Laura Wolvaardt hits ton as South Africa crush Ireland in T20I series opener

CAPE TOWN: Captain Laura Wolvaardt's unbeaten century, followed by Sune Luus's four-wicket haul, helped South Africa to crush Ireland by 105 runs in the first T20I of the three-match home series here at Newlands on Friday.

Opting to bat first, the hosts registered a mammoth total of 220/2 on the board in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a monumental second-wicket partnership between Wolvaardt and Luus.

The Proteas got off to a contrasting start to their innings as Faye Tunnicliffe (one) was dismissed by Jane Maguire in the second over with just four runs on the board.

Following the early setback, Wolvaardt joined Luus in the middle, and the duo dominated the Irish bowling attack to steer their side into a commanding position.

They added 176 runs for the second wicket before Luus was eventually removed by Ava Canning. The right-handed opener scored 81 off 51 deliveries with the help of 11 fours and a six.

Wolvaardt, on the other hand, stood his ground firmly, batted until the end and walked back after top-scoring for South Africa with an unbeaten 115 off just 56 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and four sixes. She was adjudged the Player of the Match for her unbeaten century.

For Ireland, only Maguire and Canning could pick up a wicket apiece.

Set to chase a daunting 221-run target, the visitors' batting unit could yield 115 before being bowled out in 18 overs and thus succumbed to a massive defeat in the series opener.

Middle-order batter Leah Paul remained the top-scorer for Ireland with 34 off 23 deliveries, featuring six boundaries.

She also shared an important 42-run partnership for the third wicket with captain Gaby Lewis, who was the other notable run-getter for Ireland with a 29-ball 30.

Besides them, Laura Delany and Louise Little, 13 each, could amass double figures against South Africa's bowling attack, led by Luus, who picked up four wickets for just 22 runs in her four overs.

The all-rounder was Nonkululeko Mlaba and Chloe Tryon, who bagged two wickets each, while Nondumiso Shangase and Nadine de Klerk chipped in with one scalp apiece.

The thumping victory gave South Africa a 1-0 lead over Ireland in the three-match series, with the second fixture scheduled to be played in Paarl on Sunday.