SA U19 Women claim convincing victory in first T20 against Zimbabwe in youth tri-series

The South African Under-19 side recorded a comfortable 31-run triumph over Zimbabwe Under-19 Women in the opening match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series that took place at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Friday.

The cricketing summer continues! ☀️🏏

South Africa Women’s Under-19 kick off the year with a T20 tri-series featuring CSA’s Youth XI and Zimbabwe Under-19s. 🔥

All matches will be streamed live on our CSA YouTube Channel, be sure not to miss any of the action! 📺#Unbreakable pic.twitter.com/0LEw2Hze32

The SA Under-19 Women posted a competitive total of 135/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with valuable contributions from captain Mieke van Voorst (35) and Karabo Meso (29). In reply, Zimbabwe fought bravely but were eventually restricted to 104/8, with Miya Lalor (2/13) and Ziya Mohanlall (2/18) leading the way with the ball for the hosts.

Winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first. Despite losing opener Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (1) in the second over, the innings was stabilised by a 51-run partnership between Meso (29) and Shreeya Subbiah (13). The pair guided the hosts to 56/1 near the halfway mark before Zimbabwe struck back.

Tawananyasha Zvomarima (1/25) and Salem Museka (1/30) removed both batters in the space of four deliveries, reducing South Africa to 63/3 in the 10th over. A further half-century stand between Van Voorst (35) and Ashley Barnard (24*) restored momentum for the host nation, taking the total to 121/3 after 18 overs.

Van Voorst was the last wicket to fall, with Barnard and Nobubelebesisa Zwane (7*) adding valuable runs in the final two overs to get the SA Under-19 Women to a defendable score.

In their chase, Zimbabwe got off to a flyer with bat in hand, although South Africa continued to chip away at the wicket's column. The touring side raced to 45/3 after five overs, despite key wickets from Melissa van der Merwe (1/31) and Lalor, as well as a sharp run out from wicketkeeper Meso.

Following the competitive start to the innings, South Africa began to take control of the proceedings by slowing down the visitors’ scoring rate while picking up wickets at regular intervals. Spinners Mohanlall, Ashleigh van Wyk (1/18) and van Voorst (1/7) picked up the last four wickets in the day, with Zimbabwe restricted to 104/8 in 20 overs.

The second T20 match will take place on Saturday, 10 January, where the SA Under-19 Women will face the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban from 1pm. The match will be streamed live on CSA’s YouTube page.

SA Under-19 Women Squad

Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions), Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal), Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province), Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal)

SA Under-19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe Under-19 Women and CSA Youth XI

Friday, 9 January - 1st Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Saturday, 10 January - 2nd Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Monday, 12 January - 3rd Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Tuesday, 13 January - 4th Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Thursday, 15 January - 5th Youth T20 at 1pm - SA Under-19 Women v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Friday, 16 January - 6th Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe Under-19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Sunday, 18 January - Youth T20 Tri-Series Final at 1pm - TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)