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Home , Anya Shrubsole, Ravi Shastri, Upul Tharanga

TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2017 SPORTS

India’s Raj wants women’s IPL after World Cup heartbreak

LONDON: Mithali Raj said the 34-year-old Raj, who later confirmed India,” said Raj. “They’ve opened up the positive,” said Raj. “I’m sure the BCCI is former England captain Rachael Heyhoe now was time to “create the base” of a this has been her last World Cup appear- channels for women’s and they very proud of the team. Flint, the driving force in establishing female equivalent to the Indian Premier ance, said that would be less likely to should be really proud of themselves. I “When we lost to South Africa and the inaugural Women’s World Cup in League after her side’s hopes of happen if they had a tournament to have seen the changes the girls have Australia (in pool play), no one thought 1973 — which her side won-died and Women’s World Cup final glory were match Australia’s Women’s Big made. “Unlike 2005 (when Australia we would get to the final. “A team like on a match day where the bell to signal snatched away by England at Lord’s. Bash League or England’s equivalent hammered India by 98 runs in the final that has come to the finals and given a the start of play was rung by 105-year- Raj’s side looked on course to lift the Super League. at Centurion, South Africa), this went to good fight to the home team. “The old Eileen Ash, the oldest living former trophy for the first time at 191 for three, “Everybody was very nervous and I the end.” India’s collapse was sparked by WBBL has given exposure to the two England women’s international, the chasing 229 for victory, in Sunday’s final think that resulted in our defeat,” Raj, the ’s exit for 86, the top score girls who have played ( hosts held their nerve. at the ‘home of cricket’. all-time leading -scorer in women’s of the final. and Kaur). “Cricket’s a funny game, and pres- But on the same Lord’s ground where one-day internationals told reporters. Together with Harmanpreet Kaur, “If more girls participate in such sure’s a funny thing,” said England cap- India’s men had won an inaugural World England’s women have been full-time who made 51 after her astounding 171 leagues, it will give them experience tain Heather Knight after a win greeted Cup title back in 1983, they lost their last professionals for some two years now, in India’s semi-final win and help them to improve their own with the sound of thousands of girls seven for just 28 runs to be with Raj’s side still on their way-although reigning champions Australia, the open- game. “If you ask me, they should have cheering in the stands of a capacity bowled out for 219 with eight balls to the squad did receive bonus payments er shared a third- stand of 95. (women’s) IPL because now is the right crowd rather than the polite applause spare. Anya Shrubsole did the damage of 50 lakh Indian rupees (£60,000) each “We messed it up in the end. It was a time to create that base.” usually associated with Lord’s. with a late burst of five wickets for 11 for reaching the final from the Board of very brave innings from Punam,” said England, beaten by India in their “It’s a World Cup final, we knew if we runs in 19 deliveries. The pace bowler’s Control for . Raj. But the skipper said her side had opening pool match, also made plenty held our nerve we would be in with a match haul of six for 46 was also the established a solid foundation for of mistakes in the error-strewn closing chance but it did feel like it was slipping best individual return in any Women’s ‘SET THE PLATFORM’ women’s cricket in India, the sport’s overs on the way to winning a fourth away at 190 for three. “But we fought World Cup final. “These girls have really set the plat- financial superpower. World Cup title and third in as many edi- like hell in this tournament and today Pressure got to India in the end, but form for the upcoming generations in “The response from the public is very tions on home soil. But in a year where was no different.”—AFP Australia’s players reportedly mull Bangladesh boycott

SYDNEY: Australia’s senior players have The first match of the two-Test series voted to boycott next month’s tour of was due to start 10 days later. The Australia Bangladesh unless their long-running pay A squad went through a similar process dispute with Cricket Australia (CA) is settled before abandoning the tour to South Africa before they leave, reports said yesterday. earlier this month. The dispute is over CA’s Captain Steve Smith and vice-captain refusal to renew a revenue-sharing David Warner attended an undisclosed arrangement which has been part of all meeting with Australian Cricketers’ deals over the past two decades. Association (ACA) chief executive Alastair Reports said the ACA was close to a deal Nicholson to consider their options after a with CA last week. Players proposed they breakdown in the talks with CA last week. retain the revenue-sharing model but sacri- The Australian newspaper said the play- fice up to Aus$30 million ($24 million) of ers discussed a range of options, including their pay to grassroots cricket. going ahead with the Bangladesh tour But CA would not offer a revenue-shar- under a special contractual arrangement. ing deal. The players expressed disappoint- But they resolved to stand by the resolutions ment at the latest developments in the pro- reached at a previous meeting and refuse to tracted dispute, which threatens the show- take part in any tours unless there is a new piece Ashes home series against England memorandum of understanding in place. later this year. The players are entering their fourth “Not sure the players can do much more week of unemployment since the failure to to solve the dispute. We’re really proud to reach a new agreement on pay at the end offer up to an extra $30 million for grass- of June. The squad voted to attend the roots #fairshare,” Warner tweeted. Fast training camp in Darwin on August 10 but bowler Pat Cummins added:”Players are as will not leave for Bangladesh a week later frustrated as anyone else. We want to play. unless an agreement is reached, the news- Offering even more to grassroots to get a paper said. deal!!! #fairshare.” —AFP

