Category Archives: cricket

Daren Sammy highlights decline of West Indies’ Test side

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**By Parth Dhall | Oct 08, 2025 | 05:05 PM**

### The Story: Daren Sammy Compares West Indies Cricket Decline to “Cancer”

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has drawn a stark and powerful comparison between the decline of his Test side and a “cancer” that has been developing over a long period.

Speaking ahead of the second Test match against India in Delhi, Sammy acknowledged that role models in the shortest formats of the game are readily available for younger players. However, he also emphasized that these players can only work with the resources currently at their disposal.

### Candid Remarks on Deep-Rooted Issues

West Indies suffered a heavy defeat in the first Test of the two-match series against India, losing by an innings and 140 runs. Ahead of the second Test, Sammy did not shy away from addressing the struggles faced by West Indies cricket — particularly in the Test format.

“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism,” Sammy said. But he was quick to point out that the problems the team faces didn’t begin just two years ago; rather, they are deeply rooted in the system.

### The Cancer Analogy: A Metaphor for West Indies Cricket Struggles

Sammy used a powerful metaphor to describe the ongoing challenges: he likened the issues plaguing West Indies cricket to “cancer that’s already in the system.”

He explained, “If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”

He also highlighted the financial difficulties that have plagued the West Indies cricket board for years. “The difference between the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four is huge. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time,” Sammy added.

### Missed Commercial Opportunities and Financial Struggles

Sammy expressed regret over missed commercial opportunities during the era when West Indies cricket was at its peak.

“We’re playing five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world,” he said, reflecting on cricket’s global appeal. Yet, he pointed out that due to mismanagement and other setbacks over the years, the West Indies are now in dire need of financial resources to enable growth and development.

### Woeful Numbers Reflect Current Struggles

Statistics highlight the Windies’ ongoing challenges in the longest format. According to ESPNcricinfo, West Indies have recorded 13 sub-200 totals in their last 15 Test innings. Moreover, in those 15 innings, the team has failed to bat out 90 overs or even a full day.

Notably, since the start of this century, the Windies have won only two Tests against India — with their last victory dating back to 2002. They have lost six of their last seven Tests overall, underscoring the difficult times faced by Caribbean cricket.

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Daren Sammy’s candid remarks serve as a grim reminder of the deep-seated issues that require urgent attention if West Indies cricket is to regain its former stature.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/daren-sammy-highlights-decline-of-west-indies-in-test-cricket/story

Daren Sammy highlights decline of West Indies’ Test side

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**By Parth Dhall | Oct 08, 2025 | 05:05 pm**

**What’s the story?**

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has drawn a stark comparison between the decline of his Test side and a “cancer” that has been developing over a long period.

Speaking ahead of the second Test against India in Delhi, Sammy acknowledged that role models in the shorter formats of the game are readily available for younger players. However, he emphasized that they can only work with the resources currently at their disposal.

—

**Candid remarks on deep-rooted issues in West Indies cricket**

West Indies recently lost the first match of the two-Test series in India by an innings and 140 runs. Ahead of the second Test, Sammy did not shy away from addressing the struggles facing West Indies cricket, particularly in the Test format.

He said, *“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism.”* But Sammy also stressed that these problems are not new — they run deep within the system.

—

**Metaphorical comparison: Cancer analogy for West Indies cricket struggles**

Sammy likened the many challenges plaguing West Indies cricket to *“cancer that’s already in the system.”* He explained, *“If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”*

He further highlighted the financial difficulties facing West Indies cricket. *“The difference between the different teams, the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time,”* Sammy said.

—

**Missed commercial opportunities for West Indies**

Reflecting on the past, Sammy lamented how West Indies failed to capitalize commercially during their glory days as the world’s best side — unlike India, which has successfully leveraged its cricketing success.

*“We’re playing five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world,”* Sammy noted. But due to mismanagement and other factors over the years, the team now finds itself in dire need of financial resources to help foster growth and development.

—

**Woeful numbers paint a grim picture**

According to ESPNcricinfo, West Indies have recorded 13 sub-200 totals in their last 15 Test innings. In those innings, they failed to bat out even 90 overs or complete a full day.

