Staff Reporter
The Proteas Women opened their ODI series against Ireland with a seven-wicket win at Buffalo Park in East London on Saturday, in a match shortened to 47 overs a side after rain delayed the start.
Ireland, sent in to bat, made 209/7, led by Sarah Forbes’ 42 and Amy Hunter’s 32, while Rebecca Stokell’s unbeaten 39 lifted them past 200.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba controlled the middle overs with 3/43 and medium-pacer Tumi Sekhukhune took 2/32 to keep the scoring in check.
Chasing 210, South Africa slipped to 86/3, but former captain Suné Luus (66 off 72 balls) and 20-year-old Miané Smit (56 off 70) combined for an unbeaten 125-run fourth-wicket stand to close out the chase at 211/3 in 36.5 overs, with 61 balls remaining.
Captain Laura Wolvaardt had earlier set the pace with 31 off 24, while Ireland’s Cara Murray was the pick of the bowlers with 2/34.
The result put the Proteas 1–0 up in the three-match series.
The next match will take place on Tuesday, 16 December at St George’s Park, Gqeberha.
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