CSA Youth XI Fall to Zimbabwe but Qualify for Tri-Series Final Against SA U19 Women

DURBAN: The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI experienced a 31-run defeat against Zimbabwe in the sixth and final round-robin match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Friday.

Despite the loss, the CSA Youth XI progressed to the final, edging Zimbabwe on net run rate by a narrow 0.04, and will face the unbeaten South Africa Under-19 Women in the decider.

In today’s clash, Zimbabwe recovered from a tricky start to post 120/5, with Salem Museka recording an aggressive 23-ball 40. The Youth XI could only respond with 89 all out in 19.2 overs after Museka continued her fine day with figures of four for 15 with the ball.

The invitational side won the toss and elected to put the visitors in to bat. A decision that proved to be the right one early on as Nthabiseng Nini (2/19) caused trouble for Zimbabwe’s opening pair. She dismissed both Nicollette Nyika and Christina Mutasa for first ball ducks in the first over of the encounter.

Zimbabwe steadied through Nokutenda Makanhiwa (25) and Tadiwa Garutsa (21), who added a valuable 34-run partnership for the third wicket. The stand was broken in the sixth over when Jemma Botha (1/12) trapped Garutsa LBW, reducing the visitors to 35/3.

Lorraine Pemhiwa (8) joined Makanhiwa and helped lift the score to 59/3 before the Youth XI struck again, with Maria van der Vyfer (1/3) and Jeze Campher (1/12) removing both batters in quick succession.

With Zimbabwe needing a strong finish, Makanaka Zinyama (17) and Museka combined for an unbeaten 58-run partnership, guiding their side to a solid 120/5 at the close of the innings.

In reply, the CSA Youth XI endured a difficult start to their chase. After openers Jeze Campher (0) and Chanel Venter (0) were dismissed early by Christina Mutasa (1/13) and Buhlebenkosi Maposa (2/13) respectively, Museka stormed through the center order with four crucial wickets, leaving the Youth XI reeling on 37/6 after nine overs.

Despite resistance from Van der Vyfer (19), Ashley Sibanda (17*) and Bruzaan Goosen (15), wickets continued to fall at regularly. The CSA Youth XI were eventually bowled out for 89 in 19.2 overs, handing Zimbabwe a 31-run victory.

The Tri-Series final will take place on Sunday, 18 January from 13h00 and will be broadcast live on CSA’s YouTube page.

CSA Youth XI Squad

Jemma Botha (Western Province), Jezé Campher (Garden Route Badgers), Bruzaan Goosen (Eastern Storm), Simone Lourens (Titans), Siphokuhle Masilela (Eastern Storm), Nthabiseng Nini (North West), Diara Ramlakan (Central Gauteng Lions), Puseletso Sekhute (North West), Gabriella Sequeira (Titans), Ashley Sibanda (Central Gauteng Lions), Oluhle Siyo (Western Province), Maria van der Vyfer (Boland), Diedre van Rensburg (North West), Chanel Venter (Titans)

SA U19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe U19 Women and CSA Youth XI

1st T20 – SA U19 won by 31 runs

SA U19: 135/4 after 20 overs; M. van Voorst 35, K. Meso 29; B. Maposa 1/32, S. Maseka 1/30

Zimbabwe U19: 104/8 after 20 overs; R. Mpofu 15, L. Pemhiwa 14; M. Lalor 2/13, Z. Mohanlall 2/18

2nd T20 – SA U19 won by 11 runs

SA U19: 78/6 after 10 overs; K. Meso 36, M. van Voorst 23; N. Nini 4/15, J. Campher 1/7

CSA Youth XI: 67/3 after 10 overs; J. Botha 24, C. Venter 18; C. Wanckel 1/17, S. Mukhari 1/3

3rd T20 – SA U19 won by 20 runs

SA U19: 152/5 after 20 overs; M. van Voorst 56, M. Lalor 45; N. Nini 2/31, B. Goosen 1/33

CSA Youth XI: 132/7 after 20 overs; C. Venter 45, D. van Rensburg 24; C. Wanckel 1/22, M. Lalor 1/23

4th T20 – CSA Youth XI won by 18 runs

CSA Youth XI: 134/7 after 20 overs; J. Campher 37, G. Sequira 22, T. Garutsa 2/14, C. Mutasa 1/24

Zimbabwe U19: 116/8 after 20 overs; M. Zinyama 41, N. Makanhiwa 24; J. Camphor 3/15, P. Sekhuthe 2/18

5th T20 – SA U19 won by 5 wickets

Zimbabwe U19: 95 all out after 20 overs; M. Zinyama 23, C. Mutasa 12; Z. Mohanlall 3/12, M. van der Merwe 3/12

SA U19: 96/5 after 14.2 overs; M. van Voorst 45, M. Lalor 16; S. Museka 3/22, B Maposa 1/11

6th T20 – Zimbabwe U19 won by 31 runs

Zimbabwe U19: 120/5 after 20 overs; S. Museka 40, N. Makanhiwa 25; N. Mini 2/19

CSA Youth XI: 89 all out after 19.2 overs; M. van der Vyfer 19, A. Sibanda 17*; S. Museka 4/15, B. Maposa 2/13

Sunday, 18 January – Youth T20 Tri-Series Final at 13h00 – SA U19 Women vs CSA Youth XI (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

Source: cricket.co.za

Steve Jefferies was a lively left-arm fast bowler and dangerous lower-order bat, just below genuine all-rounder class. His stats were 11 matches, 27.87 average, 45 high score, 39 wickets, 29.82 average, and 4-58 best.