Mupachikwa stranded short of century in SA Emerging Women defeat

Zimbabwe women star Modester Mupachikwa was five short of a century, in a one-day cricket match against South Africa Emerging Women (SA-EW) at Queen’s Sports Club on Thursday.

SA-EW won the match by 90 runs in which their captain, Andrie Steyn, picked up back to-back centuries. She hit a135 at a strike rate of 95.07.

For the locals however, it will be the story of Mupachikwa carrying the bat to an unbeaten 95, which included an unbeaten 124-run fifth wicket partnership with stand-in captain, Josephine Nkomo, who made 60, that stood out.

This was against a mammoth run chase of 298, as SA-EW came out more aggressive and with intent after winning the toss in the second one dayer.

Steyn and Tazmin Brits put on 129 for the same wicket, the latter making 85 off just 59 balls before Nomvelo Sibanda provided the breakthrough for Zimbabwe.

After that, Steyn held together successive partnerships, leading her side to 297 for the loss of five wickets.

Loryn Phiri took one wicket for 25 runs in her six overs. Most of the remaining bowlers conceded at six runs per over.

If 232 was too much in the first match, 297 was and proved to be impossible.

Outside Mupachikwa and Nkomo, only Precious Nkomo (18) got into double figures, in which Zimbabwe spent time at the crease, but were conservative.

Perhaps that is the point of this series, learning how to bat 50 overs, before learning how to score extensively and aggressively.

Masabata Klaas too three for 34 and Annerier Derckson one for 18, the latter from three overs as Zimbabwe were restricted to 207 for the loss of seven wickets.

The next match is on this weekend, at the same venue.