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Kyle Simmonds Crowned Overall Division 1 SACA MVP

The 2025/26 domestic cricket season concludes with Western Province all-rounder Kyle Simmonds named Division 1 Overall SACA MVP. Simmonds earned…

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Liam Alder Named Overall SACA MVP for Domestic Division 2

Following the completion of all domestic fixtures, Liam Alder of the Garden Route Badgers finished at the top of the…

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TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH-BASED PLAYER SERVICE

Over the past 12 years, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has cemented its dedication to evidence-based practice through a…

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Wolvaardt Climbs to Overall MVP Apex as Proteas Women

The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has confirmed the Proteas Women’s MVP rankings following the team’s historic journey to the Women’s ODI World Cup Final. The standings, powered by CricViz analytical data, confirm Laura Wolvaardt’s position at the top of the Proteas Women’s overall SACA MVP rankings, with Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk completing the top three after a remarkable ICC World Cup campaign.

Laura Wolvaardt holds onto her top spot in the overall Proteas Womens SACA MVP rankings on 195.685 MVP points. Her performance at the World Cup was record-shattering, as she finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer with a World Record 571 runs in a single edition. Her two centuries in the knockout stage, including a brilliant 169 in the semi-final against England and a resilient 101 in the final against India, demonstrated her leadership and class under the highest pressure.

Securing the second spot in the rankings was Marizanne Kapp with 119.272 MVP points. Kapp confirmed her position as one of the world’s premier all-rounders with game-changing performances throughout the World Cup. Her career-best 5/20 against England in the semi-final secured her place in history as the all-time leading wicket-taker in Women’s ODI World Cup history, with her consistent clutch contributions being pivotal to the Proteas’ final appearance.

Nadine de Klerk wrapped up her World Cup campaign in third position with a total of 104.807 MVP points. Her performances included an unbeaten 84 off just 54 balls against India during the World Cup, which set the record for the highest score by a batter from number seven or below in a Women’s World Cup match while chasing.

The SACA MVP rankings, driven by the analytical partnership with CricViz, move beyond traditional statistics to deliver an objective measure of player influence. This sophisticated model assesses a player’s performance on every ball, factoring in match-defining moments, opposition strength, and the high-pressure context of tournament play, providing an accurate reflection of their true value.

Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO, commented: “This campaign was truly momentous, marking a historic pinnacle for our Proteas Women by reaching the World Cup Final. The quality of cricket played throughout this tournament has set a new, incredible benchmark for the future of the women’s game in South Africa, and the entire nation is profoundly proud of their outstanding resilience and skill.”

Proteas Women SACA MVP Rankings as of 4 November 2025
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Mlaba Tops Proteas Women’s SACA MVP Test Rankings

Nonkululeko Mlaba’s superb 10-wicket match haul in the once-off Test match against England has not only etched her name in the history books but also propelled her to the top of the Proteas Women’s SACA MVP Test rankings.

Mlaba’s dominant performance has seen her take over the top spot on 53.457 MVP points, ahead of Suné Luus on 49.899 MVP points and Laura Wolvaardt on 48.247 MVP points. This significant achievement is a testament to her exceptional skill, hard work, and dedication to the game.

In the overall SACA MVP rankings, Mlaba has climbed to the third position behind Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt. This highlights her consistent performances across all formats and her valuable contribution to the Proteas Women’s team.

The SACA Most Valuable Player Rankings offer a more nuanced approach to evaluating player performance. By leveraging CricViz’s extensive database, the algorithm considers factors such as expected performance, match-defining contributions, and venue-specific historical data. This comprehensive analysis goes beyond traditional batting and bowling averages, providing a more accurate reflection of a player’s impact on the game.

Proteas Women SACA MVP Overall Rankings as of 19 December 2024

Proteas Women SACA MVP Test Rankings as of 19 December 2024

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Wolvaardt Dominates Proteas Women’s MVP Rankings

Laura Wolvaardt’s performance in the recently concluded series against England has increased her lead at the top of the Proteas Women’s SACA MVP Overall and T20i rankings.

With a commanding lead of 34 points, Wolvaardt’s impressive tally of 217,712 MVP points puts her well ahead of the second-placed all-rounders, Marizanne Kapp (183.206 MVP points) and Suné Luus (123.206 MVP points).

Her absence from the final match did not diminish her overall impact. Her consistent batting performances, coupled with her fielding contributions, earned her valuable points across various categories. Additionally, her captaincy in the two matches she played further boosted her MVP score.

