The South African under-19 side recorded a comfortable 31-run triumph over Zimbabwe under-19 Women in the opening match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Friday, 9 January 2026.
The SA U19 Women posted a competitive total of 135/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with valuable contributions from captain Mieke van Voorst (35) and Karabo Meso (29). In reply, Zimbabwe fought bravely but were eventually restricted to 104/8, with Miya Lalor (2/13) and Ziya Mohanlall (2/18) leading the way with the ball for the hosts.
Winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first. Despite losing opener Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (1) in the second over, the innings was stabilised by a 51-run partnership between Meso (29) and Shreeya Subbiah (13). The pair guided the hosts to 56/1 near the halfway mark before Zimbabwe struck back.
Tawananyasha Zvomarima (1/25) and Salem Museka (1/30) removed both batters in the space of four deliveries, reducing South Africa to 63/3 in the 10th over. A further half-century stand between Van Voorst (35) and Ashley Barnard (24*) restored momentum for the host nation, taking the total to 121/3 after 18 overs.
Van Voorst was the last wicket to fall, with Barnard and Nobubelebesisa Zwane (7*) adding valuable runs in the final two overs to get the SA U19 Women to a defendable score.
In their chase, Zimbabwe got off to a flyer with bat in hand, although South Africa continued to chip away at the wicket’s column. The touring side raced to 45/3 after five overs, despite key wickets from Melissa van der Merwe (1/31) and Lalor, as well as a sharp run out from wicketkeeper Meso.
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Following the competitive start to the innings, South Africa began to take control of the proceedings by slowing down the visitors’ scoring rate while picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Spinners Mohanlall, Ashleigh van Wyk (1/18) and Van Voorst (1/7) picked up the last four wickets in the day, with Zimbabwe restricted to 104/8 in 20 overs.
The second T20 match will take place on Saturday, 10 January, where the SA U19 Women will face the Cricket South Africa Youth XI at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban from 13h00. The match will be streamed live on CSA’s YouTube page.
Results and Fixtures of the SA U19 Women’s Youth T20 Tri-Series against Zimbabwe U19 Women and CSA Youth XI at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban (All matches start at 1pm)
Fri 9 January – SA U19 Women beat Zimbabwe U19 by 31 runs
Sat 10 January – SA U19 Women vs CSA Youth XI
Mon 12 January – SA U19 Women vs CSA Youth XI
Tue 13 January – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe U19
Thu 15 January – SA U19 Women vs Zimbabwe U19
Fri 16 January – CSA Youth XI vs Zimbabwe U19
Sun 18 January – Youth T20 Tri-Series Final (Venue TBC)
SA U19 Women Squad
Ashley Barnard (Mpumalanga)
Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout (Mpumalanga)
Jae-Leigh Filander (Western Province)
Miya Lalor (Western Province)
Karabo Meso (Central Gauteng Lions)
Anelisa Mhlongo (KZN Coastal)
Ziya Mohanlall (KZN Coastal)
Shelfa Mukhari (Limpopo)
Shreeya Subbiah (KZN Coastal)
Melissa van der Merwe (Boland)
Mieke van Voorst (Eastern Storm)
Ashleigh van Wyk (Eastern Storm)
Cayleigh Wanckel (Eastern Province)
Nobubelebesisa Zwane (KZN Coastal)
Original Copy: Cricket South Africa Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The South African under-19 side recorded a comfortable 31-run triumph over Zimbabwe under-19 Women in the opening match of the Youth T20 Tri-Series at the Chatsworth Oval in Durban on Friday, 9 January 2026. All Photos: CSA
Photo 2 Caption: After losing opener Chris-Mari Bezuidenhout early, the innings was stabilised by a 51-run partnership between Karabo Meso and Shreeya Subbiah.
Photo 3 Caption: Skipper and Player of the Match Mieke van Voorst top-scored to lead SA U19 Women to a competitive total of 135/4 in their allotted 20 overs
