malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’s Lady Chevrons got their bid for a place at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup off to a flying start with a convincing 64-run win over Kenya at the Entebbe Cricket Oval in Uganda yesterday.
Even though these are still Africa Region qualifiers, the Lady Chevrons can still dream big after their victory over Kenya.
It was Zimbabwe’s opening match of the eight-team tournament and the Lady Chevrons dominated, especially with ball in hand.
Zimbabwe are in Group A, along with Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana.
After they were sent in to bat first, the Lady Chevrons were restricted to 111/9 in 20 overs and went on to fight back with the ball to bowl out their opponents for just 49 runs in 15,4 overs.
Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano top-scored for the Lady Chevrons with a well-batted 31 runs off just 17 deliveries while all-rounder Josephine Nkomo chipped in with 26 runs off 28 balls.
Their third leading run scorer was Ashley Ndiraya with 16 runs after facing 20 balls.
The trio were the only ones who managed to cross double figures for coach Gary Brent’s team, as the other batters failed to put up decent scores on the board. Melvin Khagoitsa, Queentor Abel and Esther Wachira took two wickets apiece for Kenya.
In their defence, Zimbabwean bowlers proved a class above the Kenyans, striking as early as the first over through fast bowler Nomvelo Sibanda, who had Abel caught for just two runs.
In the ninth over, Kenya found themselves struggling on 23/8, with the Lady Chevrons bowlers showing no mercy at all.
Loreen Tshuma had the best bowling figure for the Lady Chevrons, taking three scalps for just 14 runs in her four over spell while Precious Marange and Sibanda took two each for nine and 15 runs in three and four overs, respectively.
In just 1,4 overs, Lindokuhle Mabhera took one wicket and conceded a single run while Nkomo also took one wicket for just eight runs in her three-over spell.
Only one Kenyan batter managed to reach double figures.
It was Charity Muthoni, who fell for 10 runs off 26 balls. Mercy Sifuna and Kreeshna Mehta scored nine and eight runs, respectively. It was the best possible start to the tournament for the Lady Chevrons, who are eyeing a spot in next year’s T20 World Cup.
Only two teams from the ongoing qualifier will proceed to the global qualifier.
The Women’s T20 Global Qualifier will be the last hurdle for a place at the World Cup.
Zimbabwe are eyeing top spot, which will mean they avoid the Group B table toppers.
Group B is made up of the hosts, Uganda, Namibia, Nigeria and Rwanda.
The top two teams from both groups will progress to the semi-finals. The winners of each semi-final will then secure their global qualifier spot. The Lady Chevrons will return to action tomorrow when they tackle Botswana. Having been restricted to 111 runs, Lady Chevrons captain Mary-Anne Musonda was full of praise for her bowlers, who managed to contain the Kenyans inside 16 overs.
“Initially, we wanted to go for 130 plus but it is a game of cricket, so I backed my bowlers to be able to defend 111 runs and they did just like that.
“I think all the bowlers did well for our team and we managed to take wickets in the power play, which is what we want to always do and put pressure on the middle order quite early and we did that,” said Musonda.
Despite the win, Musonda remains grounded in the team’s quest for a place at the global qualifiers set for next year.
“We are taking each game at a time, and we are not thinking long term” Musonda said.
Chevrons fall
Their male counterparts — the Chevrons — fell to a four-wicket defeat by Ireland at Harare Sports Club, with the Europeans levelling the three T20 series 1-1.
Zimbabwe had edged a one-wicket win in the opening game on Thursday.
Yesterday’s result has left the Series delicately poised ahead of today’s decider at the same venue.
It almost turned out to be a replica of the opening tie, which Zimbabwe won by a single wicket from the last ball of the match. Yesterday, Ireland won by four wickets with two balls left.
With the series now levelled on one all, Ireland won the toss and elected to field first.
Zimbabwe posted a competitive score of 165 runs for the loss of five wickets in their allotted overs but a determined Ireland
side managed to chase down the target in setting an interesting finale to the T20I series today.
But the Zimbabwe innings were off to a false start as they lost their first wicket from the second ball of the match.
Tadiwanashe Marumani was dismissed with his first ball after he was trapped to a leg before wicket (lbw) off a Mark Adair delivery.
The slow start continued for Zimbabwe as they lost wicket number two at the end of the third over when Adair claimed his second of the afternoon, dismissing Wesley Madhevere.
There was a late change yesterday as captain Sikandar Raza was dropped from the team to serve a two-match ban after he was sanctioned for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
Raza aggressively charged towards the Ireland duo of Curtis Campher and Josh Little while pointing his bat and breaking away from the umpire, who tried to calm the situation during the first game between the two sides.
Raza’s replacement Tinashe Kamunhukamwe managed to fill the shoes of the skipper, scoring 39 runs off 27 balls, the second highest score for Zimbabwe.
The partnership of Clive Madande and Ryan Burl ensured that Zimbabwe had a competitive total of 165 runs in 20 overs. The duo was not out for 44 and 38, respectively.
Chasing a target of 166 runs to win, Ireland had a blistering start to their innings, scoring 18 runs in the first three overs before losing their first wicket.
Harry Tector led the chase for the visitors, scoring a massive 48 runs off 38 balls before he was bowled out by Richard Ngarava at the start of the 17th over.
At this stage, the match was balanced, with either side in a position to win the match.
Ireland managed to hold fort.
Online Reporter