Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls faced a tough opening day at the Fast5 Netball World Series on Friday, as they lost all three of their opening encounters, but will be hoping for better fortunes on Saturday’s final day in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The young, relatively inexperienced Jamaican squad—fielding seven debutants—was visibly affected by the high-stakes atmosphere, showing early jitters and struggling to find their usual rhythm. Their opponents—New Zealand, England, and South Africa—capitalized on the team's early nerves and shaky play to clinch solid 39-19, 35-15, and 33-25 wins.

In their first game against the host nation, New Zealand, Jamaica faltered under the pressure and succumbed to a 20-goal blowout. The Sunshine Girls’ normally steady ball movement and confident shooting were absent as they grappled to find cohesion on the court before Amanda Pinkney eventually scored 13 goals and Simone Gordon, six.

New Zealand, buoyed by their home crowd, put Jamaica on the defensive from start to finish, with Martina Salmon scoring 17 goals, while Maia Wilson and Saviour Tui had 11 goals each.

Jamaica’s next matchup, against England, unfolded similarly as the shooting struggles persisted, and unforced errors cost them valuable scoring opportunities and inevitably resulted in another 20-goal defeat. Pinkney again led the way for the Jamaicans with nine goals, while Shadine Bartley had the other six.

England’s disciplined defence and polished offensive execution widened the gap, as Harriet Jones hit a solid 13 goals from as many attempts, with support from Sophie Egbaran (8 goals), Paige Reed (8 goals), and Sophie Kelly (6 goals).

However, the Jamaicans returned for their final game against South Africa determined and refocused, and it was evident in what was their best showing of the day.

The Sunshine Girls appeared more positive and organized across the court, as they found moments of fluidity in their movement and delivered some confident shots, giving fans a glimpse of the team's potential.

Despite ultimately falling short by eight goals, they had much to smile about as this time it was Bartley that led from the front with 12 goals, supported by Kestina Sturridge (7 goals) and Pinkney (six goals).

South Africa used their experience to good effect, as Zandre Smith scored 18 goals and Kamogelo Maseko had a perfect seven goals from seven attempts. Rolene Streukter, also scored seven goals, with Lefebre Rademan getting the other goal.

With the first day out the way, the Jamaicans will be hoping for better fortunes on the second day as they face reigning champions Australia, who are so far unbeaten in the tournament, and Uganda. However, fatigue could set in as playing fast-paced games involving four six-minute quarters against five of the world’s best teams is by no means easy.

Those games are scheduled for 6:00pm and 10:30pm Jamaica time.

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Sanju Samson's century and a strong bowling display set India on their way to a 61-run victory over South Africa at Kingsmead on Friday.

The teams met for the first time since the T20 World Cup final, with India once again coming out on top to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match T20I series.

Samson started strongly, plundering 107 in a knock which included 10 sixes, and held firm to get his second consecutive T20I century, even as Abhishek Sharma (7) and Suryakumar Yadav (21) were both taken early.

Tilak Yarma added 33, but Gerald Coetzee (3-37) helped to ensure India's momentum faltered, though the tourists still set a tough target, finishing on 202-8.

Any hopes of a quick start for South Africa crumbled though as Aiden Markram (8) fell inside the first over.

Varun Chakaravarthy (3-25) and Ravi Bishnoi (3-28) impressively stopped any rhythm from building, with the latter stopping South Africa's top-scorer Heinrich Klaasen on 25 as the hosts stumbled to all out for 141 in the 18th over.

Data Debrief: No home comforts

South Africa will have been looking to avenge their World Cup final loss, but their struggles on home soil continued in Durban.

They have lost their last five men's T20Is at Kingsmead, including their last four. Meanwhile, India are undefeated in their five matches at Kingsmead (W4 T1).

In fact, South Africa have lost 17 of their last 20 men's T20Is in South Africa, with India responsible for their last two such losses. They had only lost once in nine matches prior to this span (W7 T1).

