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Dale Benkenstein, Hampshire’s head coach, has left the club with immediate effect because of family pressures. He leaves Hampshire two months from the end of a season in which they lie at the foot of Division One of the Championship and have failed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast for the first time in eight years.Benkenstein, who led the club to two T20 Blast Finals Days and a 4-day promotion during his two-and-a-half years in charge, said “I have loved every minute of my time at Hampshire. It is with genuine regret that I leave at this time but the extended periods of separation from my family responsibilities in South Africa have become increasingly more difficult for me and my wife and they need to be my priority at this time.”I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and beyond and I would like to place on record, my sincere thanks to Giles White and the Management team for the honourable way in which they have handled this situation.”White, Hampshire director of cricket, Giles White said: “We are naturally disappointed to be losing Dale at this stage of the season. However, we have been aware of the difficulties he has encountered and understand his decision to step down.”He has worked tirelessly over the last two and a half seasons and we would like to thank him for all of his hard work and wish him well for the future.”Hampshire have no plans for an immediate replacement. Until further notice, Dale’s first XI coaching responsibilities will be absorbed by the other members of the professional coaching team.

The USA Cricket Association’s status as a suspended Associate member is expected to be upheld but without going to the next step of expulsion at the upcoming ICC Annual Conference in Edinburgh. In an interview with ESPNcricinfo during his recent meetings held in the USA, the ICC head of global development Tim Anderson stated that USACA needs to be given a fair chance to meet reinstatement conditions that were laid out to them last year before a final determination is given.”USACA cannot be expelled at this year’s annual conference,” Anderson told ESPNcricinfo in Colorado Springs where the ICC are in the process of shifting their Americas office from Toronto. “I think that is an important point to make that a suspended member is still a member. There will be an update to our board at our annual conference meeting at the end of June. I know the community at large is very interested in this topic. USACA as our current member needs to be given sufficient opportunity to meet those reinstatement conditions.””Some of the conditions have changed over the last 12 months including the requirement to develop a new constitution for US cricket which is now sitting with the US cricket advisory committee to consider that. Things have changed over the course of time so we need to appreciate that because we’ve changed things, USACA needs to be given appropriate time to assess that.”According to the ICC’s Articles of Association, article 2.6 section B states that expulsion or cessation of membership following a period of suspension can only occur “upon the requisite resolution being passed at [Annual] Conference following a proposal notified in writing to the Chief Executive prior to 31st December in any year for consideration at Conference in the immediately following year, such proposal being made and seconded by Full Members.”No such resolution was put forward to the ICC board by the end of 2015. Anderson sent out an email to the US cricket community on Thursday informing them that USACA has until December 15 to meet reinstatement conditions, chief among them to ratify a new constitution. If USACA does not, it would leave 16 days for a board resolution to be proposed, setting up USACA for potentially being expelled from membership in June 2017.On the topic of the constitution, Anderson held a meeting with the 10-person Sustainable Foundation US advisory group last weekend in Colorado Springs in which members of the US Olympic Committee were also in attendance. Developing a constitution that fits in with USOC guidelines is something Anderson said is a priority for the Sustainable Foundation group going forward.”We’re all aware of the disjointed nature of the community at this point in time,” Anderson said. “Having a constitution that is able to secure the future of US cricket and bring all parties together is absolutely fundamental to the game’s successful future here. So as part of the reinstatement conditions as they currently stand, we’ve put together an advisory group representative of a broad spectrum of US cricket and other experts that over this weekend were considering what a unifying constitution might look like and what principles and fundamentals should be included to bring US cricket together.”One of the elements of that was whether cricket should be a member of the USOC. The USOC has a number of mandatory requirements for its members to have in their constitution. Rick Adams, one of the senior executives of the USOC, attended that meeting and gave some background on what the USOC is about, what benefits it can offer sports in America and how being part of the USOC has some obligations not just in terms of constitution but other things as well. The general view of the group is that it’s right for cricket to be a part of the USOC and therefore the mainstream American sports family.”Among the constitutional guidelines required to meet USOC statutes are athlete representation on the USACA board as well as independent directors. Those were included in a series of recommendations produced by TSE Consulting in a governance review in 2013, but were eventually rejected for inclusion in a proposed new constitution at that year’s USACA Annual General Meeting.As for a timeframe for when a new constitution might be presented to USACA for ratification or rejection, Anderson hopes that it can be accomplished within the next one to two months. Anderson said though that although ratifying a new constitution is the number one condition for reinstatement, it would not be the sole determining factor in USACA’s suspension potentially being lifted and that the other 38 terms and conditions must be met as well.”USACA will be requested to consider the adoption of a proposed constitution in order to meet that reinstatement condition,” Anderson said. “But at this point the [ICC] board’s position is that USACA needs to meet all the reinstatement conditions in order to be reinstated as an ICC member. It doesn’t meet all those reinstatement conditions right now. It continues to be suspended but it has more time to work on those things.”