LONDON: England’s Anya Shrubsole (R) raises the trophy after winning the ICC Women’s World Cup cricket final between England and India at Shastri on mission to Lord’s cricket ground in London on Sunday.— AFP

keep India at number one CRICKET GALLE: New India coach Ravi Shastri will low point in our careers,” Ashwin told tomorrow look to prove his team remains reporters. , whose new Test skip- the world’s best Test side when they take per has been ruled out WCup heroine Shrubsole on Sri Lanka in the first of three matches. through flu, will need all the experience of Shastri, who took over the demanding role stand-in captain . The left- after ’s acrimonious exit last arm spinner, who took 11 wickets against month, has backed India to continue the Zimbabwe and his 31st five-wicket haul in lives out Lord’s dream “fearless brand of cricket” that helped them 81 Tests, is key for Sri Lanka. regain the number one position last year Sri Lanka’s pace lineup has been bol- from . While India lost the stered by the return of veteran Nuwan LONDON: Anya Shrubsole said her match-win- England almost snatched defeat from the jaws “It’s still pretty surreal to be honest,” said Champions Trophy final to their arch-rivals, Pradeep, who is likely to start at Galle ning display in England’s Women’s World Cup of victory-bowled Gayakwad next ball. Shrubsole. “You’ve always got to believe you can the -led side is on a roll after win- International Stadium. final win over India at Lord’s on Sunday was In the end, England’s total in the final of 228 win no matter what the score and no matter ning 10 of the last 13 Tests, overcoming top adds muscle to their strong arsenal, proof that dreams can come true. The 25-year- for seven, featuring Natalie Sciver’s 51 and valu- what the game situation. “We fought until the sides like New Zealand, England and comprising former captain Angelo old pace bowler turned the match on its head able late-order runs had proved just enough. end and it came off.” —AFP Australia. “They know their job. They are Mathews, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan with a spell of five wickets for 11 runs late on as professional cricketers. Once they step on Dickwella. Sri Lanka’s interim coach Nic England snatched a nine-run win. India were on the field they take over. That is how it Pothas said the team should take inspira- course for victory at 191 for three, chasing 229. should be,” said Shastri, who became head tion from Kohli’s men, who overcame a 1-0 But they were dismissed for 219 to deny captain Indian women team win coach after Kumble quit over his “unten- deficit to beat the islanders in a three-Test Mithali Raj a winner’s medal in what the star able” relationship with Kohli. “My role will series in 2015. batsman said was her last World Cup match. be to get the guys to express themselves The triumph resurrected India’s fortunes Just days before the final Ian Shrubsole, Anya’s hearts after gutsy WCup father, tweeted a picture of his then nine-year- and play a fearless brand of cricket,” the for- as they registered their first series win in Sri NEW DELHI: India’s women’s team was hailed were good throughout but sometimes it is old daughter watching him play in a club final at mer all-rounder added. Lanka for 23 years and went on to become at home for their gritty showing at Lord’s after not meant to be. Congrats England on win- Lord’s, with the caption: “What a place! I’d like to While India start as overwhelming the number one Test side again a year later. just missing out on making history in narrowly ning,” Tendulkar wrote on Twitter. play here... for England... in a World Cup final.” favourites after the seventh-ranked Sri “I think we probably are in the same sit- losing to England in the World Cup final. India’s men’s 1983 World Cup-winning cap- Following her stunning display in front of a Lanka scraped past Zimbabwe in a one-off uation that Virat was talking about the Millions of cricket-crazy Indians watching the tain hailed the women’s gutsy show- sold-out Lord’s, Shrubsole, whose return of six for Test last week, Shastri has warned against Indian team being in a few years ago. We match on big screens across the country were ing as a victory for girls across the subconti- 46 was the best by any bowler in a Women’s complacency. “Sri Lanka can’t be taken are in that rebuilding phase,” said Pothas. left heartbroken as their team fell short of nent. “Mithali’s team too has won the hearts of World Cup final, joked: “Dad’s Twitter profile has lightly at home. Their track record playing The South African, who took charge their 229-run target by just nine runs in a the nation. I know that not every daughter will gone through the roof! “If someone had said to at home is as good as any another team. after Graham Ford’s exit last month, added thrilling finale on Sunday. After an impressive become a champion, but I am sure that the me that all this time later I’d be at Lord’s, winning We would look to