WINDHOEK: Captain Leah Jones led from the front with ball in hand as the CSA Women’s Emerging Academy claimed a 33-run victory in the first T20 against Namibia in Windhoek on Wednesday, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
The South African outfit posted a notable 142/9 in their 20 overs, with Delmi Tucker top-scoring with 29 off 22 balls. Jones then returned outstanding bowling figures of four for eight in her three overs to help restrict the Capricorn Eagles to 109/9, despite a spirited 30 off 22 from Edelle van Zyl.
The Emerging Academy won the toss and opted to bat first. Although opener Oluhle Siyo fell for a duck in the second over, the visitors recovered well, reaching 37/1 by the fifth over thanks to contributions from Nicole de Klerk (23) and Eliz-Mari Marx (28). Namibia’s Sylvia Shihepo (2/30) then claimed her second wicket, dismissing de Klerk.
New batter Kayla Reyneke (21) wasted no time at the crease, hammering three boundaries in the sixth over to help South Africa cross the 50-run mark inside the powerplay. Reyneke and Marx put on a useful 37-run partnership for the third wicket before Mekelaye Mwatile (1/20) broke through, having Reyneke stumped in the ninth over.
With the score on 74/3, the experienced Tucker entered the fray. Though Namibia continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals, The Proteas-capped all-rounder added a crucial 29 off 22 deliveries. She was well-supported by Jenna Evans (15) and Luyanda Nzuza (8), pushing the visitors to a competitive total.
Namibian captain Suné Wittmann was the pick of the bowlers, claiming the vital late wickets of Tucker, Evans, and Nzuza. Wilka Mwatile (1/17) and Kayleen Green (1/9) also chipped in, helping restrict the visitors to 142/9 at the end of their innings.
In reply, Namibia struggled to build momentum at the crease as the South African bowlers struck early. Jones and Nzuza (2/25) ripped through the top order, removing Green (9), Bianca Manuel (0), and Yasmeen Khan (6), reducing the hosts to 29/3 after seven overs.
Wittmann (20), M. Mwatile (28), and Edelle van Zyl (30) provided some respite for the Namibians, helping them reach triple figures. However, the Emerging Academy bowlers maintained their grip on the match with Marx (1/7), Mona-Lisa Legodi (1/14), and three more wickets from Jones ensuring there was no comeback.
Although Mwatile and van Zyl added a 45-run stand for the sixth wicket, the chase eventually fizzled out as Namibia closed their innings on 109/9, handing the South Africans a comfortable 33-run win.
The second T20I takes place on Thursday, 03 July at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek from 14h00 SAST.
CSA Women’s Emerging Academy Squad – Tour to Namibia
Alexandra Candler (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Nicole de Klerk (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gandhi Jafta (Fidelity Titans), Leah Jones (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simoné Lourens (Fidelity Titans). Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Kgomotso Rapoo (DP World Lions), Verunissa Reddy (Knights), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Oluhle Siyo (World Sports Betting Western Province), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Caitlyn Wyngaard (World Sports Betting Western Province)
Fixtures – CSA Emerging Women’s Academy Tour to Namibia
T20 Series
Wednesday, 02 July @ 14h00 SAST
1st T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
Thursday, 03 July @ 14h00 SAST
2nd T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
Saturday, 05 July @ 14h00 SAST
3rd T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
Sunday, 06 July @ 14h00 SAST
4th T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
50-over Series
Tuesday, 08 July @ 10h00 SAST
1st 50-over: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
Thursday, 10 July @ 10h00 SAST
2nd 50-over: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
Saturday, 12 July @ 10h00 SAST
3rd 50-over: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy vs Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)
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