Notably, since the start of this century, the Windies have won only two Tests against India — the last victory coming back in 2002. Overall, they have lost six of their last seven Test matches.

—

Daren Sammy’s candid remarks shine a light on the deep-rooted challenges facing West Indies cricket, calling for urgent action to revive the pride and performance of the once-dominant Test side.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/daren-sammy-highlights-decline-of-west-indies-in-test-cricket/story

Daren Sammy highlights decline of West Indies’ Test side

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By Parth Dhall | Oct 08, 2025 | 05:05 pm

**The Story**

Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has drawn a stark comparison between the decline of his Test side and a “cancer” that has been developing over a long period.

Speaking ahead of the second Test against India in Delhi, Sammy acknowledged that role models in the shorter formats of the game are readily available for younger players. However, he emphasized that they can only work with the resources currently at their disposal.

**Candid Remarks: Deep-rooted Issues in West Indies Cricket**

West Indies lost the first Test of the two-match series in India by an innings and 140 runs. Ahead of the second Test, Sammy did not shy away from addressing the ongoing struggles of West Indies cricket, particularly in the Test format.

“I know now I’m under the microscope. I’m in the middle, and we’re open to criticism,” he said. Yet, Sammy stressed that these problems did not emerge overnight; they are deeply embedded within the system.

**Metaphorical Comparison: Cancer Analogy for West Indies Cricket Struggles**

Sammy likened the chronic issues affecting West Indies cricket to “a cancer that’s already in the system.” He elaborated, “If you don’t get cancer, you know what happens. Our problems don’t lie on the surface. It’s rooted deep into our system.”

He also highlighted the financial challenges faced by West Indies cricket, noting, “The difference between the top 3-4 teams in the world versus the bottom four is huge. We’ve been struggling with finances for a long time.”

**Missed Chances: Commercial Opportunities Slip Away**

Reflecting on missed commercial opportunities, Sammy lamented that when West Indies was once the best side in the world, they failed to capitalize on commercial benefits in the way nations like India did.

“We’re playing five Test matches, four months in one place, entertaining the world,” he remarked. He added that due to lack of management and other factors over the years, West Indies now find themselves in dire need of financial resources to help the game grow within the region.

**Woeful Numbers for West Indies**

According to ESPNcricinfo, West Indies have recorded 13 sub-200 totals in their last 15 Test innings. In those innings, they consistently failed to bat out 90 overs or a full day.

Notably, since the start of this century, the Windies have won only two Tests against India, the last victory coming in 2002. Overall, they have lost six of their last seven Tests.

—

The road ahead is challenging for West Indies cricket, but addressing the deep-rooted issues highlighted by Sammy is crucial for rebuilding the once-dominant Test side.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/daren-sammy-highlights-decline-of-west-indies-in-test-cricket/story

Listing South African batters with hundreds at Women’s World Cup

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**South African Batters with Hundreds at the Women’s World Cup**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 07, 2025, 03:42 PM*

South Africa recorded a convincing six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup clash at Indore’s Holkar Stadium. The star of the match was Tazmin Brits, who scored a brilliant 101 runs, leading her side to chase down the target of 232 with ease. This remarkable innings made her the first woman cricketer to score five WODI centuries in a single calendar year.

In this article, we take a look at South African batters who have scored hundreds in the Women’s World Cup history.

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### #3 Tazmin Brits – 101 vs New Zealand, 2025

In the crucial chase against New Zealand, Tazmin Brits showcased her class by scoring 101 runs off just 89 balls, including 15 fours and 1 six. She formed a magnificent partnership of 159 runs for the second wicket with Sune Luus, who remained unbeaten on 83. Their combined efforts ensured South Africa crossed the finish line at 234/4 with 9.1 overs to spare, sealing a memorable victory.

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### #2 Marizanne Kapp – 102* vs Pakistan, 2013

Marizanne Kapp delivered a stellar performance against Pakistan during the 2013 Women’s World Cup match in Cuttack, India. Batting on a challenging surface, she arrived at a difficult situation with South Africa struggling at 9/2. Kapp steadied the innings and scored an unbeaten 102 off 150 balls, which included 11 fours. Her invaluable knock helped South Africa post a competitive 207/5 total. She then forged an unbroken 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Dane van Niekerk, who scored 55*, steering the team to a comprehensive 126-run victory.

