Ireland captain Paul Stirling led from the front with a dashing 88 as his side completed their ODI series against South Africa with a convincing 69-run win in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Chasing 285 to win, the Proteas slipped to 126-6 with only a fine 91 from Jason Smith keeping them in the game. But Smith was unable to prevent the Irish from claiming only their second ODI win over South Africa.
Graham Hume, who was born in Johannesburg and played for SA U19, took 3-29 against his home country while Ulster-born Craig Young finished with 3-40.
The Proteas took the ODI series 2-1 with the sides sharing the preceding T20 series 1-1.
Stirling set the tone for Ireland’s 284-9 after he won the toss and decided to bat.
That was in contrast to the first two matches when Ireland chased, failing to survive past 32 overs as they made 132 and 169 in reply to big South African scores.
On Monday, Stirling and Andy Balbirnie put on 101 for the first wicket before Balbirnie fell to Lizaad Williams for a steady 45 from 73 balls.
Curtis Campher accelerated with 34 off 36 balls before he fell to Ottneil Baartman who then bowled Stirling in his next over. The captain had hit three sixes and eight fours in his innings.
Harry Tector kept Ireland moving with a 48-ball 60 while Williams, the only Proteas bowler to get through his full 10 overs, finished with 4-56.
South Africa’s reply was soon in disarray at 10-3 as Mark Adair removed Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen, standing in for injured captain Temba Bavuma. Reeza Hendricks edged Graham Hume to Balbirnie at second slip.
Kyle Verreynne (38) and Tristan Stubbs (20) steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership but once Verreynne was lbw to Young the wheels came off again.
At 126-6, South Africa looked out of it but Smith made sure the Irish would have to wait.
The 29-year-old, who made nought in his only other ODI against Afghanistan last month, made the most of his chance after being drafted in following Wiaan Mulder returned home for personal reasons.
Smith hammered his 91 from 93 balls with nine fours and four sixes before slicing Hume to Adair at third man.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: @cricketireland/X
