It was a final, everyone should have witnessed as Cricket was showcased for the first time in the 13th African Games hosted in Ghana, at the Achimota Cricket Oval on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.
Zimbabwe recorded a 100% winning record from the group and with 6 points, having beaten Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya before Nigeria in the semifinal.
The Lady chevrons scored 112-5 in the first innings after South Africa had won toss.
Modester Mupachikwa (31-49) started slowly with Sharne Mary Mayers (10-9) as the Proteas got Mayers out on the 3.2 over with a delivery of Leah Jones, while Zimbabwe got 39-1 at the end of the power play.
A wonderful partnership producing 49runs, between Modester and Kelis Ndhlovu (32-29) lifted the momentum of Zimbabwe with 63-1 at the 10th over, before Kelis was sacrificed on the 12th over.
In the second innings, South Africa dreamt a reality and had 26-3 after the power play with their required run rate standing at 4.3. Things turned around for them as Kayla Reyneke (9-7) came in from the 11th over to partner Karabo Meso (12-19), while Zimbabwe lost focus in fielding and giving out extras.
The women proteas who, needed 13 runs to win in 2 overs, achieved 107-7 in the 19th over. Zimbabwe needed to keep it clean and so had to run out Ghandi Jafta (7-6) on the 20th over, while South Africa tried to make a run to win the game, as they stood at 112-7 in 19.5 overs.
In a nervy Super over, where who you choose to bowl or bat matters most, South Africa threw in Annerie Dercksen and Faye Tunnicliffe but Francisca Chipare bowled Annerie and run out Maine Smit to keep proteas at 2-2 in 0.3 over.
It was all Ndhlovu, to hand Zimbabwe gold, as Jane Winster got a dot ball from her in the first ball but got a boundary 4 in the second to end it, scoring 4-2 in 0.2 over. She won the player of the match with figures 3-0-21-2 and performance 32(28).
It was the 3rd player of the match for Kelis and she was grateful to the team for support.
“I am happy for this and first time coming here to play. I want to thank the team for always backing me up and giving me confidence to showcase my talent.”
At the individual awards, tournament Referee, Emmanuel Dube and umpire Vinod, were presented with plaques.
Best fielder was to Uganda vice captain, Janet Mbabazi who had 5 catches and 2 run outs. Best Bowler went to Lilian Udeh of Nigeria, who took 8 wickets from 5 innings.
Modester Mupachikwa of Zimbabwe flew home with the Best Batter of the tournament, having sore 150 runs. The Player of the tournament however went to Kelis Ndhlovu.
The women have set the pace and it is up to the Men to make the game of cricket in Africa be felt by all.
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