As the Proteas Women continue to rise in international cricket, Wolvaardt’s leadership and performances will be key to their future performances.

The SACA Most Valuable Player Rankings offer a more nuanced approach to evaluating player performance. By leveraging CricViz’s extensive database, the algorithm considers factors such as expected performance, match-defining contributions, and venue-specific historical data. This comprehensive analysis goes beyond traditional batting and bowling averages, providing a more accurate reflection of a player’s impact on the game.

Proteas Women SACA MVP Overall rankings as of 4 December 2024:

Proteas Women SACA MVP T20i rankings as of 4 December 2024:

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ELGAR AND BAVUMA KEEP ENGLAND AT BAY

Dean Elgar  was battered, bruised but unbowed but he and Temba Bavuma guided the Standard Bank Proteas to the less stormy waters of the close of play on the fourth day of the third Test match at The Oval in London on Sunday.

England nevertheless held an overwhelming advantage as they reduced the Proteas to 117/4 in pursuit of a victory target 492 from an initial 148 overs. Victory will give England a 2-1 lead in the series and will mean that they retain the Basil d’Oliveira Trophy.

At one stage it looked as though England would win the match on the fourth day after Ben Stokes back up his century in the first innings by dismissing Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis off successive balls with Bavuma coming to the crease on a hat trick.

But Bavuma, as he has had to do too often in the past, proved to be the right man to stabilize the innings in partnership with Elgar. By the close of play they had shared an unbroken stand of 65 for the fifth wicket with Elgar on 72 (111 balls, 11 fours) and Bavuma on 16 (59 balls, 1 four).

Elgar got hit on the hand several times and also on different parts of his body and, if he does go on to complete his 8th Test century, he will have earned it the hard day. This is his third half-century of the series and he has been far and away the most consistent batsman for his team. He was clearly in significant distress and many of his strokes were played almost one-handed.

He and Bavuma are certainly the best men on current form for the crisis in which the Proteas find themselves and it does pose the question as to whether Bavuma should be moved up the order for the final Test match at Old Trafford, starting on Friday.

The Proteas did a reasonable bowling job on the fourth day with Keshav Maharaj chipping away at the middle-order to take three wickets (3/50 in 13.5 overs) but the damage had already been done when England claimed a lead of 178 on the first innings and their position was consolidated by Tom Westley (59 off 141 balls, 11 fours), Joe Root (50 off 94 balls, 6 fours) and Jonny Bairstow (63 off 58 balls, 6 fours and a six).

Stokes was the pick of the England attack when it came to their turn to bowl (2/29 in an eight-over spell) but all the England bowlers proved hard to handle and the key fact is that they have been more successful than their Proteas counterparts in putting the ball in the right spot consistently.

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VAN NIEKERK ‘PROUD’ AFTER ENGLAND DEFEAT

Momentum Proteas skipper Dane van Niekerk, while disappointed with the loss, says she is proud of her team for reaching the semi-final and the manner in which they accomplished the feat.

The Proteas went down to the England in a thrilling ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final in Bristol on Tuesday.

The Proteas Women posted a modest total of 218/6 at the end of their innings after electing to bat first, however it was just enough for the hosts to seal victory in the final over.

“If you were in our change room you’ll probably be crying now – it’s tough,” Van Niekerk told reporters after their two-wicket loss.

“Especially losing a game so close, you know that hurts even more.

“We were kind of down and out half-way through (the game), but the character the team showed and the way they fought – it hurt even more. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t enough and we didn’t have enough on the board.

“The character and fight the team showed throughout the tournament. Not a lot of people thought we’d come this far and I’ve very proud of them.”

Van Niekerk thought her side were 30 runs short after England chased their target of 219 with only two balls to spare.

“We didn’t have a perfect innings, I think both teams made mistakes on the field. In every cricket match there’ll always be extras and mistakes and that’s part of the game,” said the Proteas skipper.

“Yeah, we were 30 runs short, but the way my team went out to try and defend that – I couldn’t ask for more.”

Van Niekerk thanked South Africans back home for their ongoing support throughout the tournament and looked to get to the final in the next World Cup.

“The support from everyone back home has been so amazing and I just want to thank everyone who has reached out to us and showed their support,” said Van Niekerk.

“We wish we could have done it for them, but we can take heart in knowing that at least at the next World Cup, we have the capability and ability to go all the way to the final. We hope we made South Africa proud.”

South Africa finished the round-robin phase of the competition in fourth place, only losing to England and Australia before their semi-final heartbreak.

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RABADA TOPS ODI BOWLING RANKINGS

Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s 22-year-old pace sensation, has leapfrogged team-mate, Imran Tahir, to become the No. 1 ODI bowler in the world. The top-two one-day bowlers aside, South Africa go into the ICC Champions Trophy with four of the top-ten batsmen in the format as well, as per the latest update to the ICC rankings. AB de Villiers leads the charts, while Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla complete the quartet.

Rabada climbed four spots following the three-match ODI series against England, in which he was the leading wicket-taker with seven wickets at 21.71 – including 4 for 39 in the third game, which helped reduce England to 20 for 6 – and an economy rate of 5.42. Overall in 36 ODI innings since his debut in July 2015, he has 64 wickets at 24.90 and an economy rate of 5.13.

Amla and de Kock were the second and third top scorers in the series, and both move up in the rankings – de Kock from No. 6 to No. 4, and Amla from eleven to ten. De Villiers retained the No. 1 spot, while du Plessis and Tahir lost some ground on the table, falling to No. 2 and No. 6 respectively.

Top-10 ODI batsmen
1 AB de Villiers, 2 David Warner, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Quinton de Kock, 5 Joe Root, 6 Faf du Plessis, 7 Babar Azam and Martin Guptill, 9 Kane Williamson, 10 Hashim Amla

Top-10 ODI bowlers
1 Kagiso Rabada, 2 Imran Tahir, 3 Mitchell Starc, 4 Sunil Narine, 5 Josh Hazlewood, 6 Trent Boult, 7 Chris Woakes, 8 Mohammad Nabi, 9 Shakib Al Hasan, 10 Mitchell Santner

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CSA ANNOUNCE ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY SQUAD

Left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, has earned his maiden One-Day International (ODI) call-up to the 15-man Standard Bank Proteas squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, which was announced on Wednesday.

The squad will play three ODI’s against England starting with the first match at Headingley in Leeds on May 24th, before their first group match of the ICC Champions Trophy against Sri Lanka at the Oval on June 3.

The 26-year-old Maharaj has had an impressive debut season for the Test squad and comes into the squad to bolster the spin options alongside Imran Tahir.

Morne Morkel makes a return to the limited-overs format after nearly 10 months, adding experience to the pace bowling group featuring Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) convener of selectors, Linda Zondi, says the selectors have picked a strong squad which covers all of the combinations and conditions on offer for the eighth edition of the eight-team event. “We have been working with this group of players for the last two seasons where our key emphasis has been consistency in selection,” Zondi commented. “That has shown in how this group has performed over the last while, which has resulted in winning three consecutive ODI series.

“We feel we have a squad that covers every scenario that we could possibly be faced with on the tour. Most importantly, every player knows and understands their role and value within the squad.

“Keshav has had an exceptional debut season for the Test side and his inclusion in the squad gives us a spinner with different skills and extra batting depth. We have seen how important it is to bat deep in ODI cricket, this option will give us that cover if needed.” 

The squad will depart for England on May 16 and will begin their preparations with two 50-over tour matches against Sussex and Northants.
Standard Bank Proteas ODI squad for three-match ODI series against England and ICC Champions Trophy: Hashim Amla (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock – wk (Multiply Titans), Faf du Plessis (Multiply Titans), AB de Villiers – captain (Multiply Titans), JP Duminy (BuildNat Cape Cobras), David Miller (VKB Knights), Chris Morris (Multiply Titans),  Wayne Parnell (BuildNat Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Imran Tahir (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (bizhub Highveld Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Farhaan Behardien (Multiply Titans), Morne Morkel (Multiply Titans).

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PROTEAS DOMINATE ENGLAND AT THE BULL RING

 

The Oxigen Proteas made an emphatic statement ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 when they thrashed England by 9 wickets with all of 32 balls to spare in the second KFC T20 International match at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Sunday.

It gave the Proteas a 2-0 series win with AB de Villiers being named KFC Man of the Match and Imran Tahir the KFC Man of the Series.

England are the Proteas’ first opponents at the ICC event in India and this performance will give them extra confidence. Significantly, the Proteas won both matches batting second which is an area where they have run into problems in previous ICC events.

De Villiers (71 off 29 balls, 6 fours and 6 sixes) and Hashim Amla (69 not out off 38 balls, 8 fours and 3 sixes) set up the successful runs chase with their partnership of 125 in just 8.2 overs. It revived memories of South Africa’s record first wicket partnership of 170 between Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman, also against England, at SuperSport Park in 2009. It must have revived unwanted memories of that match for the two England survivors, Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid.

De Villiers and Amla complement one another perfectly with their diverse styles. While De Villiers stood out for the ruthlessness of his brutality, Amla was a joy for the purists, stroking 3 fours off one over from Ben Stokes and 4 off another from Chris Jordan.

De Villiers improved his SA record for the fastest 50 from 23 balls to 21 while Amla was no slouch either with 50 off 27 balls. Their power play of 88 runs in six overs was the third highest ever achieved but the highest in a match involving two full members of the ICC.

Once they had finished with only 47 needed off the remaining 70 balls there was little left for Amla and Faf du Plessis to provide the finishing touches.

For the first time on this tour England opted to play an extra batsman and break up their successful formula of playing four front-line seamers. And their bowlers chose this match to be off colour with Reece Topley being way below his best, possibly a hangover from that last ball finish at PPC Newlands.

The extra batsman did not help England’s cause as they achieved what many would have thought impossible of being only three wickets down midway through the 17th over and then failing to bat out the full 20. A horrific collapse saw them lose 7 wickets for 14 runs and turn what looked like being a total in the region of 200 or more into a below-par 171.

This followed major stands of 50 for the second wicket between Joe Root and the consistent Alex Hales, who was one of two batsmen to be run out, and then 96 for the fourth between Morgan and Jos Buttler.

England were unlucky to lose Morgan to a run out at the non-striker’s wicket on a deflection from Kyle Abbott but this should not detract from another outstanding fielding effort from the Proteas and some excellent death bowling which saw the seamers hit the blockhole regularly.

Morgan top-scored for England, showing some belated form, with 54 off 28 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes.

Abbott was the most successful bowler with 3/26.

 

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DE KOCK, AMLA SET UP PROTEAS WIN

 

Hashim Amla scored his 22nd ODI century and Quinton de Kock his 10th to set the Castle Lager Proteas up for a five-wicket victory over England and keep the series alive in the third Momentum ODI at SuperSport Park on Tuesday.

England still lead the series 2-1 as the two teams head for the fourth ODI at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Friday. Should the Proteas win this match then the two teams will go to a decider in the fifth match at PPC Newlands on Sunday.

England got themselves into a strong position by posting a total of 318/8 in their 50 overs thanks in the main to a ninth ODI century from Joe Root (125 off 113 balls, 10 fours and 5 sixes).

But Amla (127 off 130 balls, 13 fours and 2 sixes) and De Kock (135 off 117 balls, 16 fours and 4 sixes) always had the chase under control with a partnership of 239 in 36.5 overs which was only eight runs short of the South African first-wicket record.

De Kock now has an incredible conversion record of 10 centuries as against 5 half-centuries. Amla has now achieved the performance of going past 50 on at least 50 occasions with 22 centuries and 28 50s. Kyle Abbott had the best figures of the match with 2/50 while Adil Rashid (1/45) had the most economical figures of the game.

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ENGLAND GO ONE UP IN ODI SERIES

Quinton de Kock played arguably the best knock by a South African opening batsman in an ODI since Herschelle Gibbs’ 175 in the famous 438 match but it was not enough to get the Castle Lager Proteas across the line in the opening Momentum ODI against England at the Mangaung Oval on Wednesday.

England won by 39 runs on the D/L method after rain stopped play with the Proteas on 250/5 in 33.3 overs in pursuit of the massive victory target of 400 after England had posted 399/9 in their 50 overs.

De Kock finished unbeaten on 138 (96 balls, 12 fours and 6 sixes) for his ninth ODI century in a match that was made memorable by the wicketkeepers on either side. Jos Buttler had played a major role in setting up the England total with his innings of 105 (76 balls, 11 fours and 5 sixes). Buttler finished with a strike rate of 138 and De Kock with one of 143. De Kock reached the landmark of 2 000 ODI runs and is the youngest South African to do so.

England won the toss and dominated the South African attack from ball one with Alex Hales, Joe Root and Ben Stokes all scoring half-centuries in support of Buttler.

