Kerr leads New Zealand to first Women’s T20 World Cup title
New Zealand's victory came 14 years after narrowly losing to Australia in the 2010 final. (Photo: Getty Images)
By EasternEyeOct 21, 2024
NEW ZEALAND allrounder Amelia Kerr played a key role in her team's first Women's T20 World Cup win, leading them to a 32-run victory over South Africa in the final held in Dubai on Sunday.
Kerr, who was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, top-scored with 43 runs as New Zealand set a challenging total of 158-5 in their 20 overs.
The 24-year-old then contributed with the ball, taking 3-24, including the important wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, helping to limit South Africa to 126-9 in their 20 overs.
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine praised Kerr's performance, saying, "We all know she is a once-in-a-generation player. What she was able to do tonight was incredible. Physically, to do what she did with the bat... I think she can't feel her legs. She is not a bad cricketer, but the person that she is, the world is her oyster."
The win marked a significant moment for Devine as well, rounding off her career with a World Cup triumph.
New Zealand's victory came 14 years after narrowly losing to Australia in the 2010 final. They had also been defeated by England in the 2009 championship match. This title was particularly remarkable given the team's poor form leading up to the tournament, having lost 10 consecutive T20 internationals.
Reflecting on the turnaround, Devine said, "I started to dream last night about what it feels like to hold the trophy with this team. The great thing about this group is we know what we have been trying to achieve in the last 15, 18, 24 months. We kept taking steps in the right direction, and we came to the World Cup on the back of 10 successive losses. But everyone starts on zero."
For South Africa, who had convincingly beaten Australia in the semi-final, the defeat marked another final disappointment after losing to Australia in last year's Cape Town final. Skipper Wolvaardt said, "Our focus was just to reset, not get too ahead of ourselves. We knew we still had a quality opponent in New Zealand, and we just didn't play our best cricket tonight."
New Zealand's aggressive approach with the bat saw Suzie Bates make a quick 32 in her 334th international match. When Devine was dismissed by Nadine de Klerk on review, the innings seemed to stall. However, Brooke Halliday's arrival steadied the innings, as she added 57 runs in partnership with Kerr for the fourth wicket.
Halliday was eventually dismissed for 38, while Kerr added back-to-back boundaries before falling for 43 from 38 balls. Maddy Green closed out the innings with a quick 12 off six balls, including the only six of the innings.
In reply, South Africa got off to a fast start with Wolvaardt (33) and Brits (17) bringing up 50 runs by the seventh over. However, the fall of three quick wickets shifted momentum in New Zealand's favour. Kerr dismissed both Wolvaardt and Bosch in her second over, reducing South Africa to 64-3.
South Africa’s middle and lower order struggled as New Zealand's bowlers kept up the pressure. Kerr took a catch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk and claimed a third wicket when Bates took her third catch of the innings to remove Annerie Dercksen. Kerr ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 15 wickets.
Fast bowler Rosemary Mair contributed with 3-25 as South Africa's tail collapsed. Though the last pair managed to bat out the final over, New Zealand secured their first Women's T20 World Cup title.
The victory came on a significant day for New Zealand cricket, as earlier in the day, the men's team clinched a historic Test win in India, their first in 36 years.
NFL star Travis Kelce set to give Taylor Swift an unusual engagement present
His horse Swift Delivery lines up for a £2m (₹20.8 crore) race in Kentucky
The four-time winning horse is co-owned with Gary Barber and Team Valor International
Fans and racing circles are watching closely after the couple’s engagement announcement
American football star Travis Kelce's engagement news has sparked worldwide attention, but the Kansas City Chiefs tight end has another reason to celebrate. His racehorse, aptly named Swift Delivery, will run in the £2 million (₹20.8 crore) Mint Millions Invitational at Kentucky Downs next month. Coming just weeks after Kelce confirmed his engagement to pop superstar Taylor Swift, the timing has added to the buzz.
Travis Kelce engagement gift could include £2m racehorse win for Taylor Swift Instagram/taylorswift/killatrav
What is Travis Kelce’s horse Swift Delivery?
Kelce co-owns Swift Delivery with Hollywood producer Gary Barber, Team Valor International, and the Zoldan family. Trained by Canadian Hall of Famer Mark Casse, the four-year-old has already won four races, most recently the Grade 3 Seagram Cup at Woodbine this month. Ridden by jockey Patrick Husbands, the horse powered two lengths clear of Dresden Row, marking its most impressive performance yet.
Barry Irwin, founder of Team Valor International, revealed: “We’re pretty pumped about him. He’s a graded winner now and will tackle the Kentucky Downs mile next.”
Travis Kelce kisses Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII Getty Images
How much is the Mint Millions Invitational worth?
The Mint Millions Invitational, set for 6 September at Kentucky Downs, carries a staggering £2m (₹20.8 crore) prize fund, making it one of the richest turf races in America. It sits alongside other top contests such as the Grade 1 Franklin-Simpson Stakes on the same card.
A victory for Swift Delivery would not only be financially rewarding but would also add symbolic weight, as it coincides with Kelce’s personal milestone, his engagement to Swift. Many fans see the racehorse as an unusual but meaningful extension of their love story.
Travis Kelce celebrates his engagement to Taylor Swift while his horse Swift Delivery prepares for a £2m race in Kentucky Getty Images
Why is Travis Kelce linked to horse racing?
Kelce’s involvement in racing began when he joined Team Valor International syndicates earlier this year. The group has a strong track record, famously owning Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner. Co-owner Gary Barber, a former MGM chief executive, also produced the Oscar-nominated Seabiscuit film, further connecting the group to racing and entertainment.
The Zoldan family, who run Phantom Fireworks, have partnered with Team Valor for nearly four decades, backing several champions across international turf. With such experienced partners, Kelce has quickly found himself part of a major operation.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce pictured together at Amerant Bank Arena Getty Images
Will the engagement boost interest in the race?
The answer appears to be yes. When news of Kelce’s stake in Swift Delivery first broke, Irwin said it attracted unprecedented attention. “I grew up in Hollywood, I’m used to celebrities, but I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s on a different level,” he said.
Now that the Travis Kelce engagement is confirmed, both sporting and celebrity media are likely to follow the Kentucky Downs race closely. For Swifties, the idea of Kelce potentially gifting his fiancée a winning racehorse purse worth millions has become an irresistible storyline.
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Shah Rukh Khan surprised the cast in London with praise for Kinshuk Sen’s performance
Palash Sen’s son Kinshuk Sen stars in Aditya Chopra’s Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical
The UCLA graduate plays Kuljeet, originally portrayed by Parmeet Sethi in the 1995 classic
The stage show has travelled from the US to the UK, earning praise from diverse audiences
Shah Rukh Khan surprised the cast in London and shared a personal memory with Kinshuk
Kinshuk Sen, son of celebrated singer Palash Sen, has stepped into the spotlight with Aditya Chopra’s DDLJ musical, Come Fall in Love. The UCLA graduate, who once pursued cognitive science, now plays the role of Kuljeet in the global stage adaptation of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. In a recent conversation, he shared how the journey from research labs to live theatre unfolded, and what it meant when Shah Rukh Khan recognised him with a message linking back to his father.
Shah Rukh Khan surprised the cast in London with praise for Kinshuk Sen’s performance Getty Images/ Instagram/kinshuksen
What is Kinshuk Sen’s role in the DDLJ musical?
Kinshuk Sen plays Kuljeet, the tough antagonist in Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical. The character was originally played by Parmeet Sethi in Aditya Chopra’s 1995 blockbuster. Sen’s version comes alive in English-language songs and live performances that are staged with full-band accompaniment, making the role both musically and physically demanding. “It’s nonstop dancing and singing, completely live, no backing tracks,” he explained, noting the challenge of keeping energy levels high for every performance.
The stage adaptation Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical wins international acclaim
How did Kinshuk Sen get cast in Aditya Chopra’s DDLJ musical?
Sen’s casting story reflects chance and persistence. While working in Los Angeles, he received an audition request from his manager and sent multiple tapes for consideration. By the time he applied, most of the cast had already been chosen, but his talent secured him a place. “When I learnt that Aditya Chopra and Vishal-Shekhar were involved, my jaw dropped,” he recalled. The news of his selection arrived unexpectedly while shopping with his family, leaving them “stunned on the couch for five minutes” in disbelief.
The stage adaptation has travelled from San Diego to Manchester, presenting the Bollywood classic to audiences who may not have seen the original. With 18 original English songs, the show introduces Indian culture and storytelling to international viewers while delighting South Asian audiences with its familiarity. Sen said the response has been “phenomenal,” adding that British and American audiences embraced the production with equal enthusiasm. “Desis are thrilled to see themselves represented, while others are blown away by the grandeur,” he noted.
What did Shah Rukh Khan say to Kinshuk Sen during rehearsals?
A highlight of Sen’s journey came in London, when Shah Rukh Khan made an unannounced visit to a rehearsal. The cast performed for him, and Sen found himself at the centre when the song ended. Khan praised the performance and then shared a memory from his early career, revealing that Palash Sen once sang for him in a musical production. “I had goosebumps. It felt like destiny,” Sen recalled. Khan encouraged him warmly: “Tu bas yeh karta reh (just keep at it).” For Sen, the exchange linked his past, his family, and his present role in a way he never expected.
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A logo is pictured outside a Jaguar Land Rover new car show room in Tonbridge, south east England. (Photo: Getty Images)
UK VEHICLE exports to the United States rose in July after a new trade deal between London and Washington reduced tariffs, industry data showed on Thursday.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), exports increased 6.8 per cent in July to nearly 10,000 units, following three consecutive months of decline.
The SMMT had earlier reported that exports to the US dropped 55.4 per cent in May compared with the same month last year, with smaller falls recorded in April and June.
"The US remains the largest single national market for British built cars, underscoring the importance of the UK-US trade deal, and July's performance illustrates the impact of this deal," the SMMT said.
The agreement, finalised in May and effective from June 30, cut tariffs on UK car exports to 10 per cent on up to 100,000 vehicles a year.
In April, US President Donald Trump had imposed a 27.5 per cent tariff, reducing demand and forcing manufacturers, including Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Aston Martin, to scale back or suspend shipments.
Almost 80 per cent of cars made in the UK last year were exported, mainly to the European Union.
The UK auto industry is largely made up of foreign-owned brands such as Japan’s Nissan and India-owned JLR.
The US is also a major market for UK-produced luxury models from Bentley and Rolls-Royce, both owned by German groups.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Gukesh, as the reigning world champion, is not in the Candidates race, and his participation will be for prize money and rating points.
GOA will host the Chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27. The FIDE World Cup 2025 carries a prize fund of USD 2 million and offers three qualifying spots for next year’s Candidates tournament.
The 206-player field includes world champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and R Praggnanandhaa. However, Gukesh, as the reigning world champion, is not in the Candidates race, and his participation will be for prize money and rating points.
India has 21 players in the list, among them five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who qualified through the June 2025 FIDE rating list. Anand has not played classical chess for some time, leaving uncertainty over his participation.
The event returns to India after 23 years. It was last held in Hyderabad in 2002, when Anand won the title. Indian chess has since expanded, with players like Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin among the qualified entries.
The World Cup will follow a two-game knockout format over eight rounds. Each round consists of two classical games, with rapid and blitz tie-breaks if required. The top 50 seeds will start from the second round with byes, while players ranked 51 to 206 will face off in the first round on top-half vs bottom-half pairings.
“Every round is win-or-go-home, making the World Cup one of the most dramatic tournaments on the calendar,” FIDE said on its website on Tuesday.
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said, “India has become one of the strongest chess nations, with outstanding players and passionate fans. After the success of the FIDE Women's World Cup held in Georgia earlier this year, we are proud to bring the FIDE World Cup to Goa.”
“It will be a celebration of chess, and a unique experience for players and spectators from around the world. The representatives of 90+ countries are expected to take part, and it will be one of the most followed events in chess history,” he added.
AICF president Nitin Narang said, “The World Cup will not only inspire millions across the country but also showcase India's growing stature as a global hub for chess.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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A general view of the Pashupatinath temple complex in Kathmandu on August 27, 2025.
NEPAL’s Supreme Court has ruled that Hindu holy men who follow the tradition of remaining unclothed cannot be barred from entering the Pashupatinath temple. The court said that nudity, when practised as a religious custom, is not the same as obscenity.
The ruling concerns the Naga sadhus, ascetics devoted to Lord Shiva who renounce family ties and worldly possessions, including clothing. Covered in ash and wearing dreadlocks, they are a familiar sight at the temple during major festivals.
“I want to thank the Supreme Court,” said 45-year-old Eakadasa Baba, who travelled from India on a pilgrimage to the temple. “It does not mean we roam around the city or villages without clothes. We remain unclothed only in our own place, within the temple,” he added.
The case arose from a petition seeking to stop their temple entry, claiming their nudity disturbed other devotees. The court dismissed it, saying: “Nudity and obscenity are not the same. Nudity, when practised as part of religious or cultural tradition, cannot automatically be considered offensive.”
The judgment, issued last year, was published this week, court spokesperson Nirajan Pandey said.
Hundreds of Naga sadhus visit Kathmandu every year for the Maha Shivaratri festival at Pashupatinath. Many stay on at the temple after the event, which is held in February or March. The temple provides food and a travel allowance to the sadhus.
Rajendra Giri, a 51-year-old Nepali Naga sadhu, said their tradition does not “disturb” anyone.
“They have designated spaces and follow strict disciplines,” cultural historian Govinda Tandon said. “As the court rightly noted, their nudity is not obscenity, it’s a core part of the Naga tradition.”
The court said banning their entry would violate national and international protections of religious freedom.