Following two games, the series scoreline is drawn at 1, and the 3rd Twenty20 (T20) of the ongoing 6-match series between Zimbabwe and South Africa Emerging is scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, on the 22nd of November 2023, at 5:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Zimbabwe – Mary-Anne Musonda, Josephine Nkomo, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Modester Mupachikwa, Ashley Ndiraya, Kelis Ndhlovu, Pellagia Mujaji, Chiyedza Dhururu, Nomvelo Sibanda, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Loreen Tshuma, Adel Zimunu, Kudzai Chigora, Lindokuhle Mabhera
South Africa Emerging – Nobulumko Baneti, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke De Ridder, Jenna Evans, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Leah Jones, Tebogo Macheke, Eliz-Mari Marx, Refilwe Moncho, Seshnie Naidu, Asakhe Nyovane, Nondumiso Shangase, Andrie Steyn, Jané Winster
Players to watch out:
Mary-Anne Musonda
The 32-year-old batter, in 32 T20 Internationals (T20Is), averaging 23.79 at a strike rate of 106.92, has amassed 571 runs, including the highest of 60. Mary is one of the best batters on the side’s XI, and she’s had a sluggish start to the series, registering scores of 5 and 14, but it’ll be expected of her to step up with the bat.
Kelis Ndhlovu
The 18-year-old all-rounder, in T20Is, has accumulated 302 runs from 18 innings and scalped 19 wickets from 16 outings, with respective bests of 58* and 3/15. Kelis has had a brilliant start to the series, bagging 5 wickets in 2 outings, producing figures of 2/12 and 3/19. With the bat, while departing for a duck in her recent outing, she scored 14 runs in the opener.
Lara Goodall
The 27-year-old batter, in 17 T20Is, has managed 280 runs, including the highest of 52. While she has been around the senior One-Day International (ODI) setup, she has been benched during the T20Is. This series will be crucial for Lara as she eyes a place in the T20I squad. However, she didn’t have the best of starts to the series, departing for 3 in the curtain-raiser.
Seshnie Naidu
The 17-year-old leg-spinner impressed in the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 World Cup earlier this year and has since been around the senior national setup. Seshnie played a tour game against New Zealand a couple of months ago and has further impressed in this series, registering bowling figures of 1/18 and 2/22 in a couple of outings.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at Harare Sports Club offers a well-balanced track with a slight advantage for bowlers over batters, as reflected by the average score of around 120. Batters will need to see off the early threat posed by pacers to post a competitive total on this wicket.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal for cricket at Harare Sports Club as the chances of rain are minimal with the overhead expected to be bright and clear. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 29°C with moderate winds, and humidity of 46%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Mieke De Ridder, Mary-Anne Musonda, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Andrie Steyn, Annerie Dercksen, Eliz-Mari Marx, Kelis Ndhlovu, Nondumiso Shangase, Jané Winster, Leah Jones, Seshnie Naidu
Match details:
Date – November 22, 2023
Time – 5:30 PM IST
Venue – Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the Zimbabwe Cricket YouTube channel.