Tunnicliffe's ton inspires SA Emerging Women to victory

Faye Tunnicliffe.

Faye Tunnicliffe produced a brilliant century to guide the SA Emerging Women to a 38-run win over Bangladesh Emerging Women in the third and final 50-over match at the Pietermaritzburg Oval on Monday, sealing a 2-0 series triumph for the hosts.

Tunnicliffe struck 116 from just 95 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes, rescuing South Africa from a precarious position to help her side post 228 all out in 43.2 overs. In reply, Oluhle Siyo (2/19), Eliz-Mari Marx (2/38) and Caitlin Wyngaard (2/44) claimed two wickets apiece as Bangladesh were bowled out for 190 with three deliveries remaining.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but were immediately put on the back foot by Bangladesh’s opening attack. Disha Biswas (4/46) and Habiba Pinky (3/53) ripped through the top order, with Pinky dismissing Simone Lourens (9) and Yasmeen Khan (9), while Biswas removed Diara Ramlakan (2), Miané Smit (10) and Nondumiso Shangase (0) to leave the hosts reeling on 36/5 after 10 overs.

Tasked with rebuilding the innings after arriving at the crease at No 5, Tunnicliffe steadied the ship with valuable partnerships alongside Leah Jones (13), Marx (11) and Siyo (10). Despite her resistance, Bangladesh continued to chip away through Biswas, Pinky and Jannatul Sumona (1/39), reducing SA Emerging to 103/8 in the 25th over.

Unfazed by the mounting pressure, Tunnicliffe shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favour. She shared a crucial 47-run ninth-wicket partnership with Seshnie Naidu (14), bringing up her half-century from just 42 deliveries before Sabikun Jesmin (1/41) ended the stand by dismissing Naidu.

The final wicket pair then added a match-defining 78 runs, with Wyngaard providing excellent support while Tunnicliffe dominated the scoring. The recently crowned Hollywoodbets Pro Series Players’ Player of the Season struck the ball to all parts of the ground as the pair transformed South Africa’s innings into a competitive total, with Tunnicliffe eventually becoming the last wicket to fall.

Bangladesh’s chase never gathered sustained momentum as South Africa’s bowlers applied pressure throughout. Marx made the early breakthrough by dismissing Murshida Khatun (8), leaving the visitors on 37/1 at the end of the PowerPlay.

Sathi Rani (24) and Rubya Jhelik (45) rebuilt the innings before Smit (1/18) broke their second-wicket partnership. Jhelik then combined with Jannatul Tithi (35) in a stubborn 69-run stand that carried Bangladesh to 125/3 in the 34th over. However, Marx removed Jhelik before a sharp run out by Siyo accounted for Tithi.

Those wickets led to four more batters falling in quick succession, with Nthabiseng Nini (1/9), Wyngaard and Naidu (1/34) contributing with ball in hand to leave Bangladesh reeling on 157/8 in the 45th over.

Although Biswas (10*) and Pinky (25) added a valiant 33 runs for the ninth wicket, the contest was wrapped up by Siyo in the last over, nabbing the final two wickets to seal a match and series triumph for the SA Emerging Women.

The first T20 will take place on Thursday from 1pm in Pietermaritzburg, with the match streamed live on the CricketSATV YouTube channel.

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

3rd 50-over - SA Emerging Women won by 38 runs

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)