Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today announced the first five players selected as 100% Cricket Superstars ahead of a historic month for women’s cricket, culminating in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Sophie Ecclestone (England), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Shafali Verma (India) and Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) are the first crop of what will ultimately be a 100% Cricket Superstars squad that fans can pick from to decide on a final XI. The entertaining quintet represents a bright future for a women’s game that continues to grow in popularity following record-breaking digital and broadcast audiences at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year. "100% Cricket Superstars celebrates the best talent in the women’s game as part of the ICC's ongoing 100% Cricket campaign during a period that sees some of the sport’s most significant events take place," said Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager - Cricket. "With women’s cricket making its inaugural appearance at the Commonwealth Games later this month, we will also host the first ever ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in January which is immediately followed by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. "The players selected today epitomise the future of women’s cricket and it’s going to be exciting to build up to a fan-led vote to narrow down what will be an amazing squad into an XI that I’m sure cricket fans around the world would love to watch!" The first 100% Cricket Superstars inductees were selected with the input of the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. Shafali Verma 242 Test runs at 60.5 in two Tests; 473 ODI runs at 29.56 in 17 ODIs; 753 T20I runs at 24.29 in 32 T20Is The youngest player to debut for India in international cricket, and the youngest half-centurion, Shafali Verma made a seamless transition to the highest level of the game. A dashing opening batter capable of clearing the ropes with ease, Verma can take the match away from her opposition in a matter of moments, her power separating her from her peers. For all the power and aggression though, it’d be remiss not to acknowledge Verma’s early success in the long format of the game. Averaging over 60 across her four Test innings, Verma has shown a maturity to bat long periods in trying and foreign conditions. Sophie Ecclestone 17 wickets at 37.7 in five Tests; 76 wickets at 21.06 in 47 ODIs; 68 wickets at 13.28 in 50 T20Is A pivotal figure in the England team, and with over 150 international wickets to her name, it’s crazy to think that Sophie Ecclestone is still just 23 years of age. The No. 1 bowler in both the T20I and ODI MRF Tyres bowling rankings, the left-arm orthodox spinner probes with a nagging line and length, tying opposing batters down. Since her Test debut in 2017, no player has taken more Test wickets than Ecclestone’s 17. In T20Is since her debut in 2016, only two bowlers have taken more wickets than her 68. Hayley Matthews 1764 runs at 27.13 and 78 wickets at 24.79 in 69 ODIs; 1055 runs at 17.88 and 58 wickets at 17.93 in 61 T20Is The newly-appointed West Indies captain, 24-year-old Hayley Matthews is the past, present and future of her international team. Both the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for her side in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022, Matthews was also Player of the Final at the ICC 2016 T20 World Cup in a dramatic win over Australia. Making 66 off 45 balls just days after her 18th birthday, Matthews made quite an impression in her first global tournament. Already third on the West Indies all-time list for runs in both white-ball formats, Matthews is on track to break records. She carries the West Indies torch. Amelia Kerr 1240 runs at 38.75 and 76 wickets at 27.00 in 53 ODIs; 234 runs at 15.60 and 41 wickets at 21.85 in 42 T20Is It’s going to take a special effort for someone to take away the world record for the youngest international double centurion from all-rounder Amelia Kerr. After scoring 232* against Ireland at just 17 years and 243 days in an ODI in Dublin in 2018, Kerr rounded out the day with a five-wicket haul for good measure, becoming the only player to achieve the double in international cricket. The 21-year-old Kerr is capable of ticking things along when early wickets fall, or attacking when her side is in the ascendancy. With the ball, Kerr has every leg-spinner’s delivery in her arsenal. The record books will likely be re-written again as Kerr continues to set the benchmark in the international game. Laura Wolvaardt 32 runs at 16.00 in one Test; 3039 runs at 45.35 in 77 ODIs; 618 runs at 26.86 in 36 T20Is Already with more than 3000 ODI runs to her name, the sky's the limit for South African batting sensation Laura Wolvaardt. Wolvaardt was a natural fit in ODIs, with 30 scores of over 50 in just 76 innings since she made her debut in 2016. She has evolved in the T20I format too, adding power to a refined game centred on control and expert strokeplay. Wolvaardt’s trademark cover drive is a glowing image of the women’s game, though it is the array of shots around the wicket that sets the right-hander apart. Only three players eclipsed Wolvaardt’s 433 runs at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand, though the trio all benefited from playing an extra match at the tournament.