Ireland captain, Paul Stirling, top-scored with a finely crafted 88 from 92 balls in a much-improved Irish performance as they posted a total of 284 for nine to beat South Africa by a comprehensive 69 runs after choosing to bat first in the third and final one-day international against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Allrounder Jason Smith struck a defiant, brilliant 91 from 93 balls with nine fours and four sixes to significantly lower the margin of defeat as South Africa succumbed to 215 all out but there was always too much work to be done after a disastrous start to the run chase.

Jason Smith keeps the Proteas in the game 👏

He achieves a maiden ODI half-century while doing it 🏆🔥

📺 Stream #IREvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyR504 pic.twitter.com/H6I94zL7XN

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 7, 2024

South Africa began in calamitous fashion, plunging to 10 for three inside five overs with Ryan Rickelton (4) caught at slip by Stirling in the first over off Mark Adair, Reeza Hendricks (1) thick-edging Graham Hume’s outswinger to third slip and Rassie van der Dussen trapped plumb lbw by Adair.

Kyle Verreynne’s spirited counterattack yielded 38 from 36 balls and ended with another plumb lbw against seamer Craig Young who all but ended the contest when his outswinger found Tristan Stubbs’ edge for keeper Lorcan Tucker to complete a simple catch. So desperate was Stubbs to rebuild that his 20 runs required 45 balls and contained just a single boundary.

Andile Phehlukwayo (23 from 28 balls) also, briefly, threatened a counter-attack while fellow allrounder Smith overcame a tortuously slow start in which he took 10 balls to score his first run and crawled to 18 off 37 balls before completing an extraordinary innings in just his second ODI.

The ODI series against Ireland ends in a trophy for the Proteas 👏🏆#IREvSA | #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/DiwbagWlqi

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 7, 2024

STERLING STIRLING

Earlier, Stirling added 101 for the first wicket with Andy Balbirnie, who made a sedentary start, scraping to 20 from 43 balls before marginally accelerating to 45 from 73 before miscuing a pull shot against Lizaad Williams (10-2-56-4), giving Stubbs a tumbling catch at deep midwicket.

Curtis Campher made a lively 34 from 36 balls (4x4, 1x6) but found himself in a tangle attempting to scoop a length ball from Ottneil Baartman which crashed into his middle stump but Stirling received a beauty from Baartman (8-0-32-2) which nipped between bat and pad to hit off stump.

Stirling paced his innings beautifully, attacking during the power play before manipulating the ball into gaps during the middle overs and would have been excellent value for a 15th ODI century had he reached the milestone. Nonetheless, he left his team well-placed at 179 for three with 15 overs remaining.

Harry Tector ran hard during his fine innings of 60 from 48 deliveries (4x4, 1x6) and, although Ireland’s progress stumbled when Phehlukwayo (2-32) had Lorcan Tucker (26) caught by keeper Rickelton attempting another scoop and George Dockrell (6) caught on the boundary, Ireland were well placed for an upset with a consolation victory which they duly achieved.

South Africa had already clinched the series with comprehensive victories by 139 and 174 runs in the first two matches at the same venue on Wednesday and Friday last week, but the loss will leave a sour taste after what has been a disappointing tour which included a 2-1 ODI series loss to Afghanistan.

IRELAND: Paul Stirling (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wkt), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Fionn Hand.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.

Proteas Men’s one-day international (ODI) captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the third ODI against Ireland due to a soft tissue injury on his left elbow.

The 34-year-old sustained the injury during the second ODI on Friday after landing on his elbow while making ground at the non-striker’s end in the 12th over of South Africa’s innings. The injury prevented him from fielding.

Bavuma will return home with the rest of the squad on Tuesday and will consult a specialist. An update on the extent of his injury will be provided in due course.

Reeza Hendricks has been called up as his replacement. The 35-year-old will arrive in Abu Dhabi later today.

Allrounder Wiaan Mulder has returned home today due to personal reasons.

Rassie van der Dussen will captain the team for the final match of the series on Monday. South Africa holds an unassailable 2-0 lead heading into the encounter, which is set to start at 15:30 local time.

