The SA Emerging Women suffered a narrow 14-run defeat to Bangladesh Emerging Women in the final 50-over clash of the series, despite valiant half-centuries from Simone Lourens and Faye Tunnicliffe in Chattogram on Sunday. The visitors clinched the three-match series 2-1.
Chasing Bangladesh’s formidable total of 253/8, anchored by Ishma Tanjim’s 57 off 83 balls (6 fours), South Africa fell short, bowled out for 239 in 49.4 overs. Lourens top-scored with a fluent 68 off 63 deliveries (8 fours, 1 six) in her first appearance of the tour, while Tunnicliffe added 55 from 57 balls (3 fours, 1 six).
Bangladesh, having won the toss and elected to bat, were rocked early by the ever-reliable Delmi Tucker (2/39), who removed opener Dilara Dola (1) and skipper Sarmin Sultana (5), reducing the home side to 9/2 in the fourth over.
Tanjim then stabilised the innings in a vital 87-run partnership with Sumaiya Akter (38), with both batters rotating strike well and punishing loose deliveries. Ghandi Jafta (1/36) eventually broke the stand, dismissing Akter.
Tanjim followed soon after, caught off the bowling of captain Kgomotso Rapoo (2/18), leaving Bangladesh at 121/4 in the 30th over. A key 68-run partnership between Rubya Jhilik (34) and Afia Era (44) helped Bangladesh edge closer to the 200-run mark before Zintle Kula (1/27) accounted for Jhilik.
Maintaining the momentum, Era combined well with Shorna Akter (41*), and the duo added a further 61 runs for the sixth wicket. The innings concluded at a competitive 253/8, with Era, Farzana Yeasmin (0), and Sebekun Nahar (0) falling towards the end.
South Africa’s reply started brightly, with openers Nicole de Klerk (42) and Lourens putting on a commanding 97-run stand. Lourens reached her half-century in style before the partnership was broken by Tanjim (1/21), who dismissed Candler.
Shorna Akter (1/27) then removed Jafta (7), and Yeasmin (1/30) accounted for Lourens shortly after, leaving South Africa at 135/3 after 21 overs.
The partnership was eventually broken by Tanjim (1/21), with Nicole de Klerk (42) departing, before Shorna Akter (1/27) followed suit with the scalp of Jafta (7). Lourens was the next to fall shortly after, with Yeasmin (1/30) picking up the wicket to leave the away side 135/3 after 21 overs.
Despite needing 119 more runs and having the in-form Tunnicliffe at the crease, South Africa’s innings faltered as Tucker (2) and Luyanda Nzuza (0) fell in quick succession. Tunnicliffe and Eliz-Mari Marx (34) fought back with a 63-run stand that lifted the tourists past 200.
Tunnicliffe notched her second fifty of the series but was soon dismissed, along with Marx, as Shorna Akter and Fuara Begum (1/52) tightened the screws.
The final three wickets—claimed by Akter, Nahar (2/49), and a run-out—ensured Bangladesh sealed a consolation 14-run win, bowling South Africa out for 239 with just two balls remaining.
The SA Emerging Women now turn their attention to the T20 leg of the tour, with the first match of the three-match series scheduled for Wednesday, 14 May, at the Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground.
SA Emerging Women’s Squad against Bangladesh Emerging
Leah Jones (T20 captain, World Sports Betting Western Province), Kgomotso Rapoo (50-over captain, DP World Lions), Alexandra Candler (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nicole De Klerk (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Ghandi Jafta (Fidelity Titans), Zintle Kula (Knights), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Mona Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simone Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Luyanda Nzuza (Knights), Verunissa Reddy (Knights), Nonkululeko Thabethe (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province).
Management
Dinesha Davnarain (Head Coach), Marcia Letsoalo (Manager), Claire Terblanche (Batting Coach), Angelique Taai (Bowling Coach), Yolandi van der Westhuizen (Fielding Coach), Dr Dhavina Naidoo-Jewkes (Team Doctor), Stacey-lee Hercules (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Tshepi Letsholo (Physiotherapist) and Adele van Eck (Team Analyst).
SA Emerging Women Fixtures
One-Day Matches
Tuesday, 06 May at 06h00 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – BSFLMRCS, Chattogram
Thursday, 08 May at 06h00 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – BSFLMRCS, Chattogram
Sunday, 11 May at 06h00 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – BSFLMRCS, Chattogram
T20 Matches
Wednesday, 14 May at 09h30 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar
Friday, 16 May at 09h30 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar
Sunday, 18 May at 09h30 SAST - Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar