Faye Tunnicliffe’s Resilient Century Inspires SA Emerging Women to Series Victory

Faye Tunnicliffe produced a brilliant century to guide the SA Emerging Women to a 38-run win over Bangladesh Emerging Women in the third and final 50-over match at the Pietermaritzburg Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 3 August 2026, sealing a 2-0 series triumph for the hosts.

Tunnicliffe struck 116 from just 95 balls, including 14 fours and two sixes, rescuing South Africa from a precarious position to help her side post 228 all out in 43.2 overs. In reply, Oluhle Siyo (2/19), Eliz-Mari Marx (2/38) and Caitlin Wyngaard (2/44) claimed two wickets apiece as Bangladesh were bowled out for 190 with three deliveries remaining.

SA Emerging Women Impress to Take One-Day Series Lead

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat but were immediately put on the back foot by Bangladesh’s opening attack. Disha Biswas (4/46) and Habiba Islam Pinky (3/53) ripped through the top order, with Pinky dismissing Simone Lourens (9) and Yasmeen Khan (9), while Biswas removed Diara Ramlakan (2), Miané Smit (10) and Nondumiso Shangase (0) to leave the hosts reeling on 36/5 after 10 overs.

Tasked with rebuilding the innings after arriving at the crease at number five, Tunnicliffe steadied the ship with valuable partnerships alongside Leah Jones (13), Marx (11) and Siyo (10). Despite her resistance, Bangladesh continued to chip away through Biswas, Pinky and Jannatul Ferdous Sumona (1/39), reducing the SA Emerging Women to 103/8 in the 25th over.

Unfazed by the mounting pressure, Tunnicliffe shifted the momentum in South Africa’s favour. She shared a crucial 47-run ninth-wicket partnership with Seshnie Naidu (14), bringing up her half-century from just 42 deliveries before Sabikun Nahar Jesmin (1/41) ended the stand by dismissing Naidu.

The final wicket pair then added a match-defining 78 runs, with Wyngaard providing excellent support on 29 not out from 36 balls while Tunnicliffe dominated the scoring. The recently crowned Hollywoodbets Pro Series Players’ Player of the Season struck the ball to all parts of the ground as the pair transformed South Africa’s innings into a competitive total, with Tunnicliffe eventually becoming the last wicket to fall.

Bangladesh’s chase never gathered sustained momentum as South Africa’s bowlers applied pressure throughout. Marx made the early breakthrough by dismissing Murshida Khatun (8), leaving the visitors on 37/1 at the end of the powerplay.

Sathi Rani (24) and Rubya Haider Jhelik (45) rebuilt the innings before Miané Smit (1/18) broke their second-wicket partnership. Jhelik then combined with Jannatul Ferdousy Tithi (35) in a stubborn 69-run stand that carried Bangladesh to 125/3 in the 34th over, Marx removing Jhelik to end it before a sharp run out by Siyo accounted for Tithi.

Those wickets led to four more batters falling in quick succession, with Nthabiseng Nini (1/9 in 5 overs), Wyngaard and Seshnie Naidu (1/34) contributing with ball in hand to leave Bangladesh reeling on 157/8 in the 45th over.

Although Biswas (10 not out) and Pinky (25) added a valiant 33 runs for the ninth wicket, the contest was wrapped up by Siyo in the last over, nabbing the final two wickets to seal a match and series triumph for the SA Emerging Women.

The first T20 will take place in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 6 August 2026 at 13h00, with the match streamed live on the CricketSATV YouTube channel.

The SA Emerging Women vs. Bangladesh Emerging Women Tour of South Africa from 29 July to 11 August 2026

1st 50-over: No result, match abandoned due to rain (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
2nd 50-over: SA Emerging Women won by 65 runs (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Mon 3 August, 9h30: SA Emerging Women won by 38 runs (Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg)

Thu 6 August, 13h00: First T20: SA vs. Bangladesh (Pietermaritzburg Oval, Pietermaritzburg)
Sun 9 August, 13h00: Second T20: SA vs. Bangladesh (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)
Tue 11 August, 13h00: Third T20: SA vs. Bangladesh (Chatsworth Oval, Durban)

All times CAT.

South Africa Emerging Women Starting XI

Simone Lourens
Miané Smit
Faye Tunnicliffe
Yasmeen Khan (Wicketkeeper)
Leah Jones
Eliz-Mari Marx
Seshnie Naidu
Caitlin Wyngaard
Nondumiso Shangase (Captain)
Oluhle Siyo
Diara Ramlakan

Named Replacements

Alexandra Candler
Karabo Meso
Nthabiseng Nini
Luyanda Nzuza

Bangladesh Emerging Women Starting XI

Disha Biswas (Captain)
Lata Mondol
Rubya Haider Jhelik (Wicketkeeper)
Murshida Khatun
Sathi Rani
Jannatul Ferdous Sumona
Habiba Islam Pinky
Aka Mollik
Afia Ashmia Era
Sabikun Nahar Jesmin
Jannatul Ferdousy Tithi

Named Replacements

Mst Eva
Halimatul Sadia
Nishita Akter Nishi
Fatema Jahan Sonia
Misty Rani Saha

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Original Copy: Cricket South Africa, with editing by gsport

Main Photo Caption: Faye Tunnicliffe struck 116 from 95 balls as the SA Emerging Women beat Bangladesh Emerging Women by 38 runs in the third and final 50-over match at the Pietermaritzburg Oval in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 3 August 2026, to seal the series 2-0. Photo: Supplied

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