Faye Tunnicliffe's maiden half-century powers Proteas Women to T20I series victory

There were several reasons to be grateful for the Proteas’ Women’s series sweep of Ireland at Boland Park on Sunday.

For starters it ended a run of bilateral series defeats for a team that has reached consecutive T20 World Cup finals. But on an individual level, it also displayed the value of Western Province duo Faye Tunnicliffe and Dane van Niekerk to the national team’s cause. 

Tunnicliffe has for a long period been among the leading run-scorers in domestic cricket, but due to a variety of factors has not been able to transfer that form to the international stage since her debut back in 2018 already. 

Her call-up to the squad for the Ireland series was almost seen as a last-chance saloon, and after Friday’s failure at her Newlands home ground the pressure valve was turned up even further here at Boland Park. 

The tension showed for Tunnicliffe was by self-admission “a nervous wreck”, and the dream was almost brought to a premature end when she edged a cut shot straight down the point fielder’s throat on just five. 

Fortunately, the Cricket Gods were smiling on the 26-year-old on Sunday and the chance was spilled, which not only allowed Tunnicliffe to bat on, but also freed herself from all the butterflies that were floating around in her stomach as she went on to score her maiden T20I half-century. 

“Definitely, I felt a lot more free after that,” Tunnicliffe said, after the Proteas’ 65-run victory. “I think there is a little bit of luck involved in cricket, and I was lucky to be on the good side of that, so I definitely felt my nerves settle.”

The right-hander certainly showcased all her talent throughout her 42-ball stay at the crease as she launched a couple of delightful, lofted cover drives over extra cover, whilst also sweeping through the leg-side with authority to push the Proteas to 201/5. 

Her relief was certainly evident that she could finally showcased her ability on the international stage. 

“It was really special,” she said. “My goal has always been to contribute to the team and I just wanted to do that, and I am glad I could put out a really good foundation today. 

“Then the middle-order was insane. They just came out like whacked it all over. Happy with that. Made a 50, and hopefully a lot more to come.”

Van Niekerk was the premier destroyer with the former Proteas captain showing off her ball-striking for the second consecutive match. The 32-year-old bludgeoned 41 off just 19 balls, which included three boundaries and three sixes, to show that she may well have a power-hitting role to play at next year’s T20 World Cup in England. 

The Proteas' successive total in excess of 200 was always going to be too much for the Irish, but they at least displayed some fighting spirit through Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul with a 76-run third-wicket stand after left-arm spinner Chloe Tyron pegged the visitors back with a double-wicket first over. 

Both Tunnicliffe and Van Niekerk will have one final opportunity to convince both coach Mandla Mashimbyi and convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez of their value in the third and final T20I in Benoni on Wednesday.

Full scoreboard

Proteas Women: 201/5 (Tunnicliffe 51, Van Niekerk 41, Maguire 3/43) 

Ireland Women: 136/3 (Prendergast 51*, Paul 40, Tryon 2/24)

Proteas Women won by 65 runs, lead series 2-0