By Ashley Dube
Zimbabwe Cricket secured their place in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup qualifier following a 23 run victory over Jersey cricket at Queens Sports Club. The hosts after being put to bat posted 146 for the loss of 8 wickets.
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| Image credit - Jersey Cricket on Twitter |
Zimbabwe had a relatively slow start to the match which affected their overall total. Captain Craig Ervine (4 off 5 balls) was dismissed softly after he failed to clear his opposite number Charles Perchard at mid-off.
This brought in Sean Williams to the crease who lost his partner Regis Chakabva to a run-out while attempting a quick single. Wessly Madhevere was trapped leg before wicket for 1. Zimbabwe finished the power play in a spot of bother at 38-3.
Sikandar Raza and Sean Williams were tasked with the rescue mission and they negotiated the spinners fairly well, rotating strike with some good running between the wickets with few boundaries in between.
The pair’s partnership crossed the half century mark just before Sean Williams followed suit immediately after he got his second 50+ score in as many matches.
He was bowled on 57 with his knock coming from 39 deliveries at a healthy strike rate of 146.15.
Sikandar Raza had a subdued innings and holed out to Jenner at deep-midwicket off the bowling of Benjamin Ward.
Milton Shumba (11) and Ryan Burl (10) did not add much to the score and both fell going for big shots to accelerate the scoring rate. Luke Jongwe’s cameo of 29 from 13 balls took the score to 146.
In defence, Chatara removed Nick Greenwood early for 10 caught by skipper Ervine. Jersey raced to 41 in the power play and looked on course for a memorable upset but the introduction of spin slowed down proceedings.
Ryan Burl and Sean Williams were so economical in the middle overs as the required run rate spiked to over ten an over.
Burl finished with figures of 3-13 as the Chevrons restricted Jersey for 123. Opener Harrison Carlyon top scored with 45 whilst Benjamin Ward finished unbeaten on 35.
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