Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo
ZIMBABWE senior women’s national cricket team managed to dust themselves up in the shorter version of the game after winning the first match of their T20I series against Thailand by 24 runs yesterday at yesterday at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok.
After a dismal show in the One Day Internationals (ODIs), the Lady Chevrons came out firing after winning the toss yesterday and electing to bat first where they scored 143/4 in 20 overs.
They went on to limit the hosts to 119/9 to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series.
It took a special Sharne Mayers knock to give Zimbabwe a defendable score in the match.
The opener remained undefeated on 71 runs from 67 balls which was her fourth T20I half century and also became her highest score in 20 over international cricket.
Mayers’ previous highest score was an unbeaten 68 runs which came against Namibia in Windhoek last year.
The skipper, Mary-Anne managed to put her recent struggles with the bat to rest as she was the second leading run scorer in the match with 34 runs from 23 balls while Ashley Ndiraya remained not out on 11 runs from nine deliveries as they were the only batters to cross double figures for Zimbabwe.
In their defence, Audrey Mazvishaya starred with the ball for the Lady Chevrons as she finished with her career best T20I figures of 4/27 in her four over spell.
Precious Marange and youngster, Kelis Ndhlovu took two scalps each for Zimbabwe, giving away 21 and 28 runs respectively in their four overs.
The other wicket that fell for the hosts was taken by Loreen Tshuma who conceded 20 runs in four overs.
For her brilliant batting performance, Mayers was voted Player of the Match. The Gary Brent coached side is using the tour as part of their global and region qualifiers which are scheduled to take place later on in the year.
The second match is scheduled to take place today at the same venue. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter