South Africa Lose to Ireland in the Men’s ODI final by 69 runs

In the third game played in Abu Dhabi, South Africa lost their ODI series against Ireland by 69 runs. They are now down to the Irish in ODIs for the second time. After winning the first two games of the series, the Proteas were already assured of victory.

Ireland won the toss and decided to bat first on Monday, putting up a formidable 284 runs as their target. Andrew Balbirnie and captain Paul Stirling added 101 runs together in a solid opening partnership. Balbirnie chipped in 45 runs, but Stirling struck 88 off 92 balls, including 8 fours and 3 sixes.

Then, Curtis Campher and Harry Tector rapidly increased the score to 60; Campher scored 34 runs, while Tector scored 48. But in the second half of the innings, the South African bowlers performed admirably, keeping the Irish lower middle order from getting comfortable. In the end, Ireland lost nine wickets and concluded their innings with 284 runs.

South Africa faltered early in their 285-run chase, losing three wickets for only ten runs. Tristan Stubbs and Reeza Hendricks put up a 49-run partnership that helped to steady the batting, but when Stubbs was removed for 20, the Proteas were reduced to 79 runs for 5 wickets.

In the intense heat of Abu Dhabi, Ireland’s captain persevered until leaving in the 35th over.

Ireland reached 284-9 from their 50 overs thanks to Harry Tector’s quick 60 from 48, which marked a welcome return to form for the 24-year-old. Other contributions came from Curtis Campher (34) and the returning Lorcan Tucker (26).

With the new ball, Mark Adair and Graham Hume both got right into their business, taking one wicket each to remove both openers and startle South Africa at 8-2.

After that, Adair made it 10-3 and Ireland cock-a-hoop by lbw-ing stand-in captain Rassie van der Dussen at the beginning of the fifth over.

When he was defeated by Craig Young, Kyle Verreynne (38), who was trying to rally his side, was unable to sustain his early success and the Proteas were only winning 59-4.

Jason Smith and Andile Phehlukwayo put up a 47-run partnership that kept Ireland at bay until the latter top-edged a pull shot to Young, giving Fionn Hand his maiden wicket in his ODI debut.

Smith persisted, reaching a solid half century, but all he could do was watch as Matthew Humphreys bowled Bjorn Fortuin (11) and Williams became Young’s third wicket.

Ireland felt they had won, but Smith picked up his game and was getting close to a century when he offered Hume a chance to deep third, putting Ireland one wicket shy of a historic triumph.

With that wicket in the 47th over, Hume gave the Ireland Men’s international season the ideal finish.

Impact player of the match, Jason Smith: “Always going to be tough coming in such a situation. They bowled quite nicely. The conditions allowed me to get in and take it as deep as possible. To be honest, I was very nervous. But once I got over that, after I got my first runs I was better.”

Ireland captain and player of the match, Stirling: ” It was a massive difference. It’s a relief to get past it. We talked about just winning the game and getting the job done. We let ourselves down in the first two games. We knew if we applied ourselves and kept our wickets in hand we’ll get the runs. We got the best of conditions today and were able to make the use of that. The players we have used in this series, both the T20Is and ODIs will be better going forward.

Player of the series, Lizaad Williams: “I just felt like it was the most effective ball, so I was trying to set the batters up. We knew that wobble seam was going to be effective. Besides the heat, the wicket was a bit slower. It was still moving, but slower off the wicket. Credit to them, they dealt well with the new ball. A lot of credit to their openers.”

South Africa captain, Rassie van der Dussen: “We didn’t really appreciate how much conditions change at night. I can’t fault any of the guys. The intensity was there. Credit to Ireland, they batted well, took the sting off the new ball and got to a good total. And with the ball they didn’t give us anything. I think if you look at the guys who have come in, Jason Smith, Rickelton, Stubbs and Lizaad, really happy with those performances.”

Ireland 284-9 (50 overs; P Stirling 88, H Tector 60, A Balbirnie 45; L Williams 4-56)

South Africa 215 (46.1 overs; J Smith 91; G Hume 3-29, C Young 3-40, M Adair 2-54)

Ireland won by 69 runs