Mandhana moves closer to top spot in ODI, T20I rankings

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Dubai, Dec 24 (IANS) India batter Smriti Mandhana has moved closer to the top spot in both the T20I and ODI batting rankings as the left-hander sits in second place in both categories after strong performances against the West Indies across the formats.

As per the latest rankings update shared by the ICC on Tuesday, Mandhana’s ODI rating of 739 is only bettered by South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt’s 773, and her T20I rating of 753 is narrowly shaved by her Australian counterpart Beth Mooney’s 757.

Mandhana, 28, moved up to No. 2 after registering the scores of 62 off 41 and 77 off 47 in the two T20Is for the week. This completes a trifecta of half-centuries against Hayley Matthews’ team in as many games. In the first ODI in Vadodara, she scored 91 off 102, as she now boasts a 50-plus score in her last five innings in international action.

Matthews, on the other hand, with scores of 85 not out off 47 and 22 off 17 in the two T20Is, jumped two spots to equal-third on the rankings, levelling with Australia’s Tahlia McGrath with a rating of 748.

The Indian pair of Radha Yadav (up three places to 16th) and Shreyanka Patil (up one place to 20th) have progressed in the T20I bowling rankings.

In the ODI rankings, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s 34 in Vadodara made her jump three spots into equal-tenth (631 ratings) alongside England’s Tammy Beaumont, while Australian Alyssa Healy’s scores of 39 and 34 against New Zealand saw the opener up two spots to the eighth place with a rating of 640.

Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland’s match-winning efforts in the ICC Women’s Championship series against New Zealand have helped her make rapid gains in the ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings.

The 23-year-old has attained career best positions in all three lists after being adjudged Player of the Match in the second and third ODIs that Australia won after the first match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Her scores of 105 not out and 42 in the two matches have helped her shoot up 11 places to 18th position in the batting rankings, while her haul of three for 39 in the third ODI has lifted her three places to 17th position in the bowling rankings. She has also moved up to seventh from ninth in the all-rounders’ list after being named the Player of the Series.

In the bowling rankings, India’s new-ball bowler Renuka Singh Thakur has moved into the top 20 for the first time after a match-winning haul of five for 29. Australia pacer Kim Garth is up four places to 13th after taking three wickets in two matches, while leg spinners Amelia Kerr of New Zealand (up one place to 11th) and Alana King of Australia (up two places to 12th) are other major gainers.

–IANS

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PKL Season 11: Naveen stars as Dabang Delhi prevail over Telugu Titans

Pune, Dec 12 (IANS) Riding on Naveen Kumar’s Super 10 and Ashu Malik’s 9 points, Dabang Delhi K.C. clinched a crucial victory against Telugu Titans, winning 33-27 in a Season 11 clash of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) at the Badminton Hall in Balewadi Sports Complex here on Thursday.

With Naveen and Ashu Malik in super form, Dabang Delhi K.C. won the match in a tightly-fought contest that held a lot of significance for the playoffs race as the result helped them move to second place on the points table.

Despite the loss, Pawan Sehrawat and his side are still in the hunt for the playoffs. However, the result does mean the end of the road for Gujarat Giants this season, who become the first side to officially be eliminated from the playoff race.

The two teams got off the blocks quickly with Vijay Malik getting the first points on the board for Telugu Titans. Pawan Sehrawat didn’t waste much time and made his presence felt on his return to the mat, giving his side a good start on the attacking front.

For Dabang Delhi K.C., Ashu Malik set the tone with a two-point raid as the teams traded blows in the opening exchanges.

Naveen Kumar also contributed for Dabang Delhi K.C., making it an intriguing contest with both sides going toe-to-toe. In a do-or-die raid, Vijay Malik bagged two points to put pressure on the opposition. Afterwards, Mohit completed the job, inflicting an all-out on Dabang Delhi K.C. to give his side an invaluable lead.

The duo of Naveen Kumar and Ashu Malik kept Dabang Delhi K.C. in the game, closing the gap for their side. However, at the end of a competitive first half, it was Telugu Titans that held onto a four-point lead at 17-13.

Dabang Delhi came out strong in the second half, completed an all-out of their own and levelled the score at 18 points apiece. Telugu Titans sprung back into action with Pawan Sehrawat and Vijay Malik, regaining a five-point lead in quick time. Only two points were separating the two sides going into the final phase of the game, with Telugu Titans leading 24-22.

Praful Zaware bagged a couple of crucial points to keep Telugu Titans at par with the opposition. However, Dabang Delhi got some momentum at the right time as Naveen completed his Super 10, to give his side a four-point lead with under three minutes to go. That proved to be the final blow for the Telugu Titans, who succumbed to a 33-27 defeat.

–IANS

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‘Test buzz is intoxicating’: Webster on his Baggy Green aspirations

New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Australia all-rounder Beau Webster stated that his recent inclusion in Australia’s Test squad has only intensified his dream of wearing the coveted Baggy Green.

The towering all-rounder was brought into the team as cover for an ailing Mitch Marsh after Australia’s opening Test loss to India in Perth. While he hasn’t yet made his debut, the 29-year-old Tasmanian admits that simply being part of the squad has been a thrilling and inspiring experience.

Reflecting on his brief time with the team, Webster described the atmosphere as “intoxicating”. Even in a supporting role, running drinks during the Adelaide Test, he felt the electric buzz of the crowd and the energy of his teammates on the field.

“I think even just running drinks in Adelaide with that massive crowd there – and I wasn’t in Brisbane for long before I had to fly to Perth – but being in that Test buzz is really intoxicating,” Webster told Fox Sports.

Watching the likes of Travis Head dominate the Indian bowlers and the Australian attack celebrating crucial wickets only fueled his desire to contribute on the field. “It makes me jealous, I want to be out there,” Webster admitted. “I think every cricketer who is on the fringe will be thinking the same thing. It’s a wonderful and strong group, and to be a part of that, even as a drinks carrier, is great.”

Despite the uncertainty of a debut, Webster is preparing as if the opportunity could come at any moment. The all-rounder has taken a proactive approach, studying the Indian bowling attack to ensure he’s ready to perform if called upon.

“I try to get a gauge on things, try to watch a bit of India and sus a few of their bowlers – I don’t want to go in blind,” Webster explained. “I am doing some research.”

While he acknowledges that no one can truly know if they’re ready until they step onto the field, Webster is confident in his preparation.

“If I did get the nod, nobody knows until they play at that level, but I think I’d be well-prepared and give it a good crack if it does happen. If it doesn’t happen, or if it’s later down the track, then so be it—that’s part and parcel.”

While the path to a Baggy Green remains uncertain, Webster remains undeterred. For now, he’s soaking in the atmosphere, refining his game, and keeping his ambitions alive.

“The Test buzz is something else,” he said. “I want to be out there, contributing, celebrating with the team. That’s the dream, and I’ll keep working towards it.”

–IANS

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