The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa Emerging women took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match one day series against Zimbabwe women when they won the third contest by 79 runs at Queens Sports Club yesterday.
The result means that South Africa Emerging have won the series with two matches left. Delmi Tucker top scored with 65 off 76 deliveries while Masabata Klaas was second best with 59 from 70 deliveries down the order for South Africa Emerging to post 242/7 in 50 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
In response, Zimbabwe could only manage 163/8 in 50 overs, their highest run scorer being stand-in skipper Josephine Nkomo who made an unbeaten 63, her third-half century in the series.
Left arm seamer Nomvelo Sibanda had earlier on picked up four wickets for 57 runs in her 10 overs, off spinner Loreen Phiri had 2/23 in 10 overs while Precious Marange took 1/14.
Zimbabwe did not get their run chase off to a good start with Chiedza Dhururu gone for 10 in the 12th over. Modester Mupachikwa, who made 95 not out in the second match on Thursday could only manage 35 this time around.
Besides Nkomo’s effort, there was not much to talk about in Zimbabwe’s batting.
Josephine Nkomo raises her bat after reaching her half century
The fourth contest of the series is lined up for tomorrow while the final match is on Wednesday.
Zimbabwe are preparing for the International Cricket Council Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier scheduled for Sri Lanka in December. The Women’s Cricket World Cup is scheduled to be held in New Zealand in March and April 2022.
South Africa Emerging celebrate a wicket
It was originally scheduled for 6 February to 7 March 2021 but was postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Lady Chevrons are also preparing to take part in the ICC Women’s Qualifier Africa to be staged in Botswana in September. — @Mdawini_29.
