Women's WC: England fall short against Australia

In a match made solemn by tragic circumstances, an Australian team batting with two black armbands beat England by 12 runs Saturday in its opening match at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at Hamilton, New Zealand. Australia scored 310-3 batting first and a magnificent century from 79 balls by England’s Nat Sciver kept England in the match until the final over. Sciver was 109 not out at the end of an outstanding England run chase.

Scores at a glance: Australia 310/3 in 50 overs (Rachael Haynes 130, Meg Lanning 86; Nat Sciver 2-68) beat England 298/8 in 50 overs (Nat Sciver 109*, Tammy Beaumont 74; Alana King 3-59, Tahlia McGrath 2-51) by 12 runs. Player of the Match: Rachael Haynes

Khaka stars as SA beat B’desh Pacer Ayabonga Khaka took 4/32 to help South Africa beat Bangladesh by 32 runs and open their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022 account with a win. Bangladesh batters fail to capitalise on solid bowling effort in maiden World Cup outing.

Brief scores: South Africa 207 all out in 45.2 overs (Marizanne Kapp 42, Laura Wolvaardt 41; Fariha Trisna 3-35, Jahanara Alam 2-28, Ritu Monin 2-36) beat Bangladesh 175 all out in 49.3 overs (Nigar Sultana 29; Ayabonga Khaka 4-32, Masabata Klaas 2-36) by 32 runs. Player of the Match: Ayabonga Khaka