ZIMBABWE Women crafted a memorable all round performance to stun West Indies by four wickets at Harare Sports Club Sunday, bouncing back from a heavy opening defeat to register a landmark victory and level the three match One Day International series 1-1.
The Lady Chevrons bundled out West Indies Women for 139 in 39.3 overs before reaching 140 for six in 40.5 overs, sealing victory with 55 balls remaining and collecting two valuable ICC Women’s Championship points.
Nyasha Gwanzura stood at the heart of Zimbabwe’s triumph, claiming four wickets for 33 runs from 10 overs before returning with an unbeaten 18 to help finish the chase. She was deservedly named Player of the Match.
West Indies coach Shane Deitz conceded afterwards that Zimbabwe had imposed themselves on the contest through greater discipline and intensity.
“Zimbabwe bowlers bowled with discipline, they fielded well, had a lot of energy, they were really up for the fight, and we probably weren’t up to match that fight,” Deitz said.
“I just think Zimbabwe were more disciplined and wanted it a bit more desperately on the day. They deserved to win.”
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews chose to bat first, but Zimbabwe quickly disrupted their plans.
Michelle Mavunga removed Realeanna Grimmond for four before Gwanzura landed the major blow when she dismissed Matthews for 26, leaving the visitors 56 for two.
Francisca Chipare then removed Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry in the same over as West Indies stumbled to 63 for four.
Gwanzura tightened Zimbabwe’s grip by accounting for Jannillea Glasgow, Zaida James and Aaliyah Alleyne. West Indies suddenly found themselves 88 for seven after appearing relatively comfortable at 56 for one.
Former West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor resisted with 47 from 68 balls, but Mavunga ended her innings before also dismissing Afy Fletcher.
Mavunga finished with three for 36, Chipare took two for 16 and Olinder Chare claimed the final wicket as West Indies folded for 139.
Deitz believed his side had wasted an opportunity to post a substantially bigger total.
“Two hundred and thirty, 250 was definitely achievable, and obviously we had a big collapse in the middle there, which left us well short of where we should have been,” he said.
Zimbabwe then constructed their chase around a 67-run opening partnership between Modester Mupachikwa and Kelis Ndhlovu.
Mupachikwa struck seven fours in her 38 from 57 deliveries, while Ndhlovu contributed 30 from 56.
West Indies fought back dramatically, reducing Zimbabwe from 67 without loss to 70 for three as Aaliyah Alleyne removed Mupachikwa and Ndhlovu while Ashmini Munisar trapped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano for a duck.
Beloved Biza contributed 14 before Afy Fletcher bowled her, and the dismissal of Chiedza Dhururu left Zimbabwe 105 for five.
Captain Josephine Nkomo then steadied the innings with a patient 30 from 58 balls, combining with Gwanzura to move Zimbabwe towards the target.
Munisar dismissed Nkomo with seven runs still required, but Gwanzura refused to surrender the initiative.
She remained unbeaten on 18 from 37 balls, with three fours, while Mavunga finished unbeaten on two as Zimbabwe crossed the line.
Gwanzura credited the victory to a collective response following the disappointment of the opening match.
“The first game didn’t go our way, but we’re learning, we’re getting experience from these guys,” Gwanzura said.
“This is a learning curve. We’re just taking it one game at a time.”
She said the victory had injected belief into the side ahead of the series decider.
“Obviously, this win is a confidence booster, so we’re just keeping it simple and we keep moving forward and learning one thing at a time,” she said.
Deitz, meanwhile, acknowledged that Zimbabwe’s batters had read the conditions better during the chase.
“They gave themselves a bit of time to use the conditions,” he said. “They didn’t rush their shots. We probably weren’t smart enough and didn’t react to the conditions fast enough.”
The West Indies coach said his players would have to respond quickly after allowing Zimbabwe back into the series.
“We’ve got to learn from what we’ve done here and make sure we don’t make the same mistake,” Deitz said.
For Gwanzura and her teammates, however, attention has already shifted to the deciding match.
“We will just keep on working on what has been working and maybe try to improve a little bit on whatever it is that we need to work on,” she said.
“By the time we get to the decider, we’ll be great.”
The result leaves the series locked at 1-1 and sets up a winner-takes-all final ODI at Harare Sports Club.
Gwanzura then tore through the middle order, dismissing Jannillea Glasgow, Zaida James and Aaliyah Alleyne to leave the tourists reeling at 88 for seven.
Taylor fought almost alone, scoring 47 from 68 balls, but Mavunga ended her resistance at 101 for eight.
Mavunga also accounted for Afy Fletcher to finish with three for 36, while Chipare claimed two for 16.
Olinder Chare completed the demolition by bowling Karishma Ramharack as West Indies folded for 139 in 39.3 overs.
Zimbabwe then approached the modest target with patience rather than panic.
Modester Mupachikwa and Kelis Ndhlovu laid the foundation with a 67 run opening partnership, ensuring West Indies could not make the early breakthroughs they needed.
Mupachikwa led the scoring with 38 from 57 deliveries, striking seven boundaries, while Ndhlovu contributed 30 from 56 balls.
Aaliyah Alleyne removed Mupachikwa before Ashmini Munisar trapped Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano without scoring.
Alleyne then dismissed Ndhlovu as Zimbabwe suddenly slipped from 67 without loss to 70 for three.
Beloved Biza steadied the chase with 14, but her departure, followed quickly by Chiedza Dhururu for two, left Zimbabwe at 105 for five.
Captain Josephine Nkomo refused to surrender the advantage.
She compiled a patient 30 from 58 deliveries and combined with Gwanzura to push Zimbabwe within touching distance.
Munisar removed Nkomo at 133 for six, but the wicket came too late to rescue West Indies.
Gwanzura remained composed and, alongside Mavunga, carried Zimbabwe to 140 for six in the 41st over to complete a famous victory.
The result gives Zimbabwe two ICC Women’s Championship points and leaves the three match series delicately poised at 1-1 ahead of Wednesday’s deciding ODI at Harare Sports Club. The West Indies schedule confirms the third ODI for September 30 at the same venue.
For Zimbabwe, the victory represented a remarkable response after Matthews’ record 182 had powered West Indies to a commanding win in the series opener. This time, Zimbabwe contained Matthews, dismantled the visitors’ batting order and successfully completed the chase to keep the series alive.
