Steyn gives Proteas women a headache ahead of England tour: 'It's more at proving myself'

Proteas opening batter Andrie Steyn wants to keep up the momentum as she hopes for possible inclusion in the women's tour to England and next month's Commonwealth Games.

On Tuesday, Steyn shared an unbeaten 165-run partnership with Lara Goodall as the Proteas cruised to a nine-wicket victory in the second ODI against Ireland.

Steyn played a splendid unbeaten knock of 84 off 104 balls (hitting seven fours) as the Proteas took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series in Dublin.

It was a slow knock for Steyn as she reached her sixth ODI half-century off 72 balls and she credited her partner Goodall (93*) for helping her through her innings.

"For me, to pass 50 was kind of nice. I struggled a bit in the middle part. Lara came to me and helped me out with that rough patch, so it's really nice to see those partnerships," Steyn told reporters after Tuesday's win.

"You get to know the person you're battling with and they kind of help you through things if times are tough. 

"Lara and I, and even Laura (Wolvaardt), know each other well as we play for Western Province, so it's great that we can take that provincial set-up and continue it within a national space."

The Proteas have been without their opening batter Lizelle Lee for the Irish leg, with Steyn putting up her hand and delivering match-winning performances.

Steyn has given the selectors some headaches as the Proteas take on England in an all-format tour from 27 June-25 July before embarking on a historic Commonwealth Games debut.

With the likes of Lee, Marizanne Kapp and regular skipper Dane van Niekerk returning for the England tour, Steyn will find it even tougher to make the starting XI despite her stellar performance against Ireland.

Steyn, who has 35 ODI caps to