Whitewashed …Lady Chevrons fail to match Thailand

ANOTHER dreadful batting display saw Zimbabwe senior women’s cricket team suffering a whitewash at the hands of Thailand after losing the third One Day International cricket match by six wickets yesterday at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Lady Chevrons were bowled out for 112 runs in 38.5 overs and the hosts went on to finish on 116/4 in 27.2 overs to take the ODI series 3-0.

Zimbabwe’s top order once again failed to get going, with wickets lost early into the innings. Loreen Tshuma went on to finish as the leading run scorer for the Gary Brent-coached Lady Chevrons team with 32 runs not out off 63 balls while Christabel Chatonzwa fell for 18 runs after facing 40 balls.

Sharne Mayers and Francisca Chipare were the only other two batters to cross double figures, scoring 16 and 13 runs respectively as their team once again put up a woeful batting performance.

Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong and Nattaya Boochatham once again starred with the ball for the hosts, each taking three wickets for 21 and seven runs respectively.

Phannita Maya picked up two scalps for eight runs in five overs to confine Zimbabwe to yet another low score.

In their chase, the hosts’ captain, Naruemol Chaiwai made another unbeaten half century to guide her team to an easy victory. She finished on 52 runs from 60 balls while Natthakan Chantham scored 22 runs from 25 balls to seal the series with a massive 136 balls to spare.

This was Zimbabwe’s first international assignment of the year after players took part in domestic matches.

After the completion of the 50-over series, focus now shifts to Twenty20 Internationals which start tomorrow at the same stadium. They are set to play four 20-over matches before Zimbabwe head back home. — @brandon_malvin.