Ireland’s historic win over South Africa

Ireland registered a historic victory by beating South Africa by 43 runs in the 2nd ODI here, thanks to a stellar performance by all the players. Earlier, Ireland have played five ODIs against South Africa and all have lost. In such a situation, Ireland has created history by winning this match. Electing to bat after losing the toss to South Africa, Ireland scored a challenging total of 290 runs for the loss of five wickets in 50 overs. In reply, South Africa were all out for 247 runs in 48.3 overs.

Opener Paul Stirling and captain Andy Balbirnie got Ireland off to a good start. Both shared a partnership of 64 runs for the first wicket. After Sterling was dismissed for 27, captain Balbirnie continued the innings with Andy McBrine and added 60 runs for the second wicket, but McBrine was also dismissed for 124 and returned to the pavilion.

After this the captain’s wicket fell on the score of 194. Balbirnie played a brilliant century of 102 runs in 117 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes. Then in the end, Harry Tector and George Dockrell played in an explosive manner to take the team to a score of 290. There was an important partnership of 90 runs for the fourth wicket between the two. While Tector scored 79 off 68 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes, Dockrell scored 45 off 23 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.

Andile Phehlukwayo took two wickets for South Africa while Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj and Tabrez Shamsi took one wicket each. At the same time, Jaanman Malan scored the highest 84 and Raisie van der Van der Dussen scored 49 runs in the batting. Ireland’s batting as well as bowling was good. All his bowlers took wickets. Mark Adair, Joshua Little and Andy McBrine took two wickets each, while Craig Young, Simi Singh and George Dockrell took one wicket each. Andy Balbirnie, who played a brilliant century of 102 runs, was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’.