Cricket news round-up – May 7: Supernovas survive scare, Pakistan Women set record, Warner finds runs in Australian colours

Supernovas survived a late assault from Harmanpreet Kaur to sneak a 2-run win in the first match of the Women’s T20 Challenge, Pakistan Women inflicted a humiliating defeat on their South African counterparts, while West Indies named Chris Gayle their vice-captain for the upcoming World Cup.

Elsewhere, David Warner scored 39 in his first appearance in Australian colours in over a year as Steven Smith struggled; and the Royal London One-Day Cup witnessed a plethora of runs.

Trailblazers survive Harmanpreet scare

The Women’s T20 Challenge set off with a cliffhanger at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. Smriti Mandhana’s 67-ball 90 first took Trailblazers to 140/5 as Anuja Patil got figures of 4-1-12-1.

Supernovas stayed in hunt in response before the Sophie Ecclestone (4-0-11-2) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (4-0-17-2) – their two left-arm spinners – changed the course of the match.

Ecclestone gave away only 2 in the 19th over, leaving Jhulan Goswami 19 to defend in the last over. At this stage Harmanpreet Kaur hit Goswami for 4, 4, dot, 4, 4, which meant Supernovas needed just 3 off the last ball. But Kaur missed the last ball, and Ravi Kalpana ran Lea Tahuhu out.

Sana Mir helps Pakistan Women create history

At Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, Sana Mir took 4/11 to bowl out South Africa Women for 63 in the first ODI, in just 22.5 overs. This is the lowest score by any Test-playing side against Pakistan Women (they had bowled out Japan Women for 28 in 2003) as well as South Africa Women’s lowest score.

Mignon du Preez and Chloe Tryon were the only ones to reach double-figures. Mir was supported by Nashra Sandhu (2/8) and Nida Dar (2/11).

Javeria Khan (34* in 43) ensured an 8-wicket win in the 15th over.

Farewell honour for Gayle

West Indies have appointed Chris Gayle as Jason Holder’s deputy for the upcoming World Cup. Gayle has played 289 ODIs till date (10,151 runs, 165 wickets, 120 catches), of which 53 have been as captain.

Warner gets runs, Smith struggles

David Warner raced to a 43-ball 39 as an Australian XI beat a New Zealand XI by 1 wicket in a practice match at The Gabba. Asked to bat, both New Zealand openers fell for ducks to Pat Cummins (3/36) before Will Young (60) and Tom Blundell (77) took them to 215. Jason Behrendorff took 3/34 and Nathan Coulter-Nile 3/44.

Aaron Finch (52) and Warner took Australia to 81/2 before Steven Smith arrived. Smith struggled his way to a 43-ball 22. The hosts lost their way after that before Coulter-Nile hit 3 sixes, and Behrendorff and Adam Zampa added an unbeaten 14 for the last wicket.

Runfest at Royal London Cup

The six completed innings at Royal London Cup all witnessed scores in excess of 300.

Luis Reece (128 in 108) and Wayne Madsen (113 in 97) took Derbyshire to 351/9 at Derby, but Worcestershire won by 4 wickets thanks to Riki Wessels (130 in 62) and Callum Ferguson (103* in 95).

At Grace Road, Tom Taylor scored a 56-ball 98 not out as Leicestershire were bowled out for 340. Taylor later took 3/58 to bowl out Warwickshire for 304.

As many as four batsmen scored fifties as Northamptonshire posted 325/7 at Northampton. But Samit Patel, who had taken 2/51 earlier in the day, remained unbeaten on a 124-ball 136 to win it for Nottinghamshire.

Unfortunately, the fourth match of the day, at Headingley, was curtailed by rain after Durham scored 182/2 in 34.2 overs against Yorkshire.