In an action-packed 3rd T20I of the South Africa Women tour of Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, South Africa Women put on a dominant display against Zimbabwe Women.
Opting to bat first, South Africa’s innings got underway with an opening stand between captain Laura Wolvaardt and Miane Smit. The pair compiled 27 runs for the first wicket before Tendai Makusha struck in the third over, having Smit caught by Loreen Tshuma for 8 runs off 7 balls. That early breakthrough, however, was the only success Zimbabwe would enjoy all afternoon.
Karabo Meso joined Wolvaardt at the crease, and together they orchestrated a mammoth, unbroken 173-run partnership for the second wicket. Wolvaardt led the charge with a magnificent, unbeaten 126 off 62 deliveries, laced with 16 boundaries and 4 maximums. Meso played the ideal anchor role, completing her half-century with 50 not out off 51 balls featuring 5 fours and a six. Bolstered by 16 extras, South Africa reached an imposing 200/1 in their 20 overs.
Zimbabwe’s bowling attack faced a tough task trying to contain the scoring rate on a batter-friendly pitch. Tendai Makusha was the lone wicket-taker for the home side, ending with figures of 1 for 48 in her 4 overs. Nyasha Gwanzura proved to be the most economical bowler, keeping things under control with 0 for 25 in her full 4-over spell. Michelle Mavunga also held her own, giving up 21 runs in 3 overs.
Meanwhile, Nomvelo Sibanda conceded 38 runs in 3 overs, Loryn Phiri finished with 0 for 21 in 2 overs, Beloved Biza yielded 25 runs from 2 overs, and Loreen Tshuma went for 22 in her 2 overs as South Africa’s batters kept the pressure high throughout.
Chasing a target of 201 runs, Zimbabwe Women suffered an immediate early collapse during the mandatory powerplay, losing four wickets for just 29 runs. Opener Lorraine Pemhiwa was run out by Miane Smit in the first over without scoring at 4/1. Fellow opener Nyasha Gwanzura offered strong initial resistance, smashing 28 off 23 balls with 6 fours.
However, Annerie Dercksen turned the tide by trapping Kelis Ndhlovu lbw for 1 (at 25/2) and forcing Beloved Biza to hit her own wicket for a 4-ball duck (at 25/3). Eliz-Mari Marx then removed Gwanzura lbw at 29/4. Dercksen kept pressing, bowling Loreen Tshuma for 0 at 34/5. Seshnie Naidu had Modester Mupachikwa caught behind by Meso for 5 runs at 35/6.
A steadying 27-run 7th-wicket partnership between Loryn Phiri (14 off 26 balls) and Christine Mutasa (19 off 19 balls) brought the score to 62/7 before Luyanda Nzuza removed Mutasa. Michelle Mavunga then launched a spirited counter-attack for the 8th wicket alongside Phiri, blasting 41 off just 23 balls (8 fours) in a 51-run stand. Dercksen returned to clean up Phiri at 113/8 and had Mavunga caught by Naidu at 114/9.
Ayanda Hlubi closed out the match by removing captain Nomvelo Sibanda (2) caught by sub J Filander at 120/10 in 19.3 overs, while Tendai Makusha remained unbeaten on 4. The South African bowling unit delivered a clinical performance, led by Annerie Dercksen’s sensational career-best figures of 5 for 15 in 4 overs. Ayanda Hlubi was equally disciplined, capturing 1 for 16 in 3.3 overs.
Luyanda Nzuza bowled with great economy to pick up 1 for 19 in her 4 overs. Eliz-Mari Marx chipped in with 1 for 24 in 3 overs, while Seshnie Naidu took 1 for 25 in 3 overs. Miane Smit (0 for 8 in 1 over) and Kayla Reyneke (0 for 8 in 1 over) also rotated through the attack. Restricting Zimbabwe to 120 all out, South Africa Women secured a convincing 80-run victory.
Loves all things female cricket