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Doubts put to bed, as battling performance in front of parents brings England batsman to the brink of tears

George Dobell in Perth14-Dec-2017An emotional Dawid Malan admitted he almost broke down in tears after reaching his maiden Test century towards the end of the first day of the Perth Test.Malan, playing his eighth Test, knew he needed to provide a substantial innings to sustain both his own career at this level and England’s hopes of retaining the Ashes. Shortly after he came to the crease, England were 131 for 4 and facing the prospect of squandering first use of a pitch that may offer bowlers pace and bounce, but also looks full of runs.But in partnership with Jonny Bairstow, Malan saw England through to the end of play. Despite conceding he had to look away when England’s opener, Mark Stoneman, sustained a crushing blow to the side of the head, Malan led the way as the pair produced not only their side’s highest partnership of the series to date – an unbroken 174 for the fifth wicket – but took them to their highest total so far.While England’s batsmen still have work ahead of them on day two – their bowlers could struggle to find much encouragement from this surface – Malan and Bairstow’s efforts represented perhaps England’s best day of a tour in which they have tended to make the headlines for the wrong reasons.Rendering the occasion all the more special for Malan, he played the innings in front of his parents, Dawid and Janet, who had flown in from South Africa to watch him. He pointed his bat in their direction upon reaching three figures and hugged his mum as he left the pitch at the end of the day.”It was so emotional, I didn’t really know what to do,” Malan said afterwards. “I almost started crying when it happened.Dawid Malan shapes to sweep•Getty Images

“To make my maiden Test century in front of my parents after the amount of sacrifices my old man and mum made for me made it very special. It’s nice to repay them for all the time they’ve given me.”Reflecting on the off-field issues that have dogged England’s tour, he said: “We made the headlines for the wrong things and the only way to put those things to bed is to win games of cricket. We’re in a position now when we’ve got one foot in the door and we need to capitalise on that on day two.”Malan concedes there were moments during the first few weeks of his Test career when he doubted he was good enough to make it. Feeling he was picked for his Test debut in July just as he had lost a bit of form, his first innings brought him just one run and ended when Kagiso Rabada both bowled him and knocked him off his feet with a perfect yorker. After his first four innings yielded just 35 runs, he feared he may be dropped.But now, with a century behind him, he hopes he has proved to himself he belongs at this level.”After those first two games, I never thought I’d score a run in Test cricket to be honest,” Malan said. “It was quite tough. But I’ve adjusted my game here and there to work at Test cricket.”I was under a bit of pressure coming into the game. And there was a tough period at the start of my innings and then another about an hour later. In other innings I’ve felt comfortable but given it away. Here I was ruthless. It was especially nice to get some runs when the team needed it.”It’s good to put the doubts to bed. We always felt we have the backing from the coach and captain, but every time you open the newspaper you read how poor you are and how bad you are. So it’s nice to tick a box and prove to yourself you can play at this level and score hundreds.”Anything you do is about self-belief. You need to prove to yourself you belong. When you get that first hundred or first five-for, you have the belief to trust your game going into the next match. It doesn’t mean you’ll be successful, but you have the belief you need to perform at the highest level.”He endured a couple of nervous moments, most notably when he was dropped on the slips on 92, but says he generally relished the pace of the bowling and the challenge it offered.”I got a bit ahead of myself there,” he said. “I knew I was two or three shots away from scoring a hundred and premeditated my shot a bit. I thought the ball would be full, so I set up to clip through midwicket but it swung away a bit. It was a good time to have a let-off. It put me back in my box.”When I saw Mark Stoneman hit on the head, I wanted to walk away and have a chat with someone in the back of the dressing room. But I’ve really enjoyed the pace that these guys bowl. When you play county cricket you’re more worried about being nicked off with 78mph dibbly dobblies, so I’ve really enjoyed the challenge. It tests you in different ways: not only technically but your heart as well.”Now we need to capitalise on the moment. We need to put as much pressure on them as we can and score as many as we can. That first hour will be crucial and if we give them a sniff, we’re going to be on the back foot.”