The damage was done early on by Samson, whose hundred is the fastest by an Indian in T20Is against South Africa. 

Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Marco Jansen have been included in the South Africa squad for their four-match home T20I series against India scheduled to begin on November 8. 

The duo will make their return after injury lay-offs, but Cricket South Africa have rested Kagiso Rabada along with Lungi Ngidi with a home Test series against Sri Lanka to follow later next month. 

Aiden Markram will captain the side against India, who beat the Proteas to win the T20 World Cup in Barbados earlier this year, while David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and Keshav Maharaj are all included. 

All-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana has received his maiden call-up, while uncapped Andile Simelane is also part of the roster.

“It’s both an exciting and important series for us as we continue to build towards the T20 World Cup in 2026,” said South Africa white-ball coach Rob Walter.  

South Africa wrapped up the second Test against Bangladesh inside three days by hammering their hosts by an innings and 273 runs in Chattogram.

The victory made it a 2-0 clean sweep in the series for the tourists, who had started the third day in a great spot having left Bangladesh 38-4 in their first innings at stumps on Wednesday.

The Proteas tore through the Bangladesh middle order before bowling them all out for 159 in their first innings.

Seamer Kagiso Rabada, on the way to a five-for, got the ball rolling with the dismissal of captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (nine) before Mushfiqur Rahim was caught by Tony de Zorzi off Dane Paterson for a duck.

Wickets continued to fall in quick succession, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (one) and Mahidul Islam Ankon (zero) both dismissed by Rabada to leave Bangladesh 48-8. Despite a late rally, they were all out for 159 and South Africa enforced the follow-on to good effect.

Bangladesh made another poor start to their innings, losing Mahmudul Hasan Joy (11), Shadman Islam (six), Zakir Hasan (seven) and Mominul Haque (zero) for just 43 runs, as Keshav Maharaj (5-59) and Senuran Muthusamy leading South Africa's charge to victory.

Data Debrief: Bangladesh's dismal home form rolls on

This defeat was Bangladesh's fifth Test loss in a row at home, which equals their worst run since October 2011 and November 2012.

But the third day of this test was all about South Africa's bowlers, who took 16 wickets in total.

Rabada was first to take a five-for in the first innings, but was later joined by Maharaj. Senuran Muthasamy, meanwhile, took career-best figures of 4-45 in the second innings.

South Africa are on the brink of sealing a series sweep after another dominant display on the second day of their second Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram. 

Wiaan Mulder became the third maiden centurion for the Proteas in the Test, with the tourists declaring on 575-6 before ripping through Bangladesh's top order to leave them 38-4 at stumps.

De Zorzi, the hero on day one, started at the crease with David Bedingham, and the pair continued to hammer home their advantage, adding significant runs to their overnight totals. 

Taijul Islam, on his way to a five-wicket haul, eventually got the wickets of Bedingham (59) and De Zorzi (177), only for Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy to take control. 

The duo put on an unbeaten partnership of 152 runs, after which South Africa declared their innings, with Mulder and Muthusamy ending on 105 and 68 respectively. 

Bangladesh then made a poor start to their chase, losing Shadman Islam for a duck in the first over, with Zakir Hasan (two), Mahmudul Hasan Joy (10) and Hasan Mahmud (three) falling shortly after. 

Mominul Haque (six) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (four) are the men tasked with starting Bangladesh's revival when play resumes on Thursday. 

Data Debrief: The Three Musketeers

Bangladesh last lost five matches in a row at home from October 2011 to November 2012, but look in serious danger of equalling that run after a rampant South Africa display.

And while the first day belonged to De Zorzi and Stubbs, the second day was all about Mulder's century and his partnership with Muthusamy. 

The pair added 152 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket, breaking South Africa's record for this wicket against Bangladesh from the previous Test in Dhaka, where Mulder and Kyle Verreynne had added 119.

Mulder also became the third batter to score his maiden Test century in Chattogram, after De Zorzi and Stubbs. Only once before have three batters scored their maiden Test tons in the same innings - Gerry Gomez, Robert Christiani and Clyde Walcott for West Indies against India in Delhi in 1948.

Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi's maiden Test centuries put South Africa in control on the first day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram. 

De Zorzi and Stubbs shared a 201 second-wicket stand to put the Proteas in a commanding position to seal a series sweep, ending the day 307-2. 

After opting to bat first, the tourists got off to a fast start with a 69-run opening partnership between Aiden Markram and De Zorzi. 

But Taijul Islam, who picked up eight wickets in the first Test, made the breakthrough in the 17th over when his delivery to Markram was chipped to mid-on and caught by Mominul Haque. 

From there on, Stubbs joined De Zorzi and made light work of the hosts' bowling attack, putting together an impressive partnership that was eventually halted by Taijul. 

Stubbs' knock came to an end on 106 runs from 198 deliveries, but David Bedingham (18) joined De Zorzi (141 not out) at the crease, with the pair hoping to hammer home the Proteas' advantage when play resumes on Wednesday. 

Data Debrief: De Zorzi and Stubbs take over

South Africa have won each of their last five men's Tests against Bangladesh, their longest such active streak against any nation, and they look well set to improve that great recent record.

The Proteas are aiming to string three straight away Test wins together for the first time since a run of four such victories between March 1999 and March 2000.

De Zorzi and Stubbs have put them in the driving seat to do just that, as they tallied up the third-highest second-wicket stand in a Test played in Asia.

South Africa's stand-in captain Aiden Markram predicted Thursday's victory over Bangladesh will serve as a confidence boost and help them enjoy more success in Asia in the future.

The Proteas won the first of two Tests by seven wickets, easing to a victory target of 106 in their second innings after skittling the hosts for 106 and 307.

It was their first red-ball victory in Asia since 2014, having failed to win in 14 trips to the continent since beating Sri Lanka in Galle a decade ago.

Markram, however, believes there is more to come from their youthful side, hailing the victory as a major breakthrough.

"It's special. We're a pretty young, slightly inexperienced group, so to come to the subcontinent and get a win is great for us and the environment," Markam said.

"This win does a lot for us and gives us a taste of what playing cricket in the subcontinent is like, and it excites us for the challenges that we possibly face here.

"The biggest thing we take from it is the belief and the confidence that we actually can do well here as a team.

"I believe that's where a lot of the game is played, from a confidence and belief and a mental side of things. It will help the team a lot as far as moving forward goes, seeing if we can put back-to-back performances together."

Bangladesh were always playing catch-up after a dismal first innings with the bat, with only a second-innings score of 97 from Mehidy Hasan Miraz forcing South Africa to bat for a second time.

"Everything was in our favour as we won the toss and decided to bat first," Mehidy said. "It is hard to bat on the fourth day on this wicket so we prepared ourselves in that way. 

"We couldn't score runs, unfortunately. If we could have scored our second innings runs in the first... First innings runs are very important in Test cricket."

South Africa eased to their first Test victory in Asia since 2014, with Kagiso Rabada's quick start helping them to a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh on day four.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz had given the hosts hope of a comeback after an inspired performance on Wednesday, but South Africa made light work of the chase to take the lead in the two-match series.

It took just 4.5 overs for them to bowl out Bangladesh for 307, as Rabada (6-46) took Nayeem Hasan (16) on just the third ball of the day.

Taijul Islam (7) helped bring up 300, but the innings was over soon after as he was caught by Tristan Stubbs before Mehidy fell just short of his century at Rabada’s hands.

It took South Africa just 22 overs to hit their target of 106, though Taijul (3-43) tried in vain to keep Bangladesh's hopes alive.

Tony de Zorzi's stand of 41 did most of the damage, helped by Aiden Markram (20), David Bedingham (12) and Stubbs (30 not out), and wrapping the game up before lunch.

Data Debrief: Rabada keeps South Africa's hopes alive

South Africa have moved up to fourth in the World Test Championship table with this win, and have put themselves in a strong position for a final spot.

It was their first victory in Asia in a decade, having failed to win any of their previous 14 trips to the continent since beating Sri Lanka in Galle and losing their last nine. 

The bowlers impressed for both sides. Rabada finished the match 9-72 overall, his 15th five-wicket haul in a Test, while Taijul's attempts to keep Bangladesh in it saw him take eight wickets overall.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz's 87 not out helped Bangladesh produce a stunning comeback on the third day of the first Test against South Africa at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Bangladesh's revival was halted an hour before the scheduled end of the day due to bad light, but they now lead by 81 runs after conceding a 202-run lead in the first innings. 

The Proteas looked set to earn an innings victory at a canter when Mahmudul Hasan Joy (40) and Mushfiqur Rahim (33) were removed by Kagiso Rabada in quick succession.

Litton Das (7) was caught behind off Keshav Maharaj (3-105) shortly afterwards as Bangladesh slipped to 112-6 heading into the 35th over. 

But Mehidy and Jaker Ali (58) helped the hosts to within one of South Africa's lead at lunch before the second session was stopped for 78 minutes due to heavy rain in Mirpur. 

Jaker struck his maiden Test half-century before the delay in play before falling to Maharaj, but Mehidy and Nayeem Hasan (16 not out) remained calm at the crease as Bangladesh ended the day 283-7. 

Data Debrief: Mehidy masterclass

Bangladesh have lost five of their last seven men's Tests (W2), including losing each of the last two on the bounce, but Mehidy's knock has them in contention in Mirpur. 

Mehidy's 87 saw him register his ninth Test half-century and his fourth this year, smashing nine fours and one six during his 194-minute spell at the crease on Wednesday. 

Bangladesh face a huge task to fight back in the first Test against South Africa after Kyle Verreynne's century and two Kagiso Rabada wickets left them reeling in Mirpur.

Having collapsed to 106 all out on Monday, the hosts desperately needed an improvement after Verreynne's second red-ball ton helped South Africa to a 202-run first-innings lead shortly after lunch on day two.

However, Rabada posted fine figures of 10-2 through seven overs with the ball, dismissing Shadman Islam (1) and Mominul Haque (0) early to leave Bangladesh requiring a stirring fightback.

Taijul Islam's five-wicket haul had dropped South Africa to 140-6 when bad light stopped play on day one, but Verreynne led the resurgent Proteas to 308 all out when they resumed the following day.

He counted eight fours and two maximums among his 114 runs, facing 144 deliveries with support coming from Wiaan Mulder (54) and Dane Piedt (32).

Verreynne was, fittingly, the last batter to fall when he was stumped by Litton Das after attempting to sweep a full delivery from Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and his knock could prove crucial after Bangladesh lost three wickets by stumps.

Rabada had Shadman and Mominul caught by Tony de Zorzi and Mulder, respectively, within four second-over balls, with Keshav Maharaj later trapping Najmul Hossain Shanto lbw for 23 as Bangladesh reached 101-3 by stumps.

Data Debrief: Rapid Rabada puts Proteas on brink

In Bangladesh's first innings, Rabada dismissed three to become the sixth bowler to take 300 wickets for South Africa in men's Tests, and the third-fastest to do so on his 65th red-ball appearance, after Dale Steyn (61 matches) and Allan Donald (63).

He then came up with what could be the telling contribution at the outset of Bangladesh's second stint with the bat, taking two wickets before he had even conceded three runs.

South Africa are now big favourites to win back-to-back away Tests for the first time since 2022. Having triumphed by 40 runs versus West Indies in August, the Proteas could seal another routine victory as early as day three. 

South Africa ended an enthralling opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh with a 34-run lead, despite Taijul Islam's five-wicket haul. 

On a day when 16 wickets fell in Mirpur, unbeaten knocks from Kyle Verreynne (18) and Wiaan Mulder (17) had the tourists 140-6 before bad light stopped play six overs short.

Earlier, South Africa ripped through Bangladesh, with Shadman Islam (0), Mominul Haque (four) and Najmul Hossain Shanto (seven) falling inside the first six overs.

Mahmudul Hasan Joy top-scored for Bangladesh with 30 runs, but Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Mulder starred for the Proteas, with each taking three wickets. 

Handed a meagre target of 106, South Africa were rocked by the loss of Aiden Markram (six) after he was bowled out by Hasan Mahmud (1-31) before Taijul entered the fray. 

Taijul took the next five wickets, ending the day with figures of 5-49, bringing up his 200th Test wicket with the dismissal of Ryan Rickelton (27) in the 31st over, but South Africa at least have a lead heading into day two.

Data Debrief: Records tumble

Islam's five-wicket haul saw him become only the second Bangladesh bowler to pick up 200 Test wickets after Shakib Al Hasan, who took 246 during his time with the Tigers. 

It was also Islam's 13th five-for in Test cricket, with the milestone coming in 48 matches. 

Meanwhile, this Test will go into the history books, with 16 the highest number of wickets to have a fallen on day one of a Test held in Bangladesh.

New Zealand won their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title, seeing off South Africa with a 32-run victory in the final on Sunday.

They came into the tournament as underdogs on the back of a torrid losing streak, but held strong for a comprehensive win to claim a surprise crown.

Suzie Bates got New Zealand off to a strong start with her knock of 32, but it was Amelia Kerr's vital contribution of 43 that spurred them through the innings, despite a slight lull in the middle stages.

Brooke Halliday (38), who had a 57-run partnership with Kerr, ensured the White Ferns finished solidly against a wasteful South Africa bowling performance, as they racked up 158-5.

However, Kerr shone again in the field, finishing with 3-24, while Rosemary Mair also took 3-25 in an impressive display.

The Proteas dominated in the powerplay, as Laura Wolvaardt (33) and Jasmin Brits (17) combined for 51 on the first wicket, but they started to stumble shortly after Kerr ended the former's stand.

Only Chloe Tryon (14) and Annerie Dercksen (10) hit double figures after the top order, and the wickets toppled as New Zealand claimed an emotional victory.

Data Debrief: Taking the crown

New Zealand were on a 10-match losing streak coming into the World Cup, but have lost just once during the tournament - a blip against Australia in their second match.

History was also not on their side in T20 World Cup finals, with the team losing successive show-piece games in 2009 and 2010.

However, they put in an admirable performance on Sunday, with Kerr's three wickets at the Dubai International Stadium seeing her finish as the tournament's leading wicket taker.

It was yet more heartbreak for South Africa, though, as they lost their second consecutive final, with the country's wait for a global cricket title continuing. 

Ireland avoided being on the wrong end of a series sweep with a stunning 69-run victory over South Africa in their final ODI.

South Africa won the series 2-1 but finished with a whimper as they struggled to get on the front foot against the attack-minded Irish on Monday.

Captain Paul Stirling spurred Ireland on their way to victory with his knock of 88, including 11 boundaries, before Harry Tector's enterprising 60 gave them a bigger edge.

Andrew Balbirnie (45), Curtis Campher (34) and Lorcan Tucker (26) also strengthened their grip on the encounter before Lizaad Williams found his footing for South Africa.

He finished with 4-56 after an impressive show in the death overs, which was their only positive in the field, as he helped stop Ireland at 284-9. However, the Proteas had given themselves a mountain to climb that only grew as they lost three early wickets.

Graham Hume (3-29) was the standout for Ireland, but Mark Adair (2-54) and Craig Young (3-40) also played their part, even as Jason Smith's 91 gave South Africa some hope. 

Kyle Verreynne (38) and Tristan Stubbs (20) had helped steady the ship before that, but after Smith's stand was cut short, a late collapse ensured South Africa would fall short in the chase on 215 with 29 balls remaining.

