Patricia Kambarami Cup: South Africa Secure 28-Run Victory Over Zimbabwe

Following a well-deserved break and the successful NCF Legacy programme, which introduced over 200 girls to the game, the U-19 Women’s T20 series resumed. An early visit from the Duke of Spain, unfortunately, didn’t lead to a reduction in overs.

The clash between South Africa and Zimbabwe was a crucial indicator of both nations’ preparations for the ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup, with an added element of bragging rights at stake.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. Openers Chanel Venter and Ashley Barnard set a strong pace, with both reaching 16 runs off 13 and 11 balls respectively, contributing to South Africa’s total of 47 runs after 4 overs. By the end of the 6-over power play, South Africa stood at 62 runs.

Venter’s dismissal on the first ball of the 7th over brought captain Mieke Van Voorst to the crease. However, Van Voorst and the subsequent two wickets fell swiftly as Zimbabwe’s U-19 Women fought back. The 5th wicket fell at 9.5 overs, leaving South Africa on 82 runs, and the 6th followed in the 12th over, meaning South Africa had lost 6 wickets for just 25 runs.

South Africa reached their century in 14.2 overs, with Miya Lalor and Daneli Boshoff accelerating the scoring to 126. Boshoff was eventually dismissed, having scored 25 runs off 17 balls. South Africa U-19 Women concluded their innings on 145 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 20 overs.

For Zimbabwe, Salem Museka impressed with 2 wickets for 26 runs from 4 overs, supported by Tadiwa Garutsa, who also took 2 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs.

In response, Zimbabwe U-19 started cautiously, losing their first wicket in the second over with only 4 runs on the board. While a few boundaries sparked their chase, Ashley Van Wyk’s second wicket, conceding just 4 runs, halted their momentum. At the end of the 6-over batting power play, Zimbabwe were at 31 runs. South Africa U-19 Women maintained tight bowling, restricting Zimbabwe to 56 runs after 10 overs.

After 15 overs, Zimbabwe had reached 89 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. A late push saw them achieve a respectable score of 117 for 8 wickets in their 20 overs.

Ashley Van Wyk was the standout bowler for South Africa, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs, ably assisted by Kananelo Mokeoena, who took 2 wickets for 15 runs in 2 overs.

Christina Mutasa was Zimbabwe’s top scorer with 35 runs off 31 balls, followed by Lorraine Pemhiwa with 18 runs off 26 balls.

Ashleigh Van Wyk was deservedly named player of the match.

South Africa Women’s U-19 won by 28 runs.