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ITF Pakistan: Ivan Iutkin and Andra Izabella win the Boys Singles and Girls Singles titles respectively
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-Ivan Iutkin from Russia and Andra Izabella from Romaina have lifted the titles of ITF Pakistan AJ Towers World Junior Tennis Championships respectively after winning the finals that played at PTF-S DA Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Saturday.
Unseeded Ivan Iutkin of Russia clinched the Boys Singles title by eliminating 5th seed Aldiyar Abzhan of Kazakhstan in a straight-set with the score of 6-3 and 6-1, as the match lasted 40 minutes. Ivan Iutkin displayed an aggressive game and did not allow his opponent to settled down throughout the match, In the first set Ivan broke the 4th, 6th, and 9th game of Aldiyar and wrap-up the set at 6-3. In the second set, Ivan showed remarkable speed and exhibited excellent tennis, and easily won the second set at 6-1.
Earlier, in the morning, top seed Andra Izabella Sirbu of Romania annexed the Girls Singles title in an exciting two-set match against 2nd seed Tamara Ermakova of Russia 7-6(2) 7-5 which lasted 1 hr 51 minutes. Tamara Ermakova took a flying start to break the 1st and 3rd game of Andra with a lead of 4-0 in the opening set. Andra Izabella fought back bravely and played excellent tennis from the baseline and leveled the set 4-4 all by breaking the 6th and 8th game of Tamara.
At this stage both the players hold their respective serve by playing defense and the score went up to 6-6 all. In the tie break, Andra Sirbu again took a lead by displaying exhilarating tennis to wrap up the tie break at 7-2. In the second set, Tamara again took the lead 4-1 by breaking the 4th game of Andra Izabella by hitting some incredible shots. Andar Izabella changed the pattern of the game; not only level the set at 5-5 all but also overcome against the nerves of Tamara and broke the 11 games and maintain the lead 6-5. In the 12th game, Andra played well and finished the match at 7-5, and gained valuable World Ranking points to improve their international ranking.
Tariq Mehmood Murtaza Chairman Rawalpindi Development Authority and President Islamabad Tennis Association graced the occasion as chief guest. Afan Aziz, CEO of the AJ Towers (Aziz Group) as a guest of honor distributed the prizes amongst the winners and runner-up. Earlier, Yerzhan Kistafin Ambassador of Kazakhstan witnessed the Girls Singles Final and interacted with the participating players, coaches, parents & officials. Hassan Baig SEVP and Sq. Ldr. Naveed Iqbal SVP Islamabad Tennis Association along with Col. Gul Rehman Secretary PTF were also present on the occasion.
Results:
Boys Singles Final
Ivan Iutkin (RUS) beat Aldiyar Abzhan (KAZ) 6-3 6-1
Girls Singles Final
Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) beat Tamara Ermakova (RUS) 7-6(2) 7-5.
Dev Kanbargimath and Arila Kayra win the Doubles title of ITF World Junior Championship
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-Dev Kanbargimath from Romania pairing with Arila Kayra Tuna from Turkey have won the Doubles’ title of the ITF Pakistan AJ Towers World Junior Tennis Championship after beating Nikita Bortnichek from Russia pairing with his compatriot Ruslan Serazhetdinov 2-1 at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Islamabad on Friday. The final score-line was 6-3, 4-6 and 11-9.
In the Doubles’ final, in the opening set Dav and Arial took a early lead by 4-1 breaking the 4th game of Ruslan and continue the same pressure to take a lead of 1-0 set. In the second set, both teams were exhibited excellent tennis by holding their serve 4-4 games all. Nikita & Ruslan managed to break the 10th game of Dev and Arial and leveled the match 1-1 set all. In the deciding super tie break, Dev and Arial took a flying start to take the lead 6-1 but Nikita and Ruslan fought back aggressively and leveled the score 9-9 all but unable to manage the streak and lost next two points. Match lasted 1 hour 20 minutes.
