Some incredible new ball bowling from Josephine Nkomo and Nomvelo Sibanda followed by half-centuries from Modester Mupachikwa and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano helped Zimbabwe trump Thailand in the third one-dayer by five wickets on Sunday (August 22). The hosts lead the four-match series 2-1.
Opting to bowl first, Zimbabwe got early breakthroughs with Nomvelo Sibanda and Nkomo running through the Thailand top-order. Nkomo sent Suleeporn Laomi and Wongpaka Liengprasert back to the pavilion in the same over, and Sibanda got rid of Nattaya Boochatham at the other end.
Nkomo continued to rattle Thailand as she dismissed Nannapat Koncharoenkai shortly after. Sibanda complimented her with the wicket of the experienced Natthakan Chantham. Thailand had slumped to 14 for five in 8.4 overs.
Joined by Sornnarin Tippoch, skipper Naruemol Chaiwai tried to rebuild the innings. The duo took their time to settle in and slowly built a partnership for the sixth wicket. Together, they added 70 runs before Tippoch got out to Loryn Phiri for 27 runs from 81 balls. Chaiwai, however, kept the innings going with Onnicha Kamchomphu and Thipatcha Putthawong for company.
She brought up her unbeaten century in 133 balls, taking the team to a competitive total. Putthawong scored a 29-ball 20, and Thailand finished with 189 for seven in 50 overs. Nkomo was the pick of the bowler for Zimbabwe, taking three wickets for 42 runs.
Chasing close to four runs per over, the hosts lost Ashley Ndiraya early. Mupachikwa and Mugeri-Tiripano ensured that they did not lose any further wickets in the powerplay. They kept the scorecard moving, keeping in check with the required run rate. The duo added 105 runs for the second wicket before Mupachikwa got out for 52 runs from 85 balls.
Mugeri-Tiripano was dismissed by Suleeporn Laomi for a 75-ball 54. The onus was now on the skipper Mary-Anne Musonda, who took the team closer to the target. She fell three runs short of her fifty, scoring 47 runs from just 46 balls. Zimbabwe eventually chased down the target in 43.3 overs.
Brief Scores:
Thailand: 189/7 in 50 overs (Naruemol Chaiwai 100*, Josephine Nkomo 3/42) lost to Zimbabwe: 192/5 in 43.3 overs (Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 54, Suleeporn Laomi 2/31) by five wickets.
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