Tag: opening

England vs New Zealand: Sarah Glenn stars as spin proves pivotal in 59-run opening T20I victory | Cricket News

England vs New Zealand: Sarah Glenn stars as spin proves pivotal in 59-run opening T20I victory | Cricket News
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England’s strong spin attack proved pivotal as they cruised to a 59-run victory in the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton.

Five wickets fell in the space of 11 balls as spinners Charlie Dean (2-28), Sarah Glenn (3-16) and Sophie Ecclestone (1-27) combined to decimate the New Zealand middle order as they chased down the tough 198 target set by England.

That target was secured by some impressive displays with the bat, especially Danni Wyatt (76) who raced to her total from just 51 deliveries, smashing the boundary for 11 fours and a six to leave New Zealand needing to muster what would have been their biggest run chase ever.

Heading into the clash off the back of a 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand in the ODI Series, Heather Knight’s side are now using these T20I matches as key preparation for the T20 World Cup in October in Bangladesh, the four spinners in the outfit a surprising choice but one that reaped rewards.

Check out the best shots as Danni Wyatt passed 50 in the first T20 against New Zealand

Glenn takes three-fer as spin powers England

With England opting for the four spin options of Dean, Glenn, Eccleston and Linsey Smith (1-26), the bowling attack took time to find their feet in the Powerplay before the breakthroughs finally came thick and fast.

It is fair to say that Plimmer (1) was at fault for her own wicket in the second over as she ran herself out for the third time in the multi-format series but then a brilliant delivery from Dean removed Amelia Kerr (18) and started New Zealand’s downfall.

Georgia Plimmer was run out for the third time during New Zealand’s tour of England as the White Ferns fell to 12-1

Glenn then made her mark and took a sensational three wickets in the ninth over, dismissing danger woman Suzie Bates (43) then Maddy Green (0) for a golden duck in the space of two balls, finishing off the over by ending New Zealand captain Sophie Devine’s (0) innings.

That left New Zealand floundering on 64-5 but the visitors just continued to crumble as five wickets in total went in the space of 11 balls, Isabella Gaze (0) falling to a stumping from a ripper of a delivery from Eccleston to finish the blitz of wickets.

Score Summary: England win by 59 runs

England: Danni Wyatt (76 runs from 51 balls), Nat Sciver-Brunt (47 runs from 23 balls), Maia Bouchier (32 runs from 26 balls), Freya Kemp (26 runs from 17 balls); Sarah Glenn (3-16), Charlie Dean (2-28)

New Zealand: Suzie Bates (43 runs from 33 balls), Jess Kerr (38 runs from 26 balls); Lea Tahuhu (2-33), Eden Carson (1-26)

Jess Kerr (38) and Brooke Halliday (13) attempted to steady the ship for New Zealand but Dean took her chance once again, rattling the stumps to dismiss the latter and leave New Zealand 110-7.

After four dropped catches, Kerr was finally caught on the final ball of the 19th over, allowing Linsey Smith (1-26) to get in on the spin wicket-taking action, Kemp (1-30) making a point for the medium pace bowlers as she removed Tahuhu (17) with the final ball of the game to secure the 59-run win.

Wonderful Wyatt shows skill with the bat

England got off to a brilliant start in the Powerplay despite the gusty conditions, Wyatt and Maia Bouchier (32) combining to put their side on 52-0 after those first six crucial overs, five fours each putting them firmly in the driver’s seat.

Maia Bouchier was caught out in the deep as England lost their first wicket against New Zealand in the opening T20

The first breakthrough for New Zealand came in the eighth over as Bouchier sent Lea Tahuhu’s (2-33) delivery up and over to the waiting Georgia Plimmer on the rope, putting England on 61-1.

However, the ever-impressive Nat Sciver-Brunt (47) was then at the crease with Wyatt and their partnership increased the pressure further, a six plus two fours in the 11th over setting the pace for them to hit the century mark in 11.2 overs and the 50-partnership in 12.4 overs.

