3rd ODI
Paul Stirling and Harry Tector as well as the bowlers has shined in Ireland’s consolation victory
Ireland scored 284/9 in 50 overs, where as South Africa scored 215 in 46.1 overs.
So, finally Ireland beat South Africa by 69 runs.
Despite losing the ODI series to South Africa, Ireland ended on a high note with a commanding 69-run victory in the third game in Abu Dhabi.
Paul Stirling’s 88 and Harry Tector’s 60, coupled with valuable contributions from the rest of the top five, helped Ireland set a competitive 284/9.
Graham Hume and Craig Young then took three wickets each, bowling South Africa out for 215, despite a valiant 91 from Jason Smith.
Choosing to bat, Ireland managed only 37 runs in the first powerplay, with Stirling hitting two sixes early on.
Stirling started steadily, scoring 25 off his first 27 balls, while Andrew Balbirnie was more cautious, managing only 12 off 33 deliveries.
However, the pair picked up the pace, with Balbirnie finding regular boundaries and a six off Lungi Ngidi.
Stirling brought up his fifty, and the opening stand crossed 100 before Lizaad Williams dismissed Balbirnie.
Curtis Campher came in with attacking intent, adding to the score in a half-century stand with Stirling, but fell for 34 to Ottneil Baartman.
Stirling looked poised for a century, having hit eight fours and three sixes, but was bowled by Baartman for 88.
Lorcan Tucker and Tector then added 54 runs, putting Ireland in a strong position.
Tucker’s dismissal to Andile Phehlukwayo and George Dockrell’s quick exit slowed Ireland’s momentum, but Tector’s 42-ball fifty, including a six and a four off Ngidi, pushed the score towards 300.
However, South Africa’s bowlers, led by Williams with a three-wicket 49th over, restricted Ireland to 284/9.
South Africa’s chase began disastrously as they crumbled to 10/3 within the first five overs.
Mark Adair dismissed Ryan Rickelton and trapped Rassie van der Dussen lbw, while Graham Hume removed Reeza Hendricks.
Kyle Verreynne provided some resistance, scoring 38 with six boundaries, before being trapped lbw by Young.
Tristan Stubbs struggled for fluency, eventually falling to Young for 20, leaving South Africa at 79/5.
Jason Smith offered hope for South Africa, batting confidently and forming a 47-run stand with Phehlukwayo.
However, Fionn Hand’s dismissal of Phehlukwayo halted the recovery.
Smith continued to fight, passing fifty and attacking Ireland’s bowlers, but with mounting pressure, he was caught off Hume for a valiant 91.
South Africa’s innings ended in the 47th over, with Hume claiming two more wickets to seal Ireland’s second-ever ODI victory over South Africa.
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