On Thursday, Bloemfontein-born and bred Miané Smit played the best innings of her blossoming career to date as she recorded a maiden century for South Africa.

The Proteas batted first at the Queens Sports Club, and Smit led the charge with the willow as South Africa posted 205/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Smit struck 102 before being run out in the 19th over. Her sensational knock included 15 fours and a six.

Miané Smit. Photo: Cricinfo

She was supported by two other former Free State players, Annerie Dercksen and Anneke Bosch, who each scored 33 runs.

While there wasn’t much to write home about regarding the Zimbabwean bowling attack, Nyasha Gwanzura was the best bowler for the hosts with 1/38 in her four overs.

In reply, Zimbabwe were restricted to a modest 125/5 in their allotted 20 overs, with Beloved Biza top-scoring with 32 before being run out by Kayla Reyneke.

Captain Josephine Nkomo scored 26, while Michelle Mavunga chipped in with 25.

Caitlin Wyngaard was the pick of the South African bowlers with 2/15 in three overs, while Eliz-Mari Marx and Luyanda Nzuza each claimed a scalp.

Following her maiden international ton for South Africa, the Oranje Meisieskool alumnus said her achievement will take a while to sink in.

“Yeah, I maybe haven’t taken it all in yet, so I probably won’t be able to sleep tonight,” Smit chuckled.

Annerie Dercksen. Photo: Cricinfo

“It still feels a bit unreal, but it was very nice just batting for so long. I think that’s something I’ve really wanted to do, and now it just happened so easily.”

She added that it certainly helped opening the batting with the in-form Bosch, allowing her to express herself with the bat.

“I think it helps batting with someone like Anneke. I think Laura Wolvaardt and I are quite similar in that we can be a bit conservative, looking at the conditions and trying to analyse as quickly as possible what the best options are.

Josephine Nkomo and Laura Wolvaardt at the toss. Photo: Cricinfo

“Anneke is more of a see-ball, hit-ball type of player, so that actually helps in a partnership.

“She took the explosive start, while I could take a few balls. When she went out, I had a good idea of the conditions and knew we needed to get to 180-plus.

“I could then kick on, and I’d say that’s my style of play. It’s something I’ve been working on lately – being a more impactful T20 player.”

The fifth and final T20 International between Zimbabwe and South Africa will be played on Saturday in Bulawayo.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs