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PAARL, South Africa – Ireland Women have shown an improved performance in the second T20 International of Ireland Women’s winter tour to South Africa, however, the home side won the match by 65 runs to claim the T20I series.
After winning the toss once more, South Africa again elected to bat first in warm, partly cloudy conditions. Despite some good early bowling from the Irish seamers, the home side finished the powerplay with a flourish which put them on 51-0 after the 6 overs. Left-arm off-spinner Aimee Maguire then entered the fray and immediately made an impact, removing Sune Luus (37), Faye Tunnicliffe (51) and Laura Wolvaardt (22) to claim 3-43, her economic bowling figures tarnished by conceding 18 runs off her last over.
While pick of the bowlers, Orla Prendergast (1-29), searched for an elusive wicket that would have been just reward for her economic, threatening bowling, the South African batters piled on late runs and what looked destined to be a total around 175-180 was boosted to over 200 for the second straight match.
In reply, Ireland’s chase started well with Gaby Lewis (19) and Amy Hunter (14) compiling 33-0 off the first six – Hunter deploying the sweep effectively and Lewis looking to hit straight. However, just as the pair were looking to accelerate the scoring rate, Lewis fell LBW trying to sweep spinner Chloe Tryon, while in the same over Hunter was bowled playing back to a ball from Tryon that skidded on.
Prendergast (51*) and Leah Paul (40 from 29 balls) then put on an industrious 76-run partnership for the 3rd wicket – Prendergast using her feet and swinging to the legside and Paul pulling and cover driving – with more than a few impressive ramps and switch hits to keep the fielders alert. The run rate steadily accelerated, however, the run rate required was increasing at a faster rate and while Prendergast and Paul hit 10 fours and a six between them, the target remained out of reach.
Paul was bowled trying to paddle a ball around the corner from Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Prendergast brought up her 10th T20I half-century in the final over, as Ireland’s innings came to a close on 136-3 from 20 overrs.
South Africa have won series 2-0 with one to play, however, Ireland will take some confidence into Wednesday’s 3rd T20I from an improved batting performance.
MATCH SUMMARY
South Africa Women v Ireland Women, 2nd T20I, Paarl, 7 December 2025
South Africa 201-5 (F Tunnicliffe 51; A Maguire 3-43)
Ireland 136-3 (20 overs; O Prendergast 51*, Paul 40; C Tryon 2-24)
South Africa won by 65 runs
