Series: Africa Emerging Players in Zimbabwe May 2021
Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Format: List A
Toss: Zimbabwe
Result: South Africa by 10 wickets

Openers Waste no Time

With the five match series already in favour of the tourists 3-0 there was an air of inevitability about the likely result in game four. It proved to be the case with an even more emphatic victory than in the previous encounters.

Josephine Nkomo won the toss for the home team and finally had the opportunity to make the choice which was batting first. It seemed like a good idea given that chasing a score hadn’t worked so far.

It didn’t matter. The home team really struggled for momentum while wickets fell at regular intervals. Top score for Zimbabwe was a hobbling Precious Marange who appeared to damage a leg through the innings and it was reflected in the way she batted, hitting six boundaries on her way to 40 (55). Also with some good hitting at the end, Tasmeen Granger with 22 (26). These two were in stark contrast to the best at the top of the order who were quite slow. Chiedza Dhururu scored 25 from 59 deliveries while Christabel Chatonzwa scored 21 from 61. Zimbabwe finished all out for 137 in 39.4 overs.

Best with the ball were Michaela Andrews (3-17) and Masabata Klaas (2-23).

South Africa EP only two batters, both not out at the end when they finished with 138/0. Captain Andrie Steyn 61* (87) and Tazmin Brits 67* (61) did what they have been doing all series. South Africa EP now lead 4-0 with one to play.

Scores:

Zimbabwe 137 (Marrange 40, Dhururu, Andrews 3-17, Klaas 2-23) 39.4 overs
South Africa EP 138/0 (Brits 67*, Steyn 61*) 24.4 overs
Player of the Match: not announced