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GQEBERHA: Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus hit sparkling centuries to power South Africa women to a series victory over Ireland women here at the St George’s Park, Gqeberha on Tuesday.
Chasing a daunting 376, Ireland were bowled out for 301 in 47.5 overs.
Ireland started poorly in the chase as opener Sarah Forbes went without scoring. As a result, skipper Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter added 77 for the second wicket to put the chase back on track.
Lewis scored 45 off 52 with the help of eight fours. Following her wicket, Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter kept Ireland in the hunt with a 93-run partnership.
The duo’s batting brought the scoring to 170 in 29.3 before Hunter’s removal dented the chase. Hunter managed to score 64 from 66 balls.
With the asking rate rising, it was already an uphill task for Irish batters despite Prendergast remaining battling out till the 40th over.
She was eventually dismissed for a well-made 97 from 86 balls, laced with 10 fours and two sixes.
For South Africa, Leah Jones remained the standout bowler, taking three wickets while Nondumiso Shangase and Miane Smit scalped two apiece.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, South Africa were 59-2 after the first 10 overs before a mammoth 179-run stand between Wolvaardt and Luss brought the score to 238 in 36.5 overs.
The partnership was eventually broken with Wolvaardt’s wicket, who made 124 from 119 balls laced with 19 fours.
Meanwhile, Luss forged another 117 with Dane van Niekerk, which propelled the score over the 350-run mark.
Sune Luss made 114 from 113, striking 13 fours and a six, while Niekerk unleashed a boundary barrage with a quick-fire 88 off just 47 balls. She hit 13 fours and three sixes in her power-packed knock.
For Ireland, Jane Maguire managed to scalp three wickets.
The third ODI will be played on 19 December in Johannesburg.
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