Mohammed Shami made a sensational return to the India set up as his blistering final over helped secure a six-run win over Australia in a pulsating T20 World Cup warm-up fixture.
Shami replaced the injured Jasprit Bumrah for the tournament Down Under and four wickets fell from the final four deliveries with defending champions Australia requiring 11 to win.
That was Shami's only over of the game at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, a match where Aaron Finch (76) found form but only three other Australia batsmen made double figures as they were bowled for 180 – losing six wickets for just nine runs from the final two overs.
Earlier, KL Rahul (57 off 33) and Suryakumar Yadav (50 off 33) had guided India to 186-7, a total that had looked under-par until Shami's heroics.
Shami steals the show
Shami was overlooked by India originally in favour of rising stars Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel but Bumrah's misfortune provided him an opportunity, and boy did he take it in a brilliant final over that had started with Pat Cummins taking a couple of twos, before the Australia paceman came unstuck by a scarcely believable one-handed catch by Virat Kohli on the boundary.
More great work by Kohli saw Ashton Agar run out when trying to sneak a bye, which preceded a couple of stunning Yorkers, uprooting the wickets of Josh Inglis and Kane Richardson, who had been the pick of Australia's bowlers with figures of 4-30.
Finch finds his wings again
Australia may have lost the unlosable but a massive takeaway for the hosts was captain Finch finding form on the eve of the World Cup.
Finch had managed only one half-century in his past 10 T20I knocks, and amassed just 25 runs across three innings in the series loss to England. The Australia skipper not only scored runs against India, but did so with a strike rate of 140.74.
Livingstone rallies for England to level Australia series
Liam Livingstone plundered an impressive 87 from 47 balls to propel England to a three-wicket victory and level their three-match T20I series against Australia.
Australia had put themselves in a strong position to take the series in their 200th men's T20I, but had no answer for Livingstone during England's chase.
Travis Head and Matt Short opened with a 52-run partnership, but Adil Rashid bowled the former before catching out the latter to end their stand.
Jake Fraser-McGurk (50) and Josh Inglis (42) pushed the tourists forward, but Livingstone (2-16) and Brydon Carse (2-26), in for the rested Jofra Archer, soon stalled their progress.
Aaron Hardie's late burst of 20 gave Australia a strong tally of 193-6, and they started strongly with the ball, too.
Short (5-22) ended Phil Salt's stand at 39 before Will Jacks (12) and Jordan Cox (0) were both dismissed by Sean Abbott in a single over.
But Livingstone would prove a thorn in Australia's side once again as he hit his half-century off 27 balls before carrying England closer to their total.
There was a slightly nervy ending, as England, needing just one run off nine balls, lost Livingstone and Carse in two balls before Adil Rashid got them over the line.
Data Debrief: Livingstone hits landmark
England have taken it to the final T20I thanks to Livingstone's heroics, with the series all to play for at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Livingstone's 87 is the highest score for England in a successful chase when batting four or lower, and he did so on his fifth T20I appearance for England.
Jeremiah Louis set to reunite with brother Mikyle at St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for CPL 2024
Seamer Jeremiah Louis is set to join his younger brother Mikyle at the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), marking the first time the Louis brothers could potentially play together in the tournament. Jeremiah, 28, has been drafted into the Patriots squad as a replacement for Sherfane Rutherford, who has withdrawn from the competition due to personal reasons.
Jeremiah's inclusion adds depth to the Patriots' bowling attack and brings a wealth of experience to the team. Having played six CPL games between 2016 and 2022, Jeremiah has taken three wickets at an average of 38.66, with an economy rate of 9.66. In addition to his CPL experience, Jeremiah also represented the Patriots in the 6IXTY competition, where he took four wickets in five matches in 2022, although he struggled with an economy rate of 10.68.
Despite his presence in the shorter formats, Jeremiah is best known for his red-ball prowess. Over 57 first-class matches, he has amassed 151 wickets at an impressive average of 25.43. His red-ball form earned him a call-up to the West Indies Test squad for their recent tour of England, though injury unfortunately ruled him out before the tour commenced.
While Mikyle Louis made his CPL and T20 debut this season, the chance to play alongside his older brother will be a special moment for both siblings. The addition of Jeremiah brings another dynamic to the Patriots' squad, as the team looks to build momentum in the CPL 2024 season.
The reunion of the Louis brothers promises to be a highlight of the tournament, with fans eager to see how the siblings combine their talents on the field for the Patriots.
ICC launches ‘Whatever It Takes’ campaign to celebrate players elite mentality ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday launched ‘Whatever It Takes’, a campaign designed to build excitement and anticipation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for October 3-20 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Showcasing the dedication, focus, and relentless pursuit of excellence that defines the world’s best cricketers, the campaign provides fans a glimpse into the efforts undertaken by players as they prepare to take their place on the world stage.
The ‘Whatever It Takes’ campaign comprises a series of films featuring a trio of world-class cricketers—India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, and India’s Shafali Verma—each renowned for their talent and commitment to the game. Through powerful visuals and inspiring narratives, the campaign captures the essence of their journeys, revealing the sacrifices made, the challenges overcome, and the self-belief that drives them towards greatness.
From gruelling training sessions to intensive competition on the field, ‘Whatever It Takes’ embodies the sacrifices that cricketers make in their pursuit of being crowned world champions. It underscores the understanding that success at the highest level is not merely a product of talent but the result of dedication, perseverance, and an individual’s determination to break boundaries.
ICC General Manager: Marketing and Communications, Claire Furlong, said the campaign adds to what promises to be a spectacular tournament.
“The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is the pinnacle of the T20 format, and we’re looking forward to having the world’s best players on display in Dubai and Sharjah throughout October. The ‘Whatever It Takes’ campaign embodies the spirit and objectives of the ICC’s Women’s Cricket Strategy, which aims to grow the women’s game by improving its visibility, perception, and awareness for cricket fans around the world," said Furlong.
“We are committed to delivering a world-class event that will usher in a new generation of heroes while providing fans with an unforgettable experience on every match day. ‘Whatever It Takes’ is not just about who lifts the trophy at Dubai International Stadium on October 20; it is about the journey, the sacrifices, and the pursuit of greatness. It is about inspiring a new generation of cricketers, dreamers, and achievers," she added.
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