Elyse Villani’s magnificent, unbeaten 90 all-but put holders Australia into the Women’s World Twenty20 semi-finals with a 94-run thrashing of winless Pakistan is Sylhet.
The result puts Australia top of Group A, with three wins from their allocation of four games, ahead of New Zealand on net run-rate. Given the White Ferns still have to play third-placed South Africa, who have four points, Australia are effectively through to the knockout stage.
Stuart Broad is looking optimistically towards a new era in English cricket after a narrow loss to South Africa curtailed their World Twenty20 campaign.
Set 197 to win by the AB de Villiers-inspired Proteas, England fell just three runs short of completing a second record run-chase in the space of three days.
While Thursday’s win over Sri Lanka was built upon Alex Hales’ towering century, this chase was very much a team effort.
Australia claimed a 78-run victory over Ireland in the Women’s World Twenty20 match at Sylhet.
Meg Lanning scored 126 off just 65 balls for Australia as they batted first and amassed a total of 191 for four, Delissa Kimmince weighing in with 35.
In reply, Ireland lost a wicket in the second over when Emma Flanagan was dismissed for a duck before they stuttered to 113 for seven from their allocation, Isobel Joyce top-scoring with 28.
By Matthew Sherry
Alex Hales struck a stunning century as England produced a victory for the ages to get off the mark in the World Twenty20 against Sri Lanka.
Seemingly already beaten at nought for two in the first over of their pursuit of a team-record 190, England produced a stunning riposte as Eoin Morgan joined Hales in a partnership that will live long in the memory.
By Dave Clark
Tom Smith admits it was an easy decision to make last season’s loan move to Gloucestershire permanent over the winter.
The left-arm spinner has had something of a nomadic career to date, with spells at Middlesex and Surrey after coming through the ranks at Sussex.
Although a proven performer in limited-overs cricket, the 26-year-old failed to secure a regular start in the LV= County Championship side at any of his three clubs, prompting a three-month loan to Gloucestershire at the end of 2013.