Momentum Proteas not resting on their laurels ahead of finale against Ireland

The Momentum Proteas and captain, Suné Luus are targeting a series whitewash ahead of the third and final one-day international (ODI) encounter against Ireland at the Clontarf Cricket Ground on Friday, 17 June. The visitors have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Tomorrow’s match, which forms part of the 2022-25 ICC Women’s Championship (IWC) campaign, kicks off at 10h45 local time (11h45 SA time) and will be streamed live on the DSTV Now App, Channel 247.

South Africa claimed commanding nine-wicket victories in the opening two matches to get their series and IWC journey off to the perfect start as they begin the long road to the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Despite being huge favourites going into the last clash, Luus ensures the team won’t take their foot off the gas against Ireland, with maximum IWC points top priority even if the team is reshuffled.

“It’s still for the ICC IWC points, so we are definitely going for that clean sweep and trying to collect the points,” the skipper began.

“It’s still an international match, we can’t take it lightly so if we have the opportunity to win the series three-love tomorrow, we will definitely take that opportunity and give batters a chance wherever we can but we have to be clinical about it,” she added.

On a personal note, Luus has played a more integral part with the ball than in recent matches for South Africa, taking four wickets in the 50-over series thus far, second to only Shabnim Ismail (6).

While also being pleased with her contribution with ball in hand, Luus also singled out the displays

from the team’s top three batters and younger players, including Lara Goodall who recorded her

career-best ODI score in the previous match, despite that meaning no action for herself at the crease.

“I haven’t been bowling a lot in the past months but with every game I am getting that confidence

back and it’s good to be out in the park and bowling again, and contributing for the team in that

aspect,” the allrounder noted.

“I am definitely regretting it (wishing for better form from the top three prior to series),” she laughed.

“I would have loved to have gone out and bat for long periods of time but there is still a game

tomorrow and you never know what is going to happen.

“I am very pleased about how the top three is going about their business at the moment, they have

been very clinical and I am hoping they just take this confidence and form into the England series as

well,” she continued.

Although the Proteas Women side has been without certain senior players during the Ireland tour,

Luus maintains the team spirit remains as high as ever, with the younger players in the set-up taking

responsibility.

In celebration of South Africa’s Youth Day, the team marked the occasion with a team lunch before

the final practice session ahead of their departure for England.

“The team is in good spirits,” she commented. “Everybody is enjoying each other’s company, on and

off the field and tomorrow is not going to be no different from the first two games. We still need to

be very clinical about it and professional, and take the momentum into the England series.

“Today is very important to us here, we are going to have a team lunch this afternoon to celebrate

Youth Day and to fly the South African flag high,” she concluded.

On behalf of the South African women’s national cricket team and in commemoration of those who

sacrificed their lives on 16 June 1976, happy Youth Day.