Zimbabwe Emerging out to finish on a high

ZIMBABWE Emerging cricket team will be hoping to finish their campaign on a high note when they face South Africa Emerging in the series’ last match at the Groenkloof Oval in Pretoria, South Africa today.

The match, however, is a dead rubber as the hosts have an unassailable 3-1 lead but a win will be an ideal end for under-pressure Stuart Matsikenyeri and his charges.

A win for Zimbabwe Emerging would see them lose the series 3-2 against a very youthful South African side whose players are yet to get a feel of senior international cricket.

Today’s match will be the last chance for some senior players who have failed to step up their game throughout the series.

Players such as 31-year-old Roy Kaia who is captaining Zimbabwe Emerging will have the last chance to make a mark having struggled with the bat in the first four games.

Discipline, especially with the ball, has been lacking and is something that Matsikenyeri has been stressing and will be key in today’s final match.

Taking all the wickets is what Zimbabwe Emerging side needs to do today.

In their previous match where their hopes of winning the series went up in smoke, Zimbabwe Emerging were bowled out for 244 runs in 47,2 overs before the hosts went on to chase down the target in 41,5 overs to finish on 245/4.

The top order could not put up a decent opening stand once again, losing a wicket as early as the sixth over.

Zimbabwe Emerging’s innings was pushed by two half centuries from Clive Madande and Wessly Madhevere.
Only four Zimbabwean batters managed to cross double figures.

Madande, down the order top scored for Zimbabwe Emerging with a well batted 81 runs off 90 deliveries while

Madhevere fell for 68 runs after facing 98 balls.

The only other two batters who managed to cross double figures were Tinashe Kamunhukamwe and Brian Bennett who fell for 23 and 13 runs respectively.

Today’s encounter is scheduled to start at 10am.

In other cricket news, Mega Market Mountaineers Women team took a 2-0 series lead against Malawi after a four wickets win at the TCA Oval in Blantyre, Malawi.

The Pelagia Mujaji-captained Mountaineers bowled out Malawi Women for 67 runs in 12,3 overs before going on to chase down the target in 14,4 overs, finishing on 70/6 to lead the seven-match series 2-0.

Francesca Chipare was named player of the match after she finished with figures of 5/7.

The team that toured Malawi includes Lady Chevrons bowlers Nomvelo Sibanda, Loryn Phiri and batter Pelagia Mujaji. — @brandon_malvin