A gorgeous century by young Karabo Meso that led to a commanding 116-run win in their Hollywoodbets Pro50 Series match was the highlight of the DP World Lions women’s team’s weekend in Bloemfontein.
The 17-year-old Meso plundered a forceful, classy 128 off just 129 balls, as #ThePrideOfJozi made 296/7, having been sent in to bat by the Free State Knights. The Lions then bowled out the home side for 180 inside 42 overs to start their season on a good note.
The Lions were in trouble on 113/5 after 20 overs, when Meso was joined by SA Under-19 all-rounder Jenna Evans. The pair of Steyn City pupils – present and past – went on to add a match-winning 171 for the sixth wicket in 29 overs.
Wicketkeeper/batter Meso collected 15 fours and a six in her fabulous innings, favouring the front foot as she unfurled several lovely drives, while also manipulating the ball for ones and twos in a superbly fluent effort.
Evans began patiently, getting herself properly settled, before accelerating to a robust 65 not out off 77 deliveries, with six fours.
Palesa Mapoo (23) and Diara Ramlakan (36) had looked good at the top of the order as they added 42 for the second wicket but the Lions tended to lose wickets in pairs, until the magnificent partnership between Meso and Evans.
Evans then had fun with the ball as she ran through the Knights lower-order to seal victory for the Pride, taking 4/18 in 5.1 overs with her canny spin bowling. Evans’ effort meant the Free Staters lost their last five wickets for just 18 runs, ensuring a bonus point win for the Lions. Sunette Viljoen-Louw helped wrap things up with 2/9 in three overs.
Sarah Nettleton also collected two wickets, while Lehlohonolo Meso bowled tidily up front, taking 1/18 in six overs.
In the Hollywoodbets Pro20 game, the DP World Lions could only muster 115/5 after being sent in to bat, with opener Nonkhululeko Thabethe the only batter to spend a long time at the crease, batting through the innings for 52 not out.
Evans continued loving her time in Bloemfontein with a quickfire 23 not out off 19 balls to give the Pride some hope of defending their total.
Despite the marvellous bowling of Fay Cowling, who took 2/8 in three overs, Free State captain Izell Cilliers steered her team home with two balls to spare with an unbeaten half-century.
Lions captain Kgomotso Rapoo also fought hard with the ball, taking 1/19 in three overs.
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