HARARE, Zimbabwe – Jahzara Claxton’s fine all-around effort guided West Indies Women to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe Women in the opening T20I on Saturday.
Claxton snared two wickets in a stingy spell of pace bowling as Zimbabwe were restricted to a mere 97 for nine in their 20 overs after being sent in at the Takashinga Sports Club.
The 20-year-old then scored an unbeaten 31 to see the visitors romp to 98 for two and complete victory with a mammoth 43 balls still remaining.
Playing without their inspirational captain Hayley Matthews, West Indies Women didn’t miss a beat as their bowlers put the home side on the backfoot from the start of the match.
With just 13 runs on the board, opener Sharne Mayers was dismissed by stand-in captain Chinelle Henry for a duck with the last ball of the third over.
Offspinner Karishma Ramharack then trapped Kelis Ndhlovu lbw for 11 and also dismissed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, who made just four, in quick succession to leave then struggling at 37 for three in the 10th over.
Afy Fletcher brought opener Modester Mupachikwa’s miserable innings of 20 off 33 balls to an end by rattling her stumps, before Claxton claimed the wicket of captain Josephine Nkomo for eight to leave the score 65 for five.
The efforts of Beloved Biza, who made 21 off 24 balls and Nyasha Gwanzura, who scored 10, helped to carry Zimbabwe within sight of the 100-mark, but they fell just short.
Ramharack was the pick of the Windies’ bowlers with 3-17, while Claxton (2-16) and Fletcher (2-18) provided support.
West Indies Women then wasted little time in getting to their target with Eboni Brathwaite and Claxton putting on 38 runs in four overs.
Legspinner Olinder Chare got the breakthrough for Zimbabwe by bowling Brathwaite for a quickfire 23 off 14 balls.
However, Claxton and Realeanna Grimmond effectively sealed the contest with a 59-run partnership for the second wicket.
The two looked set to carry their side over the line until Grimmond gave Biza a return catch with the scores level to be out for 34 off 25 balls.
Stafanie Taylor then sealed the deal by picking up a single off the next delivery.
Player-of-the-Match Claxton faced 37 balls and hit four fours in her unbeaten knock.
Summarised Scores
ZIMBABWE WOMEN 97-9 in 20 overs (Beloved Biza 21, Modester Mupachikwa 20, Kelis Ndhlovu 11, Nyasha Gwanzura 10; Karishma Ramharack 3-17, Jahzara Claxton 2-16, Afy Fletcher 2-18) vs WEST INDIES WOMEN 98-2 in 12.5 overs (Realeanna Grimmond 34, Jahzara Claxton 31 not out, Eboni Brathwaite 23).
(CMC)
