Cricket news round-up – February 28: India qualify for T20 World Cup semi-finals

Shafali Verma starred as India crawled past New Zealand to make it to the semi-finals of T20 World Cup. Elsewhere, Australia overpowered Bangladesh with a brute force of power and depth, while David Warner was reinstated as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain.

India qualify for semi-finals of T20 World Cup

India became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals of the women’s T20 World Cup 2020 when they beat New Zealand in Melbourne on Thursday.

In a close-run thriller, Shafali Verma’s 34-ball 46 helped India post 133/8 after being asked to bat first by Sophie Devine. India’s attack restricted the runs and kept New Zealand in check in the chase, till late in the game when Amelia Kerr took the attack to Poonam Yadav and smashed a 19-ball 34.

However, with five runs needed off the last ball to win, Kerr failed to connect with Shikha Pandey, and India secured a three-run victory.

Australia hammer Bangladesh to win two of three

Alyssa Healy starred as Australia secured a massive 86-run win over Bangladesh in their Group A clash in Canberra.

After opting to bat, Healy blazed away from the first ball, scoring a 53-ball 83 to help Australia post 189/1, with Beth Mooney also contributing a 56-ball 81.

Bangladesh were then kept to 103/9 in their chase, with Megan Schutt taking 3/21 to trouble them considerably.

David Warner reinstated as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain

David Warner will once again take over captaincy duties at IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad, having been removed from the post two years ago following the ball-tampering scandal.

Warner will take over from Williamson, who was named captain in 2018, a season in which he led them to the final.

“I’m thrilled to be given the captaincy for this coming IPL in 2020,” Warner said. “I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity once again to lead the team. I’d obviously thank Kane [Williamson] and Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] for the way you guys led throughout the last couple of years.”

Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep named in Sri Lanka T20I squad

Thisara Perera, Nuwan Pradeep and Shehan Jayasuriya returned to the T20I scheme of things for Sri Lanka for the upcoming series against West Indies.

All three had missed the series against India in January, with Thisara last playing a T20I in March last year due to dwindling returns. However, there was no place in the side for Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Oshada Fernando, while Danushka Gunathilaka continued to miss out with an injury.

Squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Isuru Udana, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara