Proteas Ladies clinch T20 series over Ireland with game to spare

The South African Women secured the T20 International three-match series against Ireland with a 65-run victory at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.

South Africa had won the toss and opted to bat first, posting 201 for five in their 20 overs, with opener Faye Tunnicliffe registering her maiden T20 International fifty. In response, Ireland were restricted to 136 for three with Orla Prendergast scoring an unbeaten 51.

“Good game today, nice to go two-up and hopefully we can add a third one,” said Laura Volwaardt after the match.

Player of the match Tunnicliife, who faced 42 balls and struck seven boundaries, laid the foundation with Sune Luus (37) with an opening stand of 78 from 60 balls. Luus was the aggressor upfront, striking six fours in her 24-ball innings.

“It was a bit scrappy upfront but Sune and I wanted to set a good platform and I was glad I could contribute,” said Tunnicliffe at the post-match press conference.

“My goal has been to contribute for awhile and I am just glad that it came off today,” added Tunnicliffe, who averages over 100 in the domestic game this season.

It was the introduction of spinner Aimee Maguire (4-0-43-3) that brought Ireland somewhat back into the match, dismissing Luus, Tunnicliffe and Wolvaardt (22), however, an onslaught from Dane van Niekerk boosted the hosts.

“It was definitely an improvement today, especially with the ball. We hit better areas, but could have saved a few more in the field and started better with the bat,” said Ireland captain, Gaby Lewis.

Van Niekerk struck three boundaries and three maximums from just 19 balls before falling for 41 after sharing in a fourth-wicket stand of 47 with Marizanne Kapp (16) from just 22 balls. Kapp herself struck two fours and a six form just eight balls before Chloe Tryon (16 not out) and Nadine de Klerk (7 not out) rounded out the innings.

“It was nice that everyone chipped in today. Faye batted really well and it was nice for everyone to chip in with good strike-rates. Dane was great, Kappie was great – pretty pleased,” said Wolvaardt.

“We could have saved 30 to 40 runs if we hadn’t dropped those catches and been better on the ground fielding. It could have been a different chase,” added Lewis.

In reply, the Irish ladies struggled to maintain the required run-rate of 10 runs per over. Amy Hunter (14) and captain Lewis (19) managed 34 for the opening stand but from a pedestrian 40 deliveries.

“We could have had a better start with the bat, and the chase could have been different but their fast bowlers bowled really well. But we improved from game one and hope to do better in the next one,” said Lewis.

It was the introduction of Tryon (4-0-24-2) that broke the stand with Tryon castling Hunter, who had faced 18 balls and then trapping Lewis in front. Nonkululeko Mlaba (3-0-25-1) picked up the only other wicket to fall, that of Leah Paul, clean-bowled for a well-played 40.

Paul, who struck six fours in her 29-ball stay at the crease, shared in a record-stand third wicket effort of 76 with Prendergast off 56 balls but the effort was nowhere near what was required.

Luus opened the bowling with Kapp and conceded 23 runs in three overs while Kapp sent down just 12 balls, conceding just four runs. Ayabonga Khaka, who replaced Masabata Klaas, sent down three overs for 21 runs while Nondumiso Shangase went for 0-16 in two overs of spin.

The teams head up to Benoni for the final T20 International on Wednesday before competing in three one-day internationals.

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN – Faye Tunnicliffe, Suné Luus, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Dané van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloé Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba.

IRELAND WOMEN – Amy Hunter (wk), Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast, Leah Paul, Laura Delany, Rebecca Stokell, Arlene Kelly, Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Cara Murray, Aimee Maguire.