DUBLIN, July 16: A dominant South African batting performance allowed them to square the series with Ireland and deny the hosts a first series win over a top-eight ranked team.
South Africa were much improved from three days ago, when they lost to Ireland for the first time, and appeared rejuvenated by the return of Quinton de Kock, who was rested for the first two matches, and their new opening combination.
Janneman Malan partnered de Kock at the top and both brought up centuries. Malan’s 177 not out was the second in his seven-match career and his highest score, while de Kock’s was his 16th and first since February last year.
The pair shared in South Africa’s fifth-highest opening stand, first opening stand over 200 since the year 2000, and first century opening stand since the 2019 World Cup.
They asked Ireland to pull off their highest successful chase to win the series and despite Simi Singh’s fighting maiden century at No.8, they fell well short.
In good batting conditions, de Kock and Malan were severe on the Irish attack, particularly Mark Adair, whose line was often too wide, and Andy McBrine and George Dockrell, who conceded 102 runs between them in just 13 overs. Both batters put on perfect displays of power-hitting, with boundaries all around the small ground.
Ireland had some respite in the 37th over when de Kock pulled Simi Singh into the hands of Adair on the square leg boundary.
Malan started the final powerplay by hitting Singh for a six over long-on and edging him for four to third man. He reached his highest ODI score with another edge, between the wicketkeeper and short third man, and then brought up 150 by stepping to the leg side and driving Craig Young back over his head.
Though none of South Africa’s finishing options came off, Malan batted to the end and ensured they scored 100 runs in the last 10 overs to post a daunting total.
Ireland’s reply was dented early when Keshav Maharaj, who opened the bowling, had Paul Stirling caught at slip.
Young partnered Singh to see him to his century. It came off 91 balls, in the 47th over, and was decorated with 14 boundaries in a show of defiance against a South African attack that lost its shape as the inevitable drew closer. (Agencies)