Smriti Mandhana’s 98-ball 84 and fast bowlers Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey’s combined returns of 7 for 47 in 17.2 overs, helped India to a thumping 88-run win against South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2018
Getty Images

Smriti Mandhana’s 98-ball 84 and fast bowlers Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey’s combined returns of 7 for 47 in 17.2 overs, helped India open the new cycle of their ICC Women’s Championship campaign with a thumping 88-run win against South Africa in the first ODI in Kimberley. India climbed to fourth on the table after just one game, ahead of England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, who have played three games apiece.After electing to bat first, India made a strong start with a 55-run opening stand between Punam Raut and Mandhana in 90 balls. The game, though, was set up by a 99-run second-wicket stand between Mandhana – who reached the milestone of 1000 runs in ODIs with a four – and No. 3 Mithali Raj, who fell five runs short of her fifth fifty-plus score in the last 10 matches. MandhanaSouth Africa hit back with four wickets for 14 runs in the space of 39 balls. After Mandhana fell in the 35th over, India could only muster 59 runs in the last 87 balls. Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka claimed two wickets each.India’s quicks then did irreparable damage to South Africa’s top order with three wickets in the first 10 overs. The hosts were quickly reduced to 57 for 5 before captain Dane van Niekerk and Kapp steadied the innings with a 37-run partnership. Pandey finished with 3 for 23, while Goswami, who is now one shy of her 200th ODI scalp, cleaned up the tail to return figures of 4 for 24 as South Africa were bundled out for 125 in the 44th over.

Only 65.1 overs were possible on another rain-affected day on which Tasmania’s third-wicket pair put on an unbroken partnership of 160

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Feb-2018Getty Images

Persistent batting from the Tasmanian pair of Beau Webster and Jake Doran and persistent rain have combined to frustrate New South Wales at the SCG.After much of day two was lost to rain, further weather delays meant only 65.1 overs were bowled on day three.The Blues made an early breakthrough with Steve O’Keefe deceiving George Bailey seven balls into the start of play to leave Tasmania two down and trailing the home side’s first-innings total by 369. But that was the only joy for New South Wales as Webster and Doran put together an unbroken stand of 160 in 64 overs.Webster reached his fourth first-class hundred in the penultimate over of the day, having faced 253 balls to get there. Doran remained not out on 86 at close. The two sides will face a challenge on the final day trying to manufacture a result.

Victoria registered their first victory of the season, chasing down 252 with six wickets remaining on the final day

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Feb-2018
Scorecard
Australia’s Test squad member Peter Handscomb hit form before heading to South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 114 off 127 balls to carry Victoria to their first win of the season, helping them chase 252 against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.Victoria’s fast bowlers ran through South Australia’s line-up on the final day, starting with Scott Boland, who broke an 80-run partnership between Tim Nielsen and Alex Ross in the fifth over of the day. South Australia subsequently slid from 216 for 6 to 243 all out, having added just 35 runs to their overnight score of 208. Boland picked up four wickets to finish with a match haul of 8 for 129.In response, Victoria lost openers Travis Dean and Marcus Harris to Joe Mennie, but a solid 138-run, fourth-wicket partnership between Handscomb and Cameron White pushed Victoria closer to the target. Although Jake Lehmann dismissed White, captain Handscomb’s 13th first-class century comfortably took Victoria home with six wickets remaining.

Heather Knight, Nat Sciver and Anya Shrubsole are named among the Five Cricketers of the Year, while Virat Kohli is Leading Cricketer in the World

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Apr-2018The 2018 edition of has continued to break new ground, with three members of the England Women’s World Cup-winning team named among the Five Cricketers of the Year: Anya Shrubsole – who also becomes the first woman to feature on the cover – Heather Knight and Nat Sciver.For the second year running, Virat Kohli is named Leading Cricketer in the World – matching Virender Sehwag’s achievement in 2008 and 2009 – while another of the competitors in the Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s, India captain Mithali Raj, wins the Leading Women’s Cricketer accolade. Afghanistan’s teenage sensation, Rashid Khan, is the inaugural winner of a new award for the foremost T20 player in the game.Previously, only two women have won places among ‘s Five – Claire Taylor (2009) and Charlotte Edwards (2014) – a tradition that dates back to 1889 and is judged on performances during the English summer, with no player able to be named more than once.Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2018•Wisden

