IRE vs SA 2nd T20I Match Highlights: Ross And Mark Adair Script Historic Win As Ireland Level Series

Aakash Saini∙ Updated: Sep 30 2024, 6:07 AM | 3 Min Read

Ireland stunned South Africa by levelling series [Source: @cricketireland/x]

Ireland scripted history by defeating South Africa for the very first time, doing so in the second T20I of their two-match series on September 29 at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. Here’s the timeline of how IRE vs SA panned out in Abu Dhabi:

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IRE vs SA Highlights: Stirling And Adair Log 137 Runs In 13 Overs

Irish captain Paul Stirling forged a 137-run opening stand with partner Ross Adair. Stirling hauled 52 runs from just 31 balls with seven boundaries and a six in his 13-over long partnership before an off-pace delivery from Patrick Kruger accounted for his departure.

Ross Adair notched up a fifty-plus score of his own to set up foundation of a huge Irish total after being invited to bat first.

IRE vs SA Highlights: Adair Smacks Ton But Late Wickets Slow Down IRE

Paul Stirling’s dismissal at 137-1 in 13 overs ended up drying the runs for Ireland, as they managed to accrue just 58 in their remaining seven overs to reach 195-6. Ross Adair, boosted by the early momentum, punched out his maiden T20I ton by whacking 100 runs off 58 balls with five boundaries and nine sixes.

South African bowlers kept breaking through Ireland’s slog-overs momentum with late strikes, including two-in-two by Wiaan Mulder and a wicket apiece by Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams and Patrick Kruger.

IRE vs SA Highlights: South African Top Three Scorches IRE With 121 In 12

Chasing 196 for a win, South African top three seemingly made lightwork of Ireland’s monumental total. Openers Ryan Rickelton (36 off 22) and Reeza Hendricks wiped 50 runs off their target in just 5.3 overs, before the former got cramped for room by Irish pacer Graham Hume.

Hendricks shared another 71 runs with number three Matthew Breetzke, with both smacking identical half-centuries to set up an easy run-chase for South Africa at 121-1 in 12 overs.

IRE vs SA Highlights: Visitors Lose Eight In Eight Overs To Concede Advantage

The 71-run partnership between Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke was cut short by Ben White in the 13th over of the innings. Even though half-centuries from Hendricks and Breetzke eased up the task for South Africa, they failed to shrug off the remaining runs by the end of their 20 overs.

The visiting Proteas ended up losing eight wickets in the space of their final eight overs to have their pursuit halted at 185-9. Ireland fast bowlers Mark Adair (4-31) and Graham Hume (3-25) hogged the limelight with the ball by claiming seven wickets between them to trigger the great South African collapse.

Their collective brilliance helped the Irishmen clinch the game by 10 runs to level the two-match series 1-1.

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