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www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know 22 SPORTS October 17, 2025 Women’s Cricket-Healy Century Powers Australia To Record World Cup Chase Against India A ustralia completed a record women’s one-day international chase as Alyssa Healy’s command- ing 142 runs powered the defending champions to a three-wicket win over India on Sunday. Set 331 for victory, Australia reached their target with six balls to spare after Ellyse Perry guided her side home with an unbeaten 47 alongside Kim Garth. The victory, their third in four matches, lifted Australia to the top of the standings while hosts India are third af- ter suffering a second straight defeat, having lost to South Africa earlier. Healy set the tone for the chase, sharing a brisk open- ing stand with Phoebe Litchfield and later a crucial part- nership with Ashleigh Gardner (45) before falling with Australia still needing 66 from 68 balls. Perry, who had earlier retired hurt with cramps, re- turned late in the innings to guide Australia over the line. “Really proud of the group. A little bit tight at the back end. We have been preaching about the depth in our line- up, the fact that we could chase 330 (proved it),” Healy said. “Full credit to our bowlers for pulling it back; we could have been chasing 360-plus. I was trying to lock in for a big day. To contribute heavily was great, would have liked to stay a bit longer but the girls got the job done.” The ODI chase eclipsed the 302 made by Sri Lanka to beat South Africa at Potchefstroom in April 2024. Earlier, Smriti Mandhana (80) and Pratika Rawal (75) shared a 155-run opening stand to put India on course for a huge total before a collapse saw them lose nine wickets for 138 runs to finish on 330. Annabel Suther- land’s five-wicket haul had triggered their slide. Left-arm spinner N Shree Charani impressed for India with 3-41, but Healy’s blistering hundred — her first as captain and third in aWorld Cup — proved decisive as Australia extended their dominance in the tournament.. -Reuters PHOTO: REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff Commonwealth Games – Women’s Cricket T20 – Group A – Pakistan v India – Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, Britain – July 31, 2022 India’s Smriti Mandhana hits a four off the bowling of Pakistan’s Tuba Hassan Shivnarine Chanderpaul Inaugurates Cricket Field With Lights In Thornton, Colorado -THORNTON, COLORADO, USA T he inauguration of the new cricket pitch and ground at the Thornton Sports Complex marks a significant milestone in the development of cricket in the region. The event was officiated by renownedWest Indian cricket legend and Hall of Famer Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who officially opened the facility on October 4, 2025. This ground is dedicated to fostering youth and school cricket, particularly benefit- ing the Adams 12 Five Star Schools, including Thornton High School and its middle schools. The cricket ground is notable for being the first in Thornton, Colorado to feature lighting, enabling eve- ning & night matches and training sessions. The facility’s opening was attended by distinguished guests, includ- ing Jan Kulmann, the Mayor of Thornton, Jatin Patel, a respected multi-sports coach and cricket Hall of Famer with lifetime achievement award, as well as officials from the City of Thornton and local schools. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony that celebrated the growth of cricket in the community. During the ceremony, Mayor Jan Kulmann emphasized the importance of cricket as a unifying sport that con- nects families, neighbors, and diverse cultures. She high- lighted the role of cricket in fostering community spirit and youth development. The presence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul served as an inspiration to aspiring young cricketers, and the event provided an opportunity for local student-athletes fromThornton Middle School and Thornton High School to showcase their talents. The event also recognized the efforts of the Colorado Tennis Cricket League (CTCL), which spearheaded the project to expand cricket in local schools. Manoj Gang- war, Anil Vijay from CTCL, Fareed Stanikzai and Charlene Fauls from School District. Vinod Murthy from DYCA, key advocate and contributor to youth cricket development in Colorado, was acknowledged for his dedication. The new facility is expected to support ongoing training and development programs, including youth initiatives and school cricket activities. Reflecting on the growth of cricket in Colorado, Jatin Patel recalled his initial visit in September 2017, when he was invited by Raymond Mascarenhas of the Colorado Cricket League to train local Crickt Coaches for youth cricket. Since then, the sport has experienced significant progress, driven by dedicated individuals like Manoj Gangwar, who has played a vital role in establishing cricket grounds and nurturing young talent in the region. Overall, the opening of this cricket ground signifies a promising future for cricket in Thornton and Colorado at large. It provides a vital infrastructure for training, competitions, and community engagement, fostering the sport’s growth and encouraging the next generation of cricketers. The community’s commitment to develop- ing cricket as a sport and cultural activity underscores its potential to become a prominent aspect of local sports and youth development programs. Mentorship is led by the Jatin Patel, a coach, profes- sional sports analyst, and Cricket Hall of Famer recog- nized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. All the coach- ing staff holds Level 2 or higher certification, ensuring a high stan- dard of training and expertise. “Jatin Patel has been an integral part of Colorado Cricket since 2017, providing ongoing support and guid- ance to our team and youth programs. His extensive experience and dedication significantly contribute to our development and success in the sport of cricket,” orga- nizers said in the press release. Geo George Vadakkan (Colorado Tennis Cricket League, President), said, “On behalf of the Colorado Ten- nis Cricket League (CTCL), I am delighted to share our heartfelt appreciation with everyone who contributed to the success of our recent award ceremony. Special thanks to Mr. Jatin Patel, whose unwavering support since 2017 have been instrumental in shaping CTCL into the thriving league it is today. His guidance and expertise have not only elevated our league but also fostered the growth of individual players. We are also deeply grateful to the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul for taking the time to join us and share his invaluable experience with our players. His presence was a tremendous motivation for our cricketers, and your humility and kindness were truly inspiring. I would also like to extend my gratitude to our committee members, whose passion and dedica- tion to cricket are evident in the growth and diversity of our league, which has become a melting pot of cultures and talents. Speaking of diversity, I am thrilled to see our league grow from strength to strength, attracting players from diverse backgrounds and age groups. This growth has not only helped our community come together but also provided a platform for people to connect, learn, and thrive.” By a StaffWriter PHOTOS:Organizers PHOTO:CourtesyPMI From Left, Jatin Patel, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Jan Kulmann, Mayor a historical ribbin cuttingmoment for Colorado Cricket. Manoj Gangwar escorts Legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Jatin Patel.