in response to Gloucestershire’s 205.

Chasing 234 against Derbyshire at Grace Road, Leicestershire were 110/4 at stumps. Hasan Azad is at the crease with 44.

Glamorgan had lost a wicket before scoring after conceding a 234-run deficit to Sussex at Brighton, but they came back strongly to finish the day on 218/1. At the crease are Nicholas Fang (68*) and Marnus Labuschagne (131*).

Middlesex were 287/6 at stumps at New Road, which meant a lead of 352 over Worcestershire after Dawid Malan (124) and Nick Gubbins (91) added 201 for the third wicket. Joe Leach took 2/48 and Charlie Morris 2/74.