Cricket

White Ferns captain scoops top awards

In the past 12 months, which included the ICC Women's World Twenty20 in India and the ICC Women's Championship, Bates scored 472 runs in eight ODIs at an average of just over 94.

She also took eight wickets at an economy-rate of 3.75.

In the shortest format of the game, Bates was the leading run-scorer with 429 runs at an average of 42.90 and a strike-rate of over 115 runs per 100 balls.

A delighted Bates said from Perth, where she plays for the Scorchers in Australia's Big Bash T20 competition, that winning the two awards is an honour.

Hagley Oval gets the all clear after quake check

 The powerful 7.5 magnitude quake pummelled central New Zealand, especially the top half of the South Island, killing at least two people, damaging roads and buildings and setting off hundreds of strong aftershocks.

It was felt strongly in Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, which was hit by a 6.3 quake in 2011 that killed 185 people.

RNZ reports that New Zealand Cricket officials told reporters in Christchurch the match would go ahead.

Both teams arrived in the city yesterday, with the Pakistan side arriving from Nelson, where they felt the tremors.

Williamson catches bug on eve of second test

Williamson picked up a bug and was unable to train at Eden Gardens on the eve of the match.

Opening batsman Tom Latham said he took the final day of preparations off to get well for the first day of the test.

"Kane's also a little bit crook today so he won't be training but no discomfort. I think he's just down with a bug, so nothing too major, but he's just resting up and getting right for tomorrow," Latham said.

England played like 'pretty boys' - Bayliss

It was an outing to forget for hosts England, who were dismantled by nine wickets at Old Trafford.

England struggled to 135-7, a total chased town by Pakistan inside 15 overs with just one wicket lost thanks to Sharjeel Khan (59) and Khalid Latif (59 not out), who shared a 107-run opening stand.

"The game was all about momentum. The way we were going allowed Pakistan to get on top," Bayliss told Sky Sports, having watched his side lose 54-6 during their innings.

"We didn't show urgency with our running. We played like pretty boys at one stage.

Australia wins 5th ODI

Australia's bowlers laid the foundation for their victory after routing Sri Lanka for 195 in 40.2 overs in the final match of the series.

But the modest chase looked far from a cakewalk as the visitors slumped to 25 for two in the sixth over, before Warner's century helped them romp home with seven overs to spare.

Warner found an able ally in George Bailey and the duo added 132 runs as the world champions went on to exact a modicum of revenge after being whitewashed in the preceding three-match test series.

Supporting the Pacific through sport

Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Steve Ciobo announced support for the programme.

The Australian Government is providing $780,000 to Cricket Australia over the next two years, in partnership with the International Cricket Council, to support community programs that address health, gender equality and disability challenges in Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji.

Arrest warrant issued for India captain

The case had been brought by a member of the Hindu nationalist movement, who said the publication of the picture in 2013 had hurt religious sentiment.

A drawing appeared on the front of Business Today in April 2013 showing the 34-year-old as a Hindu deity.

Teenager makes Millennium - 1009 not out

Pranav Dhanawade, 15, notched the massive score off 323 deliveries in more than six hours at the crease in a tournament organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association, the Times of India has reported.

Dhanawade's team declared at 1465 for three after dismissing their opposition for 31, the Times added.

Pakistan cricketer suspended

The International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a statement that Shah tested positive for chlortalidone last month, a diuretic drug which features in the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances.

"The sample Yasir provided in an in-competition test, which was conducted on 13 November 2015, was found to contain the presence of chlortalidone..." the governing body said in a statement.

PNG through to gold medal play off in men’s cricket

Opener Riley Hekure was the star with his knock of 115 off 64 balls.

Hekure smashed 10 fours and 6 sixes for PNG to set the target at 176.