New Zealand got a second wicket after Amelia Kerr caught out Nat Sciver-Brunt before the English batter could reach a half-century

Wyatt then brought up her fifty in the 14th over, seven fours and a six helping her onto her 15th half-century in this format.

Not long after, New Zealand found their breakthrough as Sciver-Brunt sent Eden Carson’s (1-26) delivery to the waiting Amelia Kerr (0-30) to put England on 143-2, Wyatt then finally falling in the 18th over with England on a solid score of 169-3.

England’s batter Danni Wyatt is caught out on the boundary for 76

Despite the loss of their star opener, Freya Kemp (26) and skipper Heather Knight (4) took their chance to add to the tally in the final two overs, helping their side onto a hefty final tally of 197, England’s fifth-highest-ever score in T20Is.

England vs New Zealand IT20 fixtures

Saturday, July 5 First IT20 Southampton (Won by 59 runs)
Tuesday, July 9 Second IT20 Hove
Thursday, July 11 Third IT20 Canterbury
Saturday, July 13 Fourth IT20 The Oval
Wednesdy, July 17 Fifth IT20 Lord’s

What they said: Wyatt: It was a good day | Knight: We showed brilliant intent

Danni Wyatt was thrilled after scoring 76

Player of the Match, Danni Wyatt:

“Just trying to stay calm and back myself. It’s always a nice wicket here. Today was a nice day, supported well by Bouchier and Sciver-Brunt

“It seemed to just fly with the wind. With T20 you just have to enjoy the good days.

“There’s a pretty big game on now so shall we go?”

England’s captain Heather Knight:

“Great performance apart from the drop catches, great to have so many options.

“First time we’ve tried four spinners and I thought Kemp’s figures didn’t show how she bowls, it’s nice to see her back. She was good at the death and Linsey did a really good job too.

“I think we’ve got loads of options. Left Bell out and she’s done a lot for us in T20 cricket. We just pick based on the conditions.

“I thought we started with brilliant intent, we were really smart with our options.

“The crowd was great, we get good support here.”

What’s next?

England head to The 1st Central County Ground, Hove, on Tuesday as they face New Zealand in the second T20I of the series.


Tuesday 9th July 6:00pm


Watch the second T20I between England and New Zealand on Tuesday July 9, live on Sky Sports from 6pm (first ball 6.30pm). Stream the series contract-free with NOW.

Australia vs Wales: Josh Hathaway to make his debut and Aaron Wainwright earns 50th cap in Sydney opening Test | Rugby Union News

Australia vs Wales: Josh Hathaway to make his debut and Aaron Wainwright earns 50th cap in Sydney opening Test | Rugby Union News
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Josh Hathaway will make his Test debut, Aaron Wainwright earns his 50th international cap and Ben Thomas has been handed the fly-half role for when Wales face Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

Aberystwyth-born Gloucester back Hathaway, who has represented Wales and England at under-20 level, starts on the wing.

Wales head coach Warren Gatland moved quickly to secure the 20-year-old’s services, which was brought into sharp focus after Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso was in a similar position last season and chose England.

“We want to make sure we qualify him for Wales,” Gatland said, after naming his training squad in June.

“He is a young player with a lot of potential and we think there is a lot of improvement in his game, whether it is wing or full-back.”

A reshuffled back-three from the team beaten by world champions South Africa at Twickenham sees Liam Williams move from wing to full-back, with Cameron Winnett dropping out after starting Wales’ last six Tests.

Thomas, meanwhile, makes his first international appearance since 2021 after being preferred to Sam Costelow in the number 10 shirt.

He will have some familiar faces alongside him, though, with Cardiff colleagues Ellis Bevan and Mason Grady starting at scrum-half and inside centre, respectively.

