(Cricket news) South Africa went on to 189-run win over Ireland in the final ODI of The HBV Studios International Women’s Cricket Series as they bowled out  the hosts for 89. Shabnim Ismail continued her great form in the series as she took four wickets inside the first seven overs of the Ireland innings to derail a chase of 279 after Laura Wolvaardt (89) and Sune Luus (93) had starred with the bat.

Luus, the South African captain won the toss and chose to bat first, but it was Ireland who began brightly as they restricted the visitors to 16 runs inside the first five overs before the first wicket arrived in the sixth over when Andrie Steyn was run out after an excellent direct hit from Sophie MacMahon. That brought in-form Lara Goodall to the crease, but the left-hander got out for 18 looking while looking to play a big shot; she advanced down the ground to Rachel Delaney but failed to connect and Mary Waldron did the rest behind the stumps.

At 57-2 in the 14th over, South Africa weren’t in trouble, but also weren't in the most comfortable spot. Wolvaardt and Luus then went on to rebuild the innings; as Wolvaardt advanced to her half-century off 79 balls, while Luus brought up the same landmark from 70 balls. Together they  stitched a partnership worth 177, which was subsequently the fifth-highest for South Africa in women’s ODIs. Jane Maguire provided a much-needed wicket in the 45th over, with Wolvaardt departing 11 runs short of what would have been her fourth ODI century. Chloe Tryon came in to hit some quick runs and managed 17 off 12 before finishing the innings at 279

Ireland’s chase got off to the worst start as Ismail who had taken six wickets across the previous two ODIs, got both Gaby Lewis and Rachel Delany caught behind for ducks in her opening over. Ismail’s scintillating new-ball spell then got Leah Paul out in the fifth over, and Shauna Kavanagh was bowled for 10-ball duck in the seventh over to leave Ireland struggling on 8-4. Raisibe Ntozakhe accounted for MacMahon to leave Ireland 13-5. From there on Ireland were rescued by Mary Waldron and Kelly, with the pair putting on a gritty 57 runs for the sixth wicket. But Luus continued her excellent all-round day by having Waldron adjudged lbw for 32. Wickets continued to tumble as Ireland fell from 70-5 to 89 all out, with Ismail fittingly taking the final wicket to finish with  figures of 5-8 from 8.5 overs which  included four maidens.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Women v South Africa Women, 3rd ODI, Clontarf, 17 June 2022

South Africa 278-5 (50 overs; S Luus 93, L Wolvaardt 89; A Kelly 2-40)

Ireland 89 (32.5 overs; M Waldron 32, A Kelly 29; S Ismail 5-8)

South Africa won by 189 runs

Also read: England seamer Katherine Brunt retires from Test Cricket