Captain Paul Stirling and Harry Tector both scored half-centuries, while a comprehensive bowling performance contributed to Ireland’s consolation victory in the third ODI against South Africa. This marked only Ireland’s second triumph over South Africa in this format.
Despite losing the ODI series, Ireland delivered an impressive performance to conclude the series positively, achieving a convincing 69-run victory in the third match held in Abu Dhabi. Paul Stirling’s score of 88 and Harry Tector’s contribution of 60, along with significant support from the other top-order batsmen, enabled Ireland to set a challenging total of 284 runs for the loss of 9 wickets. Graham Hume and Craig Young then bagged three wicket hauls as South Africa were bowled out for 215 despite Jason Smith’s fighting 91.
Ireland's commendable batting performance
Ireland chose to bat first but managed to score only 37 runs during the initial powerplay, even though Stirling hit a couple of sixes within the first ten overs. Stirling began steadily, accumulating 25 runs off his first 27 deliveries, while Andrew Balbirnie remained cautious at the other end, contributing only 12 runs from 33 balls. However, they quickly made progress, with Balbirnie hitting regular boundaries, including a six off Lungi Ngidi. Stirling surpassed the 50-run mark, and the opening partnership exceeded 100 runs before Lizaad Williams dismissed Balbirnie, bringing their stand to an end.
Curtis Campher approached the innings with a constructive mindset, contributing quick runs during a half-century partnership with Stirling before being dismissed for 34 by Ottneil Baartman. Stirling, on the other hand, appeared poised to reach a century, having accumulated 8 fours and 3 sixes. However, he fell short of the 100-run milestone, being bowled by Baartman when he was just 12 runs away. Subsequently, Lorcan Tucker and Tector formed a partnership that yielded 54 runs, placing Ireland in a favorable position to achieve a substantial total.
Lorcan Tucker, having regained his fitness and rejoined the team, played a crucial role in maintaining Ireland’s momentum alongside Harry Tector, consistently finding the boundary as they contributed 54 runs to the team’s total. The partnership concluded when Tucker attempted a scoop shot off Phehlukwayo, only to send the ball high into the air, where it was expertly caught by Ryan Rickelton, who ran back to secure the catch. Phehlukwayo continued to make an impact in his subsequent over, as George Dockrell’s cut shot went directly to the fielder at point.
Tector elevated Ngidi over long-on and subsequently executed a cut shot behind point for four runs, thereby achieving his half-century in the 48th over. Williams, who had struggled throughout the series up to that moment, finally made a significant impact in the second-to-last over. He shattered the middle stump as Adair attempted to scoop him while moving across the stumps. On the next delivery, he successfully trapped Hand in front and concluded the over by yorking Hume, thereby finishing the series with a total of 11 wickets. Phehlukwayo kept it tight in the last over to ensure Ireland didn’t cross 300.
Ireland's specacular bowling performance
The pursuit commenced in a calamitous manner for South Africa, as they quickly fell to 10/3 within the initial five overs. Ryan Rickelton was the first to depart, offering a catch to the first slip off the bowling of Mark Adair, while his opening partner, Reeza Hendricks, was dismissed at second slip from a delivery by Graham Hume. Stand-in captain Rassie van der Dussen was adjudged leg before wicket by Adair, who also achieved a wicket-maiden. Kyle Verreynne managed to hit several boundaries, aiding South Africa in reaching 48/3 by the conclusion of the first powerplay.
Verreynne hit six fours during his innings of 38 runs before being dismissed lbw by Craig Young in the 13th over. The in-form Tristan Stubbs struggled to accelerate his scoring and was ultimately caught behind off Young after facing 45 balls for a total of 20 runs, leaving South Africa at 79/5 after 20 overs. Meanwhile, Smith batted with assurance and received valuable support from Phehlukwayo, contributing to a 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket as they initiated a recovery for South Africa. However, Fionn Hand managed to induce a mis-timed pull from Phehlukwayo, bringing the partnership to an end.
Smith made efforts to maintain South Africa’s competitiveness in the match, performing admirably alongside the lower-order batsmen as he surpassed the 50-run mark. However, Ireland continued to make steady progress at the other end. Smith hit nine fours and four sixes as he approached the 90s, but with 76 runs required from 36 balls, significant pressure mounted on the 29-year-old, who was participating in only his second match.
Hume concluded his impressive innings when Smith edged a catch to deep backward point. Ngidi was dismissed by the same bowler in the subsequent over, leading to the conclusion of the innings in the 47th over, with Ireland achieving their second ODI victory against South Africa.
Scorecard: Ireland 284/9 in 50 overs (Paul Stirling 88, Harry Tector 60, Andrew Balbirnie 45; Lizaad Williams 4-56) beat South Africa 215 in 46.1 overs (Jason Smith 91, Kyle Verreynne 38; Graham Hume 3-29, Craig Young 3-40) by 69 runs.
