Rampant Proteas take opening ODI

A trio of half-centuries by Chloe Tryon (92), Laura Wolvaardt (55) and Suné Luus (52*) saw the Proteas go 1-0 up in the four-match women’s One-Day International (ODI) series when they beat Ireland by a commanding, 89 runs at Merrion Cricket Club in Dublin on Friday.

The Proteas posted 283/7 in their allotted overs after being put in to bat by the hosts. Laura Wolvaardt gave the tourists a good start with her 55 off 85 deliveries (9 fours), carrying the burden well after losing Trisha Chetty (10) cheaply. They shared a 52-run opening partnership, followed by a 43-run stand for the third wicket with Andrie Steyn (18) after Mignon du Preez returned to the hut without scoring.

While it was Wolvaardt who gave the Proteas a positive start, it was Tryon and Luus who gave momentum to the innings with a striking 142-run partnership (131 balls) for the sixth wicket. Luus’ 52 came off 67 deliveries (7 fours), while Tryone (92 off 68, 7 fours, 6 sixes) narrowly missed out on a century, falling victim to Kim Garth (3/61), who did the most damage with the ball for Ireland.

A target of 284 was always going to be a big ask, but the visitors left nothing to chance. Luus was fierce, taking 6/36 in her 10 overs, leaving the hosts reeling. Garth put up a good fight, hitting an unbeaten 72 off 80 balls, but could not find a lasting partnership that would take the relentless South Africans on. Masabata Klaas provided good support to Luus, claiming two for 34 in seven.

Ireland were bowled out for 194 in 44.5 overs.

Match two will take place on Sunday, 7 August.