IRE-W v SA-W | 2nd T20I | South Africa rout Ireland by 8 wickets to equalise series

An all-round bowling display led by the trio of Shabnim Ismail, Tumi Sekhukhune and Nadine de Klerk has helped South Africa Women avenge the defeat that they suffered in the 1st T20I as the tourists thumped Ireland by eight wickets to force a decider in the three-match series.

Opting to bat first, Ireland women, unlike the last game where they went hell for leather from the word go, could not find any momentum in their innings as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Shabnim Ismail was at her sensational best in the powerplay as she conceded just 13 runs in her quota of 4 overs besides claiming the prized scalp of Leah Paul, who meandered to a pain-staking 15-ball 9.

Skipper Gaby Lewis once again held the fort from one end, but even she found it hard to get any momentum in her innings. The 21-year-old, who smashed a whirlwind half-century in the last game, could manage just three fours and a six during her 29-ball 31.

She was eventually dismissed by Nonkululeko Mlaba in the 9th over. Then, the duo of De Klerk (2-26 in 4) and Sekhukhune (2-17 in 4) combined to choke the middle and lower order into submission.

The Irish eventually finished with an underwhelming total of 106-7 in 20 overs.

Ireland needed wickets in clusters in the powerplay to have any chance of defending such a poultry total. But, while they did dismiss Tazmin Brits in the 3rd over of the innings, that was about it, as the opener, Laura Goodall (52 off 40 deliveries) and Anneke Bosch (32* off 37) steadied the ship with a 72-run stand.

Goodall smashed seven fours and a six during her 40-ball 52, and by the time Jane Maguire eventually dismissed her, she had ensured that the game was all but over.

Bosch put the official seal on the win by smashing a boundary in the 15th over to ensure that the series will go into the decider, which will take place on Wednesday, June 08.

Brief Scores:

Ireland Women 106/7 (20)

Gaby Lewis 31 (29)

Nadine De Klerk 2-26 (4) 

Tumi Sekhukhune 2-17 (4)

Shabnim Ismail 1-13 (4)

South Africa Women 107/2 (15)

Lara Goodall 52 (40)

Anneke Bosch 32* (37)

Arlene Kelly 1-13 (3)

Match Result: South Africa Women won by eight wickets