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### #1 Linda Olivier – 101* vs Ireland, 2000

Former opener Linda Olivier holds the distinction of being the first South African woman to score a hundred in a Women’s World Cup. This achievement came during the 2000 tournament in Christchurch, where South Africa was chasing a target of 178 runs against Ireland. Olivier anchored the innings with a strong opening partnership of 117 runs alongside Hanri Strydom, who contributed 46 runs. She finished unbeaten on 101 off 117 balls, smashing 10 fours and leading South Africa to a comfortable nine-wicket win.

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These innings remain significant milestones in South Africa’s Women’s World Cup history, underscoring the talent and resilience of their batters on the global stage.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/south-african-batters-with-hundreds-at-the-women-s-world-cup/story

Women’s World Cup, formidable Australia meet struggling Pakistan: Match preview

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**Women’s World Cup 2025: Formidable Australia Meet Struggling Pakistan – Match Preview**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 7, 2025, 04:59 PM*

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues as Australia faces Pakistan in Match No. 9 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 8. Australia enters this game buoyed by an impressive win against New Zealand in their opener, although their last match against Sri Lanka was washed out. On the other hand, Pakistan has had a tough start to the tournament, losing their first two games to India and Bangladesh.

—

### Match Details

– **Date & Time:** October 8, 3:00 PM IST
– **Venue:** R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
– **Broadcast:** Live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar app/website

The R. Premadasa Stadium is known for its bowling-friendly pitches, which typically result in low-scoring matches. Fast bowlers can expect some early assistance, while spinners are likely to play a crucial role as the game progresses.

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### Australia: Looking to Build Momentum

Despite some key players—opener Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland—not firing at their usual best, Ashleigh Gardner’s explosive century against New Zealand helped Australia secure a dominant victory. This match against Pakistan offers Australia a chance to fine-tune their strategies before taking on tougher opponents like England, India, and South Africa later in the tournament.

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### Pakistan: Facing Several Challenges

Pakistan has struggled so far, with losses against both Bangladesh and India. Currently positioned at the bottom of the eight-team table, Pakistan’s batting depth remains a major concern. Their innings have been low-scoring, with team totals of 129 and 159 in their recent matches. Key players including Sidra Amin, Fatima Sana, and Muneeba Ali have yet to find consistent form in the tournament.

—

### Head-to-Head: Australia’s Dominance

The head-to-head record overwhelmingly favors Australia. The two teams have met 16 times in Women’s ODIs, with Australia winning every encounter. There has never been a no-result between them. Their first meeting dates back to February 7, 1997, and their latest clash occurred on January 21, 2023. Notably, five of these matches have been staged during World Cups.

—

### Probable Playing XIs

**Australia**
– Alyssa Healy (c & wk)
– Phoebe Litchfield
– Ellyse Perry
– Beth Mooney
– Annabel Sutherland
– Ashleigh Gardner
– Tahlia McGrath
– Sophie Molineux
– Kim Garth
– Alana King
– Darcie Brown

**Pakistan**
– Muneeba Ali
– Sadaf Shamas
– Sidra Amin
– Aliya Riaz
– Natalia Pervaiz
– Fatima Sana (c)
– Sidra Nawaz (wk)
– Rameen Shamim
– Diana Baig
– Nashra Sandhu
– Sadia Iqbal

—

### Key Performers to Watch

– **Sophie Molineux** claimed a valuable three-wicket haul against New Zealand and boasts 26 WODI wickets at an impressive average of 13.69.
– **Ashleigh Gardner** scored her century off just 77 deliveries versus New Zealand, the third-fastest in tournament history and the quickest by an Australian batter.
– **Nashra Sandhu** made history last month by becoming the first left-arm Asian spinner to take a six-wicket haul in Women’s ODI cricket.
– With 599 runs at an average of 74.87, **Sidra Amin** is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in WODIs this year.

—

### Fan Poll

Will Beth Mooney cross the 50-run mark in this clash? Share your thoughts!

—

Stay tuned for more updates as Australia and Pakistan lock horns in what promises to be an exciting contest at the Women’s World Cup 2025.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/women-s-world-cup-australia-vs-pakistan-preview-and-stats/story

Listing South African batters with hundreds at Women’s World Cup

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**South African Batters with Hundreds at the Women’s World Cup**
*By Gaurav Tripathi | Oct 07, 2025, 03:42 pm*

South Africa recently registered a convincing six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup. The match, held at Indore’s Holkar Stadium, saw Tazmin Brits deliver a brilliant century as her side comfortably chased down the target of 232 runs.

Brits’ exceptional knock of 101 makes her the first woman cricketer to score five WODI hundreds in a calendar year. In this article, we take a look at South African batters who have scored hundreds in the Women’s World Cup.

### #3 Tazmin Brits – 101 vs New Zealand, 2025
In the recent game against New Zealand, South Africa’s chase was masterfully led by Tazmin Brits. She scored an impressive 101 runs off just 89 balls, including 15 fours and 1 six. Brits was ably supported by Sune Luus, who remained unbeaten on 83.

The duo put together a crucial 159-run partnership for the second wicket, sealing the victory for South Africa. The Proteas finished on 234/4 with 9.1 overs to spare.

### #2 Marizanne Kapp – 102* vs Pakistan, 2013
Marizanne Kapp was outstanding in the 2013 Women’s World Cup match against Pakistan held in Cuttack, India. Batting on a challenging surface, South Africa found themselves struggling at 9/2 when Kapp came to the crease.

She steadied the innings and played a solid knock, finishing unbeaten on 102 runs off 150 deliveries, with 11 fours. Her innings was pivotal in South Africa posting a total of 207/5. The team went on to win the match by a huge margin of 126 runs. Kapp also shared an unbeaten 128-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Dane van Niekerk, who scored 55*.

### #1 Linda Olivier – 101* vs Ireland, 2000
The first South African woman to score a hundred in the Women’s World Cup was former opener Linda Olivier. This memorable innings came in the 2000 World Cup match against Ireland in Christchurch.

Asked to chase a target of 178 runs, Olivier led the Proteas’ charge with a fine 117-run opening partnership alongside Hanri Strydom, who scored 46. Olivier remained unbeaten on 101 runs off 117 balls, hitting 10 fours and guiding South Africa to a comfortable nine-wicket victory.

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These remarkable innings have contributed significantly to South Africa’s journey in the Women’s World Cup, setting high standards for future generations of batters.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/south-african-batters-with-hundreds-at-the-women-s-world-cup/story

Women’s World Cup, formidable Australia meet struggling Pakistan: Match preview

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**Women’s World Cup 2025: Formidable Australia Meet Struggling Pakistan – Match Preview**

*By Gaurav Tripathi | October 7, 2025 | 4:59 PM*

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 continues to deliver thrilling encounters as Australia is set to take on Pakistan in Match No. 9 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on October 8.

Australia enter this fixture buoyed by an impressive victory over New Zealand in their tournament opener. However, their momentum was slightly hampered when their subsequent game against Sri Lanka was washed out. On the other hand, Pakistan has had a challenging start, suffering defeats at the hands of India and Bangladesh in their opening two matches.

### Match Details
– **Date:** October 8, 2025
– **Venue:** R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
– **Start Time:** 3:00 PM IST
– **Broadcast:** Live on Star Sports Network and JioHotstar app/website

### Pitch Report
The R. Premadasa Stadium traditionally offers a bowling-friendly surface, where recent matches have been low-scoring affairs. Fast bowlers can expect to extract some early assistance, while spinners typically become more influential as the game progresses. Teams batting second might find it challenging on this pitch.

### Australia: Building Momentum
Despite some key players like opener Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, and Annabel Sutherland not firing at full strength, Ashleigh Gardner’s scintillating century against New Zealand helped Australia dominate comfortably. This match against Pakistan offers the Women in Yellow an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies ahead of tougher challenges from England, India, and South Africa later in the tournament.

