England registered a massive 174 runs against Zimbabwe in the 6th match of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 at Potchefstroom in a Group B encounter.
England won the toss and decided to bat first. Grace Scrivens and Liberty Heap gave the best possible start to England and when Heap was dismissed in the 5th over, to join skipper Scrivens at the crease was Niamh Holland who then built on a formidable partnership. Scrivens was then dismissed for 45 off 32, a knock laced with eight boundaries and a brilliant strike rate of 140.62. Charis Pavely and Niamh Holand then pummelled the Zimbabwe attack en route to brilliant knocks, which witnessed Holland make 59 before she was dismissed for 59 and Charis Pavely got out for 45. A last-minute effort featured cameos by Davina Perrin and Ryana MacDonald-Gay of 7 and 9 respectively that ensured England ended on a mammoth 199/4, the highest total so far in the tournament. Although Zimbabwe conceded just 9 runs in extras, the Zimbabwe bowling troop had a rather forgettable outing. Besides Olinder Chare scalped 2 wickets and Kudzai Chigora and Tawananyasha Marumani picked up a wicket each, the rest of the bowlers had an off day with their economy rates soaring at 8+.
Zimbabwe had a dismal batting effort. Getting dismissed for a paltry 25, none of the Zimbabwe batters were able to put up a double-digit score. Losing wickets at regular intervals meant the top five of Zimbabwe’s batting was back in the pavilion within the powerplay. Natasha Mtomba, Kay Ndiraya, Kelis Ndhlovu and Tawananyasha Marumani were nowhere close to their best and did not show intent. Another set of dismissals of Vimbai Mutungwindu and Rukudzo Mwakayeni meant the spine of Zimbabwe’s batting was broken. With the tailenders further getting dismissed, Zimbabwe was skittled for 25. Grace Scrivens shone with the ball picking up 4 wickets with the duo of Sophia Smale and Josie Groves also picking up 2 wickets with Ellie Anderson’s solitary wicket salvaging the match for England and leaving no room for error.
Grace Scrivens for her knock of 45 and 4 wickets was deservingly awarded the ‘Player of the Match’.
England U19 won by 174 Runs against Zimbabwe U19
🏴England U19: 199- 4(20)
Niamh Holland: 59 (37)
Charis Pavely: 45 (26)
Olinda Chare 2-34🇿🇼Zimbabwe U19: 25/10 (12)
Adel Zimunu: 5* (9)
Tawananyasha Marumani: 4 (6)
Grace Scrivens 4-2#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/S2FHEIHzbq— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 15, 2023
Brief Scores: ENG 199/4 in 20 overs (N Holland 59, C Pavely 45, Scrivens 45; O Chare 2/34) defeated ZIM 25 all out in 12 overs (T Marumani 4; G Scrivens 4/2, Groves 2/5, Smale 2/5) by 174 runs
🚨FIFTY🚨
Niamh Holland becomes the first England player to score a half-century in U19 Women’s World Cup#CricketTwitter #U19T20WorldCup 📸Getty pic.twitter.com/rDNiRXxmBE
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 15, 2023
I am a first year postgraduate student pursuing a MA in Media and Communication Studies at Christ University, Bengaluru. I am a podcaster, blogger and an avid cricket fan. When not glued to cricket matches, you can find me submerged in books and thinking about cricket all the time.