Ireland women produced an improved performance in the second T20 international of their winter tour to South Africa, however the home side prevailed by 65 runs to claim the series.
After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first in warm, partly cloudy conditions. Despite some dcent early bowling from the Irish seamers, the hosts finished the powerplay with a flourish - they were on 51-0 after the six 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 third wicket, Prendergast using her feet and swinging to the legside and Paul pulling and cover driving.
Prendergast and Paul hit 10 fours and a six between them, but 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 third T20I from a better batting display.
