SA U19 Women dominate Zimbabwe

The South African Under-19 side recorded a comfortable 31-run triumph over Zimbabwe Under-19 Women in the opening match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series that took place at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Friday.

The SA U19 Women posted a competitive total of 135/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with valuable contributions from captain Mieke van Voorst (35) and Karabo Meso (29). In reply, Zimbabwe fought bravely but were eventually restricted to 104/8, with Miya Lalor (2/13) and Ziya Mohanlall (2/18) leading the way with the ball for the hosts.

Winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first. Despite losing opener Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (1) in the second over, the innings was stabilised by a 51-run partnership between Meso (29) and Shreeya Subbiah (13). The pair guided the hosts to 56/1 near the halfway mark before Zimbabwe struck back.

Tawananyasha Zvomarima (1/25) and Salem Museka (1/30) removed both batters in the space of four deliveries, reducing South Africa to 63/3 in the 10th over. A further half-century stand between Van Voorst (35) and Ashley Barnard (24*) restored momentum for the host nation, taking the total to 121/3 after 18 overs.

Van Voorst was the last wicket to fall, with Barnard and Nobubelebesisa Zwane (7*) adding valuable runs in the final two overs to get the SA U19 Women to a defendable score.

In their chase, Zimbabwe got off to a flyer with bat in hand, although South Africa continued to chip away at the wicket's column. The touring side raced to 45/3 after five overs, despite key wickets from Melissa van der Merwe (1/31) and Lalor, as well as a sharp run out from wicketkeeper Meso.

Following the competitive start to the innings, South Africa began to take control of the proceedings by slowing down the visitors’ scoring rate while picking up wickets at regular intervals. Spinners Mohanlall, Ashleigh van Wyk (1/18) and van Voorst (1/7) picked up the last four wickets in the day, with Zimbabwe restricted to 104/8 in 20 overs.

The second T20 match will take place on Saturday where the SA U19 Women will face the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban from 1pm. The match will be streamed live on CSA’s YouTube page.

SA U19 Women Squad

Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga), Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga), Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province), Miya Lalor (Western Province), Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions), Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal), Ziya Mohanlali (KZN Coastal), Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo), Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal), Melissa van der Merwe (Boland), Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm), Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm), Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province), Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal) .

CSA Youth XI Squad

Jemma Botha (Western Province), Jezé Campher (Garden Route Badgers), Bruzaan Goosen (Eastern Storm), Simone Lourens (Titans), Siphokuhle Masilela (Eastern Storm), Nthabiseng Nini (North West), Diara Ramlakan (Central Gauteng Lions), Puseletso Sekhute (North West), Gabriella Sequeira (Titans), Ashley Sibanda (Central Gauteng Lions), Oluhle Siyo (Western Province), Maria van der Vyfer (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Chanel Venter (Titans).

Fixtures and Results

Friday, 9 January - First Youth T20 at 1pm - SA U19 Women v Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban) - SA won by 31 runs

Saturday, 10 January - Second Youth T20 at 1pm - SA U19 Women v CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Monday, 12 January - Third Youth T20 at 1pm - SA U19 Women v CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Tuesday, 13 January - Fourth Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Thursday, 15 January - Fifth Youth T20 at 1pm - SA U19 Women v Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Friday, 16 January - Sixth Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Sunday, 18 January - Youth T20 Tri-Series Final at 1pm - TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)