Alongside Shrubsole, Knight and Sciver, West Indies’ batsman Shai Hope, scorer of twin hundreds in a famous win at Headingley, and Essex’s Jamie Porter, the seamer who helped lead them to a first County Championship in 25 years, make up the Five Cricketers of the Year for 2017. Winners receive a commemorative edition of the Almanack, which is published on Wednesday.Lawrence Booth, the editor of , praised Knight’s role in lifting the World Cup as “the culmination of a personal tour de force that helped change women’s cricket for ever” and said no stroke was more memorable in 2017 than Sciver’s flick through the legs, christened the “Natmeg”. On Shrubsole’s match-winning turn at Lord’s, he added: “She finished with figures of six for 46, the best in a World Cup final, and the status of a national hero.”While the women’s game may enjoy a higher profile than it has ever done, Booth writes in his Editor’s Notes that there remains work to be done and calls for a statue to be erected of the pioneering Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who died last year. “If Barnsley and Hobart can honour Dickie Bird and David Boon, Lord’s can find room for Rachael Heyhoe Flint – preferably in the Coronation Garden behind the Pavilion, casting a mischievous eye in the direction of WG.”Although has only singled out the world’s best male cricketer since 2003, Kohli is the third player to win it twice – after Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara – and the second to do so in consecutive years. The women’s award is only in its fourth year, with Raj the first Indian to be honoured.”For the second year in a row, Indian captain Virat Kohli is ‘s Leading Cricketer in the World,” Booth said. “In all formats in 2017, he scored 2,818 runs – more than 700 ahead of Joe Root in second place. Three of his five Test hundreds were doubles, and the other two unbeaten, and his 1,460 one-day international runs were unsurpassed.”Mithali Raj made it an Indian double after she was named the Leading Woman Cricketer in the World. In the course of captaining her country to within a whisker of the World Cup title, she became the leading run-scorer in the history of women’s one-day internationals, and completed her seventh successive half-century, another record.”Elsewhere in the Almanack, Booth describes England’s Test team as “going backwards” and is critical of the ECB’s handling of the Ben Stokes affair. There is praise, however, for increased engagement with the UK’s South Asian communities. “This is about more than doing the right thing, and bringing a passionate group in from the cold. It is a matter of survival.”

The PCB has issued a show cause notice to the 37-year old allrounder for questioning the ICC’s system of finding players with suspect actions

ESPNcricinfo staff19-May-2018Mohammad Hafeez has been served a show cause notice by the Pakistan Cricket Board for his outburst against the ICC’s process of calling suspect actions.The 37-year old allrounder has been cited for an illegal action three times in his career, most recently in October 2017. He has since worked on reducing the flex of his elbow below the 15-degree limit and was cleared to bowl again on May 1.Nevertheless, Hafeez was cynical about the ICC system currently in place, suggesting that the power of certain cricket boards came into the picture and questioning how on-field umpires could spot the tiniest errors in a bowler’s delivery. He told that the results of his testing in Loughborough showed that he flexed his elbow only a couple of degrees over the acceptable limit of 15. “So I have my doubts about this calling system. This is suspicious, why are match referees or on-field umpires not able to see those flexing up to 35, but me with 16 degrees.”The PCB did not seem concerned when Haffeez’s comments were first aired, but now that the ICC has taken notice, they have given Hafeez seven days to explain himself and have also barred him from speaking to the media. Being a centrally contracted player, he may face sanctions ranging from a reprimand to monetary fines to match suspensions.In a separate, but similar incident, batsman Umar Akmal was banned for three games after he alleged to the press that Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur had used abusive language towards him. He was also slapped with a hefty fine of 1 million Pakistan rupees and had the no-objection certificates that he needed to participate in overseas leagues revoked for two months.Hafeez was first reported for his bowling action over 13 years ago during an ODI tri-series in Australia in 2005. Regulations concerning illegal actions were different back then and he soon returned. In 2014, his action was reported during the Champions League T20, and then again following a Test match against New Zealand later that year. Having twice been found over the legal limit for elbow extension in that short period, Hafeez was banned from bowling for 12 months. He after undergoing remedial work on his action once again, only for this latest episode to restart the cycle.Over the years Hafeez has always been sceptical after being reported for his action, often remaining adamant about any flaw in his action.

