The second half of South Africa’s tour of the UK kicks off on Tuesday 9 September when the women take on Ireland at the Mosely Cricket Club in a T20I. Gareth Stevens reports.

Despite going down to World Cup finalists, England, 3-0 in their recently concluded T20I series, South Africa fought hard in the final match to come within eight runs of pulling off a famous victory. The girls have played themselves into some form and will be expected to win the series against their lower ranked Irish counterparts.

The first T20I of the series starts at 12:00 on Tuesday 9 September at the Mosely Cricket Club in Solihull. The second encounter starts at 16:30 on the same afternoon, so a good day at the office would seal the silverware for the Proteas. The third and final T20I takes place at the same venue on the following day.

The South Africans are battle-hardened after pushing the best team in the world and will be eager to taste some success before they make the trip home. Dane van Niekerk and captain Mignon du Preez are the form batsmen and they should enjoy facing a less experienced attack after being worked over by the Jenny Gunn and the rest of the English bowlers.

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