Proteas Women Seal ODI Series Against Ireland in High-Scoring Affair at St George’s Park

GQEBERHA: Laura Wolvaardt, Suné Luus and Dané van Niekerk starred with the bat as the Proteas Women secured a 74-run victory over Ireland in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the Dafabet St George’s Park Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday, taking an unassailable 2–0 lead in the three-match series.

Wolvaardt registered her fourth century of the year, striking 19 fours on her way to 124 off 111 balls, while Luus recorded a career-best 114 from 113 deliveries (13 fours, one six). Van Niekerk then added a rapid 88 off just 47 balls, including 13 fours and three sixes, as South Africa posted their highest-ever ODI total of 375/6.

Ireland produced a spirited chase, led by all-rounder Orla Prendergast’s 97 off 86 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) and Amy Hunter’s 64 off 66 balls (6 fours, 1 six), before the visitors fell short in the 48th over, bowled out for 301, with debutant Leah Jones claiming leading figures of three for 48 in 6.5 overs.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the hosts made a measured start against disciplined Irish bowling, which brought the early dismissal of opener Tazmin Brits (6), caught off Jane Maguire (3/75). Ireland continued to apply pressure in the powerplay and struck again in the 11th over when Aimee Maguire (2/69) removed Lara Goodall (12), leaving South Africa on 59/2.

With Wolvaardt having seen two partners depart, the captain combined with the in-form Luus to seize control of the innings. The pair added a superb 179-run partnership for the third wicket, with both players reaching their half-centuries. Wolvaardt went on to bring up her 12th career ODI century and surpass the 1,000-run mark for the year.

Although the partnership was eventually broken in the 37th over when A. Maguire had Wolvaardt caught in the deep, the momentum remained firmly with the hosts. Luus was joined by the experienced van Niekerk, and the duo dominated the closing stages. Luus raised her second ODI hundred before van Niekerk followed with a quickfire half-century.

Despite late wickets from Arlene Kelly (1/59) and J. Maguire, South Africa finished strongly on a formidable 375/6 from their 50 overs.

In reply, Ireland suffered an early setback when opener Sarah Forbes (0) was dismissed by Eliz-Mari Marx (1/53) in the first over. The loss did little to unsettle the visitors, as captain Gaby Lewis (45) and Hunter shared a 77-run partnership for the second wicket before Nondumiso Shangase (2/52) made the breakthrough.

Following Lewis’s dismissal, Ireland relied on Hunter and Prendergast to anchor the chase. The pair put on a vital 93-run stand, with both batters bringing up well-earned half-centuries. Shangase struck again to trap Hunter LBW, before Jones removed Laura Delany (1), leaving Ireland 171/4 in the 31st over.

Another crucial partnership between Prendergast and Leah Paul (36) kept Ireland in the battle, taking the score to 251/4 by the 40th over. However, a late collapse saw the visitors lose a flurry of wickets. Miané Smit (2/40) dismissed both Prendergast and Paul, before Tumi Sekhukhune (1/54), Jones and Luus (1/52) combined to wrap up the innings and contest with 13 balls to spare.

The third and final ODI will take place on Friday, 19 December at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

Proteas Women Squad – ODI Series: 

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Leah Jones (World Sports Betting Western Province),  Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Miané Smit (Fidelity Titans),  Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Dané van Niekerk (World Sports Betting Western Province)

Fixtures – Proteas Women’s Inbound Tour vs Ireland 2025

ODI Series

Saturday, 13 December – 1st ODI at 10h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Buffalo Park Stadium, East London)

Tuesday, 16 December – 2nd ODI at 10h00: South Africa vs Ireland (St George’s Park, Gqeberha)

Friday, 19 December – 3rd ODI at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (DP World Wanderers, Johannesburg)

**All times are SAST

Source: cricket.co.za

Ken McEwan may be remembered for playing three seasons in WA from 1979 to 1982. He was a handy batsman and occasional wicketkeeper. His stats were seven matches, 43.80 average, 138 high score, and two centuries.