Earlier in the morning session, 2nd Seed Munisa Ashurekova of Uzbekistan paring with Melisa Ugur from Turkey annexed the Girls Doubles title by eliminating the top seeded duo of Andra Izabella from Romania and Olga Sorochkina from Russia in a 3-sets thriller 6-1 2-6 10-7 which lasted 1 hour 6 minutes. In the opening set, Munisa and Melisa displayed excellent tennis with a combination of cross court and down the line shots and did not allow their opponent to settle down with breaks of serve in the 3rd, 5th and 7th game of Andra and Olga.
In the second set Andra and Olga fought back aggressively and took revenge in the same fashion by breaking the 4th, 6th and 8th game of Munisa and Melisa. The deciding super tie break saw some exhilarating tennis as both the teams played incredible shots. Munisa and Melisa managed to take an early lead 6-3 and continued the winning spree till they took the set and match at 10-7.
Results:
Boys Doubles Final
Dev Kanbargimath (ROU) & Arila Kayra Tuna (TUR) beat Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) & Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) 6-3, 4-6, 11-9
Girls Doubles Final
Munisa Ashurekova (UZB) & Melisa Ugur (TUR) beat Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) & Olga Sorochkina (RUS) 6-1, 2-6, 10-6.
FIH Hockey Junior World Cup for Women: 50 days to go
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Lausanne, Switzerland: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) can now confirm the 16 teams that will participate in the upcoming FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup taking place from 1 to 12 April 2022 at the North-West University (NWU) of Potchefstroom, South Africa:
South Africa, Zimbabwe (Africa)
India, Korea, Malaysia (Asia)
England, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, Wales (Europe)
Argentina, Canada, United States, Uruguay (Pan Americas)
The event was scheduled to be played in December 2021 but had to be postponed due to the Omicron outbreak. Japan, Belgium and Spain had qualified for this tournament but have decided not to take part in the rescheduled event. They’ve been replaced by Malaysia, Ukraine and Wales.
Australia, New Zealand and China had withdrawn already last year due to COVID-related reasons and were replaced by Argentina, Ireland and Korea.
In order to support all teams, FIH has decided to extend the number of players to 20 per team. However, only 18 players will be allowed on the start list of any match. Furthermore, the event will start and finish one day earlier than initially planned. This move will help players getting back earlier to their respective clubs and therefore being available for domestic fixtures.
FIH CEO Thierry Weil said: “The FIH Hockey Junior World Cup is such an important milestone in international players’ careers that we’re really happy to be able to stage the upcoming edition, in South Africa, after we were left with no other option than postponing it last year. We’re looking forward to seeing so many of hockey’s rising stars in action in just a few weeks time!”
It will be the ninth edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. Argentina won the last edition in 2016 in Santiago, Chile. In the final, they overcame the Netherlands, who won three FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cups - a record to date – in 1997, 2009 and 2013.
ITF Pakistan AJ Towers Tennis: Ivan Iutkin and Aldiyar Abzhan set to meet in final
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Ivan Iutkin and Aldiyar Abzhan set to meet in the final of the ITF Pakistan AJ Towers World Junior Tennis Championship after winning their semifinals at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Islamabad on Thursday.
The 5th Seed Aldiyar Abzhan (KAZ) struggled hard to win his semi final against unseeded Nikita Bortnichek from Russian in an exciting three sets match. In the first set, both the players held their respective serves till 6-6 all and the set was decided in a tie break, which was won by Abhan by taking the early break in the tie break at 7-2. In the second set, Nikita changed the pattern of game and broke the 8th game of Abhan to take the lead 5-3 and then played some excellent shots down the line to hold the serve and leveled the match 1-1 set all.
