SEAN William’s second successive half-century was enough for Zimbabwe to see off a stubborn Jersey by 23 runs in their second match of the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup Qualifiers B played at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
The result means Zimbabwe and the USA have qualified for the semi-finals. Thursday’s encounter between the two sides will decide who will top the group, and the loser will face the Netherlands in the other semi-final.
Jersey, straight from being hammered by eight wickets by the USA yesterday, won the toss on a sluggish pitch and elected to field.
The raucous Zimbabwe fans who filled the stadium for an early morning start were expecting another run feast like the one they enjoyed against Singapore, but the wicket was slow for stroke-making.
Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine could not replicate Monday’s form as his checked drive found the hands of Ben Stephens in the covers off the bowling of Charles Perchard for four runs.
Willimas came in at first drop, Regis Chakabva got off the mark with a boundary but once again perished going for a tight single, an alert Eliot Miles running out the Zimbabwe vice-captain for six.
Wessley Madhevere tried to sweep left-arm spinner Miles but missed a straight delivery to be adjudged out leg before wicket.
Like in the first game and Zimbabwe three down, everyone looked to Sikandar Raza and Williams to rescue the faltering Zimbabwe innings.
Williams again showed his class scoring freely like he was batting on another wicket different from his teammates.
It was hard to believe that this was Williams’ second match in almost six months, such as the fluidity in his batting.
He shared a 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket to bring Zimbabwe back on track. Williams got to his ninth T20I 50 with a boundary.
Zimbabwe’s Test captain, however, played one shot too many and was bowled by Dominic Blampied for 57 from 39 balls. The knock included seven boundaries.
Zimbabwe, 89-4 after 12.1 overs, needed a late flourish to post a competitive total.
Raza struggled with timing throughout his stay at the crease and was put out of his misery when he miscued a Benjamin Ward delivery to be caught by Jonty Jenner for 18 from 21 balls.
Luke Jongwe reminded everyone why he was once touted as the next genuine all-rounder from Zimbabwe. He scored 29 from 13 balls to get Zimbabwe to a respectable 146-8.
The Chevrons needed to bat and field like their lives depended on it; otherwise, it would be the first big upset of the tournament.
Jersey had a good start in the power play but had to sustain their hitting to give themselves a chance. They scored 46 runs in the powerplay but lost two wickets.
The wicket was aiding spin, and Ryan Burl turned the match in favour of Zimbabwe with his leg-spin, taking three wickets for 13 runs in his four overs.
Harrison Carlyon almost batted the full quotas of Jersey’s overs, scoring 45 runs from 56 balls, and tried to take his team close, but they fell short by 23 runs.
