ZIMBABWE Women were blown away by a brutal Anneke Bosch innings as South Africa Women powered to a six-wicket victory in the opening T20I at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo yesterday.
After Zimbabwe battled to 116 all out in 19.3 overs, Bosch hammered 83 off just 43 balls to help the visitors race to 117 for 4 in 13.1 overs, sealing victory with 41 balls to spare and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Zimbabwe, who won the toss and elected to bat, were in trouble almost immediately.
Nyasha Gwanzura fell for three in the second over before Kelis Ndhlovu was bowled for a duck four balls later, both dismissed by debutant Nthabiseng Nini.
Sharne Mayers made five before falling to Eliz-Mari Marx, while Nini struck again to remove Loreen Tshuma without scoring.
At 12 for 4 after 3.3 overs, Zimbabwe were staring at a very low total.
Beloved Biza attempted to steady the innings with 13 off 17 before Modester Mupachikwa and Michelle Mavunga finally gave the hosts something to build around.
Mupachikwa top-scored with a patient 36 from 43 balls, striking five fours, while Mavunga provided some much-needed aggression with 21 off 18, including two fours and a six.
Their resistance helped Zimbabwe recover to 81/6 before Mavunga was dismissed by Annerie Dercksen.
Captain Nomvelo Sibanda added 15 from 16 balls, but Zimbabwe were unable to bat out their 20 overs, eventually folding for 116 with three deliveries remaining.
Nini was the chief destroyer, claiming three for 17 from 3.3 overs on debut and earning the Player of the Match award. Kayla Reyneke also picked up three wickets, finishing with 3/29, while Dercksen took two for 15.
Zimbabwe were given an early opening when Gwanzura removed South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt for six with the score on seven.
But Bosch quickly slammed the door shut.
She took control of the chase with a punishing display, reaching her half-century from 31 deliveries before accelerating further.
Bosch struck 11 fours and three sixes in her 83 from 43 balls, scoring at a strike rate of 193.02 and reducing what could have been a tricky chase to a formality.
Nondumiso Shangase supported her with 18 from 22 as the pair carried South Africa to 75 for two after 10 overs.
Zimbabwe managed three further breakthroughs, with Tshuma dismissing Shangase and Mavunga bowling Faye Tunnicliffe for one.
Gwanzura eventually trapped Bosch lbw from the final delivery of the 13th over, but by then South Africa needed just one run.
Gwanzura was comfortably Zimbabwe’s best bowler, returning two for 19 from her four overs, including a maiden, while Tshuma and Mavunga claimed a wicket each.
South Africa completed the chase one ball into the following over to finish on 117 for four.
For Zimbabwe, the damage was done at both ends of the contest, the collapse to 12/4 left them chasing the game from the outset, while Bosch’s assault ensured their modest 116 was never enough.
South Africa now lead the five-match T20I series 1-0.
