Kelis Ndhlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano shine in Zimbabwe's six-wicket win over SA Emerging, using DLS method in rain-affected T20. The victory ties the series 1-1 with four matches remaining. Read more about their standout performance at Harare Sports Club.

Ndhlovu produced stellar figures of three for 19 in two overs as the hosts restricted South Africa to 69/4 in eight overs after the match was reduced to eight overs per side, with Nondumiso Shangase top-scoring for the visitors with an undefeated 22* (12). 

Mugeri-Tiripano then took the game away for Zimbabwe with a swash-buckling 42* off 18 balls, including six fours and one six to lead her team to victory with two deliveries to spare despite a leading return with the ball from South Africa’s Seshnie Naidu (2/22).

After losing out on the toss and being asked to bat first, South Africa’s innings was delayed before it got underway as inclement weather led to a late start to play before the contest was reduced by 12 overs to an eight-over match. 

When the clash eventually commenced, South Africa’s outing with the bat was hindered by a fall of wickets at crucial periods as Ndhlovu removed both openers Andrie Steyn (17) and Annerie Dercksen (9) before returning late on to claim the scalp of Leah Jones (0) to leave the tourists 43/4 after six overs. 

Shangase (22*) and Mieke de Ridder (5*) combined for a crucial 26-run stand for the fifth wicket to get South Africa to 69/4, having achieved an innings run rate of 8.63. 

In their chase, Zimbabwe experienced an early setback as Eliz-Mari Marx (1/9) removed opening batter Ndhlovu for a three-ball duck before Mugeri-Tiripano and skipper Mary-Ann Musonda (14) teamed up to get their innings back on track with a 22-run partnership to propel the home side to 32/1 in the fifth over. 

Although the Emerging side displayed a fighting spirit through the removal of Musonda, Ashley Ndiraya (8) and Nyasha Gwanzura (1) at the hands of Naidu (2/22) and Jones (1/16), Mugeri-Tiripano retained her composure and aggression at the crease to secure the win in the final over. 

Zimbabwe and the SA Emerging will now take a rest day before resuming their battle on Wednesday, 22 November at 14h00 CAT in the third T20 at the Harare Sports Club. 

SA Emerging Women Squad vs Zimbabwe (2023/24):

Nobulumko Baneti (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Lara Goodall (Western Province), Leah Jones (Western Province), Tebogo Macheke (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Refilwe Moncho (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Asakhe Nyovane (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), *Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Andrie Steyn (Western Province), Jané Winster (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers)

*Squad Update - Tumi Sekhukhune has replaced Ayanda Hlubi in the SA Emerging squad for the Zimbabwe T20 Series. 

Results: SA Emerging Women vs Zimbabwe

Sunday, 19 November - 

SA Emerging beat Zimbabwe by eight wickets

Zimbabwe: 96/7 after 20 overs; J. Nkomo 34* (50), N. Gwanzura 26 (22); E. Marx 2/9, N. Shangase 1/6

SA Emerging: 99/2 after 11.2 overs; A. Dercksen 58* (30), A. Steyn 16 (15); K. Ndhlovu 2/12, A. Mazvishaya 0/7

Monday, 20 November - 

Zimbabwe beat SA Emerging by six wickets (DLS)

SA Emerging: 69/4 after 8 overs; N. Shangase 22* (12), A. Steyn 17 (13); K. Ndhlovu 3/19, L. Mabhero 0/8

Zimbabwe: 70/4 after 7.4 overs; C. Mugeri-Tiripano 42* (18), M. Musonda 14 (13); S. Naidu 2/22, E. Marx 1/9

Fixtures: SA Emerging Women vs Zimbabwe

Wednesday, 22 November @ 14h00 CAT - 3rd T20 - Zimbabwe vs SA Emerging Women (Harare Sports Club, Harare)

Friday, 24 November @ 12h00 CAT - 4th T20 - Zimbabwe vs SA Emerging Women (Takashinga Sports Club, Harare) 

Sunday, 26 November @ 12h00 CAT - 5th T20 - Zimbabwe vs SA Emerging Women (Takashinga Sports Club, Harare)

Monday, 27 November @ 12h00 CAT - 6th T20 - Zimbabwe vs SA Emerging Women (Takashinga Sports Club, Harare)