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Netherlands star Max O’Dowd is determined to give absent head coach Ryan Campbell a World Cup in his homeland to look forward to as his side prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier B. Campbell, who has been the Dutch head coach since January 2017, will not be with the squad in Zimbabwe as he continues his recovery from a heart attack in April that left him in a week-long coma. The 50-year-old was discharged in May and will be cheering on from home as the Netherlands take on former team Hong Kong, among others, in Group B knowing victory could see them head to Australia, his birthplace, for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, with two spots up for grabs. And O’Dowd sees success next week as the perfect chance to repay the 50-year-old's contribution to the team. “It was a very difficult time, made even tougher because just a couple of weeks before we had been with him in New Zealand playing in the ODI series,” opening batter O’Dowd recalled. “Then we were back in the Netherlands and he's not there, he's in a coma. That was a very scary thought for everyone and from what we were hearing about the damage that could have been done, it was very frightening. “We were all so pleased that Ryan did come out of the coma because we were hearing it was touch and go. It was tough for the playing group, but taking it all in, we realised how important he is for Dutch cricket. I'm just glad that he's back amongst the fold. “Obviously he's not with us in Zimbabwe but he's been a huge part of the last five years. It would mean a lot for all of us to qualify for Australia and hopefully take him with us to a World Cup in Aussie. “We've got a lot of young guys for whom it would be their first World Cup if we were to qualify and it would be an amazing experience. “We’ve had some amazing experiences over the last couple of months, playing against England and the West Indies, but a World Cup would be the top of their list. There are exciting times ahead, and we just hope we can pull it off because it's going to be very tough.” O’Dowd and his side begin their campaign for a fourth successive World Cup appearance on July 11 against Papua New Guinea, before facing the side Campbell represented in 2016. And while former South African international Ryan Cook has stepped in as interim coach, the Netherlands will be tapping into Campbell’s knowledge of Hong Kong. O’Dowd added: “I think Cambo has been sitting on the sidelines itching to get back involved. It’s obviously great to have him just back in the fold and he's someone that we talk to regularly. “He's been slowly working his way back into practices and team meetings and so on. He's got a lot of knowledge about that Hong Kong team and someone we turn to quite often about certain bowlers, certain batters. “I think the last time I played them may have been 2018 or even before that, so I think the side has changed a lot since then. “But he probably knows a lot about them, so we'll be sure to make use of all the info Cambos got for us.” The Netherlands end the group stages against Uganda and will hope to have done enough to advance to the knockout stages as they search for a third consecutive qualifier tournament win. O’Dowd has been in fine form in orange recently, scoring four ODI half-centuries in his past five matches against England and the West Indies. Last year, the 28-year-old became the first Dutchman to hit a century in T20Is, crashing 133 not out off 73 balls against Malaysia. But those returns have not been good enough for the right-hander's high standards. “I've done well, I've scored some runs. I guess it's been okay,” O’Dowd said. “If I look at myself, I quite like to be critical of my performances. “There are a few times where I’ve thrown away, in my opinion, hundreds and especially in that last ODI against the West Indies I think I threw away a chance to win the game. “But I’m happy to be performing consistently against the best in the world, which is a key thing and something that I strive towards. “Moving into the T20s now, it's trying to adapt my game and trying to expand on a couple of things, be a bit more fearless playing the T20 format, so it's very exciting.”

