Khan inspires Namibia to victory over Women's Emerging Academy

Yasmeen Khan.

Yasmeen Khan continued her scintillating form with the bat, scoring an unbeaten century to guide Namibia to a 100-run win over the CSA Women’s Emerging Academy in the first 50-over match of the series at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek. The result gives the Capricorn Eagles a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Khan dispatched an impressive 15 fours and five sixes en route to 145* off 134 deliveries, well supported by captain Suné Wittmann’s 95-ball 68 (3x4, 5x6) as the home side posted a commanding 274/5. Seamer Mekelaye Mwatile (3/28) led the charge with the ball to help bowl out the Emerging Academy side for 174 in 40.5 overs.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, the Capricorn Eagles were rocked by the early departure of opener Kayleen Green (0) off the bowling of Caitlyn Wyngaard (3/43) in the second over of the match.

That proved to be a momentary setback for the Namibian side as Wittmann teamed up with Khan for an outstanding 171-run partnership for the second wicket. That stand saw both batters celebrate their half-centuries, with Khan marching towards triple figures before Wyngaard picked up her second scalp of the morning to see the back of Wittmann, leaving the hosts 172/2 in the 31st over.

One wicket quickly brought another as Alexandra Candler (2/42) had new batter Mezerly Gorases caught cheaply for five. Despite losing her partners at the other end, Khan continued to dominate proceedings, forming a 68-run stand with Edelle van Zyl (34), which also saw her raise her bat for a 99-ball hundred.

Although Van Zyl became Wyngaard’s third wicket of the contest, Khan added another 21 runs with Mwatile (5), who was dismissed by Candler, before Namibia eventually ended their innings on 274/5.

Tasked with an uphill battle in pursuit of 275 for victory, the Emerging Academy openers, Nicole de Klerk (43) and Candler (42), made a bright start to the chase. The pair put on a 78-run partnership before De Klerk was the first wicket to fall in the 18th over off Saima Tuhadeleni (1/24).

With a platform set for the chase, the South African side struggled to kick on at the crease as the Namibian bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals. Shortly after crossing the 100-run mark, the visitors lost their other in-batter, with Candler clean bowled by Mwatile. That scalp was soon followed by a double strike for the home side, with Gandhi Jafta (26) and Eliz-Mari Marx (0) departing through Wilka Mwatile (2/33) and a run out, respectively, to reduce the Emerging Academy to 120/4 after 29 overs.

The fall of wickets continued as Namibia applied the pressure. Delmi Tucker (17) was run out, and further wickets to Mekelaye Mwatile and Sylvia Shihepo (2/35) saw Luyanda Nzuza (0) and Verunissa Reddy (2) depart, leaving the visitors reeling at 138/7.

Despite a valiant stand worth 32 runs between Jenna Evans (19) and skipper Leah Jones (14) for the eighth wicket, it was ultimately in vain as two more wickets for Mekelaye Mwatile and another scalp for Shihepo concluded the visitors’ innings on 174 all out with 9.1 overs to spare.

The second One-Dayer will take place on Thursday at the High Performance Oval from 10am.

Sune Wittmann.

CSA Women’s Emerging Academy Squad - Tour to Namibia

Alexandra Candler (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jenna Evans (DP World Lions), Nicole de Klerk (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gandhi Jafta (Fidelity Titans), Leah Jones (World Sports Betting Western Province), Mona-Lisa Legodi (Fidelity Titans), Simoné Lourens (Fidelity Titans). Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Kgomotso Rapoo (DP World Lions), Verunissa Reddy (Knights), Kayla Reyneke (World Sports Betting Western Province), Oluhle Siyo (World Sports Betting Western Province), Delmi Tucker (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Caitlyn Wyngaard (World Sports Betting Western Province).

Fixtures

T20 Series

Wednesday @ 2pm SAST

First T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek) - SA won by 33 runs

Thursday @ 2pm SAST

Second T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek) - SA won by six wickets

Saturday @ 2pm SAST

Third T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek) - Namibia won by three wickets

Sunday @ 2pm SAST

4th T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek) - Namibia won by seven wickets

50-over Series

Tuesday @ 10am SAST

First 50-over: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek) - Namibia won by 100 runs

Thursday @ 10am SAST

Second 50-over: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)

Saturday @ 10am SAST

Third 50-over: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)