Data Debrief: Ireland finish on a high

Ireland pulled off a shock win in the second and final match in their T20I series against the Proteas last month, and once again ensured they would leave Abu Dhabi in high spirits.

Stirling and Balbirnie combined for their first 100-run partnership in an ODI, helping Ireland to their first-ever win over South Africa in the format. 

Smith can leave with his head held high though - having been taken for a duck in his first ODI, he made a vast improvement with his 91 on Monday, getting nine fours and four sixes. 

South Africa claimed an emphatic 174-run victory to seal an ODI series triumph over Ireland ahead of the final game on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. 

Having cruised to a 139-run victory in the opening encounter, the Proteas continued to avenge their shock T20I defeat against the same opponents last week with another commanding display.

South Africa made a strong start with the bat before Ryan Rickelton (40) fell in the 13th over, with Temba Bavuma (35) retiring hurt from the contest soon after. 

Rassie van der Dussen (35) and Kyle Verreynne (67) also performed well, only for Tristan Stubbs to steal the show with 112 runs from 81 deliveries, handing the Proteas a strong grip on the encounter, with South Africa ending 343-4 from their 50 overs. 

Ireland then made a dismal start to their run chase, losing five wickets in the opening 10 overs as Lizaad Williams and Lungi Ngidi ripped through their opening attack and had Ireland 50-5 early on. 

Mark Adair (21) and Andy McBrine (10) momentarily halted the onslaught, but were soon sent on their way, with Gavin Hoey hitting 23 runs before he was bowled and caught by Ngidi (2-38). 

Graham Hume and Craig Young's 52-run stand frustrated South Africa, only for the former to be bowled out by Bjorn Fortuin (2-36) with just under 20 overs remaining as Ireland ended all out for 169. 

Data Debrief: Proteas on song

It was yet another strong display by South Africa, cruising to a comfortable victory in Abu Dhabi, with Stubbs and Williams starring with the bat and ball. 

Stubbs' knock of 112 saw him record a maiden century in international cricket, ending with an impressive strike rate of 138.27. 

Williams, meanwhile, continued where he left off from the first match, and now has seven wickets during the series so far. 

South Africa cruised to a 139-run win over Ireland in the teams' first ODI in Abu Dhabi, with Lizaad Williams tearing through their opponents' batting order.

The Proteas approached Wednesday's contest reeling from a shock T20I defeat to Ireland on Sunday, with Ross Adair's maiden international century ensuring the two-match series ended 1-1.

There was not to be a repeat in the 50-over format, however, with Ireland's batting order collapsing after Ryan Rickelton (91) and Tristan Stubbs (79) guided an otherwise shaky South Africa to 271-9.

The Proteas started miserably by losing three wickets for 39 runs, Mark Adair taking two of them on his way to figures of 4-50.

But opener Rickelton stayed cool while the wickets tumbled around him, lasting 102 deliveries and allowing Stubbs to join in on the act with comfortably his best ODI score, dragging South Africa to a respectable total.

Ireland might have harboured hopes of a successful chase, but Paul Stirling's fourth-ball dismissal for just two runs set the tone, and a spate of four more wickets in the space of six overs dropped Ireland to 61-5.

Williams finished with figures of 4-32 from his 10 overs for the Proteas, who needed just 32 overs to finish off the tail and bring some much-needed positivity to their tour of the United Arab Emirates, which started with an ODI series loss to Afghanistan.

Data Debrief: Williams wins it 

Rickelton and Stubbs carried South Africa to a score they were capable of defending despite no other batter scoring more than Bjorn Fortuin's 28 – seven scored 13 runs or fewer.

But it was Williams who made sure of the victory, taking three of the first four wickets to leave Ireland in a tailspin, then going on to record the best figures of his young ODI career.

In none of his previous five ODIs had Williams managed more than two wickets, while his 32 runs conceded were also his fewest in the format.