Women's Emerging Academy make it two from two in Namibia

Simone Lourens.

The CSA Women’s Emerging Academy clinched a six-wicket victory in the second T20 against Namibia at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek on Thursday, taking a 2-0 series lead with two matches left to play.

The visitors successfully chased down Namibia’s 121/7, inspired by a standout 50 off 43 balls from Kayleen Green (3x4, 3x6). In response, South Africa’s run chase was spearheaded by teenager Simoné Lourens, who top-scored with an impressive 34 from 29 deliveries (4x4, 1x6), guiding her side home with 23 balls remaining.

Having lost the toss and been asked to bowl first, the Emerging Academy started brightly. All-rounder Kayla Reyneke struck with the very first ball, dismissing Namibian captain Suné Wittmann (0), caught in the field. Caitlyn Wyngaard soon added to the early momentum, removing Yasmeen Khan (16) to leave the hosts at 23/2 by the end of the PowerPlay.

The South African outfit soon picked up their third wicket, with Wyngaard trapping Arrasta Diergaardt (1) LBW in the eighth over, before opening batter Green teamed up with Edelle van Zyl (17) for a crucial 44-run stand to propel Namibia to 75/3.

Although Van Zyl was eventually dismissed by Gandhi Jafta (1/9), Green continued to anchor the innings, adding a further 25 runs alongside Mekelaye Mwatile (22*). The right-handed batter celebrated her deserved half-century before being the fifth wicket to fall, departing to Luyanda Nzuza (1/23) to leave the home side 100/5.

Mwatile did her best to help the Eagles advance to a competitive total. However, a second wicket off the bowling of Reyneke and a run out saw the back of Wilka Mwatile (3) and Shihepo Sylvia (4), respectively, helping South Africa restrict Namibia to 121/7 after their allotted 20 overs.

In their chase, the Women’s Emerging Academy got off to a flyer as the opening pair of Lourens and Alexandra Candler (6) put on 47 for the first wicket before Mwatile (1/34) made the breakthrough with a caught and bowled to remove Candler.

Despite the breakthrough, South Africa remained in control. Lourens and Eliz-Mari Marx (18) kept the scoreboard ticking, pushing the score to 56/1 by the end of the sixth over. The duo added 25 for the second wicket before Eveleen Kejarukua (2/19) struck twice in the 10th over, removing both batters and reducing the visitors to 73/3.

Although Victoria Hamunyela (1/10) followed up Kejarukua’s wickets with a scalp of her own in the very next over, getting rid of Reyneke (2), South Africa made light work of the 44 more runs needed for victory. Jafta (21*) and Delmi Tucker (26*) delivered an unbeaten 44-run stand for the fifth wicket to guide their side to the win with 3.5 overs to spare.

The third T20 is scheduled for Saturday from 2pm at the High Performance Oval in Windhoek.

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)

Sunday @ 2pm SAST

4th T20: CSA Emerging Women’s Academy v Namibia (High Performance Oval, Windhoek)

50-over Series

Tuesday @ 10am SAST

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

Thursday @ 10am SAST

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

Saturday, 12 July @ 10am SAST

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