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Zeeshan Maqsood, whom Ilyas replaces, is part of the squad

ESPNcricinfo staff01-May-2024Oman have unveiled Aqib Ilyas as their new captain while naming the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June. Ilyas replaces Zeeshan Maqsood, who had led the team since the 2016 T20 World Cup.Oman have otherwise been consistent in their selection with Shoaib Khan being the only player who was not part of the side in the ACC Premier Cup 2024 that took place in April. Opening batter, Jatinder Singh, and legspinner Samay Shrivastav could not find a place in the 15-man squad but are among the reserves alongside Sufyan Mehmood and Jay Odedra.Kashyap Prajapati and Naseem Khushi are likely to open the batting with Ilyas and Zeeshan following them at No. 3 and 4 respectively. Wicketkeeper Pratik Athavale and Ayaan Khan are their middle-order options with the bat.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Bilal Khan, renowned for his yorkers, will spearhead their bowling attack which features right-arm pacers Kaleemullah and Fayyaz Butt along with left-arm fingerspinner Shakeel Ahmad in the mix. Ilyas (slow Left arm orthodox) and Zeeshan (legspin) can chip in with the ball as well.Speaking of the squad and his new appointment, Ilyas said “I am truly honoured to be entrusted with the captaincy. It’s a huge responsibility, and I aim to lead the team to many victories. We are preparing rigorously for the World Cup, and the recent ACC Premier Cup has provided us with invaluable preparation.”Oman had co-hosted the tournament in 2021 with the UAE and were not able to qualify for the group stage in the 2022 edition. They are part of Group B in the upcoming edition alongside Australia, England, Namibia and Scotland. They begin their campaign against Namibia on June 2 in Barbados.Oman squad: Aqib Ilyas (capt), Zeeshan Maqsood, Kashyap Prajapati, Pratik Athavale (wk), Ayaan Khan, Shoaib Khan, Mohammad Nadeem, Naseem Khushi (wk), Mehran Khan, Bilal Khan, Rafiullah, Kaleemullah, Fayyaz Butt, Shakeel Ahmad.Reserves: Jatinder Singh, Samay Shrivastava, Sufyan Mehmood, Jay Odedra

While England are waiting to find out the seriousness of the injury to captain Eoin Morgan which ruled him out of the T20 in Melbourne, stand-in captain Jos Buttler hoped a change of scenery would help them revive their tri-series campaign when they cross

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Feb-2018England were waiting to find out the seriousness of the injury to captain Eoin Morgan which ruled him out of the T20 in Melbourne, but stand-in skipper Jos Buttler hoped a change of scenery would help them revive their tri-series campaign when they cross the Tasman, and give them the chance of seeking revenge on Australia in the final.Morgan picked up a groin strain at training on Friday, and Buttler was told on the morning of the match that he would take charge, with James Vince coming into the side. It was a tough day for Buttler and the team. Although he top-scored in England’s laboured innings, Buttler couldn’t find his usual timing during his 46 off 49 balls, and then watched as Australia hurtled to the target with more than five overs to spare, and finished their home season in style.The result, which followed England’s defeat in Hobart, leaves them in a straight shootout with New Zealand for a spot in the final at Eden Park on February 21, after Australia secured their place with a third straight victory. England play New Zealand twice next week, starting in Wellington on Tuesday, but it remained uncertain whether Morgan will have recovered in time. While it is not quite a must win at the Westpac Stadium, a defeat would leave England’s progress out of their hands, with New Zealand also having a game in hand against Australia.”The beauty of a tri-series is we still have a chance to make the final,” Buttler said. “It will be a nice change of scene in New Zealand. We haven’t showcased our ability as we can, and there are guys who are determined to come back strong.”After a poor performance in Hobart, we were determined to show what we are capable of tonight, but we weren’t able to do that. We didn’t soak up the early pressure and lost wickets. The game plan was to back it up to the end and go well. I never got going and we were never able to get to a defendable score.”It was an unusually subdued innings from Buttler. He arrived when England had lost three wickets inside the first four overs, and nudged just above a run a ball early in his stay, but struggled to up the tempo against Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis and the slower-ball variations of AJ Tye. He managed one further boundary, an edge wide of Alex Carey, but could not provide the late onslaught.”Losing three early poles, I felt the best way was to then to take some balls and kick on at the end, but that never really happened,” he said. “I struggled, I was trying hard and it didn’t manage to work. I was hoping to be better than a run-a-ball with five overs to go and then really kick on, but it never happened. I’ll have to improve and look at where I went wrong.”