Elsewhere, there is a first Test start for Sydney-born Bath prop Archie Griffin, while Exeter forwards Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins join forces in the second row and number eight Wainwright brings up his half-century of international appearances.

Williams, Wainwright and prop Gareth Thomas are the only starting line-up survivors from Wales’ record 40-6 victory over Australia at the 2023 World Cup.

Wales face a tough task against the Wallabies, having not beaten them Down Under since 1969, losing 11 successive games.

Gatland said: “We have had a good week of preparations here in Sydney, and are excited to get out on the field on Saturday.

“This first Test is going to be a great challenge for us.

“Test matches are all about fine margins and we know we need to be accurate, keep our discipline and stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.

“There is a lot of talent within the Australia squad and we know they will want to come out firing and put in a performance against us.”

Wales: L Williams (Kubota Spears); J Hathaway (Gloucester), O Watkin (Ospreys), M Grady (Cardiff), R Dyer (Dragons); B Thomas (Cardiff), E Bevan (Cardiff); G Thomas (Ospreys), D Lake (Ospreys, capt), A Griffin (Bath), C Tshiunza (Exeter), D Jenkins (Exeter), T Plumtree (Scarlets), T Reffell (Leicester), A Wainwright (Dragons).

Replacements: E Lloyd (Cardiff), K Mathias (Scarlets), H O’Connor (Scarlets), C Hill (Secom Rugguts), J Botham (Cardiff), K Hardy (Ospreys), S Costelow (Scarlets), N Tompkins (Saracens).

Wright captains new-look Australia in Schmidt’s first Test in charge

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt takes charge of Australia for the first time after succeeding Eddie Jones as head coach and has named a new-look team for the opening Test against Wales.

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Joe Schmidt enjoyed a successful run as Ireland head coach from 2013 to 2019, including six Six Nations championships

Flanker Liam Wright has been named captain, with uncapped centre Josh Flook and lock Jeremy Williams also selected.

Williams will partner in the second row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, who is returning from a stint in England with Northampton for his first Test since 2021.

Tom Wright, who missed selection for the World Cup squad last year, returns at full-back and Andrew Kellaway will move to the wing. Filipo Daugunu was recalled to start on the other wing.

There are also five newcomers among the replacements, including Tom Lynagh, who is the son of Wallabies World Cup winner Michael Lynagh and brother of Italy international Louis Lynagh.

Australia: 15) Tom Wright, 14) Andrew Kellaway, 13) Josh Flook, 12) Hunter Paisami, 11) Filipo Daugunu, 10) Noah Lolesio, 9) Jake Gordon; 1) James Slipper, 2) Matt Faessler, 3) Taniela Tupou, 4) Jeremy Williams, 5) Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6) Liam Wright (c), 7) Fraser McReight, 8) Rob Valetini

Watch Wales against Australia live on Saturday from 10.30am on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main Event (10.45am kick-off). Stream rugby’s summer internationals in 2024 and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.

James Anderson takes six wickets in opening spell for Lancashire ahead of England international farewell | Cricket News

James Anderson takes six wickets in opening spell for Lancashire ahead of England international farewell | Cricket News
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James Anderson marked his first County Championship of the summer by taking six wickets in his opening spell as Lancashire dominated Nottinghamshire in Southport.

The 41-year-old is back in action for the first time since featuring for England in India in March and ahead of his farewell international in their Test opener against the West Indies, live from July 10 on Sky Sports.

Anderson rolled back the years as took 6-19 from 10 overs, ripping through the Nottinghamshire top order in cloudy conditions, leaving the visitors struggling at 40-6 in reply to Lancashire declaring on 353-9.

England cricket managing director Rob Key says James Anderson will continue in the national setup after his final Test against West Indies, and admits that the internationally retiring Anderson still has more to offer to English cricket

Lancashire declared early on Tuesday morning after securing a third batting bonus point, following day two being washed out by rain, with Anderson finishing unbeaten on nought off two deliveries as opener Keaton Jennings fired a brilliant 187 not out.

Anderson made the breakthrough when Nottinghamshire captain Haseeb Hameed (six) defended a delivery that rolled onto his stumps, with New Zealand’s Will Young (two) caught behind by keeper Matty Hurst in his next over.


Wednesday 10th July 10:00am


Jennings caught Joe Clarke (nought) in the slips and Jack Haynes (two) fell soon after to Anderson, who completed the 55th five-wicket haul of his career when he removed Lyndon James for five.

Liam Patterson-White (four) became Anderson’s sixth wicket in as many overs before the bowler was replaced by George Balderson, with Nottinghamshire reaching lunch at 69-6 and leaving work to do to avoid the follow-on.

Take a look at some of the landmark moments throughout James Anderson’s Test career, with the 41-year-old becoming the first seamer to reach 700 wickets

Anderson is set to step into a newly-created role as England’s fast-bowling mentor for the last two Tests against the Windies, following his farewell Test appearance, along with the following three-match series versus Sri Lanka that follows.

Watch the first Test between England and West Indies, at Lord’s, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Wednesday July 10 (11am first ball). The series then continues at Trent Bridge (July 18-22) before the final game at Edgbaston (July 26-30).

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England vs New Zealand: Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier lead hosts to nine-wicket win in opening ODI | Cricket News

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A century opening stand by Tammy Beaumont and Maia Bouchier set England Women on their way a crushing nine-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening match of their ODI series in Chester-le-Street.

Although skipper Sophie Devine won the toss, New Zealand slumped from a relatively strong position of 56-1 to 156 all out inside 34 overs at Seat Unique Riverside after batting first despite a battling 51 from Brooke Halliday.

Spinner Charlie Dean did most of the damage for the hosts, taking 4-38 from nine overs, and was backed up 2-28 from fellow slow bowler Sophie Ecclestone to leave Heather Knight’s side with a relatively comfortable target to chase.

England never looked in danger of failing to overhaul New Zealand’s total as Beaumont (76no) and Bouchier (67) flayed the bowling attack to all parts in a 137-run opening partnership, setting the hosts on course to go 1-0 up in the three-match series with 172 balls to spare.

Dean burst helps skittle White Ferns

Having won the toss and chosen to bat first, New Zealand made a strong start which included opener Suzie Bates clattering three fours off England’s new-ball seamers inside the first three overs.

However, Lauren Filer – in for the injured Kate Cross – removed the experienced right-hander with a sumptuous delivery which beat Bates all ends up and saw her heading back to the pavilion after cracking 16 from 12 deliveries.

The tourists set about rebuilding, led by Bates’ fellow opener Georgia Plimmer and new batter Amelia Kerr, yet a lack of communication and some quick thinking in the field by England led to the former departing for 29 after being run out from Maia Bouchier’s throw to wicketkeeper Amy Jones in the 10th over.

A mix-up between the batters saw England seize the advantage and run out New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer.

The introduction of Ecclestone into the attack the following over saw her make an immediate impact too, tempting Melie Kerr into a rash stroke which was comfortably caught by Jones to see her depart for just 10 and leave New Zealand 68-3.

That sent the White Ferns into a tailspin from which they never recovered, with Ecclestone making it two wickets in as many overs by tempting Devine (13) into edging one to Jones followed by Nat Sciver-Brunt, who was limited to bowling just five overs, trapping Maddy Green lbw for two.

Halliday was the lone resistance for New Zealand, leading the way with the fifth half-century of her ODI career, but received precious little support as Dean got stuck into New Zealand’s middle and lower order.

Isabella Gaze (12) and Hannah Rowe (0) both trapped lbw by the off-break bowler, while Jess Kerr (10) edged a delivery down the off side through to the wicketkeeper and Molly Penfold (1) was bowled by one which spun back into her.

England bowled out New Zealand for 156 in their first ODI at the Riverside Ground.

