adminBlessing Malinganiza
EAGLES Women successfully defended two domestic cricket league titles inside two days at Sunrise Sports Club in Ridgeview, Belvedere, to end the season on a high note.
The Harare side was inspired by teenage sensation, Kelis Ndhlovu, who had a memorable outing with both bat and ball in the two finals.
Ndhlovu, a senior women’s team all-rounder, was in the running for the ICC Women’s Player of the month of April following her exploits in last month’s tour of Thailand.
Naruemol Chaiwai, Thailand Women’s captain, won the award.
Eagles head coach, Trevor Garwe, gave credit to the players for ensuring that both titles he brought home last season, stay in Harare.
“It has been good working with the upcoming youngsters and there is a fine blend with the senior guys,” Garwe told H-Metro.
“All in all, I think we played really well. I’m impressed with Kelis, she’s been outstanding for us together with our captain, Modester (Mupachikwa).
“As a group, we played good cricket to be able to defend these two trophies and we hope we will keep the momentum going heading into the new season.”
On Saturday, the teenage-sensation, Ndhlovu, was the player of the match.
She scored an unbeaten 57 from 39, clobbering 10 boundaries and six in the Eagles’ nine-wicket win over Mountaineers in the Women’s T20 final.
She also claimed three wickets for nine runs in four overs as Mountaineers’ skipper, Pellagia Mujaji’s half century, a-62 ball 66 went in vain.
Sunday’s Zimbabwe Women One Day Cup against Rhinos was one-sided as Eagles wrapped up the match before lunch, with another nine-wicket win.
The star performer was again Ndhlovu while Mupachikwa was again the only casualty for Eagles with 27 runs from 24 balls.
Ndhlovu was unbeaten on 25 having picked six wickets for seven runs from seven overs while Christabel Chatonzwa took four to restrict Rhinos to a measly 57 runs all out.
Online Reporter