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Raf Nicholson

@rafnicholson.bsky.social

2.9K followers 1.1K following 760 posts

Women’s cricket historian & journalist. Sports Journalism lecturer at Bournemouth University & writer for Guardian Sport.

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 12h

Time to breathe a big sigh of relief - at least until Wednesday!

My take on Nat Sciver-Brunt's rescue effort in Colombo:

Nat Sciver-Brunt shines as England recover to sweep aside Sri Lanka

England enjoyed a comfortable 89-run win over Sri Lanka that takes them top of the standings in the Women’s World Cup

www.theguardian.com

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 15h

I think you are right, but the problem is that England only have 2 or 3 players they can depend on to do that - Australia have about 5 or 6.

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 17h

"Sciver-Brunt bails England out of trouble."

Can I just copy and paste from an old match report? 🤔 #CWC25

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 19h

Must admit I expected England to have made some changes by now. It's a long old tournament and they need to make sure their best XI is fully fit for the Big Matches v Australia and India.

I suppose the 3-hour match v South Africa lowered workloads, but still. #CWC25

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 22h

“It is not as if the ICC are ever going to sanction the BCCI” - exactly.

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 22h

Cricket: a sport where waving gets you a demerit point, but not shaking hands has no consequences whatsoever 👀

www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/s...

Mlaba handed demerit point for waving at Deol

South Africa left-arm spinner's celebration of a wicket lands her in trouble

www.espncricinfo.com

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 1d

Neither - we were in London!

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 1d

It was good fun!

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 1d

The pressure of live radio! 😂

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 1d

It is!

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 2d

That is an absolutely astonishing result from a side who were bowled out for 69 less than a week ago. #CWC25

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Reposted by Raf Nicholson

Paul Frame @paulframe85.bsky.social · 3d

@rafnicholson.bsky.social Australia aren't looking like they can beat Australia in this tournament.

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 3d

😂

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 3d

She had to go off the field (unsure why) but Joty said she would be fine for the next match.

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

England were on the right side of two poor umpiring decisions. It could have cost Bangladesh a historic win.

My take:

Knight rescues England as Bangladesh seethe after three reviews go her way

England staggered over the line chasing 179 and won by four wickets, with Bangladesh fuming after Knight had three successful reviews

www.theguardian.com

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

Agreed.

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

For goodness sake - I don't like saying this, because officiating is a difficult job, but the third umpiring in this match has been inexcusably poor.

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

Not from me! It was a bizarre match and told us nothing about where England are really at with the bat.

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

England were a whisker (and a poor umpiring decision) away from being 6-3 against Bangladesh. I can't see how that is "playing like second favourites".

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

You really think England are better than India?

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

They are good, and Marufa swings it a mile. But England should have plans to counteract that - they look nervous.

Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 4d

This is why the hype after the South Africa game was unhelpful. England's batting was basically untested there. Today they should have been 6-3 against Bangladesh - they do NOT look like a team who are going to win this World Cup. #CWC25

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 5d

Did you pay for your travel out of your own pocket?

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 5d

What a massive own goal for the ICC to refuse to make post-match World Cup press conferences available to join via Zoom. They cannot realistically expect overseas freelancers to travel between 5 grounds & 2 countries?

A cynic might say they don't actually WANT independent press coverage 👀

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Raf Nicholson @rafnicholson.bsky.social · 5d

Tell me again why Sophie Devine is retiring? 😭 #CWC25

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