Mohammad Rizwan Malik EDGBASTON (UK):-India have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against England in the rescheduled fifth Test in Birmingham. David Boon of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time. In addition, as per Article 16.11.2 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) playing conditions, a side is penalised one point for each over short. Consequently, two WTC points have been deducted from India’s points total. India captain Jasprit Bumrah plead guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough, third umpire Marais Erasmus and fourth umpire Alex Wharf leveled the charge.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for June is dominated by batting superstars from England and New Zealand following their recent ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series. England enjoyed a successful start to Brendan McCullum’s coaching reign in the longest format, and two figureheads of their 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, are shortlisted after outstanding contributions in three successful run chases. The lineup is completed by New Zealand batting ace, Daryl Mitchell, thanks to several key performances through the series. The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist features two icons of South Africa with bat and ball. Shabnim Ismail dazzled while spearheading the bowling attack in their One Day International (ODI) series against Ireland, while compatriot Marizanne Kapp is nominated following her fierce resistance at the crease in the Test match against England. Starring for her opponents in that same match, England’s Nat Sciver is also included among the nominees in celebration of her outstanding display with the bat in her side’s mammoth first innings total. Jonny Bairstow (ENG) Bairstow was at his brutal best during the WTC series against New Zealand, scoring 394 runs at an average of 78.80. Despite a quiet showing at Lord’s, he recorded the second fastest century for an English batter in Tests when he struck a phenomenal 136 in the second innings in Nottingham. His partnership alongside skipper Ben Stokes shifted the momentum of the second Test in memorable fashion and helped clinch victory against the odds. Bairstow continued where he left off in the final Test, bludgeoning his way to England’s second-fastest 150 which laid the foundation for the series whitewash. Daryl Mitchell (NZ) Despite their WTC series defeat, Mitchell was a constant threat to an otherwise impressive and effective England bowling attack. Frequently arriving at the crease with his side’s backs against the wall, at times he appeared in unstoppable form, ending the series having amassed 538 runs at an average of 107.60, only failing to pass the half-century mark in one innings and registering a century in each match. This remarkable series of scores sees him nominated for the first time. Joe Root (ENG) Root continued his extraordinary form in the longest format, which stretches back well over the last 12 months. His unbeaten 115 in the second innings of the first Test at Lord’s secured victory and set the tone for three successful run chases against the current WTC title-holders, with Root seeing his side home in two of them. Passing the 10,000 Test runs milestone during the series, his scores of 176 and 86 not out in the second and third Tests helped him reclaim top spot in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Batting rankings in June and saw him end the month with 396 runs at an average of 99.00. Shabnim Ismail (SA) Ismail was once again the key weapon in the South African bowling attack during the ODI series in Ireland, taking 11 wickets at an incredible average of 5.00. Returning impressive figures of three for 16, three for 31 and a stunning five for eight in the final match in Dublin, she led from the front to reduce the hosts to scores of 69, 213 and 89, securing comfortable wins in each of the three fixtures. Ismail is shortlisted for the first time since she won the inaugural ICC Women’s Player of the Month award back in January 2021. Marizanne Kapp (SA) Kapp also celebrates her first nomination since January 2021 following her epic batting performances that proved crucial to rescuing her side in the sole Test match against England at Taunton. Her masterful 150 in the first innings set a national record for the highest Test score by a South African female and allowed her side to post a respectable 284 in response to a big first innings total by England. She continued to frustrate her opponents in the second innings by following up with 43 not out, salvaging an important draw. Nat Sciver (ENG) Sciver’s remarkable form in international cricket continues and sees her nominated for the second time in three months. England’s batters struggled to impose themselves on South Africa early in the Taunton Test, and at one point stood at 121 for five. Sciver struck an unbeaten 169 to help set an imposing 417 for eight, which would have been enough to secure victory but for rain and Kapp’s resilience.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The match schedule for the remainder of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C has now been finalised after it was confirmed that three match officials will no longer take any part in the event. Following a road traffic accident in Belgium on 1 July involving the three tournament match officials, a decision has been reached that the individuals will take no further part in the event, even though the individuals have not sustained serious physical injury. As a result the fixtures originally scheduled for today at Ghent Oval - Gibraltar against Israel and Malta versus Hungary - have now been abandoned due to insufficient number of match officials to complete these fixtures during the remainder of the tournament. It has been agreed by the Event Technical Committee in order to complete the tournament, Group 1 (3rd) v Group 2 (3rd) - Gibraltar v Malta - and Group 1 (4th) v Group 2 (4th) - Israel v Hungary - will now take place on Sunday 3 July, previously scheduled as a tournament rest day, in line with the ICC's Tournament Playing Conditions. All remaining fixtures will now take place at Royal Brussels Cricket Club.  A revised summary of the remaining fixtures is below: 3rd July 2022 Israel v Hungary 11:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club 3rd July 2022 Gibraltar v Malta 16:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club 4th July 2022 Loser SF2 v Loser SF4 11:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club 4th July 2022 Winner SF2 v Winner SF4 16:00, Royal Brussels Cricket Club