Runs on board could be critical as home side opt for two spinners on same surface as Essex loss

ECB Reporters Network12-Apr-2024Choosing to start a second game on the same pitch they used for their opening match at Trent Bridge last week, Nottinghamshire included two spinners in their line-up and unsurprisingly batted when winning the toss on the first day of their Vitality County Championship meeting with Worcestershire.With Joe Clarke going towards a second hundred in three innings, an increasingly rampant third-wicket stand of 133 included an onslaught of 41 from the first six overs after lunch that seized the afternoon initiative.Ben Slater, however, fell for 70 before Clarke, one of three home players appearing against his old club, advanced to 105 until caught behind 25 minutes after tea but Worcestershire could not quite regain the balance by a close with Nottinghamshire at 305 for six.New Zealander Nathan Smith returned three for 62 overall whilst fellow overseas signing, Barbadian Jason Holder, proved tight if wicketless. Pleasingly it was 20-year old Josh Baker’s left-arm spin that finally removed Clarke, who had so savaged him earlier.It had been an anxious start for the home side on the surface that had seen them bowled out for 80 and lose to Essex just four days earlier. Both openers were gone by the eighth over as Nathan Smith, Worcestershire’s new import this year, struck twice in his opening 19 balls.The Kiwi hit Haseeb Hameed’s middle and leg stumps with a full one when the home captain, beaten on the outside edge but losing balance aiming to leg, fell for eleven and Ben Duckett, out for nine, soon touched a defensive edge to the wicket keeper. Just before lunch, Slater, on 40, survived a sharp low chance to short leg off Baker.During the onrush of fours and sixes that followed on resumption, Slater edged a drive at the same bowler on 53 that flashed between keeper and slip, neither of them moving. Though four men were latterly placed on the boundary for Clarke, he accelerated from 16 to 68 in just 48 balls before throttling back.Slater, caught behind, fell flicking at a ball down the legside from Adam Finch and Smith returned for a second spell in which the South African, Matt Montgomery, driving, was taken at first slip for eleven. But tea found Nottinghamshire at 223 for four, Clarke on a tantalising 98 not out.His century, with three sixes, came up from the second delivery of the evening off 168 balls but first Jack Haynes, another former Worcester man, for 15 and then Clarke himself, top-edging his cut behind for 105, fell in four overs. The new ball was taken as soon as it became available, 35 minutes later, without breaking through as the seventh-wicket reached an unbroken 67.Lyndon James was 39 at the close with Calvin Harrison, South African born but New Zealand raised, on a resolute 25 from fully 82 balls at the other end. His leg spin gained appreciable turn in the previous game against Essex and, on what will be a six-day old pitch on Saturday, could yet prove influential with the left-arm spin in tandem of Liam Patterson-White, selected for the first time since last May.

Worcestershire’s blushes saved but questions remain about ground’s viability as their permanent home

ECB Reporters Network27-May-2024Nottinghamshire’s hopes of pushing for a last-day victory were wrecked by the weather during the rain-ruined draw with Worcestershire in the Vitality County Championship encounter at Visit Worcestershire New Road.Despite the wash-out of two of the first three days, Nottinghamshire were strongly placed, coming into Monday 154 runs ahead. But heavy overnight rain and a steady stream of morning showers dashed any hopes of the players being able to take the field.Umpires Nigel Llong and Suri Shanmugam carried out a series of inspections. The visitors are entitled to feel frustrated after completely outplaying Worcestershire on Saturday, the only day of play possible.While Worcestershire avoided any awkwardness on the final day, it was a demoralising end to this first chunk of the County Championship. The final round of the opening block of red ball matches was supposed to be a welcome return to New Road after eight floods over the winter forced them to relocate their first two home games to Kidderminster.Last month, chief executive Ashley Giles floated the idea of moving the club to a new permanent home because the ground is built on a floodplain which relieves the River Severn, making it extremely susceptible to bad weather. “It’s costing us a lot of money,” Giles told BBC Hereford and Worcester. “We’re going to lose virtually two months of a six-month season. The ground is here to stage cricket, to be a venue for entertainment and hospitality. But conditions are seemingly getting worse.”New Road is due to host its next match on Friday, a Vitality Blast match against Lancashire Lightning. While the ground staff worked relentlessly over the last four days, further inclement weather could affect preparations for that fixture. As a non-Test venue, the Blast is an important part of the club’s matchday revenues over a season. The ground will also host a women’s ODI between England and New Zealand on June 30.”A disappointing day in the field, and, ultimately, three disappointing days being back at New Road and not being able to get on the park as well,” said Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson. “It’s lovely to be back but four days that we probably don’t want to remember for too long.”Nottinghamshire head coach Peter Moores echoed Richardson’s frustrations about the weather, while lauding a professional performance from his team. Luke Fletcher was the star performer with the ball but a disciplined attack took full advantage of the seamer-friendly conditions to dismiss the hosts for 80. Then skipper Haseeb Hameed scored an excellent century to press home Nottinghamshire’s advantage, with former Worcestershire batter Joe Clarke notching an unbeaten 73.”It’s been frustrating because as soon as we got here and saw the outfield, we knew it was going to be difficult if we got any rain, and we did get rain over three days,” said Moores.”We played brilliantly in the game so credit to the lads. To bowl them out in a session was a fantastic effort, not just the quality of the bowling but the catching that went with it.”All in all, no complaints there, and were then getting to a very strong position in the game with the partnership between Hameed and Clarke on the second day.”

