Online Reporter
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Women’s national cricket team’s historic bid for an ICC Women’s Championship series victory ended in disappointment at Harare Sports Club yesterday after they lost to West Indies by 91 runs in the decisive third ODI.
The defeat saw West Indies claim the three-match series 2-1, but Zimbabwe will take plenty of encouragement from a campaign in which they recorded their maiden ICC Women’s Championship victory in the second ODI.
Captain Josephine Nkomo stood out for Zimbabwe with a fighting 74 off 109 balls, carrying the responsibility of the chase almost single-handedly as wickets fell around her.
Nkomo’s innings was the only significant resistance in Zimbabwe’s pursuit of a 272-run target, but she ultimately ran out of partners as the hosts were bowled out for 180 in 47.5 overs.
Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a poor start when Kelis Ndhlovu was caught behind by Shemaine Campbelle off Jannillea Glasgow for two in the second over.
Modester Mupachikwa followed two deliveries into the third over, bowled by Zaida James, leaving Zimbabwe struggling at 9 for two.
Beloved Biza became the third wicket at the end of the ninth over before Chipo Mugeri departed for 25 off 42 balls in the 14th over, leaving Zimbabwe 56 for four.
Sharne Mayers, brought into the side for the decisive encounter, was dismissed with the first ball of the 25th over after making 13, reducing Zimbabwe to 85 for five.
Nyasha Gwanzura and Michelle Mavhunga also fell as the innings slipped further away, with Zimbabwe reaching 107 for six after 29 overs and 131 for seven in the 37th.
Nkomo, however, refused to surrender.
The captain anchored the innings through the middle and lower order, eventually finishing with 74 from 109 deliveries in an innings that accounted for a substantial portion of Zimbabwe’s total.
Her efforts were not enough as Nomvelo Sibanda was run out in the 41st over for 10, while Francisca Chipare fell in the 45th over.
Olinda Chare was the final wicket to fall, with Zimbabwe bowled out in the 48th over.
Earlier, West Indies recovered from a cautious start to post 271 for nine after Zimbabwe had won the toss and elected to bowl.
The visitors managed only 38 runs during the opening powerplay as Zimbabwe’s bowlers applied pressure with disciplined bowling.
Sibanda broke the opening stand with the second ball of the 11th over when she dismissed Realeanna Grimmond.
But the momentum shifted dramatically as Hayley Matthews and Campbelle launched a counter-attack, put-ting together a 160-run second-wicket partnership from 168 balls.
Sibanda eventually struck again to dismiss Matthews for 118, before Biza removed Chinelle Henry six balls later, with Michelle Mavhunga taking the catch.
Zimbabwe then claimed the wickets of Stafanie Taylor and Campbelle, who fell four runs short of her maiden international century. By then, however, the damage had already been done, with West Indies setting Zimbabwe 272 to win.
