Faye Tunnicliffe’s maiden fifty propels Proteas women to 201 against Ireland
Faye Tunnicliffe scored a maiden T20i fifty as South Africa posted a dominant total in their second match against Ireland in Paarl on Sunday.
Image: Protea Women on X
Faye Tunnicliffe’s maiden T20I half-century set up the Proteas’ Women’s team imposing 201/5 in the second match against Ireland at a sweltering Boland Park on Sunday.
Tunnicliffe (51 off 42 balls) benefitted from a missed chance whilst still on five, when she bottom edged a cut shot to point, but from thereon the Western Province opener displayed all the skills that has seen dominate domestic cricket for the past few seasons.
The 26-year-old found her rhythm through a couple of delightful lofted cover drives before slog-sweeping to her favoured leg-side.
Opening partner Sune Luus simply carried from her Newlands heroics by striking the ball sweetly from the outset. Luus swept with authority as the pair added 78 for the first wicket before Amy Maguire had her caught by Rebecca Stokell for a fluent 37 off just 26 balls (7x4).
Tunnicliffe, though, continued to attack the Irish bowlers and brought her 50 off 40 balls. Unfortunately for the right-hander, she was dismissed shortly after reaching the milestone as the Proteas slipped to 116/2.
This quickly became 124/3 as Ireland enjoyed their best period of the innings by having Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt caught behind to offer Maguire her second wicket of the day.
That brought together Dane van Nierkerk and Marizanne Kapp together at the crease for the first time since the former’s return to international cricket.
Van Niekerk showed on Friday at Newlands the valuable attributes she can add to the Proteas team after a four-year absence, and once again delivered a delightful cameo of 41 off 19 balls (3x4, 3x6) to push the home side closer to the 200-run mark.
Despite Ireland striking a few late blows, including the wickets of Van Niekerk and Kapp, the Proteas have still managed to pass 200 for the second successive game which should be a mountain to steep for Ireland’s batters to climb.
IOL Sport