The South African team struggled on a slow pitch, bowled out for a mere 82 runs. India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, took full advantage of the conditions, with Trisha Gongadi leading the way, claiming three wickets for just 15 runs. Parunika Sisodia also shone, picking up two wickets for six runs. The Indian bowlers applied consistent pressure, supported by some sharp fielding, to dismantle the South African batting line-up.

When India came to bat, Trisha Gongadi starred with the bat, following up her excellent bowling performance with an unbeaten 44 off 33 balls. Alongside her, Sanika Chalke supported well, contributing 26* from 22 balls, as India chased down the modest target of 83 in just 11.2 overs. The duo exhibited solid technique, rotating strike efficiently, and punishing the loose deliveries to ensure India remained firmly in control throughout the chase.

From the outset, India’s top order looked in complete command, with Trisha hitting boundaries with ease, particularly off leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu. India’s early progress was swift, reaching 36 for no loss in just four overs. Though G Kamalini fell after a brief cameo, Sanika and Trisha maintained composure, bringing India closer to victory with every over.

The final moments saw Sanika’s confident shot to the boundary to bring India within striking distance, followed by Trisha’s well-timed four to seal the victory, as India lifted the trophy once again.

This victory also highlighted the remarkable consistency of the Indian team, as they became the first side to win the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup without losing a single game throughout the tournament. Their comprehensive win underlined the strength and depth of Indian cricket at the grassroots level, with the team looking poised for future success in the women’s game.

Brief Scores:

• South Africa: 82 all out (Mieke van Voorst 23, Fay Cowling 15; Trisha Gongadi 3-15, Parunika Sisodia 2-6)
• India: 84/1 in 11.2 overs (Trisha Gongadi 44*; Sanika Chalke 26*; Kayla Reyneke 1-14)

India’s title win reinforces their position as a cricketing powerhouse at the youth level, and with performances like this, they will continue to be a force to reckon with on the global stage.

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Oza’s stellar contributions with both bat and ball saw her stand out as one of the finest cricketers in the Associate ranks over the past calendar year. As the driving force behind UAE’s success, she played an instrumental role in several major tournaments, leaving an indelible mark on her team’s campaign.

The year kicked off with a bang for Oza and the UAE squad, as they triumphed in the Asian Cricket Council Women’s Premier Cup. Oza finished as the leading scorer of the tournament and was named Player of the Tournament, a testament to her consistency and poise under pressure. She would go on to replicate her form later in the year, delivering a series of high-impact performances in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, where UAE made it to the knockout stages.

One of Oza’s standout moments came during the Qualifier, where her brilliant 66* from just 39 balls helped her side overcome the Netherlands, securing a top-two finish in a competitive Group B. Her leadership was again on display in the semi-finals, where Oza almost engineered an unforgettable upset, scoring 66 from 44 balls against Sri Lanka – the eventual champions of the tournament.

Though her batting prowess earned her the most attention in 2024, Oza’s skills with the ball were just as vital. She took 16 wickets at an impressive average of 19.68, showcasing her off-breaks as an important weapon for the UAE. She maintained a solid economy rate of 5.41, further underlining her well-rounded abilities as an all-rounder.

With a total of 711 runs in 2024, Oza’s name appeared near the top of the global run-scorer charts, with only Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu (720 runs) and India’s Smriti Mandhana (763 runs) outpacing her. Oza’s remarkable consistency was evident as she reached double figures in 19 of her 20 innings, including one century and four half-centuries. She finished the year with an average of 41.82 and a striking rate of 111.79, making her one of the most dynamic batters in the game.

Oza’s crowning moment came in the Women’s Premier Cup, where she produced a magnificent 114* off just 69 balls against Oman. Her blistering knock included 16 boundaries, and it was pivotal in UAE’s dominant 148-run victory. This was her third century in international cricket and her highest score of an impressive year.

Esha Oza’s performance in 2024 is a testament to her leadership, skill, and determination, and her achievement of being named ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year is well-deserved. As she continues to lead the UAE women’s cricket team to greater heights, her contributions will undoubtedly inspire future generations of cricketers in the region.

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As reported by the ICC, Australia’s triumph against the Kiwis has solidified their position at the top, while India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, can only reach a maximum of 37 points with their two remaining matches against the West Indies and three against Ireland. This setback for New Zealand has significantly impacted their hopes of securing automatic qualification for the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, making the path ahead much more challenging.

In another twist, Australia’s win has opened the door for Sri Lanka, whose automatic qualification for next year’s ICC Women’s World Cup is now secure. The Kiwis can no longer overtake Sri Lanka, and their spot in the tournament is assured.

Australia’s Dominant Batting Performance

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first, setting the tone for the match with a solid start. Phoebe Litchfield, with 50 runs off 59 balls, including five boundaries, and Alyssa Healy, who scored 39 from 44 balls with four fours, provided the platform. In the middle-order, Annabel Sutherland (42 runs from 43 balls, 6 fours) and Ashleigh Gardner (74 runs from 62 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) delivered critical contributions to lift Australia’s total to 290 runs.

New Zealand’s bowlers struggled against Australia’s strong batting lineup. Amelia Kerr was the standout performer with the ball for the Kiwis, taking four wickets for 54 runs in her 10-over spell. Rosemary Mair also impressed with three wickets, while captain Sophie Devine took two wickets in the effort.

New Zealand’s Run Chase Falls Short

In response, New Zealand’s top order fought valiantly, but the required total proved too much. Suzie Bates top-scored for the Kiwis with 53 runs from 59 balls, including eight boundaries. Maddy Green contributed 39 runs from 35 balls, while Brooke Halliday (27 runs from 36 balls) and captain Sophie Devine (25 runs from 41 balls) kept the chase alive for a while. However, New Zealand’s efforts lacked the needed partnerships, and they were dismissed for 215 with six overs remaining.

Annabel Sutherland and Alana King were the standout bowlers for Australia, each picking up three wickets to bowl New Zealand out. Sutherland’s all-round performance earned her the ‘Player of the Match’ accolade.

Looking Ahead

Australia’s remarkable win adds another chapter to their ongoing dominance in women’s cricket. Their victory has not only secured the ICC Women’s Championship title but has also positioned them as strong contenders for the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s hopes for automatic qualification now hang in the balance, and they will need to regroup and prepare for their remaining fixtures.

Australia’s focus will now shift to maintaining their momentum as they look forward to future challenges in women’s international cricket.

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