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Mooney guides GG's XI to victory over SA

Southern Stars batter Beth Mooney shone as the Governor-General's XI claimed a two-wicket win over South Africa

An unbeaten 95 from Beth Mooney has helped the Governor-General's XI to a two-wicket win over South Africa at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval.

Opener Mooney guided the team – captained by Australian allrounder Ellyse Perry - past the Proteas' total of 7-203 with 11 balls to spare.

Mooney's innings also stated her case for a spot in the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars' starting one-day XI, after being consigned to carrying the drinks throughout Australia's four-match ODI tour of Sri Lanka in September.

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Inspired by the traditional Prime Minister's XI match, the Governor-General’s XI clash pitted some of the best young female players in the country against the touring South Africans.

While last year's inaugural match against India was ruined by rain, blue skies and sunshine ensured there were no weather worries the second time around.

Mooney shows class against South Africa

Batting first in the 50-over fixture, a fifty from Proteas opener Sune Luus and handy knocks from Dinesha Devnarain (47) and captain Dane van Niekerk (41) boosted the tourists, but they struggled to lift the scoring rate against a disciplined Governor-General's attack.

Perry, making her return with the ball after overcoming a niggling knee injury, bowled five overs and finished with 1-13, while the South Australian pair of leg-spinner Amanda Wellington (2-25) and seamer Tahlia McGrath (2-34) also impressed.

The Governor-General's XI's chase got off to a disastrous start when opener Sophie Molineux was run out on the first ball of the innings, before McGrath (30) joined Mooney to frustrate the Proteas with a 58-run stand.

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Her dismissal and the loss of Ashleigh Gardner (0) and Perry (12) ensured it wasn't all smooth sailing for the hosts, but Mooney's measured knock kept the chase on track.

The match was the Proteas’ only warm-up ahead of their five-game ODI series against the Southern Stars, which will kick off at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Friday.

It also gave Perry and Mooney a chance to check out the competition – a team they've previously only met in world cups – ahead of the day-night series, while Australia captain Meg Lanning and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy were among those watching on closely in the Drummoyne Oval crowd.

The Australian squad will now assemble in Canberra, where they will play a day-night warm-up match against members of the GG XI squad on Tuesday ahead of Friday's series opener.