Ireland and South Africa in UAE, 3 ODI Series, 2024 |1st ODI |10/2/2024 Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Commentary
Right then, that's it from the coverage of this game. South Africa take a 1-nil lead in this 3 match ODI series. These two teams will meet again on 4th October for the second ODI. The first ball will be at 11.30 am GMT. Although, you can join us early for the build-up. ADIOS!
Temba Bavuma, the winning skipper is in for a chat. He starts by saying that it was a strong start to the series, with the team managing to post a competitive total. Ryan and Stubbs were outstanding with the bat, and the lower order made valuable contributions as well. The bowlers were disciplined and executed their plans perfectly, which worked in the team's favor. As for Tony de Zorzi, the update is that he will go for a scan tomorrow, and they will assess the situation after that. The bowling unit performed exceptionally well with the new ball, applying consistent pressure by bowling in the right areas, which ultimately brought success.
Paul Stirling, the skipper of Ireland is in for a chat here. He expressed pride in the moment, especially with his father watching. The pitch did more than expected, offering some movement both in the evening and early on. However, a couple of dropped catches cost them the chance to control the game earlier. Reflecting on missed opportunities, he acknowledged that failing to capitalize when South Africa was three down allowed the opposition to build a crucial partnership. Hopes to regroup and come back stronger on Friday.
Ryan Rickelton wins the Player of the Match award for his outstanding knock of 91. He says they were under pressure but he was just looking to build a partnership and bat long. The tail wagged well to add those runs towards the end.
Stay tuned for the presentation...
Earlier in the innings, South Africa lost three wickets inside the first Powerplay, but that fourth-wicket stand brought them back in the contest. Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs did a wonderful job to give a boost to the score. Later, the tail-enders came in and chipped in with some crucial runs to put up a great target. Mark Adair was inspirational for with the ball. He dominated with the new ball, but could not find much support from his spinners.
For Ireland, they just could not form partnerships. They kept losing wickets at regular intervals. A couple of their batters got off to starts but none went onto make it into something significant. In the end, they have fallen well short of the target that was set for them.
A brilliant effort from South Africa and they have bagged a strong win here! After setting a par target for their opposition, South Africa's bowlers began brilliantly. The likes of Ngidi and Lizaad Williams were excellent. They got early wickets which pushed Ireland onto the back foot and they just didn't recover after that. Ottneil Baartman along with Bjorn Fortuin managed to continue the pressure in the middle overs. Five bowlers were used in total and all of them picked a wicket at least. Williams was the pick with a four-fer.
31.5
W
Bjorn Fortuin to Graham Hume, OUT! CAUGHT! Bjorn Fortuin picks up his second. Ireland have been bundled out for 132 runs. It is tossed up, full and outside off. Hume dances down the track and chips it towards mid off. Ottneil Baartman stationed there makes no mistake.
31.4
0
Bjorn Fortuin to Graham Hume, Graham Hume uses his feet this time and defends the ball into the wicket.
31.3
0
Bjorn Fortuin to Graham Hume, Full one, outside off, turning away a bit. Hume works it to backward point off the outer half.
31.2
1
Bjorn Fortuin to Craig Young, Pushed through quicker, around off. Young drills it into covers for a quick single.
31.1
0
Bjorn Fortuin to Craig Young, Flatter, outside off. Young cuts it to deep point.
END OF OVER 31 | 6 Runs & 0 Wkt | IRE 131/9
30.6
0
Wiaan Mulder to Graham Hume, A sharp bouncer, on off. Hume sways away from the line of the delivery.
30.5
4
Wiaan Mulder to Graham Hume, FOUR! Incredible shot. It is a bumper, outside off. Hume waits for it, opens the face late and glides it over short third.
30.4
0
Wiaan Mulder to Graham Hume, Short one, outside off, with some extra bounce. Hume looks to chase it but misses.
30.3
1lb
Wiaan Mulder to Craig Young, LEG BYE! Wiaan Mulder serves a short ball, on the bodyline. Craig Young is caught by surprise here as it skids through. It goes towards the off side off the gloves. They cross for a leg bye.
30.2
1
Wiaan Mulder to Graham Hume, A length ball, outside off. Hume slaps it behind point for a single.
30.1
0
Wiaan Mulder to Graham Hume, On off, blocked out watchfully.
END OF OVER 30 | 10 Runs & 0 Wkt | IRE 125/9
29.6
0
Bjorn Fortuin to Craig Young, It is quicker and fuller, on leg. Young gets beaten on the inside edge but luckily the ball sneaks past the leg pole.
29.5
0
Bjorn Fortuin to Craig Young, An arm ball, on middle and leg. Craig Young fails to tickle it away.
29.4
4
Bjorn Fortuin to Craig Young, FOUR! SMACKED! It is full, outside off. Craig Young extends his arms and crunches it through the gap at covers for four runs.
29.3
0
Bjorn Fortuin to Craig Young, Loops it up, full and on the pads. Young gets pinged on his pads. Sliding down leg.