• By Namrata Vijay
  • Thu, 03 Oct 2024 08:15 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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SA vs IRE: South Africa hammer Ireland by 139 runs and are leading the three-match ODI series by 1-0. Ireland scripted history by winning a T20I for the first time against South Africa in their last match and they wanted to repeat their heroics. But they were skittled out for a meager target of 132 runs while chasing 272 runs against South Africa in Abu Dhabi. Lizaad Williams was the pick among the bowlers as he took four wickets in the eight overs that he bowled and helped the team dominantly win the match. Ryan Rickleton won the Player of the Match award.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first and the partnership built between Ryan Rickleton and Tristan Stubbs was the main point. They helped the team bounce back after reeling at 39/3 and built a partnership of 152 runs. The Irish bowlers failed to dismiss Stubbs on time and he took advantage of this situation by scoring a match-winning knock of 79 runs, whereas Rickleton scored 91 runs. And just when it looked like the match was in South Africa's favor, the team suffered a batting collapse as they went from 191/3 to 212/7.

Ireland lose 1st ODI

IRE vs SA: As it happened

The Irish fast bowlers bowled slower balls on good length on a surface which provided grip and made batting challenging. South Africa's lower batting order performed decently and helped the team post a respectable target of 271 runs. Fortuin and Lungi Ngidi made significant contributions with the bat by scoring a gritty knock of 20s and helped the team avoid getting all out in 50 overs.

Ireland did give the Proteas batters a hard time but they couldn't do the same with their batting. Almost all the damage was done during the first 15 overs as the new ball struck under the light and the Proteas took advantage of that.

South Africa put up an all-round bowling performance. They would have something to cheer about after going through a tough series in the UAE till now.