Head coach Jon Lewis credits AI with helping draw Ashes ‘It will help with borderline decisions in terms of selection’ The England Women’s head coach, Jon Lewis, has revealed how he is using AI as a selection tool and credits the technology with helping his side draw last summer’s Ashes series. Lewis was first exposed to the work of London-based PSi when he took charge of the Women’s Premier League franchise UP Warriorz in India and now uses the company to bolster the decisions he makes about squad make-up, team balance and in-game match-ups ..read more

Lanning revealed ‘unhealthy relationship’ with exercise and food Cricket Australia creates plan to grow sport for women and girls Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry says it was “really hard” to hear the struggles endured by her former captain Meg Lanning, who retired last year at 31. Lanning earlier this month revealed the reasons for her decision on a podcast, saying she had developed “an unhealthy relationship” with exercise and food ..read more

Orange Tree theatre, London Tensions rise as rain stops play in the Women’s Cricket World Cup between India and England Stepping up to bat in this show of two very different innings are the enduring legacies of vitriolic nationalism and the violence of colonialism. But for the most part, in this story of sport and superiority, we’re just watching people muck about and gossip. Kate Attwell’s journey through cricket wittily interrogates wilful ignorance in the face of corruption and brutality. With the added delight of interval ballgames. The players are soggy as they run on to the stage, seekin ..read more

Club ‘disappointed’ and now risk losing personnel to rivals Heather Knight says cricket will be more viable career option Richard Gould, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, has stressed that Yorkshire initially missing out on the revamp of the professional women’s game is not a case of the club being “punished for past sins”. From next year the current eight-team regional women’s system will switch to 15-strong full-time squads run directly by eight ­counties. ­Durham, Essex, Hampshire, ­Lancashire, Somerset, ­Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire and Surrey were those select ..read more

‘Unhealthy relationship’ with exercise and food behind decision Ex-Australia captain admits she was in denial about needing help Former Australia cricket captain Meg Lanning struggled with “an unhealthy relationship” with exercise and food leading up to her shock retirement. A self-described private person, Lanning has finally decided to share why she ended her international career last November at the age of 31. The Victorian took an extended break from cricket in 2022, returned to lead Australia to a Twenty20 World Cup title in February 2023, but suddenly pulled out of last year’s Ashes fo ..read more

Yorkshire edged out by neighbours in north-east Essex, Hants, Lancs, Notts, Somerset, Surrey, Warks also get nod Durham’s chief executive, Tim Bostock, said he was “delighted” with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to award the county the right to host a professional women’s team, after they beat off strong competition from neighbouring Yorkshire. The first-class counties have spent the past two and a half months competing for the right to host one of the eight new professional “tier 1” women’s teams, and in March presented their bids to a panel which included Kelly Simmons, for ..read more

All-rounder rewarded after recent Bangladesh series Retired Meg Lanning the only player to drop off last year’s list Sophie Molineux’s successful return to international cricket has been recognised by Cricket Australia with a central contract for the blockbuster 2024-25 season, which features a T20 World Cup, an ODI series against India and the Women’s Ashes. Molineux was recalled to the national side for February’s' one-off Test match against South Africa following an injury-plagued period that saw her lose her contract in 2022 ..read more

New Zealand win by seven wickets with 11 overs to spare England clinch ODI series 2-1 after claiming the T20s 4-1 A Sophie Devine century off the final ball has guided New Zealand to a seven-wicket victory over England in the final game of the ODI series in Hamilton. Devine, the Kiwi captain, came to the crease at 90 for three but dug in and anchored her side to a comprehensive victory, finishing with 100 runs off 93 balls. She finished the game in style, hitting a six to bring up her century and secure her side’s victory ..read more

Updates from the midnight BST start time at Seddon Park Have any thoughts? Send Megan an email 4th over: England 22-1 (Knight 1, Bouchier 17) Rowe starts the over with a wide, just drifting down legside past Beaumont. But the next ball she recovers her line brilliantly to dismiss Beaumont LBW, bringing England captain Heather Knight to the crease. Knight only takes one ball to settle before she gets a quick single to get herself off the mark and bring the dominant batter in Bouchier back into the action. An excellent over from Rowe. Rowe gets her line exactly right and the ball slams into Be ..read more

Australia beat Bangladesh by 77 runs in third T20 international Vlaeminck snares three wickets in second game back for national team Tayla Vlaeminck has boosted her injury comeback as Australia’s women’s cricket team wrapped up a triumphant tour of Bangladesh with a 77-run victory in the third T20 international. Pace bowler Vlaeminck took 3-12 from her four overs as Bangladesh were dismissed for 78 after Australia posted 6-155 from their 20 overs at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Thursday ..read more