Tristan Stubbs smashed a fabulous century and Kyle Verreynne contributed an impressive half century before Lizaad Williams led an inspired bowling performance to deliver victory for South Africa by 174 runs in the second one-day international against Ireland at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

A strong top-order performance saw South Africa pile up a total of 343 for four after choosing to bat first and Williams’ 3-36 from five overs was the major contributor to Ireland’s demise to just 169 all out in reply with top scores of 28 from number eleven Craig Young and No 9 Gavin Hoey.

Williams claimed three of the first four wickets while Lungi Ngidi (2-38) bowled captain Paul Stirling with a beauty to leave the ‘home’ side floundering on 44 for four and they never recovered with further wickets for Andile Phehlukwayo (1-13), Wiaan Mulder (1-36) and Ottneil Baartman who returned the remarkable analysis of 4-0-8-1.

Stubbs' red-hot form for the @ProteasMenCSA continues 💯🔥

📺 Stream #SAvIRE on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/9um5yZmbSj

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 4, 2024

An extraordinary 10th wicket stand of 52 between bowlers Hume (21) and Craig Young (29) delayed the inevitable but was barely sufficient to restore pride for the Irish, although it was highly entertaining.

Verreynne replaced the injured Tony de Zorzi in the top order with captain Temba Bavuma moving from No 3 to opener and took his chance with an accomplished 67 from 64 balls while Stubbs was in glorious form during his maiden international hundred finishing unbeaten on 112 from 81 deliveries with eight fours and three sixes.

Game. Set. Match ✅🏏

The @ProteasMenCSA secure the three-match ODI series with a 174 run win over Ireland 👏#WozaNawe | #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/nAhNzLa5vo

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 4, 2024

Ryan Rickelton (40 from 39 balls) and Bavuma added 61 in the Power Play before the captain injured his wrist diving into his crease to complete a second run and was forced to retire hurt on 35 from 39 balls with four fours and a six.

The openers both hit seamer Craig Young for six in the 10th over with 17 runs accruing to turn a modest Power Play into a good one, Rickelton driving over long off while Bavuma used his feet and flicked handsomely over the midwicket boundary.

A sharp return catch from allrounder Curtis Campher ended Rickelton’s innings but Rassie van der Dussen continued the steady progress with 35 from 39 balls (3x4) before dragging a long hop from legspinner Gavin Hoey onto his leg stump.

Verreynne charged down the wicket to offspinner Andy McBrine (10-0-43-1) but the ball slid straight on and into the gloves of Stephen Doheny who completed a simple stumping.

SHOT OF THE INNINGS

Stubbs played the shot of the innings against Hoey with a punched six over extra cover off the back foot and charged towards his century with a third maximum pulled over midwicket against South African-born seamer Graham Hume.

In ferocious heat and humidity Stubbs briefly appeared to lose his rhythm towards the end of the innings but overcame some skilled death bowling to charge past his previous career-best of 79 to complete his first international century from just 75 balls with a four and single off seamer Mark Adair in the 48th over.

Mulder accelerated in impressive style after a cautious start to finish with 43 from 34 balls (3x4, 1x6) before holing out to long on but by then Irish heads had dropped and a winning score had been secured.

Ireland named an unchanged XI from the first match which South Africa won by 139 runs at the same venue on Wednesday. The third game will also be played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Monday.

Ireland: Paul Stirling (captain), Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny (wkt), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Gavin Hoey.

South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.

A brilliant, fourth-wicket partnership of 152 between Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs rescued South Africa from an early collapse as they reached a total of 271-9 and victory by 139-runs after choosing to bat first in the first of three one-day internationals against Ireland at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Ireland were dismissed for 132 in just 31.5 overs with Lizaad Williams claiming 4-32 in 10 overs and Lungi Ngidi 2-35 in six. Spinner Bjorn Fortuin collected 2-28 from 6.5 overs and there was a wicket apiece for Wiaan Mulder and ODI debutant Ottneil Baartman (6-0-24-1).

Emphatic 💥

The @ProteasMenCSA win the opening ODI against Ireland 👏👏#WozaNawe | #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/vMxK6rw1Vf

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 2, 2024

Opener Rickelton fell agonisingly short of a maiden international century when he inside-edged a cover drive against offspinner Andy McBrine and dragged the ball onto his stumps but it was an excellent 91 from 102 balls with seven fours and three sixes.

Stubbs followed just seven runs later for a fine 79 from 86 balls when a rasping pull-shot against seamer Mark Adair was clutched at mid-wicket by Andy Balbirnie to end an innings containing two fours and four sixes.

