The third and the final ODI of the three-match ODI series between Ireland and South Africa will be played on June 17 at Castle Avenue in Dublin. South Africa have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the series.
The visitors picked up from where they had left in the first ODI and handed a crushing nine-wicket defeat to hosts in the second ODI. Chasing 214, South Africa made lightwork of the target as they completed the formalities in 38.4 overs. Lara Goodall was the stand out performer, thanks to her unbeaten 93 off 99 balls. Andrie Steyn too made a useful contribution of 84 not out off 104 balls and in the process stitched a 165-run partnership with Goodall for the second wicket. Georgina Dempsey was the lone wicket-taker for Ireland, while with the bat captain Gaby Lewis was the top scorer with an 88-ball 59. For South Africa, Shabnim Ismail starred with the ball as she scalped three wickets.
This ODI series will be a part of the 2022-25 cycle of ICC Women’s Championship (IWC). Only the top six teams from the 10-team IWC will qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025. Therefore, this ODI series will be equally important for both the teams.
Match Preview: 3rd ODI between Ireland and South Africa
Head-to-Head
Ireland and South Africa have played 19 ODIs against each other with Ireland winning one, South Africa winning 17 and one match not producing a result.
Squads
Ireland: Gaby Lewis (captain), Alana Dalzell, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Kate McEvoy, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Celeste Raack, Mary Waldron
South Africa: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus (captain), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Tumi Sekhukhune, Andrie Steyn, Chloe Tryon, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt
Players to watch
Gaby Lewis: The captain of Ireland top scored with 59 runs off 88 balls in the second ODI against South Africa. The right-handed opening batter struck eight boundaries and laid a solid foundation. She held the innings together and there in the middle till the 33rd over.
Georgina Dempsey: The Irish all-rounder made useful contributions with both bat and ball in the second ODI against South Africa. She mustered an unbeaten 45 off 54 balls, including two boundaries and with the ball picked up 1-59 in 9.4 overs, bowling right arm medium pace. She was the only wicket-taker for Ireland.
Lara Goodall: The left-handed top order batter of South Africa led the run chase from the front with an unbeaten 93 off 99 balls to steer her side to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Ireland in the second ODI. Her innings was embellished with eight boundaries and in the process she stitched a 165-run partnership with Andrie Steyn.
Shabnim Ismail: The right arm pace sensation of South Africa was the pick of the bowlers in her last outing against Ireland as she claimed 3-31 in 10 overs. She opened the bowling and bowled well with the new ball.
Pitch
The last match that was played saw 430 runs being scored. Batting in the second innings looked easier than that in the first innings. A total of nine wickets fell through the course of the last match with fast bowlers being more successful than the spinners. Another exciting contest between bat and ball is expected in the third and the final ODI of the series.
Weather
The weather is expected to see periods of clouds and sunshine. The average temperature will be around 22 degrees Celsius. As per the forecast, there is 25 percent chance of rain and 70 percent cloud cover. The wind will blow from the west.
Fantasy Playing XI
Mary Waldron, Gaby Lewis, Lara Goodall, Laura Wolvaardt, Andrie Steyn, Sophie MacMahon, Nadine de Klerk, Sune Luus, Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Georgina Dempsey
Match details
Date: June 17, 2022
Time: 3.15 PM IST
Venue: Castle Avenue, Dublin
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I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.