Cricket news round-up October 15: Zimbabwe, Nepal reinstated, India Women sweep series

India Women beat South Africa Women by 6 runs at Vadodara to complete a 3-0 sweep in the ODIs. Elsewhere, Zimbabwe and Nepal were reinstated as ICC members; a prize money boost for female cricketers was announced; and the rule regarding Super Over in ICC tournaments was changed.

India Women win cliffhanger

At Vadodara, India Women completed their whitewash against South Africa Women despite being bowled out for 146 – a target made possible by Harmanpreet Kaur (38) and Shikha Pandey (35). Marizanne Kapp took 3/20, Shabnim Ismail 2/18, and Ayabonga Khaka 2/33.

In response, the tourists were reduced to 63/5 by Ekta Bisht (3/32), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2/22), and Deepti Sharma (2/24). Sune Luus (24) and Kapp (29) helped them recover to 103, then Ismail (11) and Nondumiso Shangase (10) to 137/7.

But Mithali Raj’s persistence on continuing with spin even after the full-timers bowled out worked. Harmanpreet Kaur struck, while Jemimah Rodrigues picked up the first wicket of her international career to round things off.

ICC reinstate Zimbabwe, Nepal

Both Zimbabwe and Nepal have regained their status as ICC members. ICC had suspended Zimbabwe in July due to over-interference on behalf of the government. However, they were readmitted following Zimbabwe Cricket’s assurance of compliance.

Nepal had been suspended in 2016 once ICC alleged lack of clarity in their election procedure. Cricket Association of Nepal, too, have assured compliance.

Both teams are now eligible for receiving ICC funds once again.

Boost for female cricketers

ICC have allotted USD 2.6 million for subsequent women’s tournaments, starting with the World T20 in February – in other words, a 320% increase from the 2018 edition. The champions will now be awarded USD 1 million and the runners-up USD 500,000.

The 2021 World Cup, too, will witness a rise from USD 2 million (in 2017) to USD 3.5 million (in 2021).

ICC scrap boundary count rule to decide outcome

The knockout matches of subsequent ICC tournaments will be decided by an infinite number of Super Overs till a conclusion is reached. This is a change from the existing law, where the number of boundaries used to be the decisive factor if the scorers were level after the first Super Over.

The decision came in the aftermath of the controversial outcome of the 2019 World Cup final, where England were named champions after defeating New Zealand in the final on boundary count.