Both players accelerated skillfully having repaired the early damage but both will feel their dismissals were ‘soft’ having worked so hard to regain control of the innings.

Rickelton and Stubbs' partnership of 152 from 155 balls 🍿

📺 Stream #SAvIRE on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyR504 #WozaNawe | #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/ImoyKh0joH

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 2, 2024

Wickets fell regularly throughout the run-chase with Williams’ skiddy change of pace deceiving the Irish top order, Ngidi’s experience proving too smart and Fortuin simply too parsimonious. George Dockrell top-scored with 21 before being bowled by Wiaan Mulder.

South African lost 3-8 in 14 balls during the Power Play to slip from 31-0 to 39-3 forcing Rickelton and Stubbs into extreme defensive mode in order to consolidate as they reached the halfway point of the innings on a modest 112-3.

Opener Tony de Zorzi (12) top edged a pull-shot to fine leg against the excellent Adair (10-0-50-4) to perish for third time in the same fashion on tour while captain Temba Bavuma (4) was bowled between bat and pad by seamer Craig Young (10-1-45-3). Rassie van der Dussen (0) thick edged his fourth delivery against Adair to Balbirnie at third slip.

Hopes of a more dominant total rested with allrounders Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo but they, too, were dismissed in tame fashion with Phehlukwayo (1) driving Adair straight to short mid off and Mulder pulling Young meekly into the hands of Harry Tector at deep square leg.

Williams (13) clubbed a couple of fours, Fortuin chiselled out a useful 28 from from 34 balls and Ngidi’s career-best 20* from 17 balls included the biggest six of the innings over midwicket to push the total from ‘respectable’ to ‘competitive.

The second match takes place at the same venue on Friday with the final game on Sunday, also in Abu Dhabi.

IRELAND:  Paul Stirling (captain), Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny (wkt), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Gavin Hoey.

SOUTH AFRICA:  Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (captain), Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.

A magnificent century from Ireland opener Ross Adair and an opening stand of 137 with captain Paul Stirling propelled Ireland to an impressive total of 195-6 and a first ever T20I victory, by 10-runs, against South Africa in the second and final T20 International at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening.

Ireland’s all-round performance was magnificent but South Africa’s was dismal, the bowling erratic and the batting decision-making in the closing stages of the run-chase chaotic.

Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzte both made 51 to set up a victory platform at 157-3 with four overs remaining but the ‘home’ side were sublimely skilled and wrecked the run-chase with a series of smart field settings and clever bowling plans.

HISTORY IN ABU DHABI! 🇦🇪

We've beaten South Africa for the first time in T20Is!!!#IREvSA #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/i62XqeKpPe

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) September 29, 2024

Seamer Mark Adair was instrumental in the victory with 4-31 from his four overs although left arm spinner Matt Humphreys (1-31) and seamer Graeme Hume (3-25) were outstanding in their four overs.

Adair was given a costly life on 19 and made the most of his fortune with just the third T20I century for his country following in the footsteps of Kevin O’Brien and current captain Stirling who contributed a rasping 52 from just 31 balls with seven fours and a six.

Right hander Adair received a chest-high full toss from Wiaan Mulder on 93 which he heaved over square leg for six leaving him with 99 and the luxury of a free-hit to complete his century from 57 balls with the next delivery before heaving his 58th to Matthew Breetzke at deep square leg.

Rickelton’s quickfire 36 from 22 balls included a four and four sixes before he miscued a pull to square leg while Hendricks’ innings of 51 ended after 32 balls (6x4, 1x6) when a checked drive was caught by Stirling at short cover.

Captain Aiden Markram (8) missed a reverse sweep against left arm spinner Humphreys and was bowled to trigger an extraordinary collapse from 157-3 to 185-9. Mark Adair was the outstanding bowler with 4-31 from his four overs but Jo’burg born Graham Hume (4-0-25-3) was brilliant in delivering death over deliveries to thwart the off-side skills of Breetzke, in particular.

Not meant to be for the Proteas in Abu Dhabi 👇

The series is levelled as Ireland win the 2nd T20I by 10 runs 🏏#WozaNawe | #IREvSA pic.twitter.com/tX4lzOLpoA

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 29, 2024

Dashing footwork and quick hands brought Adair five fours and nine sixes with all of the Proteas attack suffering apart from Lungi Ngidi (4-0-23-1) who was back to his parsimonious best.

Stirling departed when an attempted upper-cut against Patrick Kruger (1-31) landed in the gloves of ‘keeper Ryan Rickelton and Ireland were unable to capitalise on a foundation which promised a total well in excess of 200.

George Dockrell finished unbeaten on 20 from 13 balls with just a single boundary and nobody in the lower order was able to provide the finishing momentum required in the final overs.

Adair’s record-breaking innings should have ended on 19 when he top-edged a pull to square leg only to be reprieved by Lizaad Williams’ no-ball. Dockrell, too, was reprieved on seven when Bjorn Fortuin’s relaxed catch off Mulder at deep square was over-ruled by the third umpire when the ball appeared to have hit the grass as well as his fingers.

Williams (4-0-35-1) and Mulder (4-0-51-2) were far from their best while spinners Fortuin (2-0-24-0) and Nqaba Peter (2-0-29-0) suffered badly at the hands of the openers once the foundation had been laid.

South Africa comfortably won the first match at the same venue by eight-wickets chasing down Ireland’s 171-8 in just 17.4 overs with openers Rickelton (76) and Hendricks (51) adding 136 for the first wicket to all but secure the win and move to a 6-0 record against Ireland in all T20Is. That record is now 6-1.

IRELAND: Paul Stirling (captain), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock (wkt), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Ben White, Graham Hume.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi.

Ryan Rickelton’s rasping innings of 76 from 48 balls led South Africa to a comprehensive victory by eight wickets with 14 balls to spare in the first of first of two T20 Internationals against Ireland at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Chasing 172 for victory Rickelton added 136 for the first wicket with Reeza Hendricks (51 from 33 balls) to all-but seal victory before Rickelton slashed a full, wide delivery from seamer Mark Adair to Curtish Campher at point having lashed three fours and pulled six sixes.

A massive moment for Ryan Rickelton 👏🔥

He earns his first half-century as a Protea👊

📺 Stream #IREvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/LOTuhyQTty

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 27, 2024

Hendricks enjoyed a much needed return to form with 51 from 33 balls (5x4, 3x6) before being trapped lbw by seamer Craig Young, but with the score at 138-2, the result was all but confirmed.

𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐓𝟐𝟎𝐈 𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 ✅

A special moment for Reeza Hendricks as he celebrates a major milestone 🏏#WozaNawe | #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/7O6xcivJjL

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 27, 2024

Captain Aiden Markram (17* from 12 balls) and Matthew Breetzke (19* from 14 balls) finished the job in clinical fashion to give the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

IRELAND SENT IN TO BAT

Earlier an entertaining partnership between Curtis Campher and Neil Rock helped Ireland post a competitive total of 171-8 after being sent in to bat in the first of two T20 Internationals against South Africa

Opener Ross Adair (18 from 10 balls) took 16 off the first over of the innings from Lizaad Williams (3-0-29-0) to set the tone for a compelling performance before a drive against Wiaan Mulder to Tristan Stubbs at mid-off.

Captain Paul Stirling (2) was bowled by Ottneil Baartman (3-0-36-1) and when Harry Tector (16) toe-ended a reverse sweep against Bjorn Fortuin (4-0-28-1) to Williams at short third, the ‘host’ nation were wobbling at 64-3 in the seventh over.

Rock’s excellent, career-best 37 from 28 balls (4x4, 1x6) took full toll on some profligate bowling but also owed much to a positive, fearless mindset from the Irish top order who took the challenge to their opponents with bold footwork and slashing blades. Rock’s missed slog-sweep against legspinner Nqaba Peter (3-0-20-1) saw him bowled in the 14th over.

Former SA under-19 player, Campher, played with consummate skill for 49 from 36 balls (6x4, 1x6) before top-edging a pull against allrounder Patrick Kruger and George Dockrell’s terrific 21 from 16 balls ended one ball later with a catch to ‘keeper Ryan Rickelton.

Kruger collected a third wicket in the final over of the innings to finish with a flattering 4-27 from his four overs, but ‘lucky’ days are far fewer than ‘unlucky’ days and the Warriors allrounder deserved the fortune.

IRELAND: Paul Stirling (captain), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock (wkt), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Benjamin White.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lizaad Williams, Ottneil Baartman.