Mlaba leads charge as Proteas women restrict Ireland in T20 series decider

Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was one of the Proteas women bowling stars as they restricted Ireland to 104 all-out in 18.3 overs during the third and final T20 international on Wednesday.

Mlaba picked up two wickets and caused problems for the Irish batters who couldn’t get her away as she nabbed danger women Gabby Lewis and Mary Waldron.

Mlaba opened the bowling for South Africa to Ireland openers Leah Paul and Lewis, with Ayabonga Khaka partnering her from the opposite end.

Khaka, after being struck for four, removed Paul for 5 (9) caught by captain Sune Luus at slip. The Irishwoman tried to slash at a slightly wide one, only to find Luus alert behind the stumps.

Waldron was dropped on 1 in the covers at the start of Mlaba’s second over but the mishap didn’t cost more than a run after she was trapped in front four balls later to leave Ireland struggling at 11/2.

Lewis, the match-winner from the first T20, settled the Ireland innings down and got the hosts back in the game after a couple of profitable overs off Nadine de Klerk and Tumi Sekhukhune, who travelled to different parts of Pembrooke Cricket Club.

After seeing off their tough start, Lewis and Shauna Kavanagh put on a half-century third-wicket partnership which forced Luus to bring her opening pair of Khaka and Mlaba back.

The move did the trick as Mlaba got the big Lewis scalp, teasing her to scoop a delivery in the air that was caught by Luus at mid-on for 29 (31).

Kavanagh followed Lewis into the hut, run-out by Sekhukhune for a well-played 33 (32), before new batter Arlene Kelly was caught and bowled by De Klerk for a first-ball duck.

Ireland then collapsed, losing regular wickets in some bizarre fashion, such as Georgina Dempsey, who seemed to back-heel the