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Women’s T20 WC 2026: Litchfield, Wareham shine as Australia crush South Africa by 65 Runs

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Women’s T20 WC 2026: Litchfield, Wareham shine as Australia crush South Africa by 65 Runs

Manchester, June 13 (IANS) Phoebe Litchfield’s explosive half-century laid the foundation before Georgia Wareham led a clinical bowling display with three wickets as six-time champions Australia began their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with a commanding 65-run victory over South Africa at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday.

After posting a competitive 172/8 on the back of Litchfield’s 51 off 24 balls, Australia’s bowlers struck regularly to bowl South Africa out for 107 in 16.4 overs, with only captain Laura Wolvaardt offering significant resistance during the chase.

Chasing 173 for victory in conditions that continued to assist the bowlers, South Africa suffered an early collapse. Captain Sophie Molineux struck in the opening over to trap Sune Luus lbw before Kim Garth produced a superb delivery to bowl Annerie Dercksen in the next over, leaving the Proteas reeling at 7/2.

South Africa responded through a steady partnership between captain Laura Wolvaardt and promoted all-rounder Nadine de Klerk. The pair handled the early movement well and helped their side recover to 43/2 at the end of the powerplay. De Klerk made 25 runs and added 41 runs with Wolvaardt before Wareham broke the stand by bowling her soon after the fielding restrictions ended.

With the required rate climbing, Marizanne Kapp tried to lift the scoring, striking two boundaries off Annabel Sutherland. However, a mix-up between the wickets ended her brief innings of 12, giving Australia another breakthrough at a crucial stage.

Wolvaardt continued to fight and kept South Africa in the contest with a patient knock. She struck a six off Molineux but was dismissed for 44 off 39 balls in the following over after edging a delivery to Wareham at extra cover.

That wicket effectively ended South Africa’s hopes. Alana King removed Sinalo Jafta and Kayla Reyneke in quick succession, while Ashleigh Gardner dismissed Shabnim Ismail. Wareham then wrapped up the lower order by removing Chloe Tryon and Nonkululeko Mlaba in the same over.

South Africa were eventually bowled out for 107 in 16.4 overs. Wareham finished as Australia’s most successful bowler with figures of 3/13, while Molineux and King claimed two wickets each.

The comprehensive victory gave the six-time champions a perfect start to their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign.

Earlier, after winning the toss and choosing to bat, Australia got off to the worst possible start when opener Georgia Voll was dismissed for a duck in the first over by Marizanne Kapp. Beth Mooney also struggled in the helpful seam conditions and fell for seven, leaving Australia under pressure early.

Phoebe Litchfield then changed the momentum with a fearless counterattack. The left-hander struck a boundary off the first ball she faced and continued to take on the South African bowlers, helping Australia race to 52/2 at the end of the powerplay. She brought up a rapid half-century in just 23 balls before falling for 51 off 24 deliveries, an innings that included nine fours and a six.

South Africa tightened their grip when Ashleigh Gardner was dismissed for just one, reducing Australia to 57/4. However, Georgia Wareham and Ellyse Perry steadied the innings with a crucial 58-run partnership. Wareham played an aggressive knock of 32 from 22 balls, hitting six boundaries, before Nadine de Klerk broke the stand.

Perry then anchored the innings with a composed 36 off 26 deliveries, while Annabel Sutherland added valuable late runs with a quick 21 from 14 balls to push Australia’s total beyond 170.

South Africa were excellent in the field, with captain Laura Wolvaardt taking three impressive catches. Their bowlers also shared the wickets, with Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Nadine de Klerk claiming two wickets each.

Despite regular breakthroughs from the Proteas, Litchfield’s explosive fifty and useful contributions from Perry, Wareham, and Sutherland guided the six-time champions to a competitive 172/8 from their 20 overs in their Women’s T20 World Cup opener.

Brief Scores: Australia 172/8 in 20 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 50, Ellyse Perry 36; Nonkululeko Mlaba 2-22, Ayabonga Khaka 2-33) beat South Africa all out for 107 in 16.4 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 44, Nadine de Klerk 25; Georgia Wareham 3-13, Sophie Molineux 2-17) by 65 runs.

