Zimpapers Logo

 Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE senior national women cricket team, Lady Chevrons, overwhelmed Papua New Guinea by seven wickets with 67 balls to spare in the opening unofficial one-day international at Harare Sports Club yesterday. 

Zimbabwe lead the three-match series 1-0 as both teams prepare for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers set for next month. 

A worry for the Lady Chevrons was 32-year-old topscorer Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, who retired hurt while on an unbeaten 71 off 105 balls. 

She had partnered captain Mary-Anne Musonda, who was later run out for 59 off 82 balls, to take the game away from the tourists who had reduced the Lady Chevrons to 36/2 in the eighth over. 

A century partnership by the experienced duo helped Zimbabwe cruise to 178/3 in 38.5 overs while replying to PNG’s 177 all out in 48 overs.

PNG were undone by the right arm medium pace of Audrey Mazvishaya and Josephine Nkomo, who claimed six of the wickets with Mazvishaya giving away just 28 runs in eight overs while Nkomo conceded 39 in nine overs.

A worry for both sides will be lack of discipline by the bowlers yesterday as Zimbabwe conceded 28 extras while PNG gave away 27 extras. 

The Lady Chevrons bowlers conceded 23 runs from wides and the 28 extras were the second highest contribution for PNG after opener Brenda Tau who scored 72 off 118 balls. 

PNG bowlers conceded 18 wides, which accounted for two thirds of the extras, and in the process made the third highest contribution for the Lady Chevrons after Mugeri-Tiripano and Musonda. 

The second match will be at the same venue tomorrow.