Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira, [email protected]
LADY Chevrons’ batting woes continued to haunt them as South Africa completed a 4-0 series lead with an emphatic 80-run victory in the fourth T20I at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
After South Africa posted 205 for four from their 20 overs, Zimbabwe struggled to keep pace in the chase and finished on 125 for five, leaving captain Josephine Nkomo concerned by another slow start with the bat.
Nkomo, who returned from injury for the match, said Zimbabwe’s failure to build partnerships during the powerplay remains a major concern.
“It’s good to be back but it’s a bit tough when you are playing opposition like South Africa. Our batting has been letting us down especially in the powerplay where we have been losing wickets in clusters,” said Nkomo.
“We lost two wickets in the powerplay which is better for us.”
Zimbabwe’s early problems came after Lorraine Pemhiwa survived an early scare when her stumps were hit by Ayanda Hlubi, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball for overstepping.
The reprieve did not prevent Zimbabwe from losing two wickets inside the powerplay, however, leaving the hosts playing catch-up against a South African side that had already posted a substantial total.
South Africa’s innings was built around a magnificent maiden T20I century by Miané Smit.
The 21-year-old opener struck 102 from 59 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six, and was at the crease for 19 overs as South Africa put Zimbabwe under sustained pressure.
Smit and Anneke Bosch initially took a cautious approach, with South Africa reaching 42 for no wicket at the end of the powerplay.
The pair then accelerated to produce a 74-run opening partnership before Bosch was dismissed for 33 by Nyasha Gwanzura.
Annerie Dercksen continued the assault, racing to 33 from only 16 balls in a 62-run second-wicket partnership with Smit.
The partnership allowed Smit to increase the tempo, and she brought up her century from 58 deliveries.
Her celebrations were short-lived, however, as she was run out off the very next ball after Nomvelo Sibanda produced a direct hit from long-on.
Despite losing Smit, South Africa had done enough to reach 205 for four, their second consecutive total of more than 200 in the series.
Smit admitted afterwards that the achievement had yet to fully sink in.
“I have not taken it all in. I probably will not sleep tonight. It’s a bit unreal,” she said.
Zimbabwe’s chase never developed sufficient momentum.
Beloved Biza provided the main resistance with a patient 32 from 33 balls, putting together a 36-run fourth-wicket stand with Nkomo.
Nkomo remained unbeaten on 26 from 27 balls, but the required rate continued to climb as Zimbabwe struggled to find boundaries consistently.
Mavunga offered some late entertainment, smashing 25 from 13 balls, including two fours and a six.
She and Nkomo added 38 for the fifth wicket, but by then South Africa had the match firmly under control.
Caitlin Wyngaard finished with two wickets for 15 runs from three overs, while Luyanda Nzuza and Eliz-Mari Marx took one wicket apiece.
For Zimbabwe, the defeat once again highlighted the gap between their batting performance and what is required to challenge a South African side capable of producing totals above 200.
The final T20I now presents Zimbabwe with an opportunity to avoid a clean sweep, but the batting issues identified by Nkomo will remain a key talking point heading into the last match of the series.
