Potchefstroom is the home of international women’s cricket in May and the women’s quadrangular series between South Africa, India, Ireland and Zimbabwe got underway on Sunday.

The series is taking place at Senwes Park and the PUK Oval and cricket fans will be in for a treat until 21 May.

South Africa’s Women’s Proteas Cricket got their quadrangular series off to a good start with a crushing 8-wicket victory against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

Zimbabwe were bowled out for a paltry 78, with five of their batsman dismissed for ducks.

The Proteas’ Shabnim Ismail was the chief destroyer taking 5/25. In   reply, local hero, Lizelle Lee, scored 21 while Trisha Chetty hit an unbeaten 28 to take the green and gold ladies home.

The Proteas took on India, their biggest challenge in this tournament, on Tuesday and conceded a 7-wicket loss in a low scoring match.

The Proteas batted first and made it to 100/4 without any major scares. This was before Shikha Pandey struck when she removed Marizanne Kapp for 23.

This started a major batting     collapse as the Proteas lost their last six wickets for only 19 runs.

India also mounted their challenge slowly, but steadily, with Mithali Raj top-scoring with an unbeaten 51 (66). The Proteas bowled economically but had just too much to do in order to defend a low total.