Published: May 10, 2017, 07:30 AM (IST)
Edited: May 10, 2017, 03:17 AM (IST)
Zimbabwe Women put up an improved performance against Ireland Women in Match 4 of the Quadrangular Series in South Africa. This was Zimbabwe’s maiden victory in the series. Zimbabwe overcame early jitters with skipper Sharne Mayers and Mary-Anne Musonda adding an unbeaten 125-run stand. They took Zimbabwe to 6-wicket victory by the 47th over with consecutive boundaries off Shauna Kavanagh. Mary-Anne anchored the innings with her unbeaten 90-ball 65 that comprised of 10 fours. Earlier, it was Precious Marange’s 4-wicket haul that wrapped Ireland to 210. Shauna’s all-round show went in vain, as she struck her maiden ODI fifty for Ireland and also ended up with figures of 2 for 47. Full Cricket Updates: Ireland Women vs Zimbabwe Women, Match 4, Quadrangular Series
Ireland fought hard until the end of the innings, but failed to break the partnership between Mary-Anne and Sharne. Chasing target of 210, Ireland bowlers received early breakthroughs in form of opener Chipo Mugeri for 12 and Anesu Mushangwe for 14. Loren Tshuma played a patient knock of 25. But Shauna bagged her second wicket, trapping Loren. Ireland continued to keep their hopes alive, scalping another wicket in form of of wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa for 9. Since, the task was on Mary-Anne and Sharne to keep Zimbabwe alive in the series.
Putting Ireland to bat first, Zimbabwe struck early removing opener Mary Waldron for 4 off the fifth delivery. Josephine Nkomo provided the first breakthrough. Leah Paul and Laura Delany steadied the innings, bringing up the highest partnership of the innings of 46 for the second wicket.
However, Mary-Anne castled Delany for 13. Mary-Anne continued her spree with wickets after 10 overs dismissing Gaby Lewis for 20. Leah was the next one to make her journey back to the hut for 33. Ireland’s collapse looked certain. However, Shauna changed the scenario with her fifty until Josephine scalped her for 53. Jennifer Gray showed glimpses of her form, trying to take Ireland beyond 220-run mark. But Precious began her spree with the wickets and removed Jennifer, Laura Boylan, Rachael Delaney and Amy Kenealy in succession.
With this, Ireland will continue to hunt for victory while Zimbabwe would hope to continue their winning streak.
Brief scores:
Ireland Women 209 in 46.1 overs (Leah Paul 33, Shauna Kavanagh 53; Precious Marange 4 for 32) lost to Zimbabwe Women 211 for 4 in 47 overs (Sharne Mayers 46*, Mary-Anne Musonda 65*; Shauna Kavanagh 2 for 47) in 6 wickets with 18 balls to spare.
