1st ODI
Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs has propelled the South Africa team to a commanding victory
South Africa scored 271/9 in 50 overs, where as Ireland scored 132 in 31.5 overs.
So, finally South Africa beat Ireland by 139 runs.
A crucial 152-run partnership, which acted as a lifeline for South Africa, paved the way for their commanding victory over Ireland in the opening ODI in Abu Dhabi.
After settling for a tied T20I series, South Africa started the ODI leg on a high, with their bowlers spearheading a comprehensive 139-run win.
Ryan Rickelton made an aggressive start by finding the boundary off the first ball, but Ireland seized early control.
Mark Adair struck by forcing Tony de Zorzi to top-edge a pull shot, and although Temba Bavuma successfully overturned a first-ball LBW decision, he was bowled by a superb delivery from Craig Young soon after.
Rassie van der Dussen was caught at third slip off Adair, leaving South Africa reeling at 16/3.
At 39/3 with over 40 overs left, South Africa needed to stabilize.
Scoring only two runs in the next three overs, Tristan Stubbs finally broke the shackles with a boundary.
However, even with Rickelton and Stubbs managing three sixes, South Africa’s run rate remained subdued until the halfway point.
Rickelton, having reached his maiden ODI fifty, shifted gears by attacking leg spinner Gavin Hoey, hitting successive sixes and a boundary.
Stubbs reached his own half-century as South Africa began to dominate, pushing the run rate past five.
The momentum picked up, with Stubbs adding two more sixes.
But just as South Africa eyed a big finish, a twist occurred.
Rickelton, nine short of a century, inside-edged onto his stumps.
This breakthrough gave Ireland a chance to claw back, and Adair capitalized by dismissing Stubbs for 79.
Ireland’s bowlers kept striking at crucial moments, preventing any acceleration at the death.
A late unbeaten 20 from Lungi Ngidi pushed South Africa to just over 270.
That target quickly appeared insurmountable when Ireland collapsed early in their chase.
Ngidi bowled Paul Stirling in the first over, and Andy Balbirnie lost his stumps similarly soon after.
Lizaad Williams then dismissed Harry Tector and Curtis Campher in consecutive overs, and Ottneil Baartman joined the attack to leave Ireland struggling at 61/5.
With wickets tumbling regularly, Ireland had no way back, and George Dockrell’s 21 was their highest score in a dismal batting display.
Ireland were eventually bowled out for 132 in just 32 overs, sealing South Africa’s dominant win.
The teams will face off again at the same venue on Friday for the second ODI.
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