A scintillating century by Andile Simelane paved the way for South Africa Emerging to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in their one-day series against Zimbabwe Emerging with a four-wicket win at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday.
Batting at No 3, the allrounder smashed seven sixes and 11 fours in a swashbuckling 110 off 70 balls, setting the tourists on their way to chasing down a stiff 311-run target with 27 balls to spare.
Simelane was helped by Lesego Senokwane, one of the stars of the seven-wicket triumph in Tuesday’s opening one-dayer, after he made 39 and shared in a 117-run second-wicket stand, while captain Mihlali Mpongwana hit an unbeaten 51 (62 balls, 1 fours, 1 six) and Andile Mogakane made 45.
Earlier, Jade de Klerk was the pick of the bowlers with three for 45 as the home side set an imposing total after being put in to bat first.
Antum Naqvi, Zimbabwe’s best player of the tour thus far, again top-scored with 85 (71 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes) and Nicholas Welch (54 off 73 balls, 5 fours) also recorded a half-century to bolster them to 310 for nine.
Apart from De Klerk’s three-for, Tristan Luus picked up two for 45 and there was also a wicket for Simelane (1-59) and Senokwane (1-29).
The South Africans lost Modiri Litheko (4) in the second over, but the second wicket stand helped rebuild and gave them momentum as Simelane got to 50 in just 31 balls, before crossing three figures from just 57 deliveries.
He eventually fell before the 200 was raised, but Mogakane and Mpongwana added 51 together for the fifth wicket, with the skipper then keeping his head to lead his side home in the 46th – sealing a memorable win.
The series draws to a close on Saturday when the two teams meet in the final one-dayer at the same venue in Bulawayo.
SOUTH AFRICA EMERGING SQUAD
Mihlali Mpongwana (captain, Western Province), Jade de Klerk (Border), Dian Forrester (Free State), Valentine Kitime (Western Province), Modiri Litheko (Titans). Tristan Luus (Dolphins), Dewan Marais (Easterns), Andile Mogakane (Warriors), Nipho Mpungose (Free State), Caleb Seleka (North West), Lesego Senokwane (North West), Andile Simelane (Dolphins), Codi Yusuf (Lions), and Ntando Zuma (KZN Inland).
TOUR ITINERARY
FOUR-DAY MATCHES
1 - 4 August
Zimbabwe Emerging lost to SA Emerging Men by an innings and 186 runs - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
7 - 10 August
Zimbabwe Emerging drew with SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
ONE-DAY MATCHES
Tuesday, 13 August
Zimbabwe Emerging lost to SA Emerging Men by 7 wickets - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Thursday, 15 August
Zimbabwe Emerging lost to SA Emerging Men by 4 wickets - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Saturday, 17 August
Zimbabwe Emerging v SA Emerging Men - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo