T20 World Cup mode activated! My weekend long read on Corbin Bosch including: 🧱 his obsession with lego! 🇦🇺 why he moved to Australia and came back 🏏 his cricketing goals for the next two years Read here:⬇️ www.espncricinfo.com/story/how-la...

Bowls fast, hits hard, like dad: late bloomer Corbin Bosch is making up for lost time

The South Africa allrounder talks about his dream debut and looks ahead to the T20 World Cup

espncricinfo.com

In South African cricket, that 2am phone call came from Quinton de Kock and was to express his desire to play international cricket again. Now, he finds himself in the white-ball squads to Pakistan and could be in line for the next two World Cups. www.espncricinfo.com/story/quinto...

De Kock is back on his own with 'no strings attached'

Head coach Shuki Conrad says de Kock's inclusion for the next two World Cups will depend largely on his form and fitness

espncricinfo.com

White elephant or cash cow? Zimbabwe’s new stadium project faces questions. I try to look for some answers here: www.espncricinfo.com/story/zimbab...

Will ZC reap benefits from investing heavily into Victoria Falls Stadium?

David Coltart, the former sports minister, called it a "misplaced budgetary priority" as ZC look to market it as a destination venue for touring teams and the fans

espncricinfo.com

One of cricket's great redemption stories comes full circle. Brendan Taylor is back! We spoke a few months ago about going through rehab, a ban and how he hopes to make a difference. Looking forward to seeing his return. www.espncricinfo.com/story/brenda...

'I didn't know how to do life anymore': Brendan Taylor's biggest battle

The Zimbabwe batter talks about falling down a black hole of drug abuse and then getting his life back

espncricinfo.com

Hello Summer (she says, from a cold Cape, promising to be better on this app) South Africa's eight months of non-stop cricket starts this week with a T20 series in Australia & a new-look opening pair. Ryan Rickelton's already a senior and shared thoughts here: www.espncricinfo.com/story/ryan-r...

Rickelton 'won't change' approach as he looks to make T20I opening spot his own

With teenager Lhuan Dre-Pretorius set to open with him, Rickelton could be thrust into the senior role

espncricinfo.com

I've been covering the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco for the last two weeks and it has been both joyous and challenging. Enjoyed the opportunity to write about some of my best memories for the The Guardian's Moving the Goalposts: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Wafcon offers spectacular songs and goals – but where is the next generation?

Today’s newsletter comes from Morocco, where the tournament has produced some fine football but has yet to win over the general public

theguardian.com

Tried to stay as present as possible in the last 3 weeks which means I haven’t posted as much as I could/should have but it’s been special. Memories for a lifetime.

"Breathe Mzansi. We're all right" ✍️ Spirit and togetherness shine through at Lord's in a victory that unites the past, present and future of South African cricket, and South Africa itself

'Together-together' - why South Africa's triumph matters on the long walk to freedom

Spirit and togetherness shine through at Lord's in a victory that unites the past, present and future of South African cricket, and South Africa itself

espncricinfo.com

Having sat next to @firdosem.bsky.social all Test I can vouch for the strange noises! This epic piece puts the squeaking into full context www.espncricinfo.com/story/why-so... #WTCfinal

'Together-together' - why South Africa's triumph matters on the long walk to freedom

Spirit and togetherness shine through at Lord's in a victory that unites the past, present and future of South African cricket, and South Africa itself

espncricinfo.com

Whatever the final result, Aiden Markram's century will be engraved into the annals of South African cricket history as one of the great fourth-innings responses ▶️ bit.ly/4kG7ipL #SAvAUS #WTC25

Test match week! #WTCFinal week! To kick things off, I’ve got an exclusive with South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma on preparation, pressure and what we all may have got wrong about him in 2016. www.espncricinfo.com/story/austra...

World Test Championship final build up is in full swing. It was great to chat to Graeme Smith and Vernon Philander - the architects of the 2012 triumph - on if and how South Africa can do it again. www.espncricinfo.com/story/south-...

There and back again: South Africa look to come full circle at Lord's

Graeme Smith and Vernon Philander look back to 2012, when South Africa became the No. 1 Test side, and what the team needs to do to get there again in the WTC final

espncricinfo.com

I'm really happy to share that I finished second for Best Colour Piece in Africa on the AIPS awards! www.aipsmedia.com/aips/pages/a...

AIPS Sport Media Awards 2024 Continental rankings unveiled: Meet the best performers in Africa

aipsmedia.com

"I didn't know how to do life anymore" Brendan Taylor opens up to @firdosem.bsky.social about his descent into a black hole of drug abuse, and how he's got his life back on track Full interview: bit.ly/4kiWqNS

After a three-and-a-half year ban, Brendan Taylor could make a comeback to international cricket in August, and he’s ready to give whatever he can for his country 🇿🇼 Full interview by @firdosem.bsky.social: bit.ly/4kiWqNS

Our latest @espncricinfo.com Powerplay podcast is a deep-dive into West Indies and how they will move on from failing to qualify for the World Cup. They're in England, who are under a new captain and coach and also starting again. @valkeriebaynes.bsky.social www.espncricinfo.com/story/powerp...

Powerplay podcast: West Indies look to bounce back in English summer

Legspinner Afy Fletcher looks ahead to WI vs England

espncricinfo.com

Zimbabwe will play 11 Tests this year (8 at home) despite not being part of the World Test Championship. Why? How much will it cost them? And how much will they gain? I found out here: ⬇️ www.espncricinfo.com/story/2025-i...

From poverty to plenty: 2025 is a bumper Test year for Zimbabwe like none before

It's quite a radical upgrade for the team's players, who haven't ever had this much opportunity thrown at them before

espncricinfo.com

Shukri Conrad's plan to get to ensure South Africa have their best players for bilaterals: www.espncricinfo.com/story/south-...

Conrad confident SA players will prioritise national duty over T20 leagues

"I can quite comfortably say that at every turn the best Proteas side will be put out on the field," he said on Friday

espncricinfo.com

For the last month, we've been wondering why Kagiso Rabada returned from the IPL and everyone we asked claimed they didn't know. This was why. To serve a ban for failing a drugs test. He is now cleared to play. www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-20...

Kagiso Rabada cleared to play again after serving doping suspension

He will be available for South Africa for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia next month

espncricinfo.com

Women's ODIs over the last month have been pretty lit 🔥 and this is the latest! India win a thriller despite a Tazmin Brits hundred thanks to Sneh Rana's five-for. www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-l...

Brits 109 in vain as Rana five-for scripts India's thrilling win

Women's Tri-Series (SL) 2025, IND Women vs SA Women Match Report: South Africa lost eight wickets for 80 runs, including three in an over to Rana as India defended 276

espncricinfo.com

Not sure I quite believed everything I saw at these qualifiers. What a tournament! Pakistan surprised us all, Bangladesh will breathe a sigh of relief and oh my word West Indies. As we say… eish! www.espncricinfo.com/story/wwc-qu...

West Indies' historic chase ends in heartbreak as Bangladesh seal World Cup spot

Despite pulling off a stunning win over Thailand, West Indies finished with a net run rate 0.013 short of Bangladesh

espncricinfo.com

The ICC's initiative to support Afghan female cricketers in exile will be funded by them, the ECB, BCCI and CA and NOT from the Afghanistan Cricket Board's Full Member disbursements. More here: www.espncricinfo.com/story/bcci-e...

BCCI, ECB, CA to help fund ICC's plan to support Afghan women cricketers

No money will be taken from the ICC's annual payments to the Afghanistan Cricket Board

espncricinfo.com

Some interesting developments as the ICC pledge to support Afghanistan's female cricketers in exile, without even contacting them first to let them know. This is what the initiative could look like: www.espncricinfo.com/story/afghan...

ACB-contracted women cricketers could first benefit from ICC's new initiative

It's understood that ICC's willingness to engage with them comes as cricket prepares to make its Olympic comeback in 2028

espncricinfo.com

Women's ODI World Cup Qualifiers are underway and to kick things off @valkeriebaynes.bsky.social and I chatted to Orla Prendagast about the importance of their first game against Pakistan (on now), her cricketing journey and much more: 🎧 here: www.espncricinfo.com/story/powerp...

Finishing off this very cool week with a piece I am so proud of in @theguardian.com that looks at the complexities of Kirsty Coventry's rise from Zimbabwe's Sports Minister to the IOC presidency. Read here: ⬇️ www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/m...

View from Africa: how Kirsty Coventry will handle sport’s biggest job at the IOC

Incoming IOC president owes her position to political support but is promising a collective and sustainable leadership approach

theguardian.com

I'm proud to share that @firdosem.bsky.social and I have been longlisted in the AIPS (International Sports Press Association) Sport Media Awards audio category for our ESPNcricinfo Powerplay podcast episode with Tazmin Brits. ICYMI here it is⬇️🎧 open.spotify.com/episode/2dfu...

Tazmin Brits opens up about battles on and off the field

Powerplay: A Women’s Cricket Podcast · Episode

open.spotify.com

What a week! @valkeriebaynes.bsky.social and I had our podcast longlisted for an award, my social media piece was also longlisted and I sold THREE stories in Kirsty Coventry and the IOC Presidential Election. Not necessarily familiar territory for me but I've thoroughly enjoyed covering.

“A bad day to have a bad day” as South Africa finish up at the #ChampionsTrophy as losing semi-finalists. It’s another knockout gone wrong but there’s no reason to be too upset. www.espncricinfo.com/story/champi...

South Africa down but not out after loss that will help them 'keep learning'

As their coach Rob Walter put it: "We're two-and-half years to the 2027 World Cup and that's the eyes on the prize"

espncricinfo.com

Honest, frank and to the point: Rassie van der Dussen says it like it is about the Champions Trophy scheduling. And... flips the script, by putting the pressure back on the team who don't have to travel and can play all their games at one venue. www.espncricinfo.com/story/van-de...

Van der Dussen: 'Don't have to be a rocket scientist' to know India have advantage

"If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practise in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it's definitely an advantage"

espncricinfo.com

For our latest episode of the ESPNcricinfo Powerplay podcast, @firdosem.bsky.social and I caught up with West Indies star Chinelle Henry, who promptly went and made the most of her WPL debut: www.espncricinfo.com/story/west-i...

Chinelle Henry: WPL 'a really huge opportunity for me'

West Indies star talks to the <b>Powerplay Podcast</b> about her WPL debut, and much else

espncricinfo.com