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-Two of Saturday's fixtures in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Regional Europe Qualifier C have been postponed after three match officials were involved in a road traffic accident in Belgium on the evening of 1 July. The match officials and driver of the vehicle were taken to hospital as a precaution, but have sustained no serious injury. Therefore, the Event Technical Committee has decided to postpone the Gibraltar against Israel and Malta versus Hungary fixtures originally scheduled to take place at Ghent Oval today, Saturday 2 July. The semi-finals featuring Belgium against Portugal and Spain versus Denmark taking place today at Royal Brussels Cricket Club are unaffected. The ICC will continue to monitor the welfare of the individuals involved and a further announcement regarding the postponed fixtures and match schedule for the remainder of the event will be made in due course.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated Eoin Morgan for an outstanding international career that saw him lead England to victory in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2019. The 35-year-old, who was instrumental in England’s strong showing in limited overs games in recent years, announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday as the leading scorer for England in ODIs and T20Is. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice praised Morgan’s innovative batting and astute captaincy while wishing him all the best for the future. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “Eoin was an exceptional talent from his early days with the Ireland team and over the years he developed into a top-class batter and captain, leading England’s resurgence in limited overs cricket culminating in that quite extraordinary World Cup victory at Lord’s in 2019. On behalf of the ICC, I congratulate him for an outstanding career and wish him every success in the next phase of his career.” Morgan scored 99 on ODI debut for Ireland against Scotland in 2006 and played in all three formats after switching over to England in 2009. He was named as England’s white-ball captain in December 2014 and led the team to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2016. He also led them to the semifinals of the T20 World Cup last year. Morgan scored 700 runs with two centuries and three half-centuries in 16 Tests, 7,701 runs with 14 centuries and 47 half-centuries in 248 ODIs and 2,458 runs with 14 half-centuries in 115 T20Is. He was the top-ranked batter in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Rankings between August 2011 and February 2012 and made it to the top 10 of the ODI rankings in January 2014.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The New Zealand batting pair of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell have attained career-best positions in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings as has England spinner Jack Leach, after superb performances in the third match of their ICC World Test Championship series in Leeds. Mitchell and Blundell, who were involved in century partnerships in all three Tests of the series, are both in the top 20 now. Mitchell’s scores of 109 and 56 see him advance four places to 12th position while Blundell’s knocks of 55 and 88 not out have lifted him 11 slots to 20th position. England batter Jonny Bairstow, who has been quite the centrepiece with his blistering knocks in this series, has advanced 20 places to 21st after scoring 162 and 71 not out while Oliver Pope is up three places to 49th after his 82 in the second innings of the Test, which England won by seven wickets to complete a 3-0 series victory. Left-arm spinner Leach’s Player of the Match effort of 10 for 166 has helped him leap 13 places to a career-best 25th position among bowlers while Stuart Broad has moved up one place to 13th in Wednesday’s weekly update that also includes the second Test between the West Indies and Bangladesh. West Indies skipper Kraig Brathwaite is up one place to 27th after his first-innings half-century while Kyle Mayers (up 22 places to 57th) and John Campbell (up four places to 76th) are the others to move up the batters’ list for the West Indies, who won the WTC series 2-0. Nurul Hasan (up 14 places to 84th) and Nazmul Hossain (up 11 places to 88th) are the ones to advance for Bangladesh. Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales are now joint-40th among bowlers and Khaled Ahmed is in 88th position. Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan has slipped behind India’s Ravichandran Ashwin to third position among all-rounders. In the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings, which considers performances in the third Netherlands versus England match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League series and the fifth match of the Sri Lanka versus Australia series, Australia’s Alex Carey is up three places to 23rd after his knock of 45 not out and England’s Jos Buttler is up four places to 25th after his unbeaten 86. Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is in the top five, gaining two slots for his haul of two for 22 and England’s David Willey up three places to 37th after grabbing four for 36. The MRF Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, updated after the two-match Ireland-India series won 2-0 by India, see Ireland’s Harry Tector gain a massive 55 places to reach 66th position among batters with scores of 39 and 64 not out. India batters Deepak Hooda and Sanju Sampson have made huge movements, though outside the top 100. Hooda has galloped 414 places to 104th after smashing 47 and 104 while Samson has gained 57 slots to reach 144th with a knock of 77 in the second match.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD:-The battle for the two remaining spots at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 takes place in Zimbabwe next month with the match schedule now confirmed for the eight participating teams. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B is scheduled between 11 and 17 July. The event features hosts Zimbabwe, alongside Jersey, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Singapore, Uganda and USA all competing for the two spots that will take the Qualifier B finalists to the World Cup between 16 October and 13 November 2022. The Qualifier B which will take place in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club and the Bulawayo Athletic Club promises to showcase fast-paced and thrilling cricket that entertains. With only 20 T20 Men’s Internationals to be played across the event, every single ball counts, bringing the great intensity and vibrancy that has become accustomed with T20 World Cup Qualifiers. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: ‘We are very excited for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B to begin. This is the final step in the qualification pathway for the remaining two World Cup spots and we are looking forward to competitive and hard fought cricket, with a chance for all teams to compete for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket up for grabs. “We are delighted to be working with Zimbabwe Cricket again and wish all the participating teams the very best of luck in their quest to reach the Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.” ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier B match schedule 11 July - Zimbabwe v Singapore 09h00, Queens Sports Club 11 July - Jersey v USA, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 11 July - Netherlands v PNG, 13h00, Queens Sports Club 11 July - Hong Kong v Uganda, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 12 July - Zimbabwe v Jersey, 09h00, Queens Sports Club 12 July - Singapore v USA, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 12 July - Netherlands v Hong Kong, 13h00, Queens Sports Club 12 July - PNG v Uganda , 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 13 July – Rest Day 14 July - Netherlands v Uganda, 09h00, Queens Sports Club 14 July - PNG v Hong Kong, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 14 July - Zimbabwe v USA, 13h00, Queens Sports Club 14 July- Singapore v Jersey, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 15 July - A3 v B4, 09h00, Queens Sports Club 15 July - B3 v A4, 09:00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 15 July - Semi Final 1 (A1 v B2), 09h00, Queens Sports Club 15 July - Semi Final 2 (B2 v A1), 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 16 July – Rest 17 July – 5th/6th Place play-off, 09h00, Queens Sports Club 17 July - 7th/8th Place play-off, 09h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club 17 July – Final, 13h00, Queens Sports Club 17 July – 3rd/4th Place play-off, 13h00, Bulawayo Athletic Club

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The South African duo have advanced in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after fine contributions with the bat in their final ICC Women’s Championship clash against Ireland. Wolvaardt, who became No. 1 in March this year during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, is up one place to fourth position after scoring 89 runs in the third ODI in Dublin. Luus, who top-scored with 93 in that match, is up two places to a career-best 21st position in the list led by Alyssa Healy of Australia. Lara Goodall has gained 15 slots and is 43rd after topping the series aggregate with 143 runs and Andrie Steyn is up 16 places to 67th in other notable movements for South Africa batters. Meanwhile, fast bowler Shabnim Ismail has achieved a career-best 755 rating points after a Player of the Series effort of 11 wickets. Ismail though remains in second position, which is her career best, and is 16 points adrift of England spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Medium-pacer Ayabonga Khaka is up two places to a career best-equaling fifth position while spinners Luus (up two places to 37th) and Chloe Tryon (up six places to 50th) have also progressed in Tuesday’s weekly rankings update after South Africa’s 3-0 series win. For Ireland, wicketkeeper Mary Waldron is up five places to 74th among batters and leg-spinner Cara Murray has moved from 91st to joint-82nd among bowlers. In the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings, Esha Oza of the United Arab Emirates has advanced three places to a career-best 33rd position after some handy scores in the Asian Cricket Council Women’s T20 Championship in Malaysia. Others to advance during the period include Uganda players Kevin Awino (up 34 places to 66th) and Janet Mbabazi (up six places to 69th) among batters, and Sarah Akiteng (up 14 places to 66th) among bowlers, after featuring in the Kwibuka Women’s T20 Tournament in Rwanda.