Brilliant Bosch leads Proteas Women to victory over Zimbabwe

Player of the Match Anneke Bosch during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe Cricket

Another impressive display with the bat from Anneke Bosch helped the Proteas Women take a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20 International (T20I) series following an emphatic 64-run victory in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Bosch top-scored with a 31-ball 65 (12x4), alongside notable knocks from Faye Tunnicliffe (52* off 34 balls; 3x4, 4x6) and Annerie Dercksen (36*), as the touring side posted a commanding 193/3 in their allotted 20 overs.

Leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu then recorded career-best T20I figures of 3/26 in her four overs, aptly supported by Bosch’s own career-best figures of 2/5, as Zimbabwe were restricted to 129/7 in 20 overs.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. The visitors raced to 35/0 in the fourth over through openers Laura Wolvaardt (10) and Bosch before the former was trapped LBW by a delivery that kept low off the bowling of Tendai Makusha (1/23).

Following the departure of the captain, Bosch continued her fine form at the crease, teaming up with Nondumiso Shangase (23) for a 64-run stand for the second wicket. Bosch quickly brought up her second half-century of the series as the Proteas Women reached the halfway mark on 98/1.

The break in play worked in favour of the home side as Michelle Mavunga (1/25) and Lindokuhle Mabhero (1/40) struck in quick succession to remove both set batters and reduce South Africa to 105/3 in the 12th over.

Despite the setback, Tunnicliffe and Dercksen took on the mantle of taking the attack to the bowlers. The pair combined for an unbeaten 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket, with both batters producing lusty blows to take the score close to the 200-run mark.

With ball in hand, the Proteas Women made a fast start, with Eliz-Mari Marx (1/18) removing the experienced Sharne Mayers without troubling the scorers before Nyasha Gwanzura (18) and Kelis Ndhlovu (13) added 32 runs for the second wicket.

That stand was broken in the sixth over as Nthabiseng Nini (1/36) completed a caught-and-bowled to dismiss Ndhlovu. That scalp opened the game up for South Africa, with Naidu cashing in with three wickets to leave Zimbabwe reeling on 51/5 in the ninth over.

With hopes of victory dwindling, the Lady Chevrons’ lower order produced a valiant display, with contributions from Modester Mupachikwa (13), Christine Mutasa (30*) and Nomvelo Sibanda (15*) taking the hosts past the 100-run mark.

Bosch picked up two late wickets to add to her batting exploits, restricting Zimbabwe to 129/7 and helping South Africa secure a comfortable 64-run victory.

The third T20I will take place on Tuesday at the same venue, with the action streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel.

Sesnie Naidu celebrates her career best figures during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Zimbabwe Cricket

Proteas Women’s T20I Squad against Zimbabwe

Laura Wolvaardt (captain, Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Annerie Dercksen (Garden Route Badgers), *Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province Cobras), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Warriors), *Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Kayla Reyneke (Western Province Cobras), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (Western Province Cobras) and Caitlin Wyngaard (Fidelity Titans)

*Uncapped

Fixtures and Results

Friday, 11 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (1.30pm) - SA won by six wickets

Sunday, 13 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (1.30pm) - SA won by 64 runs

Tuesday, 15 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (1.30pm)

Thursday, 17 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (1.30pm)

Saturday, 19 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (1.30pm)