Jezé Campher produced an outstanding all-round performance to guide the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Youth XI to an 18-run victory over Zimbabwe Under-19 Women in the fourth match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Tuesday.
Campher top-scored with a solid 37 off 25 balls to lead the invitational side to 134/7 in their 20 overs before starring with ball in hand, picking up impressive figures of 3-15 in her two overs to restrict Zimbabwe to 116-8, despite Makanaka Zinyama’s best efforts which comprised of a 29-ball 41*.
The CSA Youth XI won the toss and elected to bat first, making a controlled start through openers Chanel Venter (6) and Campher.
The pair raced to a 36-run opening stand inside four overs before Christina Mutasa (1-24) broke the partnership by dismissing Venter.
Campher continued to anchor the innings alongside Jemma Botha (19), with the pair adding 23 runs for the second wicket.
However, just as the hosts looked to accelerate, Zimbabwe struck back through Tadiwa Garutsa (2-14) and Vanessa Mayedza (1-26).
The quick dismissals of Campher, Botha and Oluhle Siyo (0) saw the Youth XI reduced to 74-4 after 12 overs.
Despite further breakthroughs from the Zimbabwe bowlers in the latter stages, valuable contributions from Maria van der Vyfer (16), Siphokuhle Masilela (15) and Gabriella Sequira (22) ensured the CSA Youth XI reached a defendable total of 134-7.
In reply, Zimbabwe faced a difficult start to their chase, with the South African bowlers restricting openers Nicollette Nyika (17) and Nokutenda Makanhiwa (24) to 27 runs in the powerplay.
The introduction of Puseletso Sekhuthe (2-18) proved decisive, as she bowled Makanhiwa and Lorraine Pemhiwa (0) in the space of three deliveries.
Faced with the task of not only mounting a chase, but with the pressure of upping the scoring rate, Nyika teamed up with Zinyama for a steadying partnership worth 31 runs before Campher was introduced into the attack.
The allrounder picked up three wickets in the 14th over, dismissing Nyika, Mutasa (2) and Garutsa (0) to leave the Zimbabweans reeling on 69-5.
That collapse marked the beginning of the end for the touring side and despite an unbeaten knock from Zinyama, the CSA Youth XI claimed three more wickets through van der Vyfer (1-10), Siyo (1-4) and Nthabiseng Nini (1-13) to restrict Zimbabwe to 116-8 and seal an 18-run triumph.
The next Youth T20 Tri-Series match will take place on Thursday, 15 January between the SA U19 Women and their Zimbabwean counterparts.
All the action will be streamed live on CSA’s YouTube page from 1pm.
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)
RESULTS
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
REMAINING FIXTURES
Thursday, 15 January - 5th Youth T20 at 1pm - SA U19 Women v Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Friday, 16 January - 6th Youth T20 at 1pm - CSA Youth XI v Zimbabwe U19 (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Sunday, 18 January - Youth T20 Tri-Series Final at 1pm - TBC (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)