In the final set, both the players played excellent long rallies; after losing the 3rd game of final set, Abzhan came back aggressively and did not allow his opponent to settle down and hit couple of aces in the set and finally broke the 6th game of Nikita and by holding the 7th game, took the lead 5-2. In the 9th game, Abhan played some excellent cross court shots to confirm a place in the final. In the second Semi-final, Ivan Iutking of Russia played excellent tennis throughout the match and his opponent from Poland Maciej Zarebski was unable to match his excellence. The match lasted 59 minutes.
In the Girls event, top seed Andra Izabella Sirbu of Romania proved too good against her opponent 4th Seed Olga Sorochkina of Russia to seal a place in the final. She won the match 7-5 and 6-2. In the second semi-final, Tamara Ermakova of Russia beat Melisa Ugur of Turkey in a thrilling see-saw match which lasted 2 hours 12 minutes. The final score-line was 4-6, 6-1 and 7-5. Melisa Ugur (TUR) played very measured and calculated game till 4-4 games all, and broke the 10th game of Tamara to win the 1st set. In the second set, Tamara fought hard to draw level before Melisa regained control and took the set comfortably 6-1. The deciding set saw some exhilarating tennis as both the players reached 5-games all and then in the 12th game Tamara played some excellent shots and broke Melisa to seal her place in the final.
In the Boys Doubles; Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) & Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) caused a major upset to defeat top seed Iranian duo Amirali Ghavam and Yunes Talava in an exciting three sets encounter 6-4 4-6 10-7. In the second Semi-final, Dev Kanbargimath (ROU) & Aril Kayra Tuna (TUR) also upset the 2nd seed Russian pair of Ivan Iutkin and Nikita Safonov in a straight sets match 7-6(6) 7-5.
In the Girls Doubles; Munisa Ashurkekova (UZB) & Melisa Ugur (TUR) proved too good to Taira Abildayeva (KAZ) & Artina Gashi (GBR) in a one sided affair 6-0 and 6-2.
Results:
Boys Singles Semi Finals
Ivan Iutkin (RUS) beat Maciej Zarebski (POL) 6-2, 6-1
Aldiyar Abzhan (KAZ) beat Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-3
Girls Singles Semi Finals
Abdra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) beat Olga Sorochkina (RUS) 7-5, 6-2
Tamara Ermakova (RUS) beat Melisa Ugur (TUR) 4-6, 6-1, 7-5
Boys Doubles Semi Finals
Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) & Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) beat Amirali Ghavam (IRI) & Yunes Talavar (IRI) 6-4, 4-6, 10-7
Dev Kanbargimath (ROU) & Arila Kayra Tuna (TUR) beat Ivan Iutkin (RUS) & Nikita Safonov (RUS) 7-6(6), 7-5
Girls Doubles Semi Finals
Munisa Ashurekova (UZB) & Melisa Ugur (TUR) beat Taira Abildayeva (KAZ) & Artina Gashi (GBR) 6-0, 6-2
Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) & Olga Sorochkina (RUS) beat Sa Rang Lim (KOR) & Seo Hyeon Park (KOR) 6-2, 4-6, 11-9.
India hit 10 past South Africa: France take the game to the Netherlands
SPORTS BULLETIN REPORT
Lausanne, Switzerland:-A scintillating first half performance from India; a resilient response from South Africa; a calm shoot-out performance from the Netherlands; and a first FIH Hockey Pro League point for France. This was how Day Two FIH Hockey Pro League action panned out in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
India men marched on with a 10-2 victory over South Africa, to add to the 5-0 victory they enjoyed over France the preceding day. The win moves them to third in the FIH Hockey Pro League table.
All the damage was done in the opening quarter as two fantastically taken penalty corners were sent home by Jugraj and then Abhishek added a fourth goal.
Four more goals in the second quarter saw Jugraj seal his hat trick before Gursahibjit, Dilpreet and Mandeep all added to the score sheet.
The fourth quarter saw India regain a little of their first half pace and Dilpreet scored India’s final goal to take his team into double figures.
After the game, Player of the Match Jugraj said: ‘Jugraj Singh: 'I am really happy to have scored a hat trick. I was feeling good when I got the opportunity to take the penalty corners.'
