Cricket news round-up – April 26: Graeme Watson passes away, Sana Mir retires

Former Australian Test cricketer Graeme Watson passed away; Pakistan legend Sana Mir announced retirement from international cricket; and cricket resumed in Vanuatu and Taipei.

Graeme Watson passes away

Former Australian Test cricketer died of cancer at Sydney. He was 75. A middle-order batsman and a medium-pace bowler, Watson had played 5 Tests and 2 ODIs between 1966-67 and 1972. He scored 50 in his first Test innings, against South Africa at Cape Town, but managed only 47 more runs in his 8 other innings. He also picked up 6 wickets, including Ali Bacher and John Edrich.

However, Watson is remembered more for his contributions for Western Australia. He played a pivotal role when they won three Shefield Shield titles between 1971-72 and 1974-75. His First-Class numbers, 4,674 runs at 32.68 and 186 wickets at 25.31, make impressive reading. He was also a prolific AFL player.

Sana Mir bows out

Former Pakistan Women captain Sana Mir retired from all formats of international cricket. Mir had opted out of the matches against England Women just ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup, following which she was dropped from the squad.

Often considered the greatest woman to play cricket for Pakistan, Mir played 120 ODIs (the most for Pakistan Women) and 106 T20Is. Her 151 ODI wickets is almost twice as much as anyone else’s tally from her country.

However, her greatest legacy lies in the way she helped build the Pakistan Women side over years, emerging as the face of Pakistan Women over the years.

Cricket resumes in Vanuatu…

Vanuatu, one of the handful of nations without a single COVID-19 case, became the first team to resume organised cricket amidst the global pandemic. Power House Sharks took on Tafea Black Birds in the Women’s T20 semi-final on April 25. The winner of the match met Mele Bulls in the final later in the day. However, there has been no update on the scores of the match yet.

The Men’s 40-over tournament will begin May 2. Seven teams will participate in the tournament. Vanuatu are currently ranked 28th in Women’s T20I rankings and 50th in Men’s T20I rankings.

… and in Taipei

The eight-nation T10 tournament in Taipei, yet another country without a single COVID-10 case, went underway as well with a triple-header. Hsinchu Titans won the first match of the tournament, restricting Taiwan Daredevils to 48/6 and chasing down the target with 10 balls to spare.

However, the Titans fell short by 3 rus later in the day, after TCA Indians posted 71/6. In the third match, FCC Formosans restricted Chiyayi Swingers to 66/6 and won with 8 balls in hand.