SA Emerging Women victorious against Bangladesh due to Candler, Nzuza and Smit heroics

Miané Smit.

Alexandra Candler, Luyanda Nzuza and Miané Smit starred as the SA Emerging Women secured a convincing 65-run victory over Bangladesh Emerging in the second 50-over match at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Friday.

The result gives the hosts a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the opening fixture was washed out.

Candler top-scored with a 107-ball 85 (6x4) alongside Smit’s 49 off 64 balls (7x4) as South Africa posted 256 all out in 49.3 overs. Bangladesh’s chase was initially derailed by an impressive return of 3/28 in 10 overs from spinner Nzuza before Player of the Match Smit wrapped up the contest with figures of 3/8 in three overs.

After a morning downpour delayed both the toss and the start of play, SA Emerging were sent in to bat. Despite the early loss of Yasmeen Khan (13), the hosts recovered through an excellent 92-run partnership for the second wicket between Candler and Smit, taking the score to 109/1 before Habiba Pinky (3/61) claimed her second wicket by bowling Smit in the 23rd over.

Candler continued to lead the innings, adding 45 runs for the third wicket with wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso (26) while bringing up her half-century from 67 deliveries. Their partnership ended when Jannatul Ferdous (1/23) dismissed Meso.

The right-hander then combined with Faye Tunnicliffe (27) in another valuable 45-run stand as South Africa edged towards the 200-run mark. However, Bangladesh fought back well in the closing stages. Sabikun Jesmin (2/39) removed Candler in the 41st over with the score on 199/4 before the visitors claimed six wickets for 56 runs to bowl the hosts out for 256.

Bangladesh’s reply got off to a stuttering start as Nthabiseng Nini (1/24) and Eliz-Mari Marx (1/23) dismissed Sathi Rani (4) and Rubya Haider (5) inside the PowerPlay, leaving the visitors on 37/2 after 10 overs.

Although Murshida Kathun (61 off 87 balls; 8 fours) kept Bangladesh in the contest with a determined half-century, reaching the milestone from 74 balls, the visitors were unable to build any substantial partnerships as South Africa struck regularly.

Nzuza claimed three key wickets, including Kathun, to leave Bangladesh on 132/5 in the 30th over. Afia Era offered late resistance with 31 but Smit ensured there would be no comeback, claiming three wickets and a run out to leave Bangladesh nine down before a second run out of the innings sealed a comprehensive victory for the SA Emerging Women.

The third and final 50-over match will be played on Monday at Pietermaritzburg Oval in Pietermaritzburg, with the live action streamed on Cricket South Africa’s YouTube channel.

Luyanda Nzuza.

SA Emerging Women’s Squad

Alexandra Candler (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Leah Jones (Western Province), Yasmeen Khan (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simone Lourens (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nthabiseng Nini (Warriors), Luyanda Nzuza (Fidelity Titans), Diara Ramlakan (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Oluhle Siyo (Western Province), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans), Faye Tunnicliffe (Western Province) and Caitlin Wyngaard (Fidelity Titans).

Fixtures and Results

50-over Series

1st 50-over - No result: Match abandoned due to rain

2nd 50-over - SA Emerging Women won by 65 runs

Monday 3 August at 9.30am

3rd 50-over - SA Emerging Women v Bangladesh Emerging Women (Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg)

T20 Series

Thursday, 6 August at 1pm

1st T20 - SA Emerging Women v Bangladesh Emerging Women (Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg)

Sunday, 9 August at 1pm

2nd T20 - SA Emerging Women v Bangladesh Emerging Women (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Tuesday, 11 August at 1pm

3rd T20 - SA Emerging Women v Bangladesh Emerging Women (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Alexandra Candler.