Let’s take a look at what happened in the world of cricket on 18 June.
Verma, Sharma hold after early setback on rain-marred Day 3
Shafali Verma notched a second half-century (55 not out) on Test debut to guide India to 83/1 in the second innings at Bristol. India still trail by 82 runs, and with rain predicted on Day 4 as well, the match is likely to end up in a draw.
India lost Smriti Mandhana, half-centurion in the last innings, early in the innings. Deepti Sharma, the unbeaten batter of the first innings, was promoted to first down; she responded with a gritty 18, playing perfect foil to Shafali, who was unfazed by the occasion.
Earlier in the day, Sophie Ecclestone picked up early wickets to bowl out India for 231. Ecclestone finished with four wickets to her name, three of them coming early on Day 3, and Heather Knight claimed two.
Rain washes out on Day 1 of WTC final
Persistent rain in Southampton played spoilsport on Day 1 of the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand. Not a single over could be bowled. Play was abandoned in the afternoon itself.
The weather forecast, however, is better for the next two days. Having already announced their playing XI, India may be tempted to bring in the fourth seamer in Mohammed Siraj, considering the windy, overcast conditions.
New Zealand, on the other hand, might overlook Ajaz Patel for an extra seamer. Both captains will walk out for toss at 2.30 IST.
Kevin O’Brien bid adieu from ODI cricket
Kevin O’Brien, one of Ireland’s finest, has decided to bring the curtains down on his illustrious ODI career. However, he will continue to feature in T20I and Test cricket.
O’Brien was part of the 2007 squad that felled Pakistan on St Patrick’s Day in the 2007 World Cup. However, he rose to fame with a hundred against England in the 2011 World Cup. Ireland hunted down an imposing total of 328 despite losing half of their wickets for just over a 100. His fifty-ball hundred is still the quickest in World Cup history.
O’Brien had 3,618 runs and 114 wickets in ODI cricket. For Ireland, these are the third-most runs and most wickets.
Elgar, de Kock put South Africa in front
Half-centuries from Dean Elgar and Quinton de Kock helped South Africa reach 218/5 by stumps on Day 1 of the second Test versus West Indies. Having followed his terrific century in the first Test match with an unbeaten 59, de Kock looked well set for more. The break from captaincy shackles is doing wonders for De Kock.
Elgar, too, rose up to the occasion, scoring 77 before falling to Kyle Mayers. Shannon Gabriel was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets.