admin
Brandon Moyo
ZIMBABWE Emerging, once again, learnt it the hard way that catches win matches after they suffered a four wickets defeat at the hands of South Africa Emerging in the second one-day match played at Queens Sports Club on Thursday.
The hosts dropped eight catches and only had themselves to blame as South Africa Emerging went on to chase down the 311-run target in 45,3 overs.
Batting first, Zimbabwe Emerging had scored 310/9 in 50 overs before the visitors went on to finish on 311/6.
Zimbabwe Emerging’s fielding display left a lot to be desired with misfields and dropped catches being the order of the day.
Steve Mangongo, who is Zimbabwe Emerging’s head coach was left fuming at the end of play.
“When you can’t field, when you can’t catch, in cricket you are not going to win games and it’s appalling. To me it’s an attitude, fielding is something that we can control, it’s a basic requirement from junior age group at Under-12 and the first thing we teach is that catches win matches. At this level it’s an attitude, it’s something that we can see that we are doing consistently, we are consistent in doing bad things and when you do that you are going to lose the game.
“Three hundred and 10 runs was a decent score, it’s a par score it shows that the batters came to the party but then we get together and connive to drop catches like this, it’s embarrassing to say the least. As a coach, you run out of words for things like this,” said Mangongo.
South Africa Emerging head coach, Malibongwe Maketa said their series win is a reflection of the hard work they put in during winter. He was pleased with the way his team batted but believes they could have done better with the ball.
“We are very proud of the boys, we worked hard the whole winter and to come here against a really good team and be able to play the way we did was special, I’m so proud of the boys.
“I thought we were not as great on the field, and for them to get to 300 with the many dropped catches that we had was a slight disappointment and going in to bat we were definitely under pressure to make sure that we get this score and we knew that the wicket has slowed down a lot because there was a lot of wind that dried it out and then we had to make sure that we put pressure on the new ball upfront that’s why Simelane had to go upfront and play the way he did,” said Maketa.
It was yet another poor display from Tinashe Kamunhukamwe with the bat for Zimbabwe Emerging as the opening batter once again failed to justify his selection. Kamunhukamwe fell for five runs off seven balls, leaving the team on 9/1 in 1,4 overs before a half century stand for the second wicket between Emmanuel Bawa and Nicholas Welch.
Antum Naqvi would go on to be Zimbabwe Emerging’s top run scorer with a brilliant 85 runs off 71 balls while Welch fell for 54 runs from 73 deliveries. It was yet another heartbreak for Bawa who, once again, fell short of his half century. Bawa scored 45 runs from 61 deliveries for the hosts while Takudzwanaishe Kaitano made 32 runs from 35 balls.
Faraz Akram’s cameo towards the end of the innings helped Zimbabwe Emerging reach 300 runs. He scored 24 runs not out from 12 balls and Alistair Frost chipped in with 25 runs from 26 deliveries.
South Africa Emerging’s Jade de Klerk finished with figures of 4/45 in 10 overs while Tristan Luus took two scalps for 45 runs in his nine-over spell. Codi Yusuf, Andile Simelane and Lesogo Senokwane all picked up one wicket apiece.
Zimbabwe Emerging had an early breakthrough with the ball, with Akram getting the wicket of Modiri Litheko early on for just four runs before Lesogo Senokwane and Andile Simelane notched up a century partnership for the second wicket.
Simelane would go on to reach his ton before he was bowled by Arineshto Vezha on a brilliantly batted 110 runs off just 70 balls. Andile Mogakane fell five runs short off his half century on 45 runs from 43 balls while Mihlali Mpongwana remained undefeated on 51 runs not out from 62 balls.
Naqvi took three wickets for Zimbabwe Emerging, finishing with figures of 3/68 in 10 overs while Akram had figures of 2/33 in five overs. Vezha conceded 51 runs in seven overs.
Following their victory in yesterday’s game, South Africa Emerging have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and have now completed a series double having won the two-match Test series 1-0.
The series finale is scheduled for Saturday at the same venue. The game starts at 9.30am and is free of charge to all spectators. – @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter