The Irish team play South Africa in the final game of the series between these two sides in the Vineyard tomorrow. The visitors had clinched the ODI series on Tuesday with a 67 run win in Claremont Road.
So far in the series, there has been two centurions for the South Africans, the latest being Laura Wolvaardt. She become the youngest player to make an ODI hundred for her country, when she hit 105 (125) in the 3rd ODI. This backs up other good performances by her in the series against Ireland, where she made 55 (83) in the 1st ODI at Anglesea Road on Friday. This got her team up to 260/6 in their innings. Suné Luus bagged her second five-for in the series on Tuesday, with she took 5-32 in 10 overs. The Irish team will look to rotate the strike better when she is in the attack, to prevent themselves from falling behind the run rate.
There was a new batting pair for Ireland in the 3rd ODI. Clare Shillington returned to top of order, while Una Raymond-Hoey made her debut for the Irish women’s team at international level. Both of them made 25, with Shillington going at a strike rate of 139. The middle order had a solid stand. Kim Garth made her second ODI 50, with former Irish skipper Isobel Joyce top scoring the Irish with 57 (61) in a partnership of 85 with Garth. The batting side is getting closer in every game against South Africa. If they can put it all together in 50 overs, they will challenge the totals South Africa have set the Irish.
Ciara Metcalfe continued to keep things tight with her bowling. Her 2-37 from 10 overs were the best figures on the Irish side in the 3rd ODI. She will hope her form continues, while the rest of the bowling attack will try to bowl out the visitors, especially taking wickets with the new ball, to put the South Africans under immediate pressure in their innings.
The start time for the 3rd ODI is 10:45, and there is free entry for tomorrow’s game in the Vineyard.
IRELAND WOMEN ODI Squad:
Laura Delany (Captain) (Dragons), Cath Dalton (Typhoons), Kim Garth (Scorchers), Cecelia Joyce, (Dragons), Isobel Joyce (Scorchers), Meg Kendal (Scorchers), Amy Kenealy (Typhoons), Gaby Lewis, (Dragons), Louise McCarthy (Dragons), Ciara Metcalfe (Dragons), Lucy O’Reilly (Scorchers), Una Raymond-Hoey (Scorchers), Clare Shillington (Typhoons), Mary Waldron (Dragons)
ODI FIXTURES:
Thursday 11th August, Ireland v South Africa, 4th ODI at The Hills (10.45am)
Amy Kenealy
No
Connaught
