The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
It is often said brilliance is what happens when execution meets intent.
And, while the Lady Chevrons showed great intent – from a young Kelis Ndlovu trying to hit everything that came her way for a boundary to great cameos from the trio of Sharne Mayers, skipper Mary-Anne Musonda and Josephine Nkomo right at the end of the innings – it was the execution that lacked.
As a result, Zimbabwe bowed out of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates courtesy of a four-run loss to Ireland on Friday.
With only two slots available for next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, a win for either side would have been enough to book a ticket to the global showcase.
Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field, after which Ireland raced to what turned out to be a winning 137 for six in their allotted 20 overs.
Top-order batter Orla Prendergast top-scored for the Europeans with 28 runs that came off 25 balls, while the duo of skipper Laura Delaney (22) and Rebecca Stokell’s unbeaten 26 off 12 balls chipped in with handy cameos.
Ndlovu, on the other end, was the pick of Zimbabwe bowlers, as the 17-year-old picked up two wickets for 38 runs during her four overs.
Nomvelo Sibanda also picked up two wickets, while Precious Marange and Audrey Mazvishaya claimed a wicket apiece.
At the halfway mark, and chasing 138 for victory, destiny seemed to be in Zimbabwe’s hands.
However, the Lady Chevrons put themselves under unnecessary pressure.
Ndlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano were both guilty of trying to slog everything that came their way, and needlessly threw their wickets away.
The 17-year-old opener was bowled out cheaply by Ireland’s Jane Maguire for eight runs, which came off 14 balls, while the more seasoned campaigner Mugeri-Tiripano (4) was caught by Cara Murray also off Maguire.
For her two wickets, which both came in the fourth over, the 19-year-old Irish bowler was named Player-of-the-Match and finished with figures of two for 18 runs from her allotted four overs.
Zimbabwe did have their moments, as a 50-run third-wicket partnership between Mayers (39) and her skipper Musonda (31) brought with it glimmers of hope.
The two rode out the rough patches of Zimbabwe’s innings, with their contributions taking Zimbabwe from 20 for two in the fourth over to 70 for three.
However, the required rate kept climbing as Zimbabwe toiled to get the right boundaries, and this despite some spirited contributions from the likes of Modester Mupachikwa (17 runs off 12 balls) and Nkomo’s unbeaten 18 runs off 13 balls.
In the end, four runs were the difference between success and failure, as Ireland booked the first two available slots to next year’s T20 showcase while Zimbabwe were left to lick their wounds in defeat.
In the second semi-final match, Bangladesh were expected to meet Thailand, with the winner of that match joining Ireland in Sunday’s final and booking a place in next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
