Jafta, Marx lead SA Emerging to victory

Outstanding performances from all-rounders Gandhi Jafta and Eliz-Mari Marx proved decisive as the SA Emerging Women secured a narrow two-wicket win over Bangladesh Emerging Women to take a 2-0 series lead in Chattogram on Thursday. The result hands South Africa the series victory with a match to spare.

The visitors made an assertive start, bowling Bangladesh out for 151. Marx (3/13) and Delmi Tucker (3/22) led the charge with three wickets each, while home captain Sarmin Sultana top-scored with 59 off 101 balls (6x4).

In reply, the SA Emerging Women battled hard in challenging conditions and under significant pressure from the hosts, eventually reaching their target in the final over. Jafta anchored the chase with a crucial 52 off 87 deliveries (8x4), while Marx contributed a match-winning 31* off 49 balls (1x4, 1x6).

Similarly to the opening encounter, the host nation started the contest with bat in hand but were quickly in trouble, reduced to 5/3 inside four overs thanks to Marx and Tucker before Sultana and Rubya Jhilik (21) managed to stabilise the innings through the PowerPlay.

Following the momentary restbite, the visitors struck again. Tucker and Luyanda Nzuza (1/30) removed Jhilik, Shorna Akter (2) and Dilara Dola (0), leaving the hosts reeling at 45/6 in the 20th over. Sultana and Farzana Yeasmin (44) then stitched together a vital 81-run stand to lift the score to 126/6 before Sultana was dismissed by her opposite number, skipper Kgomotso Rapoo (2/23).

Yeasmin and Shanjida Maghla (11) added 24 runs for the eighth wicket but SA Emerging Women pounced to finish the job. Marx, Rapoo and Leah Jones (1/18) wrapped up the innings, bowling Bangladesh out for 151 in 49 overs.

Chasing 152 for victory, South Africa faced early setbacks as openers Nonkululeko Thabethe (1) and Alexandra Candler (1) fell cheaply to Maghla (2/9), leaving the visitors struggling at 9/2 in the sixth over.

Despite the slow scoring conditions, Jafta and Faye Tunnicliffe (22) showed resilience, adding 48 for the third wicket. Tunnicliffe’s departure at the hands of Shorna Akter (2/34) was followed by a testing period as Jafta continued to hold the innings together, even as Tucker (6) and Verunissa Reddy (4) fell in quick succession.

After notching up a memorable half-century, Jafta was eventually dismissed with the visitors on 94/6 in the 33rd over, still needing 56 runs to win.

Although Nzuza (2) was also removed, Marx, drawing on her Proteas Women experience, stepped up under pressure. Together with Jones (17) and Rapoo (6*), she guided South Africa home, striking the winning runs with a six with four balls to spare.

The third and final One-Day match will be played on Sunday 10am local time (6am SAST) at the same venue.

SA Emerging Women’s Squad

Leah Jones (T20 captain, World Sports Betting Western Province), Kgomotso Rapoo (50-over captain, DP World Lions), Alexandra Candler (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nicole De Klerk (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Ghandi Jafta (Fidelity Titans), Zintle Kula (Knights), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simone Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Luyanda Nzuza (Knights), Verunissa Reddy (Knights), Nonkululeko Thabethe (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province).

Management

Dinesha Davnarain (Head Coach), Marcia Letsoalo (Manager), Claire Terblanche (Batting Coach), Angelique Taai (Bowling Coach), Yolandi van der Westhuizen (Fielding Coach), Dr Dhavina Naidoo-Jewkes (Team Doctor), Stacey-lee Hercules (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Tshepi Letsholo (Physiotherapist) and Adele van Eck (Team Analyst).

Fixtures (all times local)

One-Day Matches

Tuesday 10am

Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – BSFLMRCS, Chattogram (SA won by five wickets)

Thursday 10am

Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – BSFLMRCS, Chattogram (SA won by two wickets)

Sunday at 10am

Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – BSFLMRCS, Chattogram

T20 Matches

Wednesday at 1.30pm

Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar

Friday, 16 May at 1.30pm

Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar

Sunday, 18 May at 1.30pm

Bangladesh Emerging v South Africa Emerging – Cox’s Bazar Academy Ground, Cox’s Bazar