Cricket news round-up – February 24: Batting in focus as India succumb to New Zealand for first Test Championship loss

India suffered a rare loss in the first Test against New Zealand, with the Black Caps’ Tim Southee and Trent Boult dismantling the visitors’ batsmen. Elsewhere, Mignon du Preez stunned England in a thriller in the women’s T20 World Cup, and Quinton de Kock and Lungi Ngidi starred as South Africa drew level in the T20Is against Australia.

Batsmen falter again as India succumb by 10 wickets

India resumed on the fourth morning needing 39 runs to gain the lead with six wickets in hand. However, they managed to add just 47 more runs to their overnight total of 144/4, with Tim Southee and Trent Boult running through them, giving New Zealand a target of 9 runs.

Southee returned 5/61 and Boult a 4/39 as New Zealand trounced India for their 100th victory in Test cricket. It was also India’s first loss in the World Test Championship, ending a run of seven consecutive victories, and New Zealand also snapped a three-match losing streak.

Once Ajinkya Rahane (29) was dismissed early on the fourth morning, India’s slide began. Apart from Rishabh Pant, who scored a 51-ball 25, no other batsman resisted on the day, as India coasted.

South Africa stun England in Women’s T20 World Cup

South Africa and England played out a thriller in the women’s T20 World Cup, with Mignon du Preez’s back-to-back boundaries in the final over helping her side through to a six-wicket victory.

England were kept to 123/8, and though South Africa coasted in the chase for large parts thanks to a 84-run stand between Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, the nerves showed after they were dismissed in the death.

Chloe Tryon was then cleaned up by Sophie Ecclestone, but Mignon du Preez scored a 11-ball 18, including a six in the final over, to seal a famous triumph.

De Kock, bowlers level series 1-1 against Australia

South Africa secured a 12-run victory over Australia in the second T20I in Port Elizabeth, thanks to Quinton de Kock’s 47-ball 70 and Lungi Ngidi’s 3/41.

De Kock’s knock, along with Rassie van der Dussen’s 26-ball 37, helped South Africa post 158/4 after they opted to bat.

Australia were then curbed to 146/6, despite David Warner staying unbeaten at the end on a 56-ball 67*.

Islamabad United remain top after thrilling win

The thrillers keep coming in the Pakistan Super League. Islamabad United saw off Lahore Qalandars by a wicket, with a ball remaining, to remain top of the PSL 2020 table.

Asked to bat, Lahore posted 182/6, thanks largely to Mohammad Hafeez’s 57-ball 98* – there was support from Fakhar Zaman (33 off 26) and David Wiese (19 off 9) as well.

Islamabad’s chase was rocky. Shadab Khan scored a 29-ball 52 to keep it going, and Colin Ingram added impetus with a 14-ball 30, but it needed a late intervention from Muhammad Musa, who scored a 11-ball 17, for Islamabad to seal victory.