The innings was then wrapped up with more than 17 overs of the allotted 50 remaining when Halliday, who hit seven fours and one six, tried one big shot too many and was caught by Knight off Sarah Glenn, leaving England chasing 157 for victory.

Beaumont and Bouchier blast England to win

England could hardly have asked for a better start to the chase as Beaumont followed a no-ball first up from Penfold with back-to-back boundaries, and her and Bouchier raced to a half-century partnership inside the first seven overs.

Beaumont raced to 50 from just 46 balls as well, bringing her 20th ODI half-century up in style with a big six back down the ground off spinner Kerr in the 14th over and that was soon followed by Bouchier doing likewise to take the partnership past 100.

The 25-year-old went past the 50 mark for the second time in ODIs off the last ball of the over too with a four, but her dismissal for 67 from 50 balls, which included 12 fours and one six, with England still needing 20 for victory denied the hosts a first-ever 10-wicket over the White Ferns in this format.

England Women v New Zealand Women - First ODI - Seat Unique Riverside England Women's Tammy Beaumont during the first women's one day international match at Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street. Picture date: Wednesday June 26, 2024.
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Tammy Beaumont top-scored for England with an unbeaten 76

Beaumont successfully overturned an lbw decision against her via DRS while on 66 and then survived one from New Zealand the following delivery, and fittingly she hit the winning runs with a four through the covers to finish unbeaten on 76 from just 69 balls, including 11 fours and one six.

What they said

England captain Heather Knight:

“The way we attacked that game was brilliant.

“We kept looking for wickets throughout their innings which was really pleasing after we got on top with a few early ones – bowling them out for 156 on a really good pitch.

“Then the nonchalance from the top two [Beaumont and Bouchier] was very entertaining to watch. It was a masterclass.

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine:

“We’re really disappointed with our performance.

“The start we got with the bat was actually exceptional, we put them under pressure, but they then showed our skill in terms of being able to peg us back.

“For us, we’ve got to trust the work we’ve been doing over the past six or seven weeks. Today is disappointing but we’ve got to move on quickly and come back harder in the next game.”

What’s next?

England can secure victory in the ODI leg of New Zealand’s tour with victory in the second of the three-match series on Sunday, June 30. That match at Worcester’s New Road starts at 11am and is live on Sky Sports Cricket.

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Jarrad Branthwaite: Man Utd make opening transfer offer for Everton defender | Transfer Centre News

Jarrad Branthwaite: Man Utd make opening transfer offer for Everton defender | Transfer Centre News
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Manchester United have made their opening offer for Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Several sources have indicated the offer was worth in the region of £45m. However, other sources have insisted it was significantly less. The offer is expected to be rejected.

As far as Everton are concerned, they have not put a valuation on a player they consider to be of high value to them and a key member of Sean Dyche’s squad.

Recruiting in the heart of defence has been marked as a priority for FA Cup winners Manchester United this summer.

Raphael Varane is leaving at the end of the month when his deal expires, while Jonny Evans has been offered a contract to stay on at Old Trafford.

Everton could look set to sell one of their main assets before the end of June to stay in line with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Another Everton player who could fetch a sizeable fee is Amadou Onana – but no move has yet emerged for the midfielder.

A look back at the standout moments from Jarrad Branthwaite’s impressive season for Everton in the Premier League.

Analysis: Everton value Branthwaite at £70m and don’t have to sell best players

Sky Sports News’ Michael Bridge:

“We reported earlier, with Branthwaite such a key player for Everton, there is a valuation of around £70m from their side. We will talk every day in this transfer window about PSR. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that the likes of Everton have to sell their best players.

“Of course, this is a new era for Manchester United. A first bid under Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS. It’s day one of the transfer window and this is big news coming from Manchester United and Everton.”

The 2024 summer transfer window in England and Scotland is officially open.

The window will close on August 30 at 11pm UK time.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.