ZIMBABWE Women failed to back up their fine bowling display with the bat to lose the deciding one-day international (ODI) against Ireland Women by 81 runs at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.
The locals choked against Cara Murray’s legbreak, with the 23-year-old Irish spinner claiming six wickets to peg back the host’s quest of levelling the series.Zimbabwe lost the first ODI, fought back in the second match that ended in a tie, giving the Lady Chevrons hope of drawing the series.Skipper Mary-Anne Musonda won the toss and elected to field.
The home team restricted Ireland to 180 runs inside 48.1 overs.Star of the show in the tied match, Loreen Tshuma was once again the pick of Zimbabwe bowlers taking two wickets for 27 runs from nine overs.Spinner Precious Marange also picked two wickets for 35 runs in 10 overs, and so did Lindokuhle Mabhera, who had two for 31 in eight overs.
The quartet of Nomvelo Sibanda, Michelle Mavunga, Kelis Ndhlovu and Ashley Ndiraya picked a wicket each.Ireland’s runs came from number four batter, Orla Prendergast, who scored 41 from 67 deliveries before she was caught by Sibanda off Mabhero’s bowling.Leah Paul weighed in with 27 off 46, but she was clean bowled by Ndhlovu in the 16th over.
Georgina Dembsey scored 16, Ava Canning (15), Laura Delany and Murray scored 12 each, the later unbeaten, while Jane Maguire chipped in with 10.In response, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 99 in 30.5 overs with Murray causing havoc for the hosts.
Ndiraya top scored with 25 from 35 balls, captain Musonda played a patient knock, 23 from 52 balls, while Nyasha Gwanzura with 10 completed double digit scores for Zimbabwe.Apart from Murray’s six-fer, Delany, Arlene Kelly and Canning nicked a wicket each.
Action now switches to the five-match T20I series at Harare Sports Club, which starts later this week.
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