CRICKET-LEAD Gwanzura leads Zimbabwe Women to historic win over lackluster Windies.

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sep 27, CMC – Nyasha Gwanzura’s all-around brilliance in the second One Day International carried Zimbabwe Women to a historic, series-leveling four-wicket victory over West Indies Women here on Sunday.

The off-spinner produced her best-ever ODI bowling performance, capturing 4-33 in 10 overs to help bowl out the visitors for a paltry 139 in 39.3 overs after they elected to bat first at the Harare Sports Club.

Gwanzura then returned with the bat to help bail her side out of a tricky 105 for five, as the home side reached 140 for six with 55 balls remaining to register their first-ever ODI win over their opponents.

The result tied the three-match series at 1-1, with the decider scheduled for Wednesday.

Zimbabwe’s victory was set up by Gwanzura’s impressive bowling, coupled with a shoddy batting performance by the West Indies.

The visitors lost the early wicket of Realeanna Grimmond for four with just nine runs on the board, but captain Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor recovered to 56 for one in the 12th over.

But once Gwanzura struck a crucial blow by having Matthews caught behind by wicketkeeper Modester Mupachikwa for 26, the Windies’ innings crumbled.

Francisca Chipare took Shemaine Campbelle for three, and two balls later she had Chinelle Henry caught for a duck to leave the score 63 for four after 15 overs.

Gwanzura put Zimbabwe further in control by dismissing Jannillea Glasgow for one, Zaida James for three and Aaliyah Alleyne for four, to reduce the Windies to 88 for seven in the 24th over.

West Indies Women reached their eventual total thanks to Taylor’s fighting 47 off 68 balls, Ashmini Munisar’s patient, unbeaten 20 off 45 balls, and Afy Fletcher, playing in her 100th ODI, scoring a run-a-ball 15.

Munisar shared a partnership of 26 for the last wicket with Karishma Ramharack before Olinder Chare bowled the latter for five.

Mavunga supported with 3-36, and Chipare claimed 2-16.

Openers Mupachikwa and Kelis Ndhlovu gave Zimbabwe a solid start, putting on 67 for the first wicket.

Alleyne got the much-needed breakthrough when she trapped the former lbw for 38, and one run later, Munisar dismissed Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, also lbw, for a duck.

West Indies Women had hopes of a possible victory when Alleyne caught Ndhlovu for 30 to make the score 70 for three.

However, captain Josephine Nkomo shared an invaluable 30-run partnership with Beloved Biza for the fourth wicket to take Zimbabwe to 100.

Fletcher set up a nervy ending by dismissing Biza for 14 and Chiedza Dhururu in quick succession, sending Zimbabwe to 105 for five.

Gwanzura then put her side on course for victory during a 28-run stand with her captain that all but sealed the result.

And even though Nkomo lost her wicket for 30 with seven runs required for victory, Gwanzura’s unbeaten 18 off 37 balls carried them across the line.