In the second match France could have been forgiven for lacking confidence after their 5-0 loss to India the previous day. However, the men in blue came out to challenge the Netherlands and their aggressive approach and willingness to run at the Dutch paid dividends.
The first goal was scored by France, from the stick of Stanislaus Branicki. The Dutch team rallied and started to make forays into the French circle but it was one of those days when shots went wide, passes were misplaced and the French goalkeeper Arthur Thieffry was on top of his game.
The equaliser came in the second quarter when captain Thierry Brinkman was on hand to slam the ball home after some good build up by Jorrit Croon.
At this point, observers would have expected the Netherlands to ramp up their attack but for every period of Dutch domination, the French responded with their own attacking play.
The third quarter was goalless as was much of the fourth quarter. Then, the deadlock was broken by an absolute cracker of a goal from Koen Bijen. The Dutchman received an aerial in the centre of the French circle, pulled it under control and then volleyed it into the French net. The result keeps Netherlands at the top of the FIH Pro League table and France move to fifth place.
Player of the Match Thierry Brinkman said:
‘That was not so good for us. The first quarter we were not aggressive enough in our 1v1s. We made too many mistakes both on the ball and defensively. There is a lot to improve for us. France played very well.’
Results:
RSA 2-10 India
Player of the Match: Jugraj Singh (IND)
Umpires: Annelize Rostron (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA) Wanri Venter (RSA - video umpire)
France 2-2 Netherlands (Netherlands won 4-2 in the shoot-out)
Player of the Match: Thierry Brinkman (NED)
Umpires: Wanri Venter (RSA), Sean Rapaport (RSA), Ayden Shrives (RSA - video umpire)
David Boon to discuss duration of drinks interval
Bipin Dani
Former Australian top order batsman and the ICC match referee David Boon, who will be officiated in the upcoming five T-20I matches between Australia and Sri Lanka will meet the team management of both sides before the commencement of the series scheduled on 11th February to decide on the duration of the drinks- interval, it is learnt.
The ICC has announced that an optional drinks break of two minutes and thirty seconds might be taken at the midpoint of each innings subject to agreement between Members at the start of each series.
"Reduction of time is optional and is not decided yet but will be discussed before the series begins", one of the sources in Australia, said exclusively.
"The drinks interval between the two innings is 20 minutes but the match-referee can reduce it up to 15 minutes", the source further added.
According to the former ICC umpire Daryl Harper, who now also officiates as a match-referee in domestic matches in Australia, the duration of drinks interval in each session is immaterial.
"The players have access to drinks at virtually any time in the match as it is currently between overs and also at the fall of a wicket", he said.
India's veteran cricket umpires say, the duration of 2 minutes and 30 seconds will be "dicey to handle and implement".
India's Vinayak Kulkurni, who has coached the umpires and was a Development Manager for the Indian umpires, said, "150 seconds is too less for drinks to reach the middle, which is on an average 65 yards, and more at some other venues like Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia".
"It may not be impossible but too tight for the drinks-men to reach there and come off the same distance and also allowing the on-field umpires and field players to get hydrated".
"The decision may have been taken to hasten the T-20 matches. Ideally it should have been four minutes, which is generally the case in the Tests and ODIs".
"Considering the average over rate, a 4-minute drink interval is given and in no circumstances, it exceeds 5-minutes", he added.
PBCC announces national team for South Africa series
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-The selection committee of Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC), headed by Mohammad Bilal Satti (Chairman Selection Committee) and comprising Masood Jan and Ibrar Shah (members), has announced the national blind cricket team for the South Africa series, scheduled to be commenced from February 28 at Karachi.
According to an official of PBCC, South Africa will play three One-Day International matches in Karachi, 1st ODI will be played on 28th February 2nd ODI on 1st March and 3rd ODI on 3rd March 2022. All ODI matches will be held at Southern Club Cricket Stadium, Karachi.
