Miane Smit's maiden T20I century puts South Africa 4-0 up

South Africa posted 205 for 4, their third-highest T20I total, which proved 80 too many for Zimbabwe

South Africa 205 for 4 (Smit 102, Dercksen 33, Bosch 33, Gwanzura 1-38) beat Zimbabwe 125 for 5 (Biza 32, Nkomo 26*, Mavunga 25, Wyngaard 2-15) by 80 runs

Miane Smit's maiden T20I century put South Africa 4-0 up against Zimbabwe as the hosts lost by 80 runs in Bulawayo.

Smit's 59-ball 102 helped South Africa to 205 for 4, their third-highest total in T20Is and their second successive total of 200 or more. In reply, Zimbabwe could never keep pace with the required rate and were restricted to 125 for 5.

After South Africa opted to bat, captain Laura Wolvaardt pushed herself down the order with Anneke Bosch, back in the XI, opening the batting with Smit. The pair was slow to get going and South Africa scored only 42 in the powerplay. From 15 off 18 at that stage, Smit raced to a 37-ball half-century. She was involved in a 74-run opening partnership before offspinning-allrounder Nyasha Gwanzura had Bosch caught.Nyasha Gwanzura celebrates with captain Josephine Nkomo after breaking the opening partnership•Zimbabwe Cricket

Annerie Dercksen then injected momentum into the innings with her 16-ball 33. The 62-run partnership for the second wicket off just 34 balls also allowed Smit to free up a little. She raced away to a hundred in just 58 balls - hitting Michelle Mavunga's seam for back-to-back fours before jogging for a run that brought up her milestone. She was run-out eventually thanks to a direct hit by Zimbabwe vice-captain Nomvelo Sibanda from long-on.

In response, Zimbabwe almost lost a wicket in the first over with Lorraine Pemhiwa's stumps shattered by Ayanda Hlubi, only for it to be a no-ball for overstepping. That didn't matter much as Zimbabwe lost two wickets inside the powerplay. Josephine Nkomo, returning from injury to play her first match as full-time captain for Zimbabwe, and Beloved Biza added 36 off 38 for the fourth wicket, which offered a semblance of control for Zimbabwe. For a second successive game, Mavunga then chipped in with a cameo of 25 off just 13 balls.

But Zimbabwe never looked like a real threat, with seamer Caitlin Wyngaard taking two wickets, including Mavunga.