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Govt reviews watershed projects in Pune, urges upkeep of water structures New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Department of Land Resources (DoLR) Secretary Dilip Kumar reviewed watershed development works under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (WDC-PMKSY 2.0) in villages of Maharashtra’s Pune district, an official statement said on Saturday. Kumar urged villagers to take collective responsibility for regular maintenance and repair of the water harvesting structures created under Watershed Development Scheme, to keep these assets functional for the next 20 years. He also called for sustained efforts to transform villages under the Khed Project into water-secure and self-reliant communities, on the lines of Hiware Bazar. The review was done in Varude, Gulani and Wafgaon villages of Pune district, on October 30, 2026. Villagers said that watershed development works across 11 villages under the Khed Project had improved groundwater levels, enabling farmers to cultivate two to three crops annually thereby increasing agricultural income and rural livelihoods. Despite the drought-like conditions this year, water stored in farm ponds and improved water levels in wells associated with cement nala bunds and CCT structures have helped irrigate standing crops, according to villagers. The key objectives of watershed development under the scheme include soil and water conservation measures, enhancing agricultural productivity, and promoting sustainable rural development. “Water is the foundation of our future. Every drop of rain must be conserved to make villages water-secure and self-reliant,” Kumar told villagers. The government official visited watershed structures developed using the ridge-to-valley approach, including Continuous Contour Trenches (CCT), earthen nala bunds, cement nala bunds, Kolhapuri-type weirs and ponds for water storage. He reviewed the effectiveness of these structures in reducing rainwater runoff, enhancing groundwater recharge and improving water availability for agriculture, changes in groundwater levels and benefits received by beneficiaries. The government also reviewed farm ponds, horticulture plantations and agricultural equipment provided to beneficiaries under the scheme, along with benefits extended to women’s self-help groups.
Couple, 5-month-old son killed as pickup truck hits motorcycle in MP’s Shajapur Shajapur (Madhya Pradesh), Oct 31 (IANS) Three members of a family, including a five-month-old child, were killed when a speeding pickup truck collided with their motorcycle in Madhya Pradesh’s Shajapur district, police said on Saturday. The deceased have been identified as Ajit Panwar, his wife Pooja Panwar and their five-month-old son Shivanshu. They were residents of Indra Colony in Ashta town of neighbouring Sehore district. The accident occurred in the Salaslai police station area when the family was travelling from Bolai village towards Ayyapur for temple darshan. According to preliminary investigation, a stray dog suddenly came in front of their motorcycle. Ajit, who was riding the two-wheeler, tried to avoid hitting the animal but lost control of the motorcycle, which swerved into the path of a pickup truck approaching from the opposite direction. The pickup truck hit the motorcycle with considerable force, leaving all three family members critically injured. The motorcycle was badly damaged in the collision. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared all three dead. The family had left home on Saturday to visit a temple and offer prayers to mark the completion of five months of their son Shivanshu. However, they met with the fatal accident before reaching their destination. “The family was going for temple darshan with their child when a stray dog suddenly came in front of their motorcycle. The rider tried to save the animal but lost control and collided with a pickup coming from the opposite direction,” a police official said. The pickup driver fled the scene after the accident. Police seized both vehicles and registered a case against the unidentified driver for rash and negligent driving. “Efforts are underway to trace the absconding driver with the help of CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway,” the official added.
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Karnataka using KMF price hikes to cover financial mismanagement, alleges Pralhad Joshi New Delhi, Oct 31 (IANS) Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi on Saturday criticised the Congress government in Karnataka over the hike in Nandini curd prices, alleging that the state was using the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) as a tool to offset the financial strain caused by what he termed fiscal mismanagement. In a statement, Joshi said the Congress government has created a new record in price hikes by imposing unprecedented increases on essential commodities, thereby putting an additional burden on ordinary people. He alleged that the government led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar was using KMF to cover up its financial mismanagement and depleted state coffers by resorting to excessive price hikes. According to Joshi, the price of 500 ml Nandini curd has been increased from Rs 28 to Rs 34, a hike of Rs 6 or 21.43 per cent. Similarly, the price of one litre of curd has been raised from Rs 54 to Rs 68, an increase of Rs 14 or 25.93 per cent. “While giving curd to the people, the Congress government is enjoying the butter,” he remarked, accusing the government of exploiting consumers. Pointing out that the government increased the price of milk by Rs 8 per litre just a day earlier, Joshi said the latest increase in curd prices, ranging from 21 to 26 per cent, would severely affect poor and middle-class families. He further alleged that the Congress government, which had made development a distant dream in Karnataka, was now collecting money from the poorest sections of society through repeated price increases in KMF products. The Union Minister said the successive hikes reflected the government’s anti-people policies and its failure to manage the state’s finances effectively. The Karnataka government has announced an Rs 8 per litre hike in the price of Nandini milk, which takes effect on November 1, 2026. The government states that out of the Rs 8 increase, Rs 7 goes directly to dairy farmers and Rs 1 goes to the milk cooperatives (KMF) for operational expenses. –IANS mka/skp
,
Tamil Nadu raises DA from 60 pc to 63 pc, effective July 1 Chennai, Oct 31 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered a three-percentage-point increase in dearness allowance for government employees and teachers, with pensioners and family pensioners also benefiting from the revision announced ahead of Deepavali. The increase, which raises the allowance from 60 per cent to 63 per cent, will take retrospective effect from July 1, 2026. Approximately 16 lakh employees, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners will benefit, according to a notification issued by the state government. The measure will impose an additional annual expenditure of Rs 1,858 crore on the state exchequer. The government said it would allocate the additional funds required to implement the revision as part of its commitment to the welfare of serving and retired personnel. The decision follows the Union government’s increase in dearness allowance for central government employees from 60 per cent to 63 per cent, effective July 1. Tamil Nadu has adopted the same revised rate and commencement date for its employees and teachers. In its notification, the government highlighted the contribution of government officials and teachers to the formulation and implementation of welfare schemes. It said their work played an important role in ensuring that programmes designed for public welfare were implemented effectively. The administration was introducing and carrying out various initiatives for the benefit of the people, the notification said. Government employees and teachers were key participants in this process, contributing both to the planning of programmes and their delivery. Recognising these responsibilities and giving priority to employee welfare, the Chief Minister considered the revision following the Centre’s announcement and ordered the corresponding increase for the state workforce, the government said. The notification also emphasised the inclusion of pensioners and family pensioners among the beneficiaries. The financial commitment, it said, reflected the government’s concern for all four groups covered by the announcement. With Deepavali approaching, the government said the increase would help beneficiaries celebrate the festival with greater happiness. The announcement places the welfare of employees, teachers and pension-dependent households at the centre of the festive-season measure. Although the revised allowance takes effect retrospectively from July, the notification provided in the announcement does not specify when arrears will be paid. It confirms the effective date, the revised rate, the estimated number of beneficiaries and the recurring annual expenditure the state will bear under the decision. –IANS aal/uk