211/3 (36.5)
CR : 5.73
209/7 (47.0)
CR : 4.45
South Africa Women won by 7 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Sune Luus
1/3466(72)
SAW won by 7 wickets
8:43 PM IST, 5:13 PM Local Time: A comprehensive victory for South Africa Women in the opening ODI, as they take a 1–0 lead in the three-match series. They defeated Ireland Women by 7 wickets with 61 balls to spare in the 47-over match, which was curtailed due to a wet pitch.
Earlier, Ireland Women posted a competitive 209/7 in 47 overs, their second-highest total against South Africa Women, after opting to bat first. The innings was built around steady partnerships, starting with a 45-run opening stand between Gaby Lewis and Sarah Forbes. Forbes then featured in the highest partnership of the innings, adding 48 with Amy Hunter before falling for 42.
Regular wickets thereafter slowed Ireland’s momentum, but a crucial 32-run stand between Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell helped push the total close to 200. Stokell anchored the finish with an unbeaten 39 off 48.
For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout with 3/43, while Tumi Sekhukhune impressed with 2/32. Luus and Smit chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Laura Wolvaardt looked in sublime touch and provided a brisk start to the hosts, but unfortunately failed to convert it into a big score, departing for 31. However, her dismissal was a bit controversial, as it appeared to be a bump ball, but the third umpire thought otherwise. Tazmin Brits (27) and Lara Goodall (20) also took their time to settle on the crease but failed to convert their start into a big score.
Sune Luus and Miane Smit paired up in the middle, steadying the ship by rotating the strike and attacking the looseners to keep the scoreboard ticking at a healthy pace. The duo shifted gears as the innings progressed, and their partnership crossed the 100-run mark, with both bringing up their fifties. Miane Smit sealed the game with a boundary, remaining unbeaten on 56 — her maiden WODI fifty — while Luus finished on an unbeaten 66. Together, they added 125 runs, guiding South Africa home with ease.
Ireland Women failed to sustain the momentum after taking three early wickets, allowing the batters to settle at the crease. Cara Murray picked up two wickets, while Orla Prendergast chipped in with one.
Stay tuned for the presentation.......
Earlier, Ireland Women posted a competitive 209/7 in 47 overs, their second-highest total against South Africa Women, after opting to bat first. The innings was built around steady partnerships, starting with a 45-run opening stand between Gaby Lewis and Sarah Forbes. Forbes then featured in the highest partnership of the innings, adding 48 with Amy Hunter before falling for 42.
Regular wickets thereafter slowed Ireland’s momentum, but a crucial 32-run stand between Orla Prendergast and Rebecca Stokell helped push the total close to 200. Stokell anchored the finish with an unbeaten 39 off 48.
For South Africa, Nonkululeko Mlaba was the standout with 3/43, while Tumi Sekhukhune impressed with 2/32. Luus and Smit chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Laura Wolvaardt looked in sublime touch and provided a brisk start to the hosts, but unfortunately failed to convert it into a big score, departing for 31. However, her dismissal was a bit controversial, as it appeared to be a bump ball, but the third umpire thought otherwise. Tazmin Brits (27) and Lara Goodall (20) also took their time to settle on the crease but failed to convert their start into a big score.
Sune Luus and Miane Smit paired up in the middle, steadying the ship by rotating the strike and attacking the looseners to keep the scoreboard ticking at a healthy pace. The duo shifted gears as the innings progressed, and their partnership crossed the 100-run mark, with both bringing up their fifties. Miane Smit sealed the game with a boundary, remaining unbeaten on 56 — her maiden WODI fifty — while Luus finished on an unbeaten 66. Together, they added 125 runs, guiding South Africa home with ease.
Ireland Women failed to sustain the momentum after taking three early wickets, allowing the batters to settle at the crease. Cara Murray picked up two wickets, while Orla Prendergast chipped in with one.
Stay tuned for the presentation.......
Time for the post match presentation ceremony..
Player of the Match: Sune Luus
Sune Luus (Player of the Match): "I think she was chaotic in the beginning. We managed to get a good partnership, and we just tried to take it deep. We were working in 10s, weren't looking at any other scores to keep us both grounded and focused.
[On Smits] For her to get her first ODI 50, it was a great partnership, and I am sure she is proud of herself. Great to get the win.
It has been enjoyable over the last couple of month, I'm just trying to grab every opportunity with both hands as they come."
[On Smits] For her to get her first ODI 50, it was a great partnership, and I am sure she is proud of herself. Great to get the win.
It has been enjoyable over the last couple of month, I'm just trying to grab every opportunity with both hands as they come."
Gaby Lewis (Ireland Women Captain): "It’s hard to pinpoint one moment, but we probably didn’t put enough runs on the board. It was a better wicket for us to bat on, and we didn’t make the most of it. Despite that, there was belief in the group — there always is.
We’ve got a young bowling unit, and we’ll learn from this. For now, it’s about resting, switching off mentally, reviewing the game, and going through our plans. Conditions will be different in the next match, so we’ll adapt and come up with a fresh approach."
We’ve got a young bowling unit, and we’ll learn from this. For now, it’s about resting, switching off mentally, reviewing the game, and going through our plans. Conditions will be different in the next match, so we’ll adapt and come up with a fresh approach."
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa Women Captain): "Very pleased. Nice to start in the series with a win. A good all-round performance.
Communication was a big part today, a lot of different bowlers than the usual, but they did well to restrict them to a low total. [On Mlaba] Senior players stepping up in games like this is what we need, and it was nice of her to deliver. Great from the youngsters too.
[On Sune and Smit] Sune is in some special form at the moment, and really pleased for Smit to get her 50, it has been coming. A slow bowling attack on a wicket like that would have been cricket. A partnership is crucial, and I think they handled it very well.
Lovely place to play at St. George. Excited to play there. Would be great to 2-0 up, and it will be great for the younger group to win the series and gain that experience."
Communication was a big part today, a lot of different bowlers than the usual, but they did well to restrict them to a low total. [On Mlaba] Senior players stepping up in games like this is what we need, and it was nice of her to deliver. Great from the youngsters too.
[On Sune and Smit] Sune is in some special form at the moment, and really pleased for Smit to get her 50, it has been coming. A slow bowling attack on a wicket like that would have been cricket. A partnership is crucial, and I think they handled it very well.
Lovely place to play at St. George. Excited to play there. Would be great to 2-0 up, and it will be great for the younger group to win the series and gain that experience."
That’s all from a one-sided contest in the opening WODI of the three-match series. South Africa Women carried forward their T20I momentum and outclassed Ireland Women by 7 wickets with 61 balls to spare.
Time to wrap up this coverage, folks! For now, it’s me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of co-commentator Anirudh Modi and scorer/analyst Rajesh Pal. CHEERS!
Time to wrap up this coverage, folks! For now, it’s me, Deepak Prakash, signing off on behalf of co-commentator Anirudh Modi and scorer/analyst Rajesh Pal. CHEERS!