Proteas Women want to turn up the heat in Paarl in second T20 against Ireland

The Proteas Women’s team will be hoping to close out the three-match T20I series when they meet Ireland in the second match at Boland Park on Sunday. The home team are leading 1-0, courtesy of a comprehensive 105-run victory at Newlands on Friday, and are looking to maintain their momentum in Paarl.

The World Cup runners-up are ranked much higher than their Irish counterparts, and are expected to sweep the series, but allrounder Sune Luus believes it remains a test of the team’s ability to remain ruthless regardless of the opposition.

“It stays an international match, whether you play Ireland or Australia. For myself, when I walk out to bat, I'm as nervous when I play Australia as when I play Ireland. I don't think it's a team you can take lightly,” said Luus, who scored 81 and took four wickets at Newlands.

“I think they're world-class players as well. But I think just for us to really dominate and have dominating performances. I think we've been in a couple of World Cup finals and I think just play like that team. I think we don't want anyone coming to our backyard and competing with us. I think we really want to put our foot to the metal and just give them a run for their money and put on good performances.”

The Proteas’ motivation stems from their desire to turn around a string of bilateral reversals. Despite progressing to consecutive T20 World Cup finals, they have won only one of their last three T20I series, suffering defeats to West Indies and England.

“The team is really moving up and up at the moment,” Luus said. “Yeah, I think, like I said, we really want to dominate. I don't think we want to be a team that's been in three consecutive finals. And then when it comes to series, we don't win anything and then perform at World Cup events.

“So we really want to make sure that when series comes along, that we really dominate and really start well as well. I think that's one thing we've been talking about, is how we start a series. I think we're going to keep that intensity. I think everybody knows what's at stake. Everybody is looking towards that T20 World Cup. And we want to start a brand that we can measure ourselves on.”

The first ball at Boland Park will be bowled at 2pm.

Full Proteas squad: Laura Wolvaardt (C), Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon, Faye Tunnicliffe, Dane van Niekerk.