The opener has been a powerhouse T20 player and the second-highest run-scorer in the BBL

Andrew McGlashan04-Jan-2024Aaron Finch will bring his illustrious T20 career to a close after announcing his retirement from the BBL at the end of the current season with Melbourne Renegades.Although Thursday’s announcement only relates to the BBL, it’s understood that Finch is unlikely to play in any mainstream leagues overseas but may continue to take part in legends tournaments. Finch had recently indicated in an interview with Channel 7 that this would likely be his final BBL season.”There’ve been some real lows but great highs [too], and I’ve loved every bit of the journey”, Finch said. “No moment can compare to winning the BBL title. That, for me, was very special, and something I’ll remember. I’m really proud to have played at one club for the entirety of my career. The Renegades have been a huge part of my life, and I’m so grateful for everything they’ve given me.”To everyone who’s been part of the journey with me – our members, fans, supporters, my team-mates and all who have had a part to play at the club at all levels – thank you.”Finch is not currently part of Renegades’ XI, having previously played on December 23, but the club may give him a farewell outing against Melbourne Stars on January 13 at the Marvel Stadium. Renegades are unlikely to be in contention for a finals spot.He currently stands as the seventh-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket, with 11,458 runs at 33.70 and a strike rate of 138.21. His highest score of 172 came for Australia against Zimbabwe in 2018.In the BBL, he is the second-highest run-scorer behind Chris Lynn.Finch had announced his international retirement in February 2023, having quit ODIs late in 2022. He captained Australia to the 2021 T20 World Cup title.David Saker, head coach of Renegades, has known Finch through much of his cricket journey.”Finchy has been an outstanding servant and leader with the Renegades; it’s such a rare feat in the Big Bash to spend your career at the one club,” Saker said. “Everything that’s been successful with the Renegades, Finchy has had everything to do with it.”I first coached Finchy when he captained Victoria’s Under-19s, and I’ve seen him develop as a leader and person. He’s a unique type of leader – very tactically aware – while he bases a lot of his decisions on gut feel, and that’s a courageous thing to do out in the field.”Renegades general manager James Rosengarten lauded Finch on his BBL career.”It’s almost impossible to quantify what Finchy has done for the Melbourne Renegades as a club and brand, and for the BBL as a competition,” he said. “He brought fans through the gates and led this club through highs and lows – all with the trademark grit and determination that we know him for.”

The fifth-wicket pair hammered 58 runs in the last two overs of India’s innings, a new record in T20Is

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-202418.1: Azmatullah to Rinku Singh, 1 run
Full, outside off, single to deep cover18.2: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, SIX runs
RGS into the 90s. An on-pace ball right in his slot. Rohit clears the front leg, and slogs him effortlessly over midwicket. This is meat and drink for himRelated

