Zimbabwe women’s cricket team star Christabel Chatonzwa smashed a memorable unbeaten century to inspire Alliance Health Eagles to a dominant 167-run victory over Rhinos Women in the 2021/22 Fifty50 Challenge at Old Hararians Sports Club on Saturday.
The 31-year-old opening batter was in brilliant form as he blasted 14 fours on her way to an unbeaten as Eagles posted a challenging 258 for seven in their allotted 50 overs after winning the toss and opting to bat first.
Chatonzwa’s memorable innings was the only century of the women’s inter-provincial one-day championship this season.
She was by far Eagles’ highest run contributor in their imposing total while Kellies Ndlovu and Mitchell Mavunga chipped in with scores of 30 and 21 respectively
Dana Ndiraya was the most successful bowler, grabbing three wickets for 40 runs off nine overs, while Mutasa took two for 45 in 10 overs as the Rhinos’ bowling department struggled to contain Chatonzwa.
Facing a daunting run chase, Rhinos Women found the going tough as they were dismissed for a paltry 91 runs in 36, 3 overs as Eagles romped to a dominant win.
Rhinos were soon in big trouble after Mitchell Mavunga removed both openers Ashley Ndiraya and Josephine Nkomo inside seven overs for identical scores of nine with only 25 on the board.
Apart from Mary-Anne Musonda who scored a run-a-ball 22, no other batter made it into the double figures as Mavunga and Olinda Chare ran through the Rhinos Women batting order.
After 36.3 overs, their innings folded for 91, giving Eagles Women victory by 167 runs.
Chare was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for 11 runs off 10 overs, while Mavunga finished with four for 32 off 8.3 overs.
Despite ending up on the losing side in the final, Nkomo got some consolation as she was named the Fifty50 Challenge’s best batter as well as player of the tournament.
Mavunga walked away with the bowler of the tournament accolade.
Brief match summary:
Alliance Health Eagles Women – 258-7 in 50 overs (Christabel Chatonzwa 108*, Kellies Ndlovu 30, Mitchell Mavunga 21; Dana Ndiraya 3/40, Nomatter Mutasa 2/45, Vimbai Kavava 1/35)
Rhinos Women – 91 all out in 36.3 overs (Mary-Anne Musonda 22, Ashley Ndiraya 9, Josephine Nkomo 9; Mitchell Mavunga 4/32, Olinda Chare 3/11, Precious Marange 1/16)
Alliance Health Eagles Women won by 167 runs