Rain washes away SA's chance for victory

The start of the South Africa women's cricket side's World Cup campaign turned into a bit of a washout with their opening match against Ireland on Tuesday called off because of rain at SuperSport Park.

As a result, instead of bagging the maximum five points (or six if they had picked up a bonus point) which they would have been counting on, the home side had to share their precious points with the Irish.

In fact, with all the opening games of the World Cup being played in a rain-drenched Pretoria, points were shared all round.

England, in particular, must have breathed a sigh of relief considering they could only manage 169 for seven in their 50 overs against Australia.

The South Africans were not quite as happy, however. They had notched up a total of 204 for seven when the rain came down at the end of the 48th over.

It was opening batter Daleen Terblanche who got the home side off to a solid start after Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl.

Terblanche and fellow opener Cri-Zelda Brits smashed 10 off the first over but the onslaught was not to last.

Brits had her off-stump removed by Barbara McDonald when she was on 17 and the 16-year-old star who everyone's been talking about, Johmari Logtenberg, didn't stick around long. She also succumbed to McDonald's bowling, being caught behind for seven, as the South Africans found themselves at 42 for two.

The wickets came thick and fast after that with Alicia Smith (5) playing one on from Nicky Coffey in a lengthy over that included three no-balls and a wide.

Terblanche was the next to go, being caught behind for 36 and once captain Alison Hodgkinson had been bowled by Miriam Grealy for 12, the South Africans were struggling on 92 for five

But a 90-run sixth wicket stand between Claire Terblanche and Shandre Fritz saw the home side putting a respectable total of 182 on the board before the next wicket fell.

It was the quick arm of Irish captain Clare Shillington that brought an end to the partnership, Fritz being run out just two short of her half-century.

After the first short rain delay Tamara Reeves was the final South African to go out - for two runs - caught behind by Anne Linehan off the bowling of Jill Whelan.

"It's a pity because we would have liked to have had a bowl," said SA captain Alison Hodgkinson.

"We thought that 230 or 240 would be a good total on this track so I think we would have been pretty close to that," she added. As far as the Irish were concerned, they could have won the match had it not been for the rain.

"We're very disappointed because I think we had a real shot at winning and getting the six points," said Shillington.

"It would have been great to pull off a win today," added Ireland's Eastern Cape-born assistant coach Wayne Murray.

"At the end of the day we were pretty confident. I think it could have gone right down to the wire and Ireland could have surprised the South Africans."

After a soggy start, South Africa will now be hoping that their next match, against the West Indies on Wednesday at Centurion Laudium, will yield their first win of the tournament.

Defending champions New Zealand were 18 for two after three overs and five balls, in reply to the West Indies' score of 178 for eight.

Sri Lanka were all out for 116 in the 47th over of their match against India, who were on four without loss after two overs when the rain began.

The second round of matches are due to be played on Wednesday.

South Africa play the West Indies, India play Ireland at the Tshwane University of Technology, New Zealand play Australia at the LC Oval, and England play Sri Lanka at Harlequins. - Sapa