Although Ireland scored their second-highest T20I total against South Africa, they did not have enough
South Africa made their most successful comeback in Abu Dhabi, winning the first T20I and retaining their unbeaten title against Ireland.
Though officially a home game for Ireland, it was played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium to address Ireland’s cost and infrastructure issues. Ironically, South Africa seemed to know the situation better. After playing Afghanistan on a dry, slow pitch in Sharjah last week, South Africa had adapted to the heat and, unlike Sharjah, where the bounce was low, the bounce and carry were good in Abu Dhabi. A slow, full ball turned out to be the best option for taking wickets and South Africa realised that, but Ireland struggled with the dew and humidity on the pitch.
South Africa’s attack in the powerplay and the end of the Irish innings saw Ireland post their second highest T20I total against them, but it wasn’t enough. Ireland were nailed after almost every acceleration, but a 59-run stand from 41 balls for the fourth wicket between Curtis Campher and Neil Lock anchored the innings.
In reply, Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton achieved significant milestones of their own, sharing the third highest opening stand for South Africa in T20Is and the highest away stand. Hendricks recorded her first fifty in 15 T20I innings, while Rickelton recorded a career-best 76, which was also his first international half-century. They complemented each other well, with Rickelton hitting a high, powerful shot down the leg side and Hendricks delivering the classic off-side shot that has become his specialty. Neither lasted until the end, but South Africa were 14 balls ahead.
Push and pull in the powerplay
Ross Adair, who was due to play in this match because Lorcan Tucker was injured in training, made his first sign of intent when he hit a short ball from Lizard Williams. Just past mid-on, Ong struck for the first boundary of the innings. Ten more runs were taken from Williams’ first over of the tour, who missed the ODI against Afghanistan, before smashing Wyanne Mulder over the head for four before South Africa fought back.
Ross Adair’s strength on the ground saw Aiden Markram work Tristan Stubbs over the long-on boundary and he was in a good position to take a catch to strike out the batsman who had repeatedly tried to hit big. Then it was the turn of another overlooked player in the Afghanistan match.
Ottoneil Baartman struck off the third ball when he bowled Paul Stirling out with a delivery that angled through the gap between the pads. But South Africa failed to assert their early advantage.
It took five balls for Campher, playing his 100th cap for Ireland, to stay focused, driving Baartman to mid-off and then smashing two more fours to begin a run-scoring drive. After the powerplay, Ireland finished on 63 for 2, their second-best score against South Africa in 2022 after 67 for 2 against Bristol.
Peter’s timely breakthrough
The third T20I got off to a tough start for leg-spinner Nkabayomzi Peter, who had to wait until the 11th over before coming on. Campher and Neil Lock were set but South Africa were unsettled when Campher was out for 17 after the ninth over and then a mistake after the 10th over saw him concede four runs. Lock hit Peter for four in the eighth over, before being replaced by Bjorn Fortuyn for a change of sides, and he batted.
Peter rose to his feet as Lock tried to sweep the ball, ending a partnership that threatened to decide the match. This wicket would prove crucial to the target Ireland ultimately set against South Africa.
Death bowling heroics by Williams and Kruger
At 163 for 5 after 18 overs, Ireland would have been aiming for a total of 180 but a few excellent South African seamers saw Williams bowl the 19th over, staying in place at wide slip for a selected wide yorker. Ireland singled off every ball in that over, and it was Patrick Kruger’s turn to quickly pick up the pace with success.
Dockrell swiped too early and was caught behind the ball. With the next ball, Fionn Hand tried to catch Kruger off guard but could only deliver the ball to short fine leg. All of Kruger’s hat-trick balls missed and he was a walkover.
The penultimate shot, Mark Adair tried to hit it across the offside but was caught by Wian Mulder, resulting in another wicket. Kruger finished the match with a triple-wicket maiden and South Africa conceded just eight runs in the final two overs.
Hendricks, Rickelton redeem themselves and South Africa’s batting performance
Apart from the bigger picture of South Africa’s batting woes against Afghanistan, there were doubts among the opening batsmen about their form going into the match. While Hendricks had only managed 30 or more runs in three of his last 12 T20Is, Rickelton had a maximum of 27 in his eight white-ball international appearances.
Was they the best pairing without Quinton de Kock? Yes, they said as they grabbed the chase by the collar in the Powerplay.
Rickelton rolled the ball for consecutive boundaries against Mark Adair and showed his prowess against the short and full balls. Hendricks managed only four balls in the first three overs, but as he was given more opportunities to bat, he made the most of it.
He hit four fours in six deliveries to reach 2000 runs in T20I cricket. Rickelton hit two massive sixes into the hand to end the powerplay and South Africa were 58 for 0 in the powerplay. Two overs later, Rickelton reached his fifty at the toss of 30. With South Africa uncontested and 97 points at half-time, the horses had bolted.