The South African Women have won the toss and have elected to bat first against their Zimbabwean counterparts in the second Women’s T20 International at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday afternoon.
South Africa began their five-match T20 tour of Zimbabwe with a convincing six-wicket victory on Friday with Anneke Bosch’s 83 the highlight of the match. The hosts, having won the toss and deciding to bat first at the same venue, were bundled out for just 116 with three balls to spare in the innings.
Nthabiseng Nini (3-17) and Kayla Reyneke (3-29) were the stars of the show with the ball while Annerie Dercksen (2-15) and Eliz-Mari Marx (1-9) provided excellent support. Wicketkeeper-batter Modester Mupachikwa (36) and Michelle Mavunga (21) provided some slight resistance but to little avail.
The South African ladies cruised to victory with 41 balls still in the bank, however, having lost four wickets all for single digits, will be concerning to captain Laura Wolvaardt, herself falling for just six.
With the sides never before having faced each other in the T20 format before Friday’s historic first match, the two sides will use this series as a sparring match, looking for weaknesses, probing, jabbing and trying to get the upper hand.
Zimbabwe have an impressive record against their African counterparts and besides for their opening loss to the visitors on Friday, have only-ever lost to Namibia, albeit only four times in 17 starts. So the hosts will really want to test their mettle against their southern opponents to prove whether they truly are the African giants of women’s cricket or whether they need to take a few more steps up the proverbial ladder.
Zimbabwe: TBA
South Africa: TBA