ZIMBABWE Women were left counting the cost of another low total after West Indies claimed an eight-wicket victory in the second T20 International at Takashinga Cricket Club yesterday to seal the three-match series with a game to spare.
The Lady Chevrons had their moments with the bat, with Beloved Biza, Kelis Ndhlovu and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano providing the bulk of the runs, but the innings lost its way when Zimbabwe needed to push on.
The hosts managed 106 for seven from their 20 overs before West Indies raced to 108 for two in 9.1 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
Sent in to bat after losing the toss, Zimbabwe found some early stability through Biza and Ndhlovu.
The pair put together a useful opening stand before Ndhlovu departed for 25.
Biza held the innings together with 35 from 35 balls, including three fours, while Mugeri-Tiripano added 25.
Zimbabwe, however, could not build on that platform.
Wickets interrupted their momentum and the lower order struggled to find the boundaries needed in the closing overs, leaving the bowlers with a small total to defend.
Jahzara Claxton led the West Indies attack with three wickets for 14 runs from two overs, while Afy Fletcher and Stafanie Taylor picked up a wicket each.
Zimbabwe needed wickets early in the chase and Kudzai Chigora gave the home side some hope when she bowled Claxton for four.
That hope did not last long.
Seventeen-year-old Eboni Brathwaite took control of the chase with a fearless display of hitting that left Zimbabwe searching for answers.
She struck 57 from 23 balls, including three fours and six sixes, and reached her half-century from only 20 deliveries.
Christine Mutasa eventually removed Brathwaite, with Mugeri-Tiripano taking the catch, but West Indies were already within touching distance of victory.
Realeanna Grimmond finished unbeaten on 23 from 16 balls and Taylor was nine not out as the visitors completed the chase with 65 balls remaining.
Chigora and Mutasa took Zimbabwe’s two wickets.
The defeat leaves the Lady Chevrons with plenty to work on ahead of the final match.
Zimbabwe have managed starts with the bat in the opening two games, but turning those starts into bigger scores has proved difficult. Against a West Indies side willing to attack from the outset, totals around the 100-run mark have left the bowlers with little room for error.