The Committee selected the national team after observing the trials from 31st January to 2nd February 2022 at Lahore and named the Pakistan Blind Cricket Team for the home series against South Africa. PBCC has included 6 new players in the team to give opportunity to young players to debut in international cricket in home conditions. Pakistan team for T20 International will be announced later on.
Worthy Chairman PBCC, Syed Sultan Shah has approved the team and also announced Team Officials for the ODI Leg. Nisar Ali and Zafar Iqbal will be the Captain and Vice-Captain respectively.
Names of players:
B1 (Totally Blind Category):
Zafar Iqbal, Riasat Khan, Muhammad Shahzaib, Mohammad Salman, Kashif Siddique,
B2 (Totally Blind Category):
Nisar Ali, Shahzeb Haider, Matiullah, Ahtesham ul Haq, Naseeb Ullah
B3 Partially Sighted Category:
Mohammad Rashid, Mohsin Khan, Kashif Siddique, Faisal Mehmood, Akmal Hayyat, Israr ul Hassan
Reserves:
Fakhar Abbass (B1) Moain Aslam (B2) Sanaullah Khan (B3)
Team Officials:
Ali Dino (Manager), Mohammad Jamil (Coach) and Masood Jan (Trainer)
PCB names national cricket squad for Australia Tests Series
Sports Bulletin Report
LAHORE:-Pakistan cricket selectors today announced 16 players and five reserves for the three Tests against Australia, which will be played in Rawalpindi (4-8 March), Karachi (12-16 March) and Lahore (21-25 March). From the series against Bangladesh, three changes have been made in the national squad.
Haris Rauf, who was in the side for the South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests in 2021, has returned to replace off-spinner Bilal Asif, while Shan Masood, who last played in New Zealand in the 2020-21 season, has taken over from Abid Ali, who is completing his rehabilitation after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Yasir Shah has been added to the reserve pool.
Test players who are not involved in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 will assemble in Karachi on Wednesday, 16 February, for a training camp that will be held at the National Stadium.
Names of players:
Babar Azam (Captain-Central Punjab), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab), Azhar Ali (Central Punjab), Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab), Fawad Alam (Sindh), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Nauman Ali (Northern), Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Saud Shakeel (Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Shan Masood (Balochistan), Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)
Names of Reserves:
Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab), Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh), Yasir Shah (Balochistan).
Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said:
“We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary. This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future.
“These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side.”
Players' Support Personnel:
Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saaiman (trainer/strength and conditioning coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media and digital manager), Col (retd) Usman Anwari (security manager), Talha Ejaz (analyst) and Malang Ali (masseur).
ITF Pakistan AJ Towers World Junior Tennis Championship reaches in semifinals phase
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD:-ITF Pakistan AJ Towers World Junior Tennis Championships moved into the semi finals phase, as Wednesday saw close contest in the quarterfinal stage that held here at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.
Major upsets were made when both top & second seeds were eliminated in well contested matches. The unseeded Russian Nikita Bortnichek toppled top seed Amirali Ghavam from Iran in a one sided affair of the day 6-2 7-5. Nikita served and returned well easing his way to move into the semi final stage. In the second quarter final, another unseeded Russian Ivan Iutkin sidelined the 2nd seed Yunes Talavar from Iran and confirmed his spot for the semi final. In the third quarter final, Macheij Zarebski from Poland struggled hard to win his encounter against Sami Zeb Khan from Pakistan in a thrilling three set match of the day 6-4 2-6 6-3 whereas talented 5th seed from Kazakhstan Aldiyar Abzan won his match against 4th seed Ruslan Serazhetdinov of Russia in a well contested three set match 6-2 0-6 6-2.
In the Girls Singles, Top seed Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) proved too good against her opponent Renata Garaeva (RUS) and qualified for the semi final without conceding a single game 6-0 6-0, whereas 2nd Seed Tamara Ermakova (RUS) proved her metal against Tatyana Chsherbakova (KAZ) in a straight set match 6-4 6-2.
