PAARL: Faye Tunnicliffe produced a composed and career-best innings to lead the Proteas Women to a 65-run victory over Ireland in the second T20 International (T20I) at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday. The win secures an unassailable 2–0 series lead for the home side, with one match remaining.
The top-order batter recorded seven fours en route to her half-century worth 51 off 42 deliveries, as South Africa posted 201/5 after their 20 overs.
With ball in hand, the Proteas restricted the visitors to 136/3 in 20 overs despite an unbeaten fifty from Orla Prendergast (51* off 43 balls; 4 fours, 1 six), with Chloé Tryon returning with figures of two for 24.
The hosts won the toss and chose to set the score. Openers Tunnicliffe and Suné Luus (37) survived early jitters to bring up a half-century stand for the first wicket to take the Proteas to 51/0 at the end of the powerplay.
With the batters’ tails up at the crease, the pair continued to assert themselves, taking the score to 78/0 before Aimee Maguire (3/43) made the breakthrough to get Luus caught in the cover region in the 10th over.
While looking to maintain the scoring rate, the Proteas soon lost their other opening batter, with Tunnicliffe trapped LBW by Maguire shortly after reaching her maiden international fifty, as Ireland reduced the home side to 116/2 in the 14th over.
Ireland didn’t have to wait too long before picking up another vital wicket, as Maguire struck again, finding the edge of the in-form Laura Wolvaardt (22) with the score on 124/3 after 14 overs.
The loss of key batters didn’t do much to slow down the host nation, as the experienced pair of Dané van Niekerk (41) and Marizanne Kapp (16) added 47 runs for the fourth wicket to propel the Proteas to 171/3 before van Niekerk was dismissed leg-before-wicket off the bowling of Arlene Kelly (1/40).
Although Prendergast (1/29) managed to claim the scalp of Kapp late on, South Africa finished their 20 overs on 202/5.
In their reply, Ireland made a solid start at the crease, with openers Amy Hunter (14) and captain Gaby Lewis (19) pushing the visitors to 33/0 in the powerplay.
South Africa’s initial breakthrough eventually came in the seventh over through Tryon, striking twice to dismiss both in-batters to leave Ireland 35/2.
Prendergast and Leah Paul (40) then guided their side to 57/2 at the halfway mark of the innings, still needing 145 runs to win with 10 overs remaining.
The duo continued to lead their side’s fightback, putting together a crucial 76-run partnership before Mlaba clean bowled Paul in the 17th over with Ireland on 111/3.
Despite a valiant effort by Prendergast, which saw her bring up her 10th T20I half-ton, Ireland reached the end of the chase on 136/3, falling short by 65 runs.
The third and final T20I will take place on Wednesday, 10 December at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
Proteas Women Squad – T20I Series:
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), 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
T20I Series
Friday, 05 December – 1st T20I at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (WSB Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town)
Sunday, 07 December – 2nd T20I at 14h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Boland Park, Paarl)
Wednesday, 10 December – 3rd T20I at 18h00: South Africa vs Ireland (Willowmoore Park, Benoni)
**All times are SAST
Source: cricket.co.za
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