Andrie Steyn's second ton takes South Africa Emerging side to a 2-0 lead

second consecutive century to help South Africa Emerging side take 2-0 lead with a 90-run win in the second one-dayer against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday (May 20).

Opting to bat after winning the toss, Steyn and Tazmin Brits put on 129 runs for the opening wicket. Brits was the aggressor among the two and scored 84 off 58 balls. The pair punished the inexperienced Zimbabwean bowling attack. Brits fell short of her 100 to a reverse sweep off Nomvelo Sibanda.

Robyn Searle at three didn’t look comfortable as she lost her middle stump to Audrey Mazvishaya in the 25th over after scoring 17 off 22 balls. Soon they lost Nondumiso Shangase when she fell to Lorraine Phiri for just nine. Meanwhile, Steyn took charge at the other end and the visiting side’s run rate never fell below 5.50 RPO. She brought her century off 108 balls in the 41st over. She remained unbeaten on 135 as her side finished on a mammoth score of 297 for 5 form their 50 overs.

Zimbabwean bowlers were helpless against the Emerging side. Sibanda, Mazvishaya, Phiri, and captain Josephine Nkomo got wicket apiece. Phiri was the most economical bowler with figures of 6-0-25-1.

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In reply, Zimbabwe were rocked early as Masabata Klaas removed Chiedza Dhururu for a duck in the very first over and trapped Pellagia Mujaji LBW in the fifth over. By the end of the tenth over, Zimbabwe were reeling at 25 for three as Michaela Andrews castled Christabel Chatonzwa for nine.

From this precarious position, opener Modester Mupachikwa and Nkomo started rebuilding the innings. The pair shared a 124-run partnership before Dercksen found Nkomo’s edge when she was on 60 and wicket-keeper Tebogo Macheke took a great diving catch.

In the 46th over Precious Marange hit the only six of the match but it was too little too late for the hosts. South Africa Emerging side took three wickets in the last three overs even as Mupachikwa remained not out on 95. And the hosts fell way short, having scored only 207 for seven in the stipulated 50 overs.

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For South Africa Emerging side, Klaas was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3 for 34 from her nine overs.

Brief Scores: South Africa Emerging 297/5 in 50 overs (Andrie Steyn 135*, Tazmin Brits 84; Lorraine Phiri 1/25) beat Zimbabwe 207/7 in 50 overs ( Modester Mupachikwa 95*, Josephine Nkomo 60; Masabata Klaas 3/34) by 90 runs