In a dominant all-round performance, Ireland secured a 69-run win over South Africa in the third ODI in Abu Dhabi on Monday, sealing a consolation victory in the series. This was only Ireland’s second-ever win over South Africa in the ODI format, and it came on the back of a brilliant batting display followed by an incisive bowling effort under lights.
Ireland 284 for 9 (Stirling 88, Tector 60, Williams 4-56)
South Africa 215 (Smith 91, Hume 3-29, Young 3-40)
Ireland beat South Africa by 69 runs
Ireland’s Batting
Winning the toss for the first time in the series, Ireland put on their best batting performance of the tour. Openers Paul Stirling and Andy Balbirnie gave the team a solid foundation with a century partnership, Ireland’s second-highest against South Africa in ODIs. Stirling was in commanding form, beginning with a powerful cover drive off Lungi Ngidi in the opening over and continuing to find the gaps. He hit a six off Lizaad Williams and brought up a half-century in the 21st over. However, his dismissal for 88—bowled out by an in-ducker from Ngidi—came just as he seemed set for a big score.
Balbirnie also played a key role, making a slow but steady 44 before he miscued a pull shot off Williams and was caught. Together, the duo had added 101 runs for the first wicket, setting a strong platform for the middle order.
Curtis Campher injected momentum with a quick-fire 34, including two boundaries off Williams and a six over wide long-on. But his dismissal, attempting to paddle Baartman, allowed South Africa to make inroads.
Tector’s Crucial Knock
Harry Tector was the standout performer in the middle overs, scoring a brisk 60 off 48 balls. His partnerships with Lorcan Tucker (26) and George Dockrell (6) ensured Ireland continued to push their total upward. Tector lofted Ngidi for a six-over long-on and cut him behind for another boundary, playing with authority in the later stages of the innings. However, he was run out in the final over trying to keep strike, leaving Ireland at 284/9.
South Africa’s Response
Chasing a steep target, South Africa’s top order faltered under the pressure of Ireland’s quick bowlers. Mark Adair and Graham Hume took full advantage of the swinging conditions under lights, dismissing the South African top five inside the first 20 overs. Ryan Rickelton (4) and Rassie van der Dussen (3) were dismissed early, both falling to Adair, while Reeza Hendricks lasted only seven balls before edging Hume to a second slip.
Kyle Verreynne briefly fought back with a quickfire 38, but his dismissal—trapped LBW by Craig Young—triggered another collapse. Tristan Stubbs (20) fell to Young as well, and South Africa was reeling at 110/5 by the 20th over.
Smith’s Fighting 91
Jason Smith, in his second ODI, stood out with a battling 91 off 93 balls. His aggressive strokeplay, which included nine boundaries and four sixes, kept South Africa’s hopes alive as he took on Ireland’s bowlers. He took particular liking to Adair and Young, smashing them for several boundaries as he moved into the nineties. But just as it seemed he might carry South Africa over the line, Adair got the better of him, with Smith slicing a wide yorker to deep point for 91.
The tail couldn’t rally around Smith, and despite a late flurry of boundaries, South Africa were bowled out for 215 in 46.1 overs. Hume wrapped up the win by dismissing Lungi Ngidi to seal a 69-run victory for Ireland.
Ireland won by 69 runs, securing a morale-boosting win in the series. They were powered by the half-centuries from Stirling and Tector, while their bowlers exploited the conditions brilliantly under lights, with Hume and Young taking three wickets each. South Africa will be disappointed with their batting collapse, although Smith’s fighting knock was a highlight in an otherwise tough day for them.
Click Here:- SA vs IRE 1st ODI Match Result