ECB Reporters Network04-Jun-2018
ScorecardWarwickshire maintained their challenge for Royal London Cup qualification by cruising to a nine-wicket win over Leicestershire at Edgbaston.Jonathan Trott (102 not out, 121 balls) and Sam Hain (69 not out, 87 balls) eased the Bears to victory and handed the visitors a sixth successive defeat.The Foxes were punished for wasting first use of an excellent batting track. After winning the toss, Leicestershire reached a relatively promising 135 for 3 in the 24th over but collapsed to 207 all out.While Mark Cosgrove and Colin Ackermann were together, a strong total looked achievable but after Olly Stone dismissed Cosgrove the last seven wickets fell for 72 runs in 19 overs.Stone took 3 for 44 and Aaron Thomason 3 for 45 before limping off with a side strain during his final over.Warwickshire made light work of their small target. Ed Pollock smashed 33 from 18 balls before Trott and Sam Hain added an unbroken 159 in 31 overs.On a good pitch, Leicestershire hit early trouble at seven for two after captain Paul Horton steered Keith Barker to second slip and Neil Dexter sent a return catch to Stone. Cameron Delport hit four successive fours off Stone but then skied a pull at Barker to leave the Foxes 31 for three.Cosgrove and Ackermann got the innings going with a stand of 104 in 17 overs, Cosgrove passing 50 for the fourth successive match before miscuing Stone to mid-off. Thereafter the innings tailed off dramatically.Ackerman lifted Thomason for six over long on then tried to repeat the blow next ball and found only the hands of mid on. Thomason dismissed Lewis Hill lbw, Tom Wells was trapped in front by Jeetan Patel and Zak Chappell spliced a pull at Thomason to short mid-wicket.After Stone rattled Dieter Klein’s stumps with a yorker, last pair Callum Parkinson and Gavin Griffiths had 66 balls at their disposal. They used 24 of them before Parkinson’s off-stump was knocked out by Henry Brookes.When Warwickshire replied, Pollock and Trott put 50 on the board in 38 balls, the half-century brought up by six off Chappell for Pollock over fine leg. Chappell soon got his revenge with a yorker into Pollock’s stumps but Trott and Hain were utterly untroubled.Trott’s second century in successive List A games was greeted by a standing ovation from the big crowd and he went on to escort his side all the way to a win which sets up a mouth-watering group finale against old rivals Worcestershire at Edgbaston on Thursday.

James Anderson has cast doubt on Virat Kohli’s claim that team success in England means more to him than scoring runs

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jul-20182:00

ESPNshorts: Virat Kohli

Responding to Virat Kohli’s claim that team success was more important than his own performances in England, James Anderson has suggested the India captain will be “desperate to score runs” during the upcoming five-match Test series. Anderson, England’s attack leader and the world’s No. 2-ranked Test bowler, is once again ready to duel with the world’s No. 2-ranked Test batsman, Kohli – a contest Anderson termed “exciting”.On July 2, speaking in Manchester on the eve of the T20 series against England, in the only media conference he has given so far on tour (which started late June), Kohli said he had set no targets for himself. He just wanted to have a good time. “It doesn’t matter whether I get runs or don’t get runs, what I want is the team to play well and the team to win,” Kohli said.When Kohli’s comment was put to Anderson, he laughed and playfully suggested that the India captain was telling “lies”. “It doesn’t matter if he gets runs or not? I think he is telling lies there,” Anderson told PTI in a chat conducted during the ODI series. “For India to win here, of course it matters. Virat will be desperate to score runs for his team, as you would expect from the captain and one of the best players in the world.”In 2014, Anderson exposed Kohli’s mindset and technique, getting him out four times in 10 innings. But today Kohli is recognised as one of the best batsman across the three formats. Anderson, who has spent several weeks recuperating from a shoulder problem, acknowledged that point and said that Kohli would by now be better equipped. “I am sure he is practising hard at certain aspects of his game and that will make the battle between him and not just myself, but him and the rest of our bowlers, a really exciting one.”Graphic: Virat Kohli’s six nicks in England, 2014•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Asked whether he would prefer trying to get an upper hand over Kohli with the red or white ball, Anderson suggested neither would be easy. He said that players like Kohli, along with other top-ranked batsmen like Joe Root, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith, had more time and their best quality was they could adapt quickly to any format or condition.”You would think that the red ball swings more or does more off the seam but it doesn’t work like that,” Anderson said. “When the players you mention, and not just Virat, they play the ball so late that they have got so much time and they make you feel slow as a bowler. It is hard with white or red ball. Sometimes when batsmen are trying to be more attacking in white ball cricket than red ball, you might create more chances, but overall it is hard to say.”One big factor that played a huge role in India losing the 2014 Test series 3-1 was the weather. Four years ago it was a genuine English summer: overcast, seaming, swinging conditions. In contrast this summer has seen a prolonged “heat wave”, with the mercury hovering around the 30-degree mark. Anderson said the conditions certainly favoured India on pitches that would be drier, but he was hopeful of some rain before the series begins.