Results: (Boys Singles) Quarter Finals:
Ivan Iutkin (RUS) beat Yunes Talavar (IRI) 7-6(5), 6-1
Amirali Ghavam (IRI) beat Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) 6-2, 7-5
Aldiyar Abzhan (KAZ) beat Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) 6-2, 0-6, 6-2
Maciej Zarebski (POL) beat Sami Zeb Khan (PAK) 6-4, 2-6, 6-3
Results: (Girls Singles) Quarter Finals:
Abdra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) beat Renata Garaeva (RUS) 6-0, 6-0
Tamara Ermakova (RUS) beat Tatyana Chsherbakova (KAZ) 6-4, 6-2
Melisa Ugur (TUR) beat Avrora Volkova (RUS) 6-3, 6-4
Olga Sorochkina (RUS) beat Munisa Ashurbekova (UZB) 6-2, 6-4
Results: (Boys Doubles) Quarter Finals:
Dev Kanbargimath (ROU) & Arila Kayra Tuna (TUR) beat Esref Kaan Kacar (TUR) & Mehmet Onur Turgut (TUR) 6-3, 3-6, 11-9
Ivan Iutkin (RUS) & Nikita Safonov (RUS) beat Aldiyar Abzan (KAZ) & Mohammad Zaryab Khan (PAK) 7-5, 3-6, 10-8
Nikita Bortnichek (RUS) & Ruslan Serazhetdinov (RUS) beat Hasheesh Kumar (PAK) & Huzaima Abdul Rehman (PAK) 7-5, 7-6(3)
Amir Ali Ghavam (IRI) & Yunes Talavar (IRI) beat Hamid Israr Gul (PAK) & Maciej Zarebski (POL) 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-5
Results: (Girls Doubles) Quarter Finals:
Taira Abildayeva (KAZ) & Artina Gashi (GBR) beat Amna Ali Qayum (PAK) & Sajid Sheeza (PAK) 6-1, 6-3
Andra Izabella Sirbu (ROU) & Olga Sorochkina (RUS) beat Aleksandra Bortnichek (RUS) & Renata Garaeva (RUS) 6-3, 1-6, 10-6
Sa Rang Lim (KOR) & Seo Hyeon Park (KOR) beat Tatyana Chsherbakova (KAZ) & Tamara Ermakova (RUS) 3-6, 6-3, 10-7
Munisa Ashurekova (UZB) & Melisa Ugur (TUR) beat Valda Budkina (RUS) & Avrora Volkova (RUS) 2-6, 7-6(3), 10-3.
Australian Girl Perry back to number one in ODI Player Rankings
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD:-Australia’s Ellyse Perry is back at the top of the list of all-rounders in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings after a fine show in the second ODI of their three-match series against England.
The 31-year-old scored a steady 64-ball 40 and took three for 12 in seven overs to win the Player of the Match award in Melbourne. The performance helped her move 47 rating points ahead of England’s Nat Sciver to the number one position.
Perry had conceded the top spot to Sciver after holding the top spot for 1,535 days from 12 July 2017 to 24 September 2021 and has not been out of the top two in terms of all-rounders in ODI cricket since November 2014.
In the latest weekly update that considers the first two matches of the Australia-England series as well as the third and fourth South Africa versus West Indies matches and comes less than a month ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in New Zealand, Australia batter Beth Mooney and England spinner Sophie Ecclestone too have made significant gains.
Mooney’s innings of 73 in the first ODI has helped her up into the top three for the first time in her six-year career. She started the series in eighth place and is now in the top three in both ODI and T20I cricket as she is placed second in T20Is, just two points behind India opener Shafali Verma.
Ecclestone is another player featuring in the top three in both lists. Despite England losing the first two ODIs, the left-arm spinner bowled economically and is now up to third with a career-best 717 rating points. She currently tops the T20I rankings with 761 points, 39 clear of team-mate Sarah Glenn.
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