improve in the series,” he was focused on changing the team’s cul- start India’s batting imploded as the Mithali mindset of parents is bound to change now,” a World Cup final, I would have laughed them said the 55-year-old. The visitors have ture and unleashing their potential. Raj-led side slipped from 191-3 to 219 all out Dev was quoted as saying by The Hindu news- away-you never think that sort of thing happens.” played a two-day warm-up game in in 48.4 overs. England pace bowler Anya paper. “Honestly, I was not a keen follower of Recalling that childhood visit to Lord’s, with returning batsman Shikhar Squads: Shrubsole led the charge with figures of 6-46 women’s cricket, but I am their biggest fan Shrubsole told BBC Radio Five Live: “I remember Dhawan among the scorers. Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (Captain), — the best recorded in a World Cup final. now. I am sure... people will pray to be blessed the day, I remember watching him in that game- Meanwhile Indian opener Lokesh Rahul, Upul Tharanga, , Kusal But tributes flowed from the prime minis- with daughters. Hats off to them.” I don’t remember saying that but I guess it just who scored a half-century in the practice Mendis, , Asela Gunaratne, ter and cricket legends for the “Women in The front page of the Hindustan Times shows that dreams can come true.” game, was ruled out of the first match due Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Blue”, who often miss the limelight hogged by newspaper declared: “India take big steps, fall to viral fever. Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, India’s men’s Test side. “Our women cricketers just short of giant leap.” The Board of Control ‘WATERSHED’ Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa gave their best today. They have shown for Cricket in India announced a cash prize of This World Cup altered many entrenched per- ‘FABULOUS PERSON’ Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan remarkable tenacity & skill through the World $800,000 for each player after their semi-final ceptions regarding women’s cricket, with Kapil India could start with three spinners and Pradeep. Cup. Proud of the team!” Prime Minister victory over Australia last week. Those crick- Dev, captain of the India side that won the 1983 use left-arm wrist spinner India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter. eters working for India’s railways-there are 10 men’s World Cup final at Lord’s, telling the Hindu with the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Cricket icon consoled the members of the squad employed by the newspaper: “Mithali’s team too has won the and . Ashwin said the play- (vice captain), Rohit team on their World Cup disappointment, the state-run transport body-will receive auto- hearts of the nation. “I know that not every ers were looking forward to working with Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra second time they have missed the cup after matic promotions, local media reported. daughter will become a champion, but I am sure Shastri. “Ravi has been a fabulous person Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant going down to Australia in 2005. Captain Raj has been promised a BMW by a that the mindset of parents is bound to change to have in the dressing room. Even when Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, “Feel for all of you, #WomenInBlue! You former cricket selector. — AFP he was here last time, we lost that Test in , , now.” He added: “Honestly, I was not a keen fol- Galle and he really picked us up from that Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund. — AFP lower of women’s cricket, but I am their biggest fan now. I am sure... people will pray to be blessed with daughters. Hats off to them.” Shrubsole agreed this World Cup had marked a turning point for the women’s game, with the final drawing a global television audience of 100 million according to some estimates. “I think it’s a watershed moment for women’s cricket,” said Shrubsole. “The final was a really fit- ting tribute to the whole tournament, which has been brilliant from start to finish. “We obviously set out to win, but we also want to inspire women and girls to play cricket and hopefully our win, and the way we have played, has done that.” As for the thrilling conclu- sion to the final, Shrubsole-also involved in a run-out-said: “Once we got Raut it just gave us a little bit of hope, a little chance with the new batters coming in under a huge amount of pres- sure.” There threatened to be a late twist when, with India nine wickets down but still in sight of victory, dropped an easy catch to LONDON: India’s Jhulan Goswami (C) waits to receive a runners up medal after losing the reprieve No 11 Rajeshwari Gayakwad. But ICC Women’s World Cup cricket final between England and India at Lord’s cricket ground in Shrubsole-who struck a first-ball four to seal a London. — AFP Ravi Shastri two-wicket semi-final win over South Africa after