BY KEVIN MAPASURE
Zimbabwe won by 8 wickets (with 17 balls remaining)
WESSLEY Madhevere scored an entertaining half century as Zimbabwe flexed their muscles to defeat visiting Namibia by eight wickets in the third of their five match T-20 series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe took a 2-1 series lead going into today’s match at the same venue.
They needed a good performance following their dismal show in the second match where Namibia breezed to an eight wicket win.
And they did just that in front of a lively and appreciative crowd.
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Yesterday Zimbabwe dominated their guests and were comfortable in their run chase after Namibia had put up 128 on the board in 20 overs having lost eight wickets along the way.
Zimbabwe arrived home in 17.1 overs with Madhevere not out on 73 while Regis Chakabva was unbeaten on 24 in a partnership worth 48 runs.
Madhevere faced 61 balls where he hit eight fours and had one maximum as Zimbabwe put on a much better performance compared to the last match.
In Innocent Kaia, who scored 19 runs off 18 balls, Madhevere had an able opening partner as they put on a 61 run opening stand until Bernard Schotz intervened with Craig Williams taking the catch.
Craig Ervine joined Madhevere, but the skipper didn’t last long as he was caught behind off the bowling of Jan Frylink.
Namibia had won the toss electing to bat but they found the going tough as Tendai Chatara removed Craig Williams (3) in the second over. It soon became 27 for 2 after Chatara snared Divan la Cock who had managed 14 runs facing 13 balls.
The tourists managed a single six in their 20 overs while they hit nine fours.
Jan Nicole Loftie-Eaton top scored for the visitors with 28 runs and he lost his wicket after he was trapped leg before by Madhevere.
Madhevere also combined with Sikandar Raza to run out Gerhard Erasmus who made 25 runs, while Zane Green was one of Raza’s three victims.
Chatara and Raza had the most impressive figures with 3 for 28 and 3 for 16 respectively. They both bowled fours each.
Brad Evans made his debut and bowled three overs at the expense of 16 runs but he didn’t get among the wickets.
Caption: Allrounder Wessley Madhevere salutes fans after reaching his career fifth T20i half century in a match against Namibia at Queens Sports Club in Harare yesterday.
Teams
Zimbabwe: Innocent Kaia, Wessley Madhevere, Regis Chakabva, Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Tony Munyonga, Donald Tiripano, Luke Jongwe, Brandon Mavuta, Bradley Evans, Tendai Chatara
Namibia: Divan la Cock, Craig Williams, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus, Zane Green, David Wiese, Ruben Trumpelmann, Jan Frylink, Pikky Ya France, Bernard Scholtz, Tangeni Lungameni