• India win epic contest after two Super Overs against Afghanistan

18.3: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runs
One short of another hundred. Makes room early, Omarzai goes for the slower short ball, but Rohit manages to beat short fine with the pull. Rolls his wrists on it18.4: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runs
There it is. A special hundred. A fifth in T20Is. That’s massive. Makes room again, Omarzai tries to slip one wide, but Rohit gets under it and clears the man at point. They came to see Kohli mainly, but Rohit has provided Chinnaswamy a bonus. Incidentally, Kohli also turned around his form with a century against Afghanistan in a dead rubber two years ago. Rohit is not out of form but his T20 numbers haven’t been great last few years. So hopefully this is the start of something special18.5: Azmatullah to Rohit Sharma, 1 run
Misses out on a thigh-high full toss, gets just the single to long-off18.6: Azmatullah to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
Now Rinku brings up his fifty. Omarzai misses the yorker again, and you just can’t bowl slot balls to these batters. Over long-off it goes19.1: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, FOUR runs
Rohit predicts a wide ball with the field given to him, shimmies across and laps a wide full toss over square leg for four more19.2: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, (no ball) SIX runs
Call the police. Rohit is stealing the show. Juicy full toss. And also a front-foot no-ball. Rohit has sent this into orbit. These balls he can hit eyes closed. especially when he is 108 not out19.2: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, SIX runs
Rohit’s highest T20I score now. Short of a length, slower ball, just what you should be doing on this pitch, but Rohit has deposited it over wide long-on for another six19.3: Karim Janat to Rohit Sharma, 1 run
Lands the yorker, Rohit opens the face, but can’t get it past short third19.4: Karim Janat to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
Slower ball, 111ks, but right in the slot. Rinku creates the power with his bat speed in the slog. Clears deep midwicket. Carnage19.5: Karim Janat to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
Absolute mayhem. Janat misses his length again. Another juicy full toss, and Rinku has flicked it ways into the stands. What power in his wrists19.6: Karim Janat to Rinku Singh, SIX runs
36 off the over including five sixes, a four and a no-ball. Rinku has ended it with 6, 6, 6. Janat goes short this time, but he is hitting everything clean now. Manages to clear deep square leg with the pull

This is the first instance of the India team getting a full-time, professional manager

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jul-2017Former Tamil Nadu captain Sunil Subramaniam has been named India’s administrative manager on a one-year contract. This is the first instance of the India team getting a full-time, professional manager, marking a departure from the system of ad-hoc appointments made by the BCCI on a tour-to-tour basis. Subramaniam will join the team before the second Test that begins on August 3 in Colombo.Subramaniam, 50, was picked by a committee comprising BCCI acting president CK Khanna, acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary, CEO Rahul Johri and Committee of Administrators (CoA) member Diana Edulji, in accordance with the Lodha Committee’s recommendation approved by the Supreme Court. The committee, according to reports, had shortlisted more than 10 candidates before interviewing them. Subramanian said he would meet with Johri on Monday when he would be apprised of his duties. “It feels good to be a part of the team,” Subramaniam told ESPNcricinfo.During his playing days, Subramaniam, a left-arm spinner, picked up 285 wickets from 74 first-class matches. An NCA-certified coach, Subramaniam has acquired renown for having worked extensively with India offspinner R Ashwin in the past. Over the years, he has also coached teams in the Duleep Trophy and has been associated with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Academy.On his appointment, a BCCI press release said: “He has a rich vein of experience when it comes to management and administrative capabilities, having served both public and private sector organisations for over 16 years.”

On Saturday he edged to slip five short, and on day three he could only make four runs before falling to Prasidh Krishna

Andrew McGlashan05-Jan-2025For the second time in two days, Steven Smith fell agonisingly short of reaching the 10,000-run landmark.On Saturday he edged to slip five short. Then 24 hours later, with a crowd approaching 40,000 watching on during Jane McGrath Day of the Pink Test in Sydney, Prasidh Krishna made a delivery climb from short of a length as Smith advanced down the pitch and he could only fend it into the gully. He became the second batter after Mahela Jayawardene to fall on 9999 runs.Smith will now have to wait until the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle later this month for his next opportunity to become the 15th batter to join the 10,000 club.Often termed the best since Bradman, Smith will be the fourth Australia batter in the group after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. Ahead of this SCG Test, Border paid tribute to Smith and where he stands among the game’s greats.”Averaging 57 or so is in the top echelon ever, if you take one certain bloke [Bradman] out of it and he’s right up there with the very, very best,” he told newspapers. “As far as Australia’s concerned, we’ve had Greg Chappell, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh, those sorts of players.”But now Steve [Smith] ranks equally with that group, no problems whatsoever. I’m a huge fan of Tendulkar and Lara, they were phenomenally good cricketers, but Steve is definitely up with that lot, for sure.”It has felt like a run-scoring feat that Smith was destined to achieve – he was the fastest to 8000 Test runs and second fastest to the 9000 mark – although the final climb to the summit has taken longer than expected after a relatively lean 2023-24 season which included a brief spell as opener following David Warner’s retirement. Back-to-back centuries in Brisbane and Melbourne left him on the brink, but now the wait goes that big longer.Smith is likely to captain Australia on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka where Pat Cummins is expected to miss at least one Test for the birth of his second child.