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRoyal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli had another outstanding match•BCCI

It seemed a little like grandstanding when Virat Kohli said he “loved” that Royal Challengers Bangalore had to win four out of four matches to quality for the playoffs. That was two weeks ago, when his team was placed sixth and he had recorded his first single-digit score of the season. Since then the lowest Kohli has been dismissed for is 109 and Royal Challengers have racked up the back-to-back wins they needed. Their six-wicket dismantling of Delhi Daredevils on Sunday took them up to second place on the points table, a qualifier at home and a second shot at a place in the IPL final.

Shane Watson reprimanded

Royal Challengers Bangalore allrounder Shane Watson was reprimanded by match referee Chinmay Sharma for using language or gesture which is deemed obscene, offensive or insulting during a match. Watson admitted to the Level 1 offence (Article 2.1.4 of the IPL Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials) and accepted the sanction. The match referee’s decision is final and binding for Level 1 breaches of the IPL Code of Conduct.

Raipur provided the toughest batting conditions yet for Royal Challengers this season. The pitch had extra bounce, and the boundaries were long enough that top edges and mis-hits didn’t simply skip away. Their bowlers made use of both and strangled Daredevils to 138 for 8. That Quinton de Kock contributed 60 of those runs exemplifies the lack of application from the rest of the Daredevils batsmen.Kohli understood hitting through the line wasn’t prudent. When he had tried to do so in the sixth over, a good length ball from Chris Morris had straightened, kissed the edge and fell short of Karun Nair at first slip. Royal Challengers had already lost Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers. Losing the man who has averaged nearly 100 in T20 cricket in 2016 too could have been catastrophic.Kohli, though, refused to give his wicket away. He concentrated on the singles and twos and barring a pristine on-drive that totally disrespected a good length ball on middle stump and an inside edge to fine leg, the rest of his six fours came off deliveries that were short, down leg or overpitched. He struck the winning runs with 11 balls to spare and his unbeaten 45-ball 54 propelled his average above 100 in 2016.The most pleasing aspect of the Royal Challengers’ victory, however, lay in the efficiency of their bowlers. Left-arm seamer S Aravind made the first blow immediately after de Kock catch was dropped off his bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal did not spin the ball much, but he was able to make it kick up off the pitch. That aspect accounted for two of his three wickets – Sanju Samson was caught behind attempting a late cut and de Kock holed out to long-off.On both occasions the batsman had seemed rather unhappy. Samson felt he did not nick it, but replays suggested the ball had run off the face and into wicketkeeper KL Rahul’s gloves. De Kock was stopped before he left the ground so the umpires could check the no-ball. Replays in this case indicated Chahal had overstepped, but the third umpire Virender Sharma disagreed.Bad luck, however, was a distant second in the list of reasons why Daredevils, having won five out of seven matches at the start of the season, crashed out. Tweaks in selection – some forced by injury and others strategic – didn’t give them continuity. On Sunday, they dropped JP Duminy, who was out of form but had the experience to come good in a crunch match, for Sam Billings, who hadn’t played since May 7.The other change, Morris, worked a little better. He was held back until No. 8 – another questionable move – and struck and unbeaten 27 off 13 balls. His height and hit-the-deck style of bowling had Gayle bowled off the inside edge in the second over. Daredevils built on that in the next over when a Zaheer Khan delivery got big on de Villiers and had him spooning a catch to cover point. At 17 for 2, Royal Challengers needed a partnership. They got one as Rahul lent a hand to Kohli and the 66 runs they added took the team within striking distance of victory.The Daredevils innings had cried out for two batsmen to take responsibility like that. De Kock, brought up on the fast and bouncy tracks in Johannesburg, did well to keep one end ticking along. His six down the ground off Aravind was simple and brutal and a four to fine leg off a ball that had been outside off showcased his inventiveness. But his partners were less adept at coping with the pitch and the nagging bowling.Rishabh Pant nicked off for 1 to Aravind. Karun Nair was caught brilliantly on the boundary by Kohli, who had tracked the ball down from mid-off. Samson played an excellent slog sweep by smothering Chahal’s legspin but fell the next ball. Billings could not get on top of a Chris Jordan delivery and was caught by a diving Gayle at point. Pawan Negi, elevated to No. 6, to hit the legspinner and left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla off their line was dismissed for 6 off 12 and Carlos Brathwaite guided his second ball to point. Daredevils lost five wickets for 36 runs and lurched from 71 for 2 in the 10th over to 107 for 7 in the 17th. A recovery from there was just too much of an ask.

Heinrich Klaasen will captain a second-string South African T20I side in Pakistan, with most of the Test squad returning home to prepare for a three-match series against Australia, scheduled to start in March though yet to be officially confirmed. George Linde, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi and Lutho Sipamla are the only members of the Test squad that will remain in Pakistan for the T20Is.South Africa named an 18-man T20I group for the Pakistan series, with three maiden inclusions. Fast bowler Okuhle Cele, wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton and top-order batsman Jacques Snyman received their first call-ups to the national side while David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Reeza Hendricks and Jon-Jon Smuts will provide experience and familiarity.Details of which members of the coaching staff will remain with the T20I squad are still to be finalised. Last week coach Mark Boucher revealed that initial plans were for him to return home with the Test squad and assistant coach Enoch Nkwe would remain with the T20I team. It is not yet clear whether bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and fielding coach Justin Ontong will travel back to South Africa or stay on in Pakistan.”We’re in the final stages of concluding plans for how the coaching and support staff will also be managed for the two tours. We will share those details when they have been finalised,” Graeme Smith, director of cricket, said in a statement. “It’s an example of the measures that some cricket nations will have to put in place to ensure that they can squeeze more than one tour in a period of three or four months, while fulfilling Covid-19 protocol obligations.”CSA has also yet to confirm the travel arrangements for the T20I side, which will hinge on whether Emirates airlines resumes flights into and out of South Africa, allowing for the team to take a commercial flight. The Test squad was originally booked on Emirates flights last Friday but the airline suspended all travel to the country for “operational reasons” from January 16 to 28, forcing CSA to organise a last-minute charter for the Test side. Given the costs of charters, CSA is understood to be reluctant to book another and there was some concern that the T20I series would be at risk. As things stand, it is set to go ahead.”A lot will be said about the inexperience of this team, but the selection panel and I believe we have a special group of players in this team that will do us proud in Pakistan,” Victor Mpitsang, South Africa’s convenor of selectors, said. “It’s a big year for T20 international cricket, with the World Cup coming up and this is the ideal opportunity for youngsters to put their hands up and grab opportunities, however they may come. We are excited to see what these youngsters will do under what won’t be the easiest of conditions, but more than that, we as a panel, are looking forward to seeing the more experienced players step up as leaders and take ownership of the team.”Related

