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T20 World Cup: Scotland can ‘hold heads high’ after tournament exit, says captain Richie Berrington | Cricket News

On: June 16, 2024 By: admin

Scotland captain Richie Berrington says his side can “hold their heads high” after defeat to Australia ended their hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s.

Scotland would have advanced into the second round at England’s expense had they beaten Mitchell Marsh’s team in St Lucia on Sunday but lost by five wickets as the 2021 champions reached their target of 181 with two balls to spare.

Berrington’s men racked up the highest score by an associate nation against Australia in T20 cricket of 180-5, with the skipper contributing 42 from 31 balls after Brandon McMullen thumped 60 from 34 and George Munsey hit 35 from 23.

Scotland were knocked out on net run-rate after finishing level on points with England, a side they smashed for 90 runs from 10 overs – Munsey nailing 41 from 31 and opening partner Michael Jones 45 from 30 – before that game was rained off earlier this month.

Berrington said: “The guys can hold their heads high in terms of how they’ve played their cricket throughout this tournament.

“It’s great learning for us, great experience for the guys. We’re disappointed because we were in a position where we could win.

“[Australia] have great ball strikers all the way through the team and a few big overs in the back end got them back into the game and made it hard to pull back.”

‘Scotland have improved a hell of a lot’

On Scotland, Australia captain Marsh said: “They are a really good outfit. They’ve improved a hell of a lot over the last few years. We’ve got a lot of respect for them, they took it down to the wire.

“T20 is a hard format, you can be slightly off and lose to anyone – as we almost saw today. We were pushed right to the end there and a bit of experience came through.”

Australia finished top of Group B on eight points after four wins from four and will meet India, Afghanistan and one of Bangladesh or Netherlands in Super 8s Group 1, with England to take on West Indies, USA and South Africa in Group 2.

Marsh added: “The World Cup starts again now. We’ve got a lot of trust in our group that we can keep winning games of cricket.”

Australia are aiming to complete an ICC trophy treble at this World Cup as they already hold the World Test Championship and 50-over World Cup titles, defeating India in the finals of those respective tournaments in 2023.

Marsh’s side will also visit Scotland in September for three T20 internationals, on a tour of the UK which will also include three T20s and five one-day internationals against England.

Catch every match from the T20 World Cup, including the final in Barbados on Saturday June 29, live on Sky Sports.

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T20 World Cup: South Africa hold off Bangladesh by four runs to stay unbeaten | Cricket News

On: June 10, 2024 By: admin

Spinner Keshav Maharaj bowled a six-run, two-wicket final over as South Africa held off Bangladesh by four runs to stay unbeaten in the T20 World Cup on Monday.

Bangladesh needed 11 from the last six deliveries for victory, then needed six off the last two balls.

Mahmudullah came within a couple of feet of getting those runs with just one blow, but he was caught at long-on by Aiden Markram after heaving a full toss down the ground.

Taskin Ahmed came to the crease and faced the final delivery, another full toss by Maharaj. Ahmed swung and managed only one run as Bangladesh finished on 109-7 in pursuit of South Africa’s 113-6.

On a typically tough batting pitch at Nassau County Stadium, South Africa got to that target thanks to a 79-run partnership between Heinrich Klaasen (46) and David Miller (29).

Maharaj finished with 3-27 in four overs as Bangladesh replied, while Kagiso Rabada (2-19) and Anrich Nortje (2-17) also bowled well.

South Africa stayed top of Group D with a third win and are in pole position to secure a Super 8 spot.

Bangladesh’s first loss in two matches keeps them in second place.

What they said

South Africa captain Aiden Markram…

“You’re always pretty nervous in the final over in a game like that. Sometimes you get on the right side, sometimes not, but it’s very entertaining.

“[delivery No] 19.5 could’ve gone anywhere, could’ve gone two more metres. Depends on the situation, you want to drag the game.

