Proteas elects to bat first in third T20I against Zimbabwe

South Africa Women won the toss and elected to bat first in their T20I contest against Zimbabwe Women at the Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday afternoon.

South Africa come into this contest looking to seal a series win with two games to go. The visitors lead the five-match series 2-0. Nthabiseng Nini and Anneke Bosch set the visitors up for victory in style.

Nini grabbed three wickets in the powerplay to cripple the visitors, who opted to bat first. Bosch then scored a 43-ball 83 to lead the visitors to a comfortable six-wicket win.

Bosch carried her blistering form into the second game, where she scored 65 runs from 31 balls, before Faye Tunnicliffe made an unbeaten 52 from 34 deliveries to set South Africa up for a 64-run win. Bosch also captured two wickets in the match. Seshnie Naidu and Bosch were the chief destroyers with the ball during Zimbabwe’s innings.

The hosts have had issues with their batting. Their openers have struggled to get going and only two players, Modester Mupachikwa and Christine Mutasa, reached the 30-run mark. Their bowlers have also not fared better, they have struggled to contain the South African batters or take wickets.

They will need to be on top of their game if they are to have a chance of winning their first fixture of the series.

ZIMBABWE: Nyasha Gwanzura, Lorraine Pemhiwa, Kelis Ndlovu, Loreen Tshuma, Beloved Biza, Modester Mupachikwa (wk), Loryn Phiri, Christina Mutasa, Michelle Mavunga, Nomvelo Sibanda (capt), Tendai Makusha.

SOUTH AFRICA: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Miané Smit, Karabo Meso (wk), Faye Tunnicliffe, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Eliz-Mari Marx, Luyanda Nzuza, Seshnie Naidu, Ayanda Hlubi.