Smit puts on masterclass to lead South Africa

Maine Smit registered her maiden T20I century as she steered South Africa Women to 205/4 in their match against Zimbabwe Women at Queens Sports Club in, Zimbabwe, on Thursday afternoon. Zimbabwe needs 206 runs in 20 overs to win.

This is South Africa's highest total in the series and the second time they have gotten to 200. South Africa's captain, Laura Wolvaardt, called correctly at the toss and elected to bat first. Smit answered her skipper's call with a brilliant 102 runs from 59 balls (15x4s, 1x6s). 

She faced 58 deliveries to reach the milestone. The 21-year-old batted with control and composure, and provided the South African batters with someone to bat around. Smit kept one end intact while everyone else expressed themselves.

Smit formed a barnstorming 62-run second-wicket partnership off 34 balls with Annerie Dercksen. The 25-year-old, who wasn't required to do much so far in the series, walked in at No 3 and took the Zimbabwean bowling attack head on. The allrounder scored an outstanding 33 from 16 deliveries.

Smit and Dercksen's partnership was built on the foundation laid by Smit and Anneke Bosch. The duo got South Africa going with a 75-run opening stand with Anneke Bosch. The 33-year-old, who slashed back-to-back half-centuries in the first two games of the series and was rested on the third, was unable to persist with her impressive run of form. However, she contributed a handy 33 off 24 balls.

Smit and Bosch had a subdued start, thanks to Zimbabwe's new ball pair of Michelle Mavunga and Nomvelo Sibanda, who were disciplined with their lines and length, conceding a mere 10 runs in the first two overs.

However, Anneke Bosch and Maine Smit gradually asserted themselves into the contest, lifting their run rate to seven runs an over in the next three overs. South Africa finished the powerplay on 42/0. The foundation they set, provided the visitors with a stable launching pad.

Unfortunately, neither Mavunga nor Sibanda captured any wickets. Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, and Loryn Phiri were the three wicket-takers with a single scalp each. Gwanzura was the most economical of the trio with a single wicket for 38 runs in four overs.

ZIMBABWE: Nyasha Gwanzura, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Josephine Nkomo (capt), Beloved Biza, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Loryn Phiri, Michelle Mavunga, Christina Mutasa, Nomvelo Sibanda, Francisca Chipare.

SOUTH AFRICA: Anneke Bosch, Miané Smit, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Eliz-Mari Marx, Luyanda Nzuza, Jae-Leigh Filander (wk), Caitlin Wyngaard, Ayanda Hlubi.