Luus, Ismail help Proteas women thrash Ireland to sweep ODI series

Captain Sune Luus and fast bowler Shabnim Ismail shined as the Proteas women thrashed Ireland in the third and final ODI against Ireland at the Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin on Friday.

South Africa bowled Ireland out for 89 as they clinched a 189-run win to clean sweep the Irish 3-0 in the three-match ODI series.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the Proteas got off to a rocky start after Tuesday's match-winning opener Andrie Steyn was run out for 14.

In-form Lara Goodall departed early, too, as she was stumped off the bowling of Rachel Delaney for 18.

Then a splendid 177-run partnership formed between opener Laura Wolvaardt and Luus as they took the Proteas to a competitive total.

Wolvaardt made 89 off 125 balls ( hitting six fours) before she was caught off the bowling of Jane Maguire (1/46).

Luus stood tall with the bat and fell seven runs short of her maiden ODI century as she scored 93 off 105 balls (hitting 11 fours) before falling to Arlene Kelly.

It was the perfect build-up to the England series for the Proteas middle-order as they posted a competitive 278/5.

Kelly was the pick of the Irish attack as she also captured all-rounder Chloe Tryon (17) to end on figures of two for 40. 

Chasing 279 runs to win, the Irish top-order collapsed early thanks to a stunning five-wicket haul by Ismail.

Ismail was ruthless, getting captain Gaby Lewis and Rachel Delaney to edge behind in the safe hands of Trisha Chetty for a duck.

Shortly thereafter, Ismail bowled Leah Paul (1) and Shauna Kavanagh (0). Spinner Raisibe Ntozakhe got the wicket of Sophie MacMahon (4) as Ireland was reeling at 13-5.

A 57-partnership formed between Mary Waldron and Kelly before Luus broke the stand by trapping Waldron LBW for 32 off 69 balls