Putthawong pushing records in Thailand win over Zimbabwe

The sixth-best figures in the history of women’s ODI cricket were taken on Wednesday, with Thipatcha Putthawong taking 6/6 from just 6.1 overs in a victory over Zimbabwe in Bangkok.

Combining with leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi who chimed in with 2/13 at the other end, Putthawong dismissed Momvelo Sibanda (0) to wrap up a 78-run victory, defending just 154.

Zimbabwe at one stage were cruising at 50/2 in just 12 overs in their chase, though the spinners sparked a dramatic collapse of 26/8, undoing the work of Zimbabwe 17-year-old Kelis Ndlovu, who claimed 5/22 with spin of her own.

Played at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand won the toss and elected to bat, though lost Natthakan Chantham, Banthida Leephatthana and Sornnarin Tippoch, all for under double figures. Suleeporn Laomi was dismissed by Josephine Nkomo for a duck, before Skipper Naruemol Chaiwai’s 57* saved the hosts from disaster.

A partnership of 64 with Nattaya Boochatham (25) helped the hosts to 85/5, though the rearguard action was somehwat thwarted by Zimbabwe’s U19 World Cup starlet, who tormented Thailand with her left-arm orthodox.

Picking up the important wicket of Chanida Sutthiruang (11) first up, Ndlovu ran through the tail, finishing with 5/22.

Ndlovu made just 5 opening the batting, while Sharne Mayers made 24 as her partner, before being trapped by Nattaya Boochatham.

The second-wicket partnership between Mayers and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano looked to have swung the match in the tourists’ favour, though Putthawong stepped up, stifling the middle order.

Of Putthawong’s victims, four fell for ducks, with Modester Mupachikwa, the first of her half-dozen, departing for just one.

Matches two and three of the ODI series will be played on Friday and Sunday, with a four-match T20I series to follow.