Cricket news round-up – March 10: Bangladesh coast again to lead T20Is 1-0

Bangladesh ease to 1-0 thanks to half-centuries from Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar. Elsewhere, England will play host to an Ireland-Bangladesh series, and Beth Mooney jumps to the top of the WT20I rankings.

Das, Sarkar half-centuries help Bangladesh to 1-0

Bangladesh eased to a 1-0 lead in the two-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, after half-centuries from Liton Das and Soumya Sarkar helped set up a 48-run win.

Put in to bat, Zimbabwe posted a daunting 200/3 after Das’ 39-ball 59 and Sarkar’s 32-ball 62. Tamim Iqbal also contributed a 33-ball 41, as the Zimbabwe bowlers struggled.

Then, three wickets each from Mustafizur Rahman and Aminul Islam helped Bangladesh bundle out Zimbabwe for 152 in 19 overs to secure victory.

England to host Ireland-Bangladesh series due to excessive demand on pitches

Cricket Ireland has announced their four-match T20I series against Bangladesh will be played in England, due to excessive demands on home pitches in a busy home season.

The four matches will take place in four grounds across England, starting with the opener at the Oval on 22 May, before teams travel to Chelmsford and Bristol before and finish up at Edgbaston on 29 May.

“2020 is one of Ireland’s biggest home seasons with three major nations touring and 15 matches to host,” CI’s statement said. “Consequently, it has been our most complex match allocation process ever, given the multiple challenges we are working through.

“Chief among these is the loss of access to one of our four international grounds for probably two seasons, with Clontarf undergoing extensive renovations.”

Mooney rises to top of T20I batters rankings

After her stellar show in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020, Australia’s Beth Mooney has risen two places to become the top-ranked women’s T20I batter.

Mooney won the Player of the Series award for her consistent run-scoring in the tournament, and this is the first time she is topping the rankings.

South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt was another big mover among batters, jumping 13 places to No.31, while among the bowlers, the top four of Sophie Ecclestone, Megan Schutt, Shabnim Ismail and Amelia Kerr held on to their spots.

Flower named Zouks coach

Former Zimbabwe wicketkeeper-batsman Andy Flower has been named head coach of the CPL side St Lucia Zouks. The news comes close on the heels of his appointment as Kings XI Punjab assistant coach.

“I am excited to lead and coach this team. I am a fan of the Caribbean Premier League and would love to be the coach to be associated with the team to bring victory home to the fans in St Lucia,” said FLower.

The new owners of the Zouks – KPH Dream Cricket Private Limited – are also the owners of KXIP.