Proteas steamroll Ireland to complete 2-0 series win
The Proteas were too good for Ireland in their second T20I at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.
Image: CSA
The Proteas Women stormed to an unassailable 2-0 series victory over Ireland at Boland Park on Sunday.
Faye Tunnicliffe’s maiden T20I half-century laid the foundation for the Proteas’ Women’s team imposing 201/5 before the bowlers restricted the Irish to 136/3 to complete a 65-run victory.
The visitors enjoyed a positive start with openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis surviving the Powerplay unscathed moving to 32 without loss. But all their hard work was undone with the introduction of Chloe Tryon (2/24) into the attack.
The left-arm spinner removed both Lewis (19) and Hunter (14) within her first over as both batters were clean bowled after playing back to straight deliveries.
From thereon Ireland utilised the match more batting practice instead of chasing down the imposing total as Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul with a 76-run third-wicket stand.
Paul contributed a rapid 29-ball 40, while Prendergast brought up her half-century in the final over of the chase to finish unbeaten on 51 off 43 balls. It was only the second T20I half-century for Ireland against the Proteas.
But the home side ultimately had too much firepower for the Irish as Tunicliffe took full advantage from a missed chance on five, as the Western Province opener displayed all the skills that has seen dominate domestic cricket for the past few seasons.
The 26-year-old found her rhythm through a couple of delightful lofted cover drives before slog-sweeping to her favoured leg-side.
Opening partner Sune Luus also carried from her Newlands heroics by striking the ball sweetly from the outset. Luus swept with authority as the pair added 78 for the first wicket before Amy Maguire had her caught by Rebecca Stokell for a fluent 37 off just 26 balls (7x4).
Tunnicliffe, though, continued to attack the Irish bowlers and brought her 50 off 40 balls. Unfortunately for the right-hander, she was dismissed shortly after reaching the milestone as the Proteas slipped to 116/2.
This quickly became 124/3 as Ireland enjoyed their best period of the innings by having Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt caught behind to offer Maguire her second wicket of the day.
That brought together Dane van Nierkerk and Marizanne Kapp together at the crease for the first time since the former’s return to international cricket.
Van Niekerk showed on Friday at Newlands the valuable attributes she can add to the Proteas team after a four-year absence, and once again delivered a delightful cameo of 41 off 19 balls (3x4, 3x6) to push the home side closer to the 200-run mark.
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