### Pakistan: Challenges Continue
Pakistan’s campaign has been fraught with difficulties. Back-to-back losses to India and Bangladesh have left them at the bottom of the points table in the eight-team competition. Batting depth remains a major concern; their totals of 129 and 159 in the last two matches highlight their struggles. Key players such as Sidra Amin, Fatima Sana, and Muneeba Ali have yet to find consistent form.

### Head-to-Head Record
Australia completely dominates the head-to-head record against Pakistan. According to ESPNcricinfo, in 16 Women’s ODIs played between the two sides, Australia has emerged victorious every time without a single no-result. Their first encounter dates back to February 7, 1997, with the latest clash occurring on January 21, 2023. Five of these matches have taken place during previous World Cups.

### Probable Playing XIs

**Australia:**
Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Phoebe Litchfield, Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Kim Garth, Alana King, Darcie Brown.

**Pakistan:**
Muneeba Ali, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Fatima Sana (c), Sidra Nawaz (wk), Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

### Key Players and Stats to Watch

– Sophie Molineux impressed with a three-wicket haul against New Zealand and boasts 26 WODI wickets at an exceptional average of 13.69.
– Ashleigh Gardner’s century against New Zealand came off just 77 balls, marking the third-fastest century in Women’s World Cup history and the quickest by an Australian.
– Nashra Sandhu made history last month by becoming the first left-arm Asian spinner to claim a six-wicket haul in a Women’s ODI.
– Sidra Amin is Pakistan’s top run-scorer this year in WODIs, amassing 599 runs at an impressive average of 74.87.

### Fan Poll
Will Beth Mooney score 50 or more runs in this match? Share your predictions in the comments below!

—

Stay tuned as these two teams prepare to lock horns in what promises to be an intriguing contest in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/women-s-world-cup-australia-vs-pakistan-preview-and-stats/story

Prithvi Shaw to face former team Mumbai in practice match

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Prithvi Shaw to Face Former Team Mumbai in Practice Match

By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 06, 2025 | 9:27 PM

Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw, who switched from Mumbai to Maharashtra after last season, is set to face his former team in a three-day practice match starting from October 7 to 9. The match will be held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje.

Joining Shaw for this encounter is all-rounder Jalaj Saxena, representing Maharashtra. Shaw’s move to Maharashtra has generated excitement ahead of the domestic season, and this match will serve as an important warm-up.

Team Updates: Shreyas Iyer Ruled Out; Free Entry for Fans

Mumbai will be led by India all-rounder Shardul Thakur, who takes over the red-ball captaincy from Ajinkya Rahane. However, star batter Shreyas Iyer will miss the match due to a back injury. Iyer was recently seen playing in the unofficial ODI series for India A against Australia A.

The Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) has announced free entry for fans to witness this exciting face-off between Shaw and his former side, adding to the enthusiasm surrounding the game.

Squads

Mumbai: Shardul Thakur, Musheer Khan, Akhil Herwadkar, Suved Parkar, Siddhesh Lad, Shivam Dube, Akash Anand, Hardik Tamore, Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Irfan Umair, Sylvester D’Souza, Royston Dias.

Maharashtra: Prithvi Shaw, Arshin Kulkarni, Siddhesh Veer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankeet Bawane (c), Saurabh Nawale (wk), Jalaj Saxena, Vicky Ostwal, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Mukesh Choudhary, Pradeep Dhade, Hitesh Walunj, Mandar Bhandari (wk), Harshal Kate, Siddharth Mhatre, Rajwardhan Hangargekar, Rajneesh Gurbani.

Upcoming Ranji Trophy Campaigns

Following this practice match, Mumbai is expected to announce their squad for the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy opener around October 10 or 11, according to reports by The Times of India.

The 42-time Ranji champions are placed in Elite Group D and will begin their season against Jammu and Kashmir at Sher-I-Kashmir Stadium, Srinagar, from October 15 to 18. Other teams in Elite Group D include Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Pondicherry.

Maharashtra, on the other hand, have been placed in Elite Group B, alongside Kerala, Saurashtra, Chandigarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Goa. Maharashtra will start their campaign against Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram from October 15 to 18.

This practice match between Maharashtra and Mumbai will be a key opportunity for players to fine-tune their form ahead of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/prithvi-shaw-to-face-former-side-mumbai-in-practice-game/story