When South Africa batted, De Kock and Faf du Plessis get the Proteas in the chase with a second-wicket partnership of 110 in 13.5 overs. But Moeen Ali played a key role for England in a high-scoring match by taking 3/43 in 6 overs. His wickets included the key one of AB de Villiers who fell to a brilliant one-handed boundary catch by Stokes.

De Kock was named Momentum Man of the Match.

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TRADING PLACES

At 33, Warriors bowler Lundi Mbane has worked long and hard at his trade, but has also been preparing for his next one…

Even before Lundi Mbane began his professional cricket career with Border in 2004, he had an introduction to what his long-term career might entail – thanks to his father…

“At an early age my father taught me how to weld, that’s when I started becoming interested in plumbing,” the Mdantsane-born medium-pacer recalls.

However, circumstances meant that Mbane had to wait until 2013 – his 30th year – to get any formal training in that trade.

“I was never good at school and I didn’t have money to go and study straight after it, so it was only in 2013 when I applied for a bursary through the SACA Player Plus programme that I could study plumbing. I did a 45-day course in Mdantsane [through Buffalo City Public FET College at John Knox Bokwe Campus] during the off-season.”

Despite his stated lack of prowess at school and absence of tertiary education, Mbane surprised himself by how well he coped with the course.

“It was quite easy, I think it was because it was something I was used to doing, but I also learnt a lot. It was very helpful because there was some other things about plumbing that I didn’t know from watching my father.”

Enriched by the experience, Mbane enrolled for another course during the 2014 off-season. This time in carpentry.

“My interest in carpentry is from a friend of mine in England [who he met while playing for Shaw CC during the 2012 off-season]. He was doing it and I found it very interesting so I thought when I have time I will try it. The course I did in 2014 was also meant to be 45 days but I finished it in 30 days, I finished my modules quickly.”

It all means that as the 33-year-old approaches the end of his professional playing career, he is in a favourable position to transition into his working life after cricket and be able to look after his fiance and their two children – a nine-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.

In that regard, Mbane encourages all players to use the benefits of the SACA Player Plus programme for life beyond the boundary.

“I would like to see even more players at the Warriors studying, and I’ve been asking them what they are going to do after cricket. I’m trying to set an example.”

Mbane credits Melonie Gobel, SACA’s Eastern Cape-based Personal Development Manager, with helping him on the path to setting an example.

“Over the years I’ve spoken to her a lot and she has really helped me prepare for life after cricket is finished,” he says.

For her part, Gobel can’t speak highly enough of Mbane.

“Lundi comes from very humble beginnings, but he has literally run with the training courses he has done. He has also become involved in coaching in his community and is an incredible role model to the children in Mdantsane.”

On a more practical level, Gobel talks about the support she has provided him with.

“With Lundi specifically we had to look at his financial health, looking at drawing up a will because he has a family and helping him with the practicalities of buying a house – which he has done. Then the trade programme and skills training has set him up incredibly well.”

In turn, Mbane is determined to continue engaging with Gobel around his next career.

“I’ve told her that I want to get some work experience, even if I don’t get paid initially. She has promised that when I’m done with my career she will speak to companies.”

Ultimately Mbane wants to open up his own plumbing business, so with that in mind intends to round off his learning.

“I intend to continue studying because I want to get to a diploma, and then look at starting up my own plumbing company.”

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ICC World T20 INDIA 2016 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday announced the groups and schedule of the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which will be staged across eight venues in India from 8 March to 3 April.

A total of 58 tournament matches, including 35 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches, will be played in the 27-day tournament in Bengaluru, Chennai, Dharamsala, Kolkata, Mohali, Mumbai, Nagpur and New Delhi. New Delhi and Mumbai will host the semi-finals on 30 and 31 March, respectively, while Eden Gardens in Kolkata will be the venue of the 3 April finals. The women’s semi-finals and final will be followed by the men’s knock-out matches. There is a reserve day for the finals.

The men’s event will carry a total prize money of $5.6million, which is an 86 percent increase from the 2014 tournament, while the total prize money for the women’s event is $400,000, which is a 122 percent increase from the Bangladesh event.

There have been five different winners of the men’s event while the England women’s team won the inaugural tournament at home in 2009 before Australia won three straight titles in the West Indies, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2010, 2012 and 2014, respectively.

