India beat England to reach T20 cricket final

India beat England by four runs in a thrilling contest at Edgbaston to reach the final of the T20 cricket at Birmingham 2022.

Chasing a target of 165 to win, England fell just short as Sneh Rana held her nerve in the final over to see her side into the final.

Nat Sciver led England’s chase but her departure with seven balls remaining spelled the end of the hosts’ hopes.

Smriti Mandhana got India off to a flyer having won the toss and electing to bat, reaching 64 without loss by the end of the powerplay.

Freya Kemp struck England’s first blow in the eighth over to leave India 76 for one and the big wicket followed four balls later as Nat Sciver removed Mandhana for a brilliant 61 from just 32 balls.

Those wickets halted India’s rapid progress as England began to get a grip of the run rate.

Kemp struck again to remove India captain Harmanpreet Kaur for 20 but a brisk partnership of 53 between Jemimah Rodrigues – who finished unbeaten on 44 – and Deepti Sharma propelled India to their total of 164 for five.

England began well and, despite the loss of Sophia Dunkley for 19 in the third over, were in a strong position at 58 for one at the end of the powerplay.

Alice Capsey was run out in a mix up with Danni Wyatt for 13 and Wyatt departed shortly after for a well-made 35 as India took charge of the contest.

England’s hopes were revived as Sciver and Amy Jones put on a stand of 54 to leave a target of 30 from the last three overs.

But two run outs – Jones for 31 and Sciver for 41 – proved crucial for India as England were unable to find the firepower to hit the required 16 from the final over.

Australia chased down 145 in the final over to secure a five-wicket win over New Zealand.

Sophie Devine hit 53 at the top of the order and was well-supported by Amelia Kerr’s 40 in a partnership of 83 for the third wicket as they made 144 for seven but their total always looked on the light side.

Megan Schutt was the pick of the bowlers with three for 20.

Australia always looked in control in the chase as 36 from Beth Mooney and 34 from Tahlia McGrath helped them home despite three for 20 from Lea Thahuhu.

SQUASH Men’s Doubles – Round of 32: Ravindu Laksiri / Shamil Wakeel (Sri Lanka) beat Shomari Wiltshire / Jason-Ray Khalil (Guyana) 2-0 (11-5 11-6)

Women’s Doubles – Round of 32: Sunayna Sara Kuruvilla / Anahat Singh (India) beat Yeheni Kuruppu / Chanithma Sinaly (Sri Lanka) 2-0 (11-9 11-4)

CRICKET T20

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 10 wickets (Group B)

Scores: Sri Lanka 46 (17.1) (Chamari Atapattu 15, Nadine de Klerk 3-7, Masbata Klaas 2-7) South Africa 49-0 (6.1) (Anneke Bosch 20no, Tazmin Brits 21no)

BADMINTON

Women’s Singles – Round of 32: Freya Redfearn (England) beat Vidara Suhasni Vidanage (Sri Lanka) 2-0 (21-11 21-14)

Men’s Singles – Round of 32: Niluka Karunarante (Sri Lanka) beat Shae Michael Martin (Barbados) 2-0 (21-6 21-6), Dumindu Abeywickrama Sri Lanka) beat Samuel Cassar (Malta) 2-0 (21-12 22-20)

Mixed Doubles – Round of 32: Sachin Dias / Thilini Hendahewa (Sri Lanka) beat Ty Lindeman / Josephine Wu (Canada) 2-0 (21-11 21-18)

Men’s Doubles – Round of 32: Sachin Dias / Buwaneka Goonetilleke (Sri Lanka) beat Kennie Maarten King / Shae Michael Martin (Barbados) 2-0 (21-12 21-9)

DIVING

Men’s 1m Springboard – Preliminary

Dulanjan Kaushalya Fernando (Sri Lanka) 200.55 points (Qualified to final)