SA teach Ireland a lesson

Trisha Chetty, the nuggety SA women's batsman/wicketkeeper had an outstanding match today against Ireland at Wellington College in Crowthorne. Chetty took three catches, made a lightning stumping off a wide, and then scored a belligerent 45 not out off 46 balls to take South Africa to a ten wicket victory, ably supported by Olivia Anderson who scored a quiet 13 not out.

Isobel Joyce, who was seeking her first win as Ireland 's captain after a disappointing series against the West Indies, and her twin sister Cecelia, both disappointed with the bat after South Africa 's Cri-Zelda Brits won the toss and invited Ireland to bat first.

In fact, only one Irish batsman, Eimear Richardson (19) got to double figures.

Despite being a bit rusty after a four month break from cricket, the SA bowlers were soon on target. Left arm quickie Ashlyn Kilowan (3/6) left-arm spinner, Charlize van der Westhuizen (3/7) and right arm off-spinner, Sunette Loubser (2/10) broke the back of the Irish batting to bowl them all out for 63 runs. The other South African bowlers who took wickets were Alicia Smith (1/8) and Shandre Fritz (1/2).

Noor Rhode, whose remarkable record as coach now stands at fifteen wins in seventeen matches, expressed happiness with his team's performance after the match but was unhappy about a spell of half a dozen overs in the middle of the Irish innings during which the SA fielding deteriorated and unnecessary overthrows were allowed.