In the semi-finals, Bangladesh will face India and Afghanistan will be up against Pakistan

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2023Afif Hossain put on an all-round show as Bangladesh beat Malaysia by two runs to confirm their semi-final fixture against India at the Asian Games. Malaysia needed five in the last over with Virandeep Singh batting on 52 off 35, but Afif gave away just two runs to keep the upset at bay.Afif varied the pace in each of the first three balls of the final over to frustrate Virandeep before lobbing one up outside his hitting arc. Virandeep tried to break the shackles but holed out to long-on with Malaysia still needing five. Afif then nailed two yorkers to give away just two runs and end the contest.Chasing 117, Malaysia were reduced to 18 for 3, with Afif striking twice in the fifth over. Virandeep then stitched two key partnerships, adding 34 for the fifth wicket with Vijay Unni and then 40 for the seventh with wicketkeeper-batter Ainool Hafizs, to take his side close. But Malaysia faltered in the last over.Earlier in the day, Afif found himself in the middle with Bangladesh three down inside three overs. He struck a 14-ball 23 with two fours and two sixes and added 38 in just four overs with captain Saif Hassan. Hassan struck a steady half-century – 50 off 52 balls – on a surface that slowed down considerably after the earlier game, between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, in the day.Pavandeep Singh, Virandeep’s elder brother, finished with two wickets for Malaysia but Bangladesh managed to get to 116, which eventually proved to be just enough.

Naib, Qais take Afghanistan into semi-final

File photo – Gulbadin Naib dealt early blows•AFP/Getty Images

Afghanistan knocked an inexperienced Sri Lanka side out of the Asian Games to book a spot in the semi-final in Hangzhou. On a slow-turner, Noor Ali Zadran struck a steady fifty before three-fors from Qais Ahmad and Gulbadin Naib dealt the final blow to Sri Lanka, who had nine debutants.After opting to field, Sri Lanka struck with the seventh ball of the match when Nuwan Thushara cleaned up Sediqullah Atal. Noor and Mohammad Shahzad then added 54 for the second wicket but both batters struggled against left-arm spinner Nimesh Vimukthi and took their time in the middle.After Shahzad fell to seamer Lahiru Samarakoon, Shahidullah struck some lusty blows during his 14-ball 23. But then a collapse ensued that saw Afghanistan slide from 92 for 2 to be bowled out for 116. Thushara, with his slingy action and accurate yorkers, finished with 4 for 17.In reply, Sri Lanka raced off the blocks, with Lasith Croospulle hitting Naib for a four and a six in an 11-run second over. Even though he fell in the next over, Sri Lanka reached 59 for 3 by the end of the ninth over.That’s when Qais came into the attack and turned the game around with a two-wicket over. Ashen Bandara fell to a googly and played on while attempting a drive. Three balls later, wicketkeeper-batter Lahiru Udara was lured into playing a heave across the line to be bowled.Captain Sahan Arachchige showed some resistance with his 22 off 29, and later, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth kept the slim hopes alive when 15 were needed from 12 ball and then nine in the final over. But Karim Janat knocked Thushara over with the first ball of the 20th over to kickstart celebrations in the Afghan camp.

Brisbane Heat captain Jess Jonassen did her best to keep the chase alive after rain but there was too much to do

Alex Malcolm01-Dec-2024An all-round masterclass from Hayley Matthews helped Melbourne Renegades break their WBBL title-drought in a nail-biting rain-affected final against Brisbane Heat at the MCG.Matthews made 69 off 61, took 2 for 24 with the ball and claimed a critical catch to continue her extraordinary record in T20 finals and guide the struggling franchise claim their first championship just a season after finishing last. Heat’s finals heartbreak continued after losing last year’s decider by three runs at Adelaide Oval.A sloppy fielding effort saw Heat concede 141 for 9 when they could have reduced Renegades to 76 for 5 after 12 overs. A top-order collapse either side of a rain delay then saw them needing 61 from 30 with five wickets in hand. Jess Jonassen nearly pulled off the impossible, smashing 44 not out from 28 balls but Heat still fell short. Five of Renegades’ six bowlers chipped in with wickets while Wareham was the most economical, conceding just 12 runs from two overs.

