Mignon fifty leads SA women to win over Ireland
South Africa women took a 1-0 lead in the two-match women’s Twenty20 series when they beat Ireland by four wickets in a last-ball thriller in Dublin on Monday.
After starting out well and restricting the hosts to 79/4 in 12 overs (Sune Luus 2/24, Moseline Daniels 1/18, Ayabonga Khaka 1/27), the visitors were unable to break the 61-run, fifth-wicket stand between Isobele Joyce (31) and Kim Garth (30) that saw Ireland reach 140/4 at the end of their innings.
With the bat, South Africa recovered well after the early loss of Trisha Chetty (7) thanks to a 45-run, second-wicket partnership between Mignon du Preez and Laura Wolwaardt (24).
The former captain hit an outstanding 55 runs from 41 deliveries to pave the visitors’ way forward, but wickets falling in clumps at crucial intervals gave the home side hope.
South Africa needed 22 runs from the last two overs with Lara Goodall and interim captain, Dinesha Devnarain at the crease. Between them, they scored 13 runs in the 19th, leaving nine required for the final over.
The pressure mounted when Goodall was run out for eight off seven balls, leaving the visitors needing four from the last two deliveries. Devnarain (17) kept a cool head and hit the winning runs, securing thrilling win for her side in the end.
The second and final match of the T20 series takes place on Wednesday, 3 August.
Latest
-
England
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.