29 Aug ZIMBWBWE WOMEN CLINCH NAIL-BITER OVER SA EMERGING IN OPENING T20
TSHWANE – Zimbabwe’s senior women’s national team claimed a suspenseful two-wicket victory against the South African Emerging side in the first Women’s T20 encounter at the Groenkloof Oval in Tshwane on Sunday. Zimbabwe take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
All-rounder, Nondumiso Shangase top-scored with 26 off 30 deliveries (3 fours) in company with Delmi Tucker (25) to help South Africa to 107 / 8 before Zimbabwe successfully chased down the target, led by wicket-keeper batter, Pellegia Mujaji’s 24-ball 28 (4 fours).
After losing the toss and being asked to set the score, SA Emerging got off to a notable start with the experienced Anneke Bosch and youngster, Simone Lourens helping the home side race to 15 / 0 in the second over before Nkomo removed the former for 9.
Nkomo returned in her second over of the day to pick up the wicket of Lourens, clean bowling her for 8 to leave South Africa 18 / 2. Emerging captain, Faye Tunnicliffe did well to bring calm to proceedings for the hosts, scoring 12 runs in the fifth over before SA U19 player, Kayla Reyneke was stumped without scoring off the bowling of Audrey Mazvishaya (1 / 16) as SA Emerging reached 31 / 3 at the end of the powerplay.
Tunnicliffe’s promising knock came to an end for 17, with Loreen Tshuma (1 / 23) claiming the scalp before South Africa reached the halfway mark of the innings on 48 / 4.
That wicket brought Tucker to the crease, with the recently capped Momentum Proteas all-rounder teaming up with another international cricketer in Shangase as the pair put on 39 runs for the fifth wicket prior to Kelis Ndhlovu (1 / 16) breaking the stand to get rid of Tucker for 25.
After that crucial partnership, Shangase soon fell as South Africa’s top-scorer as Zimbabwe picked up the last four wickets to fall in the innings to help restrict South Africa to 107 / 8 after their allotted 20 overs.
Nkomo was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors, finishing with figures of two for 11.
In defence of a low score, South Africa made early inroads into the Zimbabwean top order, sending openers, Ndhlovu (9) and Sharne Mayers (8) back to the hut through Micaela Andrews (2 / 26) and Delmi Tucker (1 / 14).
With the scoreboard in their favour, the Zimbabweans took a measured approach in chasing the total down as Mary-Anne Musonda (14), Chipo Tiripano (13) and Christabel Chatonzwa (10) added vital middle-order runs despite a regular fall of wickets.
Under-19 all-rounder, Reyneke impressed with the ball in the middle period, grabbing two wickets for 12 runs in four overs alongside fellow rising star, Monalisa Legodi (0 / 17) to help strangle the away side’s chase.
With Zimbabwe on 68 / 5 after 15 overs, still needing 40 off 30 deliveries, Mujaji anchored her side home in a tight contest. Although she lost partners at the other end, including Nkomo (4), Precious Marenge (5) and Loreen Tshuma (1), Mujaji guided her side’s innings well before seeing the experienced Zimbabwe outfit over the line on the last ball of the match.
Along with Reyneke, Andrews and Seshnie Naidu (2 / 21) also walked away with two wickets apiece, while Tucker and Nobulumko Baneti (1 / 15) nabbed a wicket each in a valiant effort to defend the below par score.
The two teams will be back on the park tomorrow for the second of five T20 matches, with Zimbabwe leading the series 1-0.
Zimbabwe Women beat SA Emerging by 2 wickets
SA Emerging: 107 / 8 after 20 overs; N. Shangase 26 (30), D. Tucker 25 (25); J. Nkomo 2 / 11, Mazvishaya 1 / 16
Zimbabwe Women: 108 / 8 after 20 overs. P. Mujaji 28* (24), Mary-Anne Musonda 14 (15); K. Reyneke 2 / 12, S. Naidu 2 / 21
Audio and video featuring SA Emerging head coach, Dinesha Devnarain and today’s captain, Faye Tunnicliffe can be downloaded here.
Tour Itinerary:
Women’s T20 Series vs Zimbabwe –
Monday, 29 August @ 10h00 local time – 2nd Women’s T20 – SA Emerging Women vs Zimbabwe (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)
Wednesday, 31 August @ 13h00 local time – 3rd Women’s T20 – SA Emerging Women vs Zimbabwe (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)
Friday, 02 September @ 10h00 local time – 4th Women’s T20 – – SA Emerging Women vs Zimbabwe (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)
Saturday, 03 September @ 10h00 local time – 5th Women’s T20 – SA Emerging Women vs Zimbabwe (Groenkloof Oval, Tshwane)
For media enquiries, please contact:
Media Manager – Lita Gqirana
Cell.: (+27) 76 503 9655
Email: litag@cricket.co.za
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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