2nd T20I
Ireland has levelled the series after a brilliant century from Ross Adair
Ireland scored 195/6 in 20 overs, where as South Africa scored 185/9 in 20 overs.
So, finally Ireland beat South Africa by 10 runs.
A spectacular century from Ross Adair, highlighted by his 137-run opening partnership with Paul Stirling, powered Ireland to a narrow 10-run victory over South Africa in the 2nd T20I.
Chasing 196, South Africa appeared poised to complete the chase but faltered in the final moments as Ross’s brother, Mark Adair, stepped up with key wickets to secure a series draw for Ireland.
Ireland Tee Off Despite Adair’s Slow Start
By the end of the powerplay, Ireland had raced to 59, largely due to Stirlingâs aggressive start, as Ross managed just 20 off 19 balls.
South Africa rotated four bowlers in the first four overs, but Stirling found the boundary regularly.
He took on Wiaan Mulder early with a four and a six, then dispatched Lizaad Williams to bring up 35 runs in the powerplay.
The Massive Opening Stand
After the powerplay, Ross Adair joined the party.
He targeted Nqaba Peter with a flurry of boundaries, including a four and a six, turning his slow start into a rapid half-century off 32 balls.
As Stirling watched from the other end, Ross unleashed three more sixes in the next two overs, and Ireland reached 110 by the halfway mark.
The massive partnership ended in the 13th over, just after Stirling completed his fifty and was stumped.
However, with a run rate over 10, Ireland appeared on track for a total beyond 200.
Ross added another six and a four in the next over, pushing Ireland to 150 by the 14th over.
Did They Get There?
Surprisingly, Ireland fell short.
With nine wickets in hand and six overs remaining, 210 seemed well within reach.
However, South Africa’s bowlers mounted a strong comeback, conceding just 45 runs in the final six overs.
Even though Ross reached his hundred with a ninth six, his dismissal, along with Curtis Campher’s in the 17th over, halted Irelandâs momentum.
They ended their innings at 195, five runs shy of the 200 mark.
A Similar Start for South Africa
South Africa began cautiously.
Mark Adairâs opening over went for just two runs before Reeza Hendricks hit a couple of boundaries.
Ryan Rickelton, the star of the first game, began slowly but exploded to 34 off 19 with several sixes.
However, his innings came to an end in the final over of the powerplay when he was dismissed for 36.
South Africa On Track
Matthew Breetzke had a sluggish start, with 10 runs from his first 10 balls, but Hendricks kept the chase alive, reaching his fifty.
After Hendricksâ dismissal, Breetzke and Aiden Markram both hit sixes in quick succession, strengthening South Africaâs position.
Despite a couple of wickets, with 28 runs needed off the final three overs, South Africa looked set to clinch the series.
The Game-Changer
The match swung dramatically in the 18th over.
Graham Hume conceded just five runs, reducing the equation to 23 off 12.
Then, Mark Adair returned for the penultimate over and made an immediate impact, dismissing Wiaan Mulder.
Breetzke followed suit, finding the long-on fielder, and Mark capped off the over with another crucial wicket.
South Africa crumbled from 173/4 to 179/7, leaving too much for the final over.
Hume sealed the victory with another tight over, ensuring Ireland squared the series.
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