Nini and Hlubi guide Proteas Women to series whitewash

Nthabiseng Nini and Ayanda Hlubi picked up three wickets apiece to help the Proteas Women seal an exciting 14-run victory and complete a 5-0 series whitewash over Zimbabwe following the fifth T20 International (T20I) in Bulawayo on Saturday.

In a Player of the Match display, Nini claimed leading figures of 3/19, alongside Hlubi’s career-best return of 3/24, as the Proteas restricted the Lady Chevrons to 150/8 in 20 overs after posting 164/6, thanks to notable knocks from Kayla Reyneke (34*) and Anneke Bosch (33).

For the fourth game in a row, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat. The latest new-look opening pair of Miané Smit (30) and Faye Tunnicliffe (25) put on a 37-run stand before the latter was trapped LBW by Michelle Mavunga (3/46).

Smit and Karabo Meso (6) pushed the touring side to 56/1 at the end of the PowerPlay before Zimbabwe struck in quick succession, removing Meso, Smit and Laura Wolvaardt (7) through Nyasha Gwanzura (1/19), Beloved Biza (1/21) and Kudzai Chigora (1/37) to reduce the visitors to 79/4 in the 11th over.

The Proteas Women fought through the challenging period with a crucial 75-run stand for the fifth wicket between Reyneke and Bosch, propelling the tourists past the 150-run mark in the final over. Despite two late wickets from Mavunga, including the dismissals of Bosch and Annerie Dercksen (8), South Africa ended their innings on 164/6. .

In their chase, Zimbabwe lost two early wickets as Hlubi and Nini removed Nyasha Gwanzura (16) and Lorraine Pemhiwa (2), respectively, to leave the home side on 22/2 in the fourth over.

Despite the stuttering start, the hosts asked questions of the South African bowlers through an explosive 80-run partnership between Kelis Ndhlovu (38) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, helping Zimbabwe progress to 102/2 after 13 overs.

Still needing 63 runs from the final seven overs, Caitlin Wyngaard (1/18) made the all-important breakthrough by clean bowling Mugeri-Tiripano. That wicket opened the door for the Proteas Women as Hlubi picked up two scalps with consecutive deliveries to reduce Zimbabwe to 110/5 in the 15th over.

Despite contributions from Sharne Mayers (19), Josephine Nkomo (11) and Michelle Mavunga (12), the target proved beyond the home side as Nini claimed two late wickets, in addition to a run-out completed by Meso, to wrap up South Africa’s 14-run victory and a dominant 5-0 series whitewash.

Bosch was named the Player of the Series following her leading knocks with the bat, ending the tour with 214 runs in four innings, including two half-centuries and a high score of 83.

The Proteas Women will next be in action in December when they host India in a multi-format tour featuring a Test match, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20Is.

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) - SA won by 14 runs