“Seamers were bowling well, anything could happen in the last over. We’re putting Klaasen and Miller under pressure but they’ve been great. Fantastic for Klaasy to get back in form.”

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto…

“This is the match we should have won, we nearly did but the last couple of overs they bowled well. It can happen in cricket.

On leg-spinner Rishad Hossain: “Rishad is very good, he’s bowled well in the last two games and in practice.

“We’ve struggled with leg-spin in 10-15 years but hope he goes far. Wherever we play, we get a lot of support. Hope it’s the same in the West Indies.”

What’s Next?

There is just one game taking place on Tuesday June 11, with Pakistan searching for their first win against Canada, which is live from 3.30pm on Sky Sports.

Sri Lanka also take on Nepal from 12.30am, live on Sky Sports.

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Real Madrid and Brazil star Vincius Jr warns abusers to be afraid: ‘I’ll hold them accountable’ | Football News

On: June 10, 2024 By: admin

Vinicius Jr said racists should be “afraid” after three Valencia fans were each sentenced to eight months in prison for abusing him during a match last year.

The sentences are the first convictions connected to racist abuse in football in Spain, and the Real Madrid forward welcomed the decision to issue custodial sentences to the people involved.

“The first criminal conviction in Spain’s history isn’t for me, but it’s for all black people,” the Brazilian posted on the social media platform X.

“May other racists feel scared, ashamed and hide in the shadows. Otherwise, I’ll be here to hold them accountable. Thank you to LaLiga and Real Madrid for helping with this historic conviction. More to come…”

The abuse punished by a Valencia court occurred during a league match at the Mestalla stadium in the city on May 21 last year. LaLiga filed the initial complaint which prompted the criminal case.

The individuals were also given two-year stadium bans from any venue hosting LaLiga matches, or games held under the jurisdiction of the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

LaLiga said Valencia had co-operated with the investigation and had expelled the three people as members of the club.

A letter of apology to Vinicius from the defendants was read out during the hearing, LaLiga and Real confirmed.

LaLiga wants to ‘speed up the fight against racism’

“This ruling is great news for the fight against racism in Spain, as it goes some way to redressing the disgraceful wrong suffered by Vinicius Jr and sends a clear message to those individuals who go to a football stadium to hurl abuse,” LaLiga president Javier Tebas said.

“LaLiga will identify them, report them and there will be criminal consequences.

“I understand that there may be some frustration at the length of time it takes for these sentences to be handed down, but this shows that Spain is a country that guarantees judicial integrity.

“We at LaLiga can only respect the pace of justice, but once again we demand that Spanish legislation evolves to give LaLiga sanctioning powers that can speed up the fight against racism.”

Currently LaLiga can only bring the facts of a case to the relevant legal authorities and is unable to sanction clubs, fans or players for hateful conduct, racism or violent acts itself.

Real Madrid issued a statement confirming the convictions which concluded: “Real Madrid, which has exercised together with Vinicius Junior the private prosecution in this procedure, will continue to work to protect the values of our club and eradicate any racist behaviour in the world of football and sport.”

Infantino: Rasicts not part of the football community

FIFA president Gianni Infantino hailed the sentences as a “positive step” in the fight to rid football of racism.

He wrote on his Instagram Stories: “I am pleased to see the firm action and sentencing taken by the Spanish authorities in relation to the racist abuse directed at Vinicius Jr in a Spanish La Liga match in May 2023. This is a positive step.

“As I reiterated clearly at the recent FIFA Congress in Bangkok, we can no longer accept what is happening in stadiums and on the pitch.

“Our message to people anywhere in the world who still behave in a racist way when they are dealing with football is clear: we don’t want you. These people have to be excluded, they are not part of our community and not part of football.

“This ruling showcases one of FIFA’s five pillars of action: criminal charges. We, together united as global football, will push for recognition of racism as a criminal offence in every country in the world and, as seen today in Spain, where there is already an offence, will push for prosecution with the severity it deserves.”