South Africa hit form at right time

South Africa were given the ideal preparation for their CricInfo Women's World Cup semi-final clash with Australia on Monday when, courtesy of a Linda Olivier century, they subdued a lively Ireland side at Hagley Oval today.

In a first innings that ran the gambit of emotions, the Netherlands had Ireland in trouble early. Then they allowed a third-wicket partnership to develop, ripped through the middle order only to stumble over an unbeaten 37-run world-record 10th wicket stand between Barbara McDonald (22) and Sandra Dawson (13 in her retirement match) that allowed Ireland a very respectable 176 for nine off their 50 overs.

The key to South African bowling was their direction. Batsman after batsman hurt the Ireland cause as they played across the line. Five bowled and two caught and bowled told the story of Ireland's failure to post a big score after the third-wicket partnership between Anne Linehan (40) and Miriam Grealey (30 in her last match as captain) threatened big troubles for South Africa.

Hanri Strydom, rushed into the bowling attack early after Sune van Zyl injured herself fielding in the second over of the day, responded superbly, her late swing having all the batsmen in trouble. Strydom (10-1-33-3), Sunette Viljoen (10-2-27-3) and Cindy Eksteen (10-3-28-2) had supposedly done enough to ensure that South Africa would face a modest target of less than 140.

But there is a saying among the teams at the tournament about the women of the shamrock: "Who let the Irish out?" And it was reverberating around the ground again today as Dawson and McDonald, coming together at 139 for nine, first survived, then took the attack to the South Africans, standing defiant for the last nine overs.

It was a fine effort but it was all in vain. McDonald came back with the ball, tight as ever in her first five-over burst, but today would belong to Linda Olivier. Strydom was back too, dominating early proceedings with the bat. But once Olivier had the measure of an Ireland bowling attack that when not dropping too short was too much on the leg, she was on her way with clinical control.

She lost Strydom at 117 when four short of a justly deserved half century but found the perfect partner in one of the consistent players of the tournament, Daleen Terblanche. Together they put on an unbeaten 60 (Terblanche 15 not out) as they marched South Africa to a nine-wicket victory in the 37th over and Olivier to her first ODI century off just 117 balls.

The South African coach, Rodney Willemberg, could only be very pleased with the batting. "They applied themselves and they played to their targets."

The bowling was another matter. The direction was fine but the length was not. "There were too many run-scoring balls. They bowled two different lengths," he said.

And that last-wicket stand? "Frustrating." Of the question of whether to attack or defend against such a partnership, he said, "It is not an easy job for a captain to set fields against such hitting."

But overall he said the match would give the South Africans confidence going into the semi-final against Australia.

The century-maker said it was an opportunity that did not come around very often and she was thankful and privileged to get it. Olivier told CricInfo that she and Strydom had set targets in the early overs and had been pleased to reach them.

Of Ireland, she said: "It is not a side to underestimate." She confirmed the need to concentrate because so often it was the bad ball that could take wickets.

She said she did become concerned towards the end of the innings when the gap between the runs needed for her century and the runs needed to win became increasingly closer.

And the semi-final: "Right now I'm not looking ahead; I'm just enjoying the moment."

For the losing coach, John Wills, it was the story of the tournament, a match in which his team did not get all three phases of the game right. "We did not build partnerships. We self-destructed by playing across the line but the tail-enders showed what can come from playing straight.

"Then we had to bowl well and field well - and we didn't."

The bowlers bowled too short - "70 per cent of the runs were scored on the leg side" - and sharp chances that had to be taken were not.

"When they get all three phases of the game right at the same time, they will be in the middle of the rankings."

But for now they go home to prepare for the World Cup qualifying in 2002, which, Wills said, "will be good for them."