Renegades rocked by early rust

After qualifying for the final, Renegades had to wait eight days between matches and the rust showed early. Courtney Webb slapped a pull shot straight to midwicket and Sophie Molineux sliced a cut shot to backward point. Deandra Dottin was run out in dozy circumstances, without facing a ball, to sum up Renegades’ sleepy start. Dottin was jogging through for a single to deep midwicket when she got her bat stuck in the turf on the popping crease as she slid it to make her ground and her foot did not touch down before Georgia Redmayne broke the stumps. It left Renegades 23 for 3 in the fifth over and in real danger of capitulating despite Heat’s bowling not looking overly threatening on a pretty good surface.

Cool-headed Hayley holds firm

Matthews remained unflustered. She was not striking the ball cleanly, struggling to 6 off 15 at one point. But two boundaries in the sixth over off the legspin of Grace Parsons helped her find some rhythm. Wareham was an important foil in a steadying 41-run stand. Wareham struck three boundaries in her run-a-ball 21 before holing out to long-on off Parsons. The legspinner should have had another straight away when Stalenberg skied her to deep midwicket, but Charli Knott dropped the chance diving forward. It proved a key moment.Instead of being 76 for 5 after 12 overs, Renegades took the power surge after just four-down. Matthews stepped up, thumping Shikha Pandey for three boundaries in the over. Jonassen then opted for spin in six of the last seven overs, with the exception of one from Lucy Hamilton. It worked to some degree, as Renegades scored just 50 from 42 balls, but it was odd to see Nicola Hancock bowl just one over in the final after being Heat’s star in last year’s decider with 3 for 23. Heat did take a wicket in each of the last five overs. Hamilton was the pick of the bowlers with 1 for 19 from her four including the dangerous Nicole Faltum. But Matthews was able to club three boundaries in the last three overs, all from the offspin of Knott.Jess Jonassen did her best to keep Brisbane Heat in the chase•Getty Images

Horror Heat start compounded by rain

Grace Harris held the key in the chase, and the decision to open with Charis Bekker’s left-arm orthodox proved a masterstroke for Renegades. Harris holed out trying to loft over mid-on for a second ball duck. Jemimah Rodrigues miscued Milly Illingworth to cover in the next over as Heat fell to 11 for 2 before a critical rain shower came after 3.2 overs. Rain had been forecast for some point in the afternoon and had been a factor in Heat’s decision to bowl first. But no one was sure how long the shower would last and how it would impact the chase.The rain lasted long enough to knock off eight overs but Heat’s poor start meant Duckworth-Lewis-Stern set them 98 to win off 12 overs with only eight wickets in hand and one power surge over to use. Renegades continued the trial by spin after the rain and Heat were doused. Molineux bagged the key wicket of Redmayne before Matthews added to her finals aura with two wickets in two balls, including Laura Harris for a first ball duck, to leave Heat 37 for 5 needing 61 from 30 balls.

Jonassen almost pulls off a miracle

Heat’s captain almost did it. Boundaries in each of the next two overs keep them within touching distance of the alarming required rate before she opted to take the surge with 43 needed from 18. Molineux opted to bowl just the second over of pace for the innings and Dottin got clobbered. Two length balls on the pads sailed to midwicket for six and four respectively. Jonassen lofted the next over cover for two more as Renegades fans started to get nervous.But a mistake from Lauren Winfield-Hill off the next delivery proved costly. Jonassen wanted a second run to deep midwicket to retain the strike, Winfield-Hill denied her. The English import miscued the next to Matthews at mid-off to fall for 3 off 5. Hancock then faced a dot and the equation was 30 off 12. Matthews bowled two long hops that were both smashed to the fence but was able to close out the over without any more damage. Molineux returned to bowl the last with Heat needing an unlikely 19. She gave up just 11 including a consolation six off the last ball, sealing Renegades’ first WBBL title.