So much to catch up on!

Good evening Sports fans, how the devil have you been? I can only apologies for the lack of output for the last few week but the important thing is that All The Cricket is back!

There is so much to catch up on but let’s pick up where we left off, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup!

The White Ferns beat the odds!

When we last spoke New Zealand and South Africa were set to face off in, what proved to be an epic final! With Australia, India and indeed England knocked out of the competition, we were guaranteed to have brand new Champions and that is always exciting!

Since this match happened over a month ago I won’t give you a break down of the innings, what you need to know is that New Zealand batted first and posted, a not inconsiderable 158. South Africa in response could only manage 126 so the game, the tournament and the World Cup went to New Zealand!

Now as much as I love the thrill of watching one person throw a ball to another person approximately once a minute, cricket is a people game and this was a classic example.

New Zealand veterans Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu made their debuts for NZ in 2006 (Bates and Devine) and 2011 respectively. The 3 Grannies, as their younger team members call them, have been everywhere, seen everything and have now done it all! At the moment the match was won Bates and Devine ran to each other to celebrate in an embrace and I don’t mind telling you, a manly tear rolled down this rough-hewn Yorkshireman’s cheek!

Other great moments from The White Ferns campaign includes Eden Carson melting with excitement at getting through to the semi finals and Jess Kerr leading her teammates in song while her sister Amelia accompanied on Guitar………all wholesome stuff!

Congratulations New Zealand, a fully deserved victory and another fantastic World Cup, thank you to everyone for reading the dailies!

I was intending to catch up on a few other bits that have happened between the World Cup final and now but there has been just too much, instead let’s get onto what’s been happening this week!

England Women back in winning ways.

Sticking with the women, England are currently on a multi format tour of South Africa. The tour consist of 3 T20i’s, 3 ODI’s and a 1 off test.

South Africa, still licking their wounds from their defeat in the World Cup final were hoping the Lionesses would be gentle, unfortunately for the Proteas England came looking to swipe.

England took victory in the first two T20’s with good performances from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Heather Knight, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glen. Englands star player in both games was, almost inevitably, the venerable Nat Sciver-Brunt. Scoring runs and taking wickets, she has to be considered cricket’s greatest allrounder. On the South African side of the draw Nadine de Klerk is in the form of her life. Currently leading the attack with the ball she’s picking up impressive wickets as well as being a more than handy lower order batter. Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt is always worth keeping an eye on as well and as a former Northern Supercharger she is a bronze star Yorkshire woman! The final T20 is on Saturday 30th November and you can watch the action on Skysports or listen for free on the BBC sports app.

It’s a long way to Christchurch.

Englands men’s test team are out in New Zealand for the winter (very NZ heavy blog this!) and started the first test in Christchurch Wednesday evening. At the brand new and very picturesque Hagley Oval, England skipper Ben Stokes, a Christchurch native, won the toss and decided to bowl first. It wasn’t a big surprise as Stokesie loves a good chase at the best of times. Bearing in mind as well its spring time in New Zealand, the pitch should have a nice bit of swing and seam in it for our pace men.

The Black caps however had the best of the first day and a bit, eventually being bowled out for 348. New Zealand’s answer to Ben Stokes, if Ben Stokes wasn’t alright from New Zealand, Kane Williamson had a great knock, fall frustratingly for 93. Runs were also put on the board by Tom Latham and Glen Phillips in a typically gutsy Kiwi performance.

When England came in to bat in the morning session of day 2, NZ seemed to continue getting the best of the conditions. England were at one point 71 for 4, including ducks from opener Zak Crawley and the great, great Joe Root. However where one Yorkshireman may fail, another will always succeed, step centre stage, you guessed it, Harry Brook.

Harry pulled his willow from its case, laced up his boots and with a touch of good fortune, he was dropped 4 times, sieved the ball all over Hagley park. finishing the day on a unbeaten 132. Harry, gift from god Ollie Pope and the skipper Ben Stokes have pulled England back into the contest.

The 3 lions finished the day just 29 runs behind New Zealand with the game beautiful poised. Action begins again at 10pm uk time and proceedings can be followed live on Discovery+.

There is soooooo much more exciting cricket to talk about but I am going to leave it there for today. I’m going to try and get back into a more regular rhythm with the blog again and hopefully you’ll stick with me.

So until next time fellow traveller,

All the best,

Nick