Holy Smit! Miané's epic innings seals the deal for Proteas Women

Miané Smit shone with the bat to help guide the Proteas Women to a superb 80-run triumph in the fourth T20 International (T20I) against Zimbabwe, extending their lead to 4-0 in the five-match series.

Smit notched up her maiden international century, scoring 102 off 59 deliveries, including 15 fours and one six, as the touring side posted 205/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Zimbabwe were comfortably kept at bay with the bat, with Caitlin Wyngaard leading the charge with figures of 2/15 as the home side was restricted to 125/5 after 20 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa got off to a splendid start through openers Smit and Anneke Bosch (33). The pair put on an impressive 74-run stand to put the visitors in control before Nyasha Gwanzura (1/38) broke the partnership, with Bosch caught in the ninth over.

That wicket did little to slow down Smit. The 21-year-old teamed up with Annerie Dercksen (33), who was in an explosive mood herself, as the pair combined for a 62-run stand for the second wicket, during which Smit raised her bat for her half-century.

With South Africa cruising on 136/1 after 14 overs, Zimbabwe fought back with two important wickets. Loryn Phiri (1/29) dismissed Dercksen before Francisca Chipare (1/43) got the better of Kayla Reyneke (18) to reduce the Proteas Women to 168/3 in the 18th over.

Despite losing partners at the other end, Smit pressed on to bring up her first international century, becoming the fifth South African to record a hundred in women’s T20Is.

The right-hander was the final wicket to fall, run out by Nomvelo Sibanda, as South Africa finished on a formidable 205/4 after 20 overs.

With ball in hand, it took the Proteas Women just 10 deliveries to make the breakthrough as Eliz-Mari Marx (1/24) removed the dangerous Gwanzura for five in the second over.

Wyngaard soon picked up her first T20I wicket for South Africa late in the PowerPlay, rearranging Lorraine Pemhiwa’s (8) furniture to help restrict the Lady Chevrons to 27/2 after six overs.

Kelis Ndhlovu (16) and Beloved Biza (36) stuck it out for the next four overs, pushing their side to 53/2 at the halfway mark before Luyanda Nzuza (1/20) dismissed Ndhlovu.

Biza and Josephine Nkomo (26) then added 36 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was run out through the combination of Reyneke and debutant wicketkeeper Jae-Leigh Filander, leaving Zimbabwe on 87/4 in the 17th over.

Michelle Mavunga struck three boundaries late on, contributing 25 runs to help the hosts pass the 100-run mark before she fell to Wyngaard on the penultimate delivery of the innings as Zimbabwe finished on 125/5.

The fifth and final T20I will get underway on Saturday from 1.30pm, with the action streamed live on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel.

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).

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) - SA won by 80 runs

Thursday, 17 September - Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo (1.30pm) - SA won by 80 runs

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