In today’s cricket news, learn more about New Zealand defeating England by one run on the final day of the second Test at Wellington, becoming only the fourth team in Test history to win after being made to follow on. Meanwhile, Australia’s 19-run victory against South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday may establish them as the best cricket team in history. Lastly, in the Guwahati T20 Premier League, Riyan Parag of the Rajasthan Royals hit a blazing 148 off 64 balls that included 17 sixes and 6 fours.
Black Caps Beat England by One Run Thanks to Neil Wagner
Original Source: New Zealand vs England: Neil Wagner the hero as Black Caps snatch dramatic one-run win over England
After losing four early wickets in the first 10 overs of the day at Basin Reserve, the tourists were left in disarray with 210 runs still needed to reach the victory goal of 258, reducing them to 80-5.
Joe Root and Ben Stokes put on a sixth-wicket stand of 121 to get the chase back on track, but they both fell soon after in the afternoon session to leave the tourists seven down with 56 to go.
Neil Wagner’s 4-62 turned the contest in New Zealand’s favor, and he took the crucial final wicket of James Anderson to prevent the last man in for England from becoming an unexpected batting hero, securing a win by the narrowest of margins and tying the series at 1-1.
Story of the day
On the morning of the final day of this Test, night-watchman Ollie Robinson top-edged Tim Southee to Michael Bracewell, ending any hopes of England “Bazballing” their way to victory.
Four overs later, opener Ben Duckett followed him back to the pavilion for 33 after trying to clip the New Zealand captain over the off-side but getting an edge that wicketkeeper Tom Blundell caught.
Then a disastrous over in which change bowler Wagner removed Ollie Pope for four, edging the left-arm seamer to Tom Latham in the slips, and new man Harry Brook, who had top-scored for England in the first innings with 186 and was named player of the series, was run out without facing a ball when Root went for a single that was never on left England stumbling.
But, the former England skipper made up for it with his successor Stokes, scoring his 57th Test half-century and carrying the tourists through to lunch with 90 needed for victory when play resumed in the afternoon.
That marginally turned the match back in England’s favor. Stokes, who had been battling with mobility due to a knee issue, played an awkward pull off Wagner in the 57th over and was caught for 33 by Tom Latham.
Two overs later, Root tried to pull and was caught by Bracewell at midwicket for 95, leaving wicketkeeper Ben Foakes to guide England home.
As Stuart Broad’s cameo 11 off nine balls ended with him being caught by Wagner off Matt Henry, Foakes and Jack Leach took a more patient approach to the chase and began methodically ticking off the runs with two wickets in hand.
His 35 from 57 balls took England within seven runs of their victory target, but he was caught in the deep by Wagner while trying to pull a bouncer from Black Caps skipper Southee.
Anderson, the world’s top Test bowler, hit a four off Wagner to bring England within two runs of victory, but two overs later he got the tiniest touch on one from the seamer that carried through to wicketkeeper Blundell, sealing an unlikely triumph for New Zealand.
The Black Caps avoided a first home series loss to England since 2008 after England won the first match of the series. England’s red-ball team has lost only twice since captain Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum took over.
“Ben Stokes, speaking to BT Sport,” said England captain “Coming down to the last day, being in that situation in the last half-hour, it’s everything you dream for, and even though we lost, we can’t help but feel lucky to have been part of an amazing game like that.
“It’s frustrating not to win, but the wider picture of what everyone has loved and experienced here is definitely bigger than any current disappointment.
“After we enforced the follow-on, it was always our game to lose since our opening bowlers had ripped through their top order three innings in a row, and New Zealand had to play the perfect game to put us in this predicament. We’d never worry about chasing 250 in the last innings, but credit to New Zealand.”
Wagner bowls for New Zealand.
“We’ll commemorate this particular one.
Wagner’s four wickets gave New Zealand a thrilling one-run win over England.
“It’s a great accomplishment, and everyone helped. Just keep playing.
“That’s just this team, we keep loving to battle for each other.”
Tammy Beaumont and Nasser Hussain Discuss Their 13th World Cup Win
Original Source: Are Australia’s T20 World Cup winners the greatest-ever cricket team? Tammy Beaumont and Nasser Hussain reflect on their 13th World Cup win
England batter Tammy Beaumont asked that after Australia won their sixth T20 World Cup title, and third in a row, with a 19-run win against South Africa in Sunday’s final in Cape Town.