According to the men’s event format, eight sides in two groups of four, will feature in the first round matches with the group winners joining eight sides in the Super 10 stage (two groups of five teams). The top two sides from both the Super 10 Groups will then qualify for the semi-finals. In the women’s event, the 10 sides will be divided into two groups and the top two sides from each group will progress to the semi-finals.

The first round matches in the men’s event will take place in Dharamsala and Nagpur from 8-13 March and will feature Bangladesh, Netherlands, Ireland, debutant Oman (all in Group A), Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan (all in Group B). In a double-header on the opening day on 8 March, Zimbabwe will face Hong Kong in the afternoon match, to be followed by the evening match between Scotland and Afghanistan. Both the matches will be played in Nagpur.

The group winners will join Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and host India in the Super 10 stage, which will be played alongside the women’s event from 15-28 March.

Men’s defending champion Sri Lanka has been placed in Super 10 Group 1 along with South Africa, West Indies, England and the Group B winner. It will open its title defence against the Group B winner in Kolkata on 17 March, and play West Indies in Bengaluru on 20 March, England in New Delhi on 26 March and South Africa in New Delhi on 28 March.

Host India, which won the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2007, is in Super 10 Group 2 along with 2009 winner Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and the Group A winner. India will launch its campaign in Nagpur against New Zealand on 15 March, while it will go head to head with Pakistan in Dharamsala on 19 March. Its other matches will be against the Group A winner in Bengaluru on 23 March and Australia in Mohali on 27 March.

2009 champion Pakistan will take on the Group A winner in Kolkata on 16 March, before locking horns with traditional rival India in Dharamsala on 19 March. Its remaining two matches will be in Mohali against New Zealand and Australia on 22 and 25 March, respectively.

England, which won the 2010 tournament in the West Indies, takes on 2012 winner the West Indies in Mumbai on 16 March, followed by matches against South Africa (18 March in Mumbai), the Group B winner (23 March in New Delhi) and Sri Lanka (26 March in New Delhi).

After taking on England in its tournament opener, the West Indies will square off against Sri Lanka (20 March in Bengaluru), South Africa (25 March in Nagpur) and the Group B winner (27 March in Nagpur).

Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, 2009 champion England is in Group B along with the West Indies, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and will start off against Bangladesh in Bengaluru on 17 March. Its other matches will be against India (22 March in Dharamsala), West Indies (24 March in Dharamsala) and Pakistan (27 March in Chennai).

Australia women, who will be bidding to win the title for the fourth straight time, is in Group A along with South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland. Their opening match will be against South Africa (18 March in Nagpur), followed by matches against New Zealand (21 March in Nagpur), Sri Lanka (24 March in New Delhi) and Ireland (24 March in New Delhi).

ICC Chairman Mr Shashank Manohar, who attended the launch ceremony in Mumbai, said: “India is a country where cricket is a religion and not many places can match the passion for the game like India. I am fully confident that the Board of Control for Cricket in India will deliver an outstanding world cricket event, just like the ICC Cricket World Cups in 1987, 1996 and 2011.

“The ICC and BCCI are fully committed and will work together to make this a memorable event. I invite fans from across the world to witness fast-paced cricketing action on the field and enjoy the hospitality and culture of India, off it.”

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC World Twenty20 is an event which puts the world’s best cricketers in the shortest format of the game against each other in a nation versus nation contest.

“The Twenty20 format provides the perfect vehicle by which the ICC can further globalise the game, providing international exposure and opportunity to our top Associate and Affiliate members. The ICC World Twenty20 event structure is designed to provide highly competitive matches throughout, with eight evenly-matched sides fighting it out in the first round and the best two then getting in the mix with the top eight ranked teams in the Super 10 stage where the intensity and competition will be of the very highest level.”

BCCI Secretary Mr Anurag Thakur said: “We, as hosts, are fully prepared to organise one of the most entertaining spectacles in world cricket. We draw experience from hosting three ICC Cricket World Cups and are ready to make the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 one of the most memorable events.

“Our preparations are in full swing, and BCCI and ICC is working together to make it a lifetime experience for the players and the fans. India is a vibrant country – young, full of colour, energy and exuberance – and is very much like the concept of Twenty20 cricket itself. We would encourage everyone involved with the game to experience the best of India.”

The ICC World Twenty20 trophy was also present at the ceremony before it leaves Mumbai for Scotland on Sunday, 13 December, as part of the Nissan Trophy Tour. The trophy will return to New Delhi on 1 February after visiting 11 countries.

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