• Favourites Pakistan gear up for T20 season against fresh-faced South Africa

• SA name uncapped Daryn Dupavillon, Ottniel Baartman for Tests

• Jansen replaces Baartman as South Africa fly to Pakistan

• Security 'was a concern', but focus back on cricket for de Kock

While regular white-ball captain Quinton de Kock will be back to lead the T20I squad as the World Cup draws nearer, the Pakistan matches are an opportunity for opening batsmen Janneman Malan and Reeza Hendricks and death bowler Junior Dala to make strong claims for more regular inclusion in limited-overs teams and for Klaasen to cement his spot as a senior player. Though it will be his first time captaining South Africa, he has previously led the Titans franchise 21 times in all formats and captained the Tshwane Spartans in the inaugural Mzansi Super League.While none of the senior seamers are included, Dala and Pretorius have international experience, left-armer Nandre Burger has a domestic reputation for swinging the ball and Glenton Stuurman, who was part of the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series but didn’t play a game with a quadricep injury, could finally make his international debut. Shamsi will head up the spin department, with Smuts, Snyman and Bjorn Fortuin in reserve.South Africa will play three T20s in Lahore on February 11, 13 and 14. The dates and venues for the Tests against Australia are yet to be confirmed but it is understood the series will start in late February or early March, necessitating those players that will be involved to return home from Pakistan at the conclusion of the second Test on February 8.Squad: Heinrich Klaasen, Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Pite van Biljon, Glenton Stuurman, Jacques Snyman

Nottinghamshire advanced to the threshold of a vital Rothesay County Championship victory over Worcestershire on a heavily rain-affected third day at Visit Worcestershire New Road.The visitors’ seam attack excelled for the second time in the match as the home side followed their first innings 182 all out with 160. Lyndon James took five for 35, passing 100 first-class wickets in the process, and Josh Tongue added four for 52 (seven for 111 in the match).That left Nottinghamshire needing just 136 for victory and they reached 40 for one among the showers before yet more rain lopped off the last 21 overs. On a seamer-friendly pitch, the small target is no formality, but Haseeb Hameed’s side should, weather permitting, close out the win on the final day.Nottinghamshire made the prompt start they wanted on the third day as the weather allowed play to begin on time, but they were kept waiting for a breakthrough. Gareth Roderick and Ethan Brookes extended their partnership for another 56 minutes.The sixth-wicket pair added 52 in 26 overs before the impressive James struck with successive balls. Brookes drove a wide delivery straight to cover where substitute fielder Joe Pocklington (on for Mohammad Abbas who had suffered a bask spasm) took a smart catch. Matthew Waite was pinned lbw.Tom Taylor survived the hat-trick ball, but seven overs later endured a candidate for most aggravating minute of the season. A short ball from Dillon Pennington rose only knee high to torpedo the batter lbw. Taylor then watched in angst as rain arrived immediately and everyone else followed him back to the pavilion.To Nottinghamshire’s delight, the rain cleared to allow play after an early lunch and they quickly polished off the innings. Tongue had Ben Allison caught at first slip and James completed his third first class five-for by hitting Khurram Shahzad’s off-stump. Roderick was left unbeaten on 37 from 116 balls. The Durban-born wicketkeeper-batter has had a terrific match with 98 runs for once out in a low-scoring contest and five catches with power to add.When Nottinghamshire launched their pursuit of their small but ticklish, Worcestershire made the perfect start. Taylor bowled Haseeb Hameed for the second time in the match to leave Nottinghamshire’s captain with a pair against the Pears.Rain soon returned and in the fragments of play which followed, Ben Slater and Freddie McCann, the latter playing with considerable panache in the gloom, avoided further mishap to advance their side to within touching distance of a potentially momentous victory.

Glamorgan 327 (Kellaway 90, Ingram 87, Agar 4-58, Parkinson 4-103) and 25 for 2 need another 163 runs to beat Kent 155 (Bell-Drummond 55, van der Gugten 3-27, Harris 3-35) and 360 (Finch 68, Stewart 63, Evison 49, Compton 48, Benjamin 46) A series of starts took Kent to a respectable second innings to add pressure onto Glamorgan’s day-four chase.Harry Finch’s 68 and Grant Stewart’s counter-attacking 63 dragged Kent back into the contest after a first innings collapse hindered their chances against Glamorgan. Partnerships of 84 and 68 for the fifth and sixth wicket, respectively took the visitors to 360 – without full use of injured Joe Denly to enforce a nervous task of chasing 189 after first innings dominance from the hosts.Kent bowlers were in high spirits, taking two wickets in an aggressive spell of 14 overs continuing their day in the driving seat to leave the Welsh county 25 for 2, requiring 164 from the final day. Chris Cooke and Timm van der Gugten’s batting capabilities remain uncertain after both being off the field for the entire day.From 106 for 1 overnight and beginning a fightback to the Glamorgan first-innings dominance, Ben Compton and Chris Benjamin started conservatively in the knowledge that they’d need to bat all day to produce a competitive day four.Trying to be cute with a paddle-sweep by way of releasing the shackles from 10 off 43 inside the first hour, Compton fell, gifting a wicket to Glamorgan. Compton fell short of a half-century (and his 1000-run season milestone), a moment which foreshadowed the remainder of the top order.Daniel Bell-Drummond found a start, before being given out caught-behind attempting to hook a bouncer that ballooned to sub-keeper Alex Horton. The second dismissal of the morning allowed Joey Evison to dismiss a Ben Kellaway loosener to give Kent the lead at 175 for 3.The theme of Kent losing their wickets rather than Glamorgan taking the wickets by force continued. Benjamin dragged on a wide half-volley before Evison chipped a standard, probing Zain Ul Hassan delivery of medium-pace to short-cover – the third batter to fall in the forties. Glamorgan’s usual fifth seamer stepping up as the pick of the bowlers in van der Gugten’s absence while eighth bowler Kiran Carlson claimed 3 for 24 after his introduction in the 105th over.After a much-needed partnership from Evison and Finch, the former fell for 49. Finch, together with the newfound aggression of Stewart, kept the momentum going against the ungiving Kookaburra ball with stand-in captain Carlson having numerous exchanges about changing the ball throughout the day.The pair’s half-centuries, making the most of the life given to Stewart on one where he was dropped at slip by Carlson off Kellaway, gave the visitors a fighting chance until further soft dismissals brought a premature end to the innings; Matt’s Parkinson and Quinn both recording pairs succeeding Stewart bringing up a half-century with three consecutive sixes off Carlson who had been proving to be Glamorgan’s golden arm.The seemingly flat pitch showed some life in the gloomy evening conditions, both Carlson and nightwatcher James Harris took the brunt of Wes Agar giving his all after both openers were dismissed.

Former captain Dasun Shanaka and bowling allrounder Chamika Karunaratne have been recalled to Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh. Also part of the 17-member side is the uncapped right-arm quick Eshan Malinga, who has played six ODIs for Sri Lanka. Dunith Wellalage, too, returns to the fold after being left out for the T20Is in New Zealand late last year.Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Asitha Fernando were among those who missed the cut.Shanaka had last turned out for Sri Lanka in July 2024, but has been a frequent presence on the franchise circuit – most recently with Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 this February, when he impressed in his role as a lower-order finisher during the side’s run to the title.Related

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• Bangladesh drop Shanto, make five changes for SL T20Is

Karunaratne, who last played for Sri Lanka in November 2023, has focused his efforts solely on domestic cricket since being dropped. In the last two years, only Wanindu Hasaranga, Karunaratne and Wellalage have scored at least 300 runs and taken at least 20 wickets across all domestic T20 tournaments conducted by SLC, including the Lanka Premier League (LPL).Malinga, meanwhile, is the latest seam-bowling property out of Sri Lanka, having put in an impressive performance for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2025. His 13 wickets across seven games at an average of 18.30 was only below Pat Cummins (16) and Harshal Patel (16) for SRH, though they played twice as many games as Malinga. Since making his T20 debut in 2022, Malinga has gone wicketless only once in 27 innings.Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando made up the rest of what is a varied pace contingent for Sri Lanka. Apart from them, both Shanaka and Karunaratne provide seam-bowling options. On the spin-bowling front, meanwhile, there were no surprises, with Jeffrey Vandersay serving as back-up to Maheesh Theekshana and Hasaranga, while Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka were available as well.There are plenty of batting options with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu, Dinesh Chandimal and Asalanka making up the top- and middle-order options, while Shanaka, Karunaratne, Wellalage and Hasaranga are all capable with the bat down the order.The T20I series against Bangladesh starts on July 10, with the next two matches on July 13 and 16.

Sri Lanka’s T20I squad

Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Binura Fernando, Eshan Malinga

The World Cricketers’ Association (WCA, formerly FICA) has expressed its “concern” after receiving reports of certain cricket boards not paying the “prize money in full” to their players, who participated at the last men’s T20 World Cup, earlier this year in the USA and the West Indies.”In some cases the failure to pay in full has been paired with threatening and intimidatory behaviour by National Governing Bodies to player groups,” the WCA said in a statement on Wednesday.ESPNcricinfo understands that players from five of the 20 participating teams – of which eight were Associate Members of the ICC – have not been paid their dues.Related

• WCA hopes to find solution to 'broken and unsustainable' cricket schedule

“We are extremely concerned with a number of countries who are still yet to pay players their prize money from the men’s T20 World Cup held in the US and Caribbean earlier in the year, and especially with a number of threats made against players who stand up for themselves and their colleagues in some cricket environments,” Tom Moffat, WCA chief executive, said. “We appreciate the ICC’s efforts to date in ensuring the players involved are paid in full, and are certain the ICC will continue to take all appropriate steps against any Boards who do not do so, and to enforce their own Terms of Participation.”Every player in our sport should receive the benefits they are entitled to in full, and should be provided with a safe environment to play, work, and advocate for themselves and their colleagues off field, through a players’ association if they choose.”The statement was released after the WCA board met this week in Singapore for its annual general meeting, where it also approved the establishment of a Global Player Hardship Fund.The fund, the WCA said, has been designed to support international players in need “who are not covered by the game’s existing domestic frameworks for support”.JP Van Wyk, WCA’s head of welfare and education, said, “Professional athletes face unique challenges in their short careers and we know through the great work that many players’ associations do at domestic level that tailored player welfare support structures have supported players in their time of need. We also know that in an increasingly global player employment market there are notable gaps in the current system in assisting players in extreme cases of hardship.”Although this fund will operate within certain constraints, and will complement domestic offerings, we are certain it is going to assist those current and recently retired international cricketers who are presently unsupported and vulnerable.”The fund will be governed by “an oversight group” made up of experts and players’ association representatives.Meanwhile, Heath Mills and Sana Mir have been reappointed executive chair and independent director respectively.

England star Alice Capsey followed up her opening-day 51 with a well-made 59 as Oval Invincibles defeated Welsh Fire by six wickets at Cardiff.Capsey hit seven boundaries in her 48-ball knock before she was brilliantly caught at long-on by Hayley Matthews off Freya Davies with 27 runs still required.All-rounders Marizanne Kapp (26*) and Mady Villiers (11*) then took the reins to extinguish any Welsh Fire hopes, guiding Invincibles home with 12 balls to spare.The Invincibles’ chase got off to a far from ideal start as they lost Lauren Winfield-Hill on the second ball of the innings, caught at cover by Tammy Beaumont off Shabnim Ismail for a duck.Paige Schofield (11) and Capsey didn’t let this early loss faze them, playing fluently to move the score along to 37 for 1 after 20 balls, the latter crucially being dropped at long-on by Ismail off Jess Jonassen two runs later.Capsey overturned an lbw decision on 43 off the bowling of Jonassen and went on to bring up her fifty from 42 balls.Welsh Fire won the toss and elected to bat, losing Beaumont for four to the eighth ball of the innings, an outswinger from Kapp which drew an edge behind to Winfield-Hill.After 25 balls, Welsh Fire had laboured to 17 for 1 and they soon found themselves 20 for 2 when Amanda-Jade Wellington struck first ball to remove the dangerous Matthews for just 6, caught brilliantly by Kapp running in from the cover boundary.Sophia Dunkley made 35 from 26 balls before skying Wellington to Ryana MacDonald-Gay at long-on and Jonassen, who took over Dunkley’s role as aggressor, played enterprisingly for 32 not out from 22 balls as Welsh Fire closed their innings on a below-par 116 for 5.Meerkat Match Hero Capsey, said: “Pace on was really nice, so capitalising on that up the top in the powerplay. When it got a bit harder, they were bowling really well with change-ups and bowling a bit slower, me and Kappy built a partnership and knew the longer it went on, the easier it would get for the others coming in at the back end.”I’ve been feeling in really good nick but I think the most pleasing thing for me is my calmness. I think last year I was a bit frantic. So, it’s nice to be back in this space where I can contribute to team wins.”

USA had several things going against them.The conditions: Before today, they’d never played at Nassau County Stadium; this was India’s fourth game at the venue.Personnel: Monank Patel, the designated captain, was out injured.The toss: Rohit Sharma called correctly and asked USA to bat in seaming conditions.Experience: A motley crew with day jobs against cricketing royalty.It had all the makings of a one-sided fare. Except, it was anything but.At one stage, with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both dismissed by Saurabh Netravalkar, and India 15 for 2 in chase of 111, USA dared to dream.When Rishabh Pant was castled by Ali Khan, thirty-thousand screaming fans, many of them Indian-Americans, gave more wings to those dreams.This was now USA’s game to lose.But in Suryakumar Yadav, India had a crisis man who bailed them out of choppy waters. He was helped along by Shivam Dube during the course of a half-century stand that proved to be a game-changer.India are now through to the Super Eights, but USA are still very much masters of their own fate; a win over Ireland, even a washout, will see them through, ahead of Pakistan whom they famously beat in a Super Over thriller last week.On a day when he did most things right, Saurabh Netravalkar shelled a chance to hand Suryakumar Yadav a vital life•ICC/Getty Images

Netravalkar’s Gibbs moment?

Fifty-three needed off 45.USA were bowling cutters into the pitch. Suryakumar was struggling to hit the ball off the square, and was trying to manufacture strokes. Most times, it comes off. Here, it wasn’t.An over after nearly getting bowled trying to sweep Corey Anderson off his length, he tried to open the bat face to play his trademark loft, only to slice the ball high. Saurabh Netravalkar circled under it after doing exceedingly well to get to the ball running back from short third, but couldn’t hold on to the chance.The superhero who could not put a foot wrong until then was human, after all.

Netravalkar’s dream beginning

Virat Kohli first. Rohit Sharma next.The ball that felled Kohli in the first over was a dream delivery. The batter nicking off with a perfect away-going delivery that had him jabbing. It was only Kohli’s second golden duck in T20Is.The ball that got Rohit was somewhat similar. Except it was a lot closer to the stumps and had Rohit turning the face of the bat to take the leading edge. At mid-off, Harmeet Singh, Rohit’s school junior by a few years, ran back and held on.India were shell-shocked at 15 for 2, which soon became 44 for 3 when Rishabh Pant was out to one that skidded low and through his defence.Rohit Sharma walks back after becoming Saurabh Netravalkar’s second victim•Getty Images

Suryakumar, Dube dig in to allay nerves

It was almost as if the reprieve of Suryakumar deflated USA.Suddenly, Aaron Jones was switching fields every ball, running up to have a chat between deliveries, all of it playing into the hands of the batters. Twice, USA were warned about delaying the game by not beginning their next over within their 60-second allowance. When they erred for a third time, the umpires awarded five penalty runs to India.From 35 off 30, India now needed a run-a-ball 30. It didn’t matter then that Dube had at one point been struggling on 5 off 14, or that Suryakumar was far from his 360-degree mode.In the 17th over, India truly broke the stranglehold when Suryakumar picked Shadley van Schalkwyk’s medium pace for a lofted six over extra cover and a trademark flick over his shoulder for four off back-to-back deliveries.

Off the first ball of the 19th, he got to a 49-ball half-century. The winning runs were hit one legitimate delivery later when Dube dug out a yorker-length delivery to long-off. It could have so easily been another knock that had Dube’s self-doubts spiralling, but that he dug in to remain unbeaten on 31 in what was a hard scrap should give him lot of confidence.

Arshdeep’s career-best has USA hobbling

The day began with a two-wicket opening over in which Arshdeep Singh swung the ball back in. Shayan Jahangir, replacing Monank Patel, was out lbw, and Andries Gous picked out mid-off attempting to pull a skiddy short ball.It wasn’t until Nitish Kumar and Corey Anderson added 25 off 18 heading into the final overs that USA had some injection of momentum that gave them a chance of getting towards 120.However, overs 16-18 scuppered those plans. Hardik bowled a wicket-maiden in the 17th, dismissing Anderson for his second wicket, and Arshdeep had Harmeet Singh – who had top-edged Bumrah for a six to get off the mark – caught behind.USA ended up with 110, which they’d look back at and wonder what could’ve been had they only got 10 more.