South Africa win by seven wickets in Sarawak

SARAWAK, Malaysia – In another rain-shortened game for Ireland, South Africa made best use of the pitch conditions at Borneo Cricket Ground to win by seven wickets in our first Super Six match at the 2025 ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Heavy rain over night meant a delayed start due to overly wet parts of the outfield. After a considerable wait we eventually got a toss, and altered playing conditions.

Niamh MacNulty continued her good run at the coin toss winning a fourth in a row and opting to bat first in a ten-over-per-side game. There would also be a three-over powerplay and two over per bowler.

With Alice Walsh missing through illness, Rebecca Lowe opened the innings with Freya Sargent. Two early boundaries for Sargent suggested the pitch was much quicker than any which had been seen in the group stages in Johor.

Faye Cowling then quickly removed Sargent leg-before-wicket with a full delivery that looked like it might have injured the Clontarf all-rounder’s toe. Ireland then soon found themselves on the backfoot with the dismissal of Lowe and Annabel Squires not long after.

Ireland now attempted to recover with what short time was left in the innings but then also lost Julie McNally, Niamh MacNulty and Lara McBride in the seventh over.

A total of 35 most likely was not going to be enough, even when the pitch appeared to be offering pace and assistance for the bowlers. Jennifer Jackson however put in an incredible, but brief, performance taking 2-6 in her opening over then bowling a maiden over in her second.

Another Jackson over in a longer game and with slightly more runs on the board could have made things interesting, especially with the late inswing she was finding into the right handed batters.

Lara McBride was then able to take a wicket as soon as she was called upon, but South Africa had since marched towards the total.

For Ireland, their attention now turns quickly to their final Super Six match against Nigeria in Bangi on Wednesday.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland v South Africa, ICC U19 Women’s World Cup in Malaysia, 25 January 2025

Ireland 35 (9.4 overs; F Sargent 9; M Legodi 4-4)

South Africa 36-3 (6.1 overs; K Reyneke 16; J Jackson 2-6)

South Africa won by 7 wickets

Scorecard here

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