More players could withdraw from the tri-series against Australia and Pakistan following an ongoing player-board fracas over non-payment of salaries

Firdose Moonda25-Jun-2018Zimbabwe have named a squad sans Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, Graeme Cremer, Sean Williams for their upcoming T20 triangular series at home against Australia and Pakistan next month. While Raza will be playing in the Global T20 in Canada, Taylor, Cremer, Williams and Craig Ervine were omitted following an ongoing player-board fracas over non-payment of salaries. All five players were also left out of the training squad, named last week, and a practice match against a touring Kenyan side.

Zimbabwe squad for T20I tri-series

Cephas Zhuwao, Chamu Chibhabha, Brian Chari, Tarisai Musakanda, Malcolm Waller, PJ Moor, Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Brandon Mavuta, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Mpofu, Ryan Burl, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Wellington Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Ryan Murray

Collectively, Zimbabwe’s players, through their newly-reformed association, have demanded that Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) provides them with a payment plan for two months’ outstanding salaries and their match fees dating back to their tour of Sri Lanka in 2017, by June 25, or they would review their availability for the tri-series. Only the five players named above have made themselves unavailable but ESPNcricinfo understands that up to nine players may pull out of the squad.However, several other senior players were included in the 16-man squad including Kyle Jarvis, Hamilton Masakadza, Elton Chigumbura, Chris Mpofu and Solomon Mire. Blessing Muzarabani, the fast bowler who made his international debut in a Test against South Africa last year, also found a place in the squad, despite not playing in any of the warm-up matches against a touring Kenyan side. Zimbabwe are yet to name a captain after Cremer was sacked following the failed World Cup qualifier campaign in March.More players could pull out over the next few days, despite assertion from the officials the tri-series will go ahead unaffected. Asked whether he believed the players have fully committed themselves to the tournament, selection convener Walter Chawaguta said: “I believe so. We based our selection on the players that are available. My assumption is that everyone is available and I have no reason to believe otherwise.”Chawaguta left the door open for Taylor and co. to return to the fold and said they would be considered for selection if they make themselves available. “I don’t think there is any doubt in terms of the quality that we have that has been left out of the squad,” he said. “There are some players that have proven themselves over time and there’s been a massive investment in those players. Our hope is that they avail themselves, and if they do avail themselves then the selectors will have to sit down and see where they fit in in the greater scheme of things. Our hope is that things resolve themselves and those players avail themselves.”He also confirmed all five players had withdrawn themselves and called on Taylor, who was lauded by former convener Tatenda Taibu last week, to “set the record straight,” by making a statement on “Twitter or whatever means he chooses,” to explain the players’ grievances.”I’ve personally spoken to everyone one of those players and they didn’t make themselves available,” Chawaguta said. “We started off with four squads originally (for the warm-up competition) because our intention was to have a local quadrangular. When Kenya came into the picture we chose two squads of 30. Those players were contacted but made themselves unavailable. They didn’t play in the tri-series. Towards the end of the tri-series I personally got hold of every single one of those players and every one of them made themselves unavailable until their issues are sorted out. I had a word with Brendan Taylor yesterday and told him it was time he set the record straight. Hopefully that happens soon.”None of the players have made any public comments and have directed questions to their representative, Gerald Mlotchwa, who has been in discussions with ZC over payments and indicated players remained unhappy with the board’s attempts to resolve their debt.On June 14, ZC sent a letter to the players signed by their newly-appointed consultant Vince van der Bijl informing players to expect match fees from the Sri Lanka tour by the end of June and salaries by July 25, a month later than the deadline set by the players.A source told ESPNcricinfo that the players want written confirmation from ZC officials – and in the absence of an MD after Faisal Hasnain’s departure that would mean communication from the chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani – detailing a payment plan for the monies owed.Meanwhile, interim coach Lalchand Rajput, who had coached India Under-19s and was the senior team’s manager when they won the inaugural World T20 in 2007, has taken the depleted squad in his stride. Moreover, he has set them a target of reaching the final of the tri-series, along with a focus on learning how to compete against stronger sides.”I just looked at the players who were available and the best 17, we have picked. My job is to get the best 17,” Rajput said. “I am not interested in who is not available. I want to get the people who are available to perform in the tri-series. As a coach, you like challenges and its a challenge for me. I am looking forward to it. My main concern is to prepare them well to play against the top teams in the world. It’s important that we prepare them well. In T20, there are no favourites. If you play well on a particular day, you win.”

Loughborough marched onto their fifth win in sixth matches as their overseas stars took command of a stiff run-chase

ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2018Loughborough Lightning 174 for 7 (Villani 61*, Haynes 53) beat Southern Vipers 172 for 6 (McGlashan 55*) by three wickets

ScorecardAussie stars Rachael Haynes and Elyse Villani powered Loughborough Lightning to a fifth win in six matches to stretch their lead at the top of the Women’s Kia Super League and make their qualification for Finals Day look almost a formality.Haynes posted her second half-century of the competition before, in a dramatic finish, Villani crashed four and six off New Zealand all-rounder Suzie Bates after Lightning, chasing a challenging 173 to win, had gone into the last over still needing 11 more runs.Lightning had lost two wickets in the penultimate over as Jenny Gunn holed out to long-off and Lucy Higham was run out, but Villani kept her nerve to finish unbeaten on 61 after lofting Bates for a towering maximum backward of square to complete victory with two balls to spare.It was tough luck on Vipers, last year’s runners-up and the 2016 champions, who produced their best batting performance of the series in a bid to end a run of four straight defeats and keep alive their hopes of reviving their season.Vipers veteran Sara McGlashan posted her highest KSL score with some powerful striking in an unbeaten 55 off just 28 deliveries, including six fours and three sixes, with England’s Danni Wyatt weighing in with 34 as Vipers justified skipper Bates’s decision to bat first by recording their biggest score of the season.Lightning’s hopes of limiting their opponents to a much lower total were high after Vipers lost their two most dangerous batters for single-figure scores inside the powerplay were dismissed both Bates and Tammy Beaumont for single-figure scores inside the powerplay overs.Bates was caught on the mid-wicket boundary when she tried to go after Gunn, then Beaumont, back in the Vipers side after missing two matches because of a concussion injury, top-edged a pull-shot against Sophie Devine, Sarah Glenn safely pouching the catch.Wyatt and Mignon du Preez added 39 for the third wicket yet after Wyatt had holed out off a Glenn full toss in the 10th over and Du Preez had pulled a short ball from Georgia Elwiss straight to mid-wicket in the 13th, Vipers had lost their top-four batters for 83.But McGlashan took charge immediately, punishing former teammate Linsey Smith with four boundaries in an over as the left-arm spinner’s customary control deserted her.A nightmare over from Gunn cost 16 runs as the England seamer conceded 11 in wides, including five from each of two consecutive deliveries.Smith was on the receiving end again as Arran Brindle struck three fours in an over and though Elwiss broke the partnership when she trapped Brindle in front for 26 in the penultimate over, the pair had added 71 in 7.2 overs.McGlashan, the former New Zealand batter and wicket-keeper who retired from international cricket in 2016, finished with a flourish, smiting three huge sixes and a four off the last seven balls she faced, her second maximum off Devine’s last over completing her half-century from the final ball of the innings.Devine was an early casualty as Lightning began their reply but Haynes out on a display of high quality strokeplay and controlled power at the top of the innings.Haynes made 53 off 34 balls and shared a partnership with Amy Jones that helped Lightning to 55 for 1 in the powerplay, laying the foundation for victory.Jones fell for 31 from 18 balls, after which the onus rested on Villani’s shoulders to put her experience to good use.But she was well supported by her partners, who thwarted Vipers’ best efforts to keep Villani off strike and in the end her aggressive hitting, which brought her seven fours and two sixes, made sure her compatriot Haynes’ efforts did not go to waste as Lightning celebrated a third win in five days at the Haslegrave Ground.