Beaumont remarked, “You might argue that they’re the greatest cricket team of all time, challenging that great Australian [men’s] side of the 2000s when I was growing up.” “They always win.”
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain called Australia the “greatest side in the world” but was thrilled to see South Africa come back at Newlands in front of a large and noisy home crowd.
Hussain remarked, “The greater issue is, outside from the top three [Australia, England, India], you have to grow the game.”
“All you wanted tonight was that the spectators, the little boys and girls in this stadium, go back home and say to mum and dad, ‘I want to play’.”
After Australia’s 13th World Cup title in all formats and seven 50-over championships, Beaumont and Hussain reflected on their achievement.
Australia the greatest?
England batter and Sky Sports pundit Tammy Beaumont
“Again, they’ve shown why they’re the best.
“You might argue that they’re the best cricket team ever, challenging that great Australian [men’s] squad of the 2000s when I was growing up. Win after win.
“They’re great. They bring in young stars and recreate themselves.
“Because they invested in their players, 17- and 18-year-olds from the Women’s Big Bash League play international cricket.
“Australia’s 10 years ahead. 10 years ago, they had 90 professional women’s cricketers.
“I hope it’s closing. You see how England have changed their game, India gave them a scare [in the semi-final], and South Africa are bringing them closer.”
Hussain: South Africa performed.
Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain was England captain.
“I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too one-sided. This many fans.
“South Africa won the semi-final, and Tammy talked well. England was disappointed, but the greater picture is that outside of the top three (Australia, England, India), you have to grow the game.
“All you wanted today was for the fans, the little boys and girls in this stadium, to go home and tell their parents, “I want to play.”
“If it had been a one-sided game, they might not have done it, but South Africa put on a show.
“Unfortunately, they’re playing the best women’s cricket team ever. They’ve demonstrated that again in this tournament.
“It took three weeks to confirm what we already knew: Australia is the world’s best team.
“They’ve won a hat-trick of T20 World Cups twice. They adapt. Any sports organization will tell you that others will catch up if you stay at your level.
“They appear hungry, fit, and athletic, and they will be for years to come, but India is awake now as a cricketing nation. In this tournament, they pushed Australia the most.”
RR Claims Riyan Parag Is “Built Different” After 17 Sixes In 64 Balls
Original Source: Riyan Parag Stuns Cricket World With 17 Sixes In 64 Balls, RR Says He Is ‘built Different’
In the Guwahati T20 Premier League, Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag hit 17 sixes and 6 fours in a 64-ball 148. As clubs prepare for the launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) on March 31, 2023, Riyan’s innings bodes well for the Rajasthan Royals.
Before the Indian Premier League, Riyan Parag had been routinely scoring runs in the home circuit. Parag warned all teams before the tournament.
Rajasthan Royals shared Riyan Parag’s innings video on its official Twitter account. “Riyan Parag – created different,” Royals wrote on Parag’s innings video.
Riyan Parag has been a key player for the Rajasthan Royals for several seasons. The Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings will play the first match of the Indian Premier League at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 31.
New rules and regulations are coming to the Indian Premier League this season. The season has numerous new rules and may be the last IPL for many T20 great. The current IPL season may be MS Dhoni’s last.
Summary of Today’s Cricket Sports News
Overall, Joe Root and Ben Stokes put on 121 for the sixth wicket to help England recover from an 80-5 deficit chasing 258 on the final day at Wellington’s Basin Reserve, but New Zealand ultimately prevailed thanks to Neil Wagner’s 4-62.
On the other hand, Australia defeated South Africa by 19 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup final on Sunday to clinch their sixth victory in the competition – and third in a row. Australia’s women’s squad have now won 13 World Cup titles in total, including seven in the 50-over version. This put them in the discussion of the greatest team ever to play the game of cricket
Finally, Riyan Parag of the Rajasthan Royals blasted 148 runs off 64 balls, including 17 sixes and 6 fours, in the Guwahati T20 Premier League. The beginning of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) on March 31st is rapidly approaching, and Riyan’s innings bodes well for the Rajasthan Royals.