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• “She gives 100% every single time”- Windies skipper Matthews welcomes Dottin’s return to international cricket

  West Indies Women ODI and T20I Captain Hayley Matthews has welcomed the return of all-rounder Deandra Dottin to international cricket.

  Dottin, who retired from the international game back, reversed her decision last week with the highly anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on the horizon.

  Matthews, currently representing the Welsh Fire in the Women’s Hundred in England, spoke briefly about Dottin’s return in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo last week, highlighting the Trinidadian’s commitment whenever she plays.

  “With Deandra, one thing that I can say for sure is that she is someone who, when she steps onto the field, is going to give 100% every single time,” Matthews said.

  “That’s something that would be definitely wanted in any team,” she added.

  Dottin, 33, has played 143 ODIs and 127 T20Is for the West Indies since her debut against Ireland in June 2008.

  She has scored 3727 runs at an average of 30.54 in ODIs with three centuries and 22 fifties and a highest score of 150* against South Africa in January 2022.

  In T20Is, Dottin has scored 2697 runs at an average of 25.68 including two centuries and 12 fifties. Her highest score in the format is 112* against South Africa back in 2010. That 38-ball hundred is still the fastest hundred in Women’s T20Is.

  As it relates to Dottin’s role when she returns to the line-up, Matthews says she still wants to have some discussions with the team and Dottin herself before she elaborates further.

  “I do plan and want to have discussions with her and with the team as well. Obviously, that’s the most important thing for us right now and until I’ve had those conversations I’d prefer not to make any more comments,” she said.

  Dottin is set to lead the Trinbago Knight Riders Women in the upcoming Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

  The West Indies Women’s next fixture will be a T20 World Cup Warm-up match against India on September 28.

   

   

   

• Vandersay rips through India as Sri Lanka snatch series lead

  Jeffrey Vandersay tore through India's batting lineup with six wickets as Sri Lanka snatched the ODI series lead with a 32-run victory in Colombo.

  Leg-spinner Vandersay managed 6-33 – his best international figures – as Rohit Sharma's tourists collapsed in remarkable fashion on Sunday, falling 1-0 down with one ODI remaining in the three-match series.

  India held their hosts to a modest 240-9 in the first innings as Washington Sundar (3-30) led the way, while Avishka Fernando and Kamindu Mendis anchored at either end of the batting order with 40 apiece.

  Rohit responded by crashing 64 off just 44 deliveries as India raced to 97 without loss, only for the captain to fall when attempting to reverse sweep a climbing Vandersay delivery in the 14th over.

  The 34-year-old spinner would soon remove Shubman Gill, on 35, and Shivam Dube without scoring in the same over, before trapping Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in front to complete his first ODI five-wicket haul.

  KL Rahul followed to leave India struggling at 147-6, though Axar Patel offered resistance before falling on 44 to Charith Asalanka, who then removed Sundar and Mohammed Siraj.

  Arshdeep Singh was then run out as a battling Sri Lanka seized control heading into the final clash on Wednesday.

  Data Debrief: Vandersay becomes Sri Lanka's new Murali

  Vandersay had only managed 27 wickets in 20 previous ODI innings for Sri Lanka, though added six with an eye-catching showing of leg-spin bowling here.

  His previous 4-10 best in this format came against cricketing minnows Zimbabwe, but a remarkable six-wicket haul will live long in the memory after dismissing two India greats in Rohit and Kohli.

• Guardiola committed to Man City amid England links

  Pep Guardiola insists he is committed to Manchester City as England continue their search for a new manager.

  The Football Association is recruiting for Gareth Southgate’s successor after he stepped down from the role following last month’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. 

  Guardiola, who helped City claim a record fourth consecutive Premier League title last season, has a year left on his contract and is expected to leave the club next year.

  The 53-year-old has won 225 of his 304 league games in charge of the Citizens, scoring 755 goals in that time and averaging a win rate of 74.01%. 

  But when asked about the potential of managing the Three Lions in the future, Guardiola was quick to distance himself from the position. 

  “I am here, I am really pleased. I cannot say anything. I don’t know where it has come from. I am really satisfied here," Guardiola said.

  “I am desperate for when the players are ready to come back to start to train all together and refresh what we have to do.”

  The Spaniard is currently with his squad for the pre-season tour of the United States, facing Chelsea in Ohio on Saturday evening. 

  Guardiola’s comments come at the end of a week that saw both Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klopp rule themselves out of contention for the England job.

   

  England U21 head coach Lee Carsley and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter are also among the top contenders to become the Three Lions' 16th permanent manager. 

  Following their encounter with Enzo Maresca's side, Guardiola and his squad will return to England ahead of their Community Shield fixture with Manchester United at Wembley next week.