Based on the previous match, I am expecting a nail biting time for that one..

 

As for the other semi-final, hopefully a stronger West Indies side turn up than the last time they faced Australia...

Australia underlined their status as the premier international sports team on the planet by outclassing England to win the Women's World Cup.

 

The Australians shattered records in Christchurch on their way to adding the 50-over title to the T20 World Cup and Ashes crowns they already hold.

 

Alyssa Healy crashed an astonishing 170 from 138 balls, the highest score in either a women's or men's World Cup final. Her partnership of 160 with Rachael Haynes and Australia's total of 356-5 are also women's final bests, the latter a record for any team against England.

That was brilliant batting by Alyssa Healy. England managed to keep up with the run rate they needed to win but kept on losing wickets.

The Hundred squads as they currently stand. Still spaces to be filled.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60477088

ICC Men's ODI Rankings Update: (April)

 

1st New Zealand 122pts

2nd England 119pts

3rd Australia 112pts

4th India 110pts

5th South Africa 102pts

6th Pakistan 97pts

7th Bangladesh 93pts

8th Sri Lanka 81pts

9th West Indies 77pts

10th Afghanistan 68pts

11th Ireland 52pts

12th Scotland 45pts

13th Zimbabwe 41pts

14th Netherlands 35pts

15th UAE 33pts

16th Oman 30pts

17th Namibia 21pts

18th Nepal 18pts

19th USA 17pts

20th Papua New Guinea 11pts

ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings Update: (April)

 

1st India 270pts

2nd England 269pts

3rd Pakistan 266pts

4th New Zealand 255pts

5th South Africa 253pts

6th Australia 249pts

7th West Indies 235pts

8th Afghanistan 232pts

9th Bangladesh 231pts

10th Sri Lanka 230pts

11th Zimbabwe 192pts

12th UAE 189pts

13th Nepal 187pts

14th Scotland 185pts

15th Ireland 183pts

16th Namibia 177pts

17th Netherlands 171pts

18th Oman 168pts

19th Papua New Guinea 165pts

20th Singapore 140pts

21st Qatar 128pts

22nd Canada 125pts

23rd Jersey 123pts

24th Hong Kong 121pts

25th Uganda 105pts

 

ICC Women's ODI Rankings Update: (April)

 

1st Australia 167pts

2nd South Africa 125pts

3rd England 118pts

4th India 100pts

5th New Zealand 97pts

6th West Indies 89pts

7th Bangladesh 78pts

8th Pakistan 67pts

9th Ireland 48pts

10th Sri Lanka 47pts

11th Zimbabwe 0pts

Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bowled South Africa to a comfortable 332-run win on the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

 

Bangladesh were bowled out for 80, losing their remaining seven wickets inside an hour at St George's Park.

 

It sealed a 2-0 series win after a 220-run success in the first Test in Durban last week.

Michael Burgess hit a career-best 178 as Warwickshire began the defence of their County Championship by drawing with Surrey.

 

Resuming the day on 12 not out, Burgess smashed 20 fours and eight sixes in his 221 balls at the crease as the Bears were eventually bowled out for 531.

 

Surrey then reached 43-0 in their second innings before the two teams shook hands on a draw.

USA have been granted automatic qualification as co-hosts of the T20 World Cup in 2024. This is along with the West Indies.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/61083748

Couple of items of news.

 

Andrew McDonald has been appointed as head coach of Australia Men's team. He replaces Justin Langer who left the role in February.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/61089873

 

Next, is the retirement of England bowler Anya Shrubsole from international cricket. This brings to an end a 14 year international career.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/61104203

All the best to Shrubsole in her retirement - a true stalwart of the game, she's witnessed and achieved so much during her career.

Joe Root has stepped down as England Test captain, citing the "toll" and "impact" the role has had on him.

 

The 31-year-old was appointed Sir Alastair Cook's successor in 2017, and holds the record for the highest number of matches and wins as captain.

 

But his last series as skipper ended in defeat by West Indies, the 10-wicket third Test loss stretching England's winless run to nine matches.

 

Root initially said he wanted to stay on but now says "the timing is right".

Yorkshire have signed Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne for their next three County Championship matches.

 

The 33-year-old will play in this week's fixture against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road before facing Kent and Essex in May.

 

Interim managing director of cricket Darren Gough said: "We are delighted that Dimuth will be joining us.

 

"He has proven himself to be an exceptional leader for Sri Lanka and is a tremendous Test match batter."

Jos Buttler is in the form of his life in the Indian Premier League. Today he hit his third century of the tournament which has not yet reached the halfway stage.

ICC Men's Test Match Rankings Update:

 

1st Australia 128pts

2nd India 119pts

3rd New Zealand 111pts

4th South Africa 110pts

5th Pakistan 93pts

6th England 88pts

7th Sri Lanka 81pts

8th West Indies 77pts

9th Bangladesh 51pts

10th Zimbabwe 25pts

ICC Men's ODI Rankings Update: (May)

 

1st New Zealand 125pts

2nd England 124pts

3rd Australia 107pts

4th India 105pts

5. Pakistan 102pts

6. South Africa 99pts

7th Bangladesh 95pts

8th Sri Lanka 87pts

9th West Indies 73pts

10th Afghanistan 66pts

11th Ireland 54pts

12th Scotland 50pts

13th UAE 39pts

14th Netherlands 38pts

15th Zimbabwe 35pts

16th Oman 32pts

17th Namibia 22pts

18th USA 19pts

19th Nepal 17pts

20th Papua New Guinea 6pts

ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings Update: (May)

 

1st India 270pts

2nd England 265pts

3rd Pakistan 261pts

4th South Africa 253pts

5th Australia 251pts

6th New Zealand 250pts

7th West Indies 240pts

8th Bangladesh 233pts

9th Sri Lanka 230pts

10th Afghanistan 226pts

11th Zimbabwe 193pts

12th UAE 192pts

13th Nepal 185pts

14th Ireland 184pts

15th Scotland 183pts

16th Namibia 180pts

17th Oman 170pts

18th Netherlands 167pts

19th Papua New Guinea 151pts

20th Singapore 149pts

21st Canada 128pts

22nd Jersey 128pts

23rd Qatar 126pts

24th Hong Kong 116pts

25th Uganda 114pts

England fast bowler Jofra Archer will miss the entire season after suffering a stress fracture of the lower back.

 

It is another setback for the 27-year-old, who has not played since last July following two elbow operations.

 

Archer was on track in his recovery and was hoping to play domestic cricket this month, only to feel soreness in his back last week.

 

He is also set to miss the T20 World Cup in Australia this autumn, with no timeframe set for his return.

It must be a massive blow to him, to have all that potential but continuing to be plagued with injuries. Here's hoping he'll be able to recover as quickly as possible.