Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs guided South Africa to a 139-run win in the first One-Day International against Ireland at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night.
South Africa bowled Ireland out for 132, with 28.1 overs still remaining in their innings, having scored 271/9 in their 50 overs.
Both Rickelton and Stubbs had to survive an early spell of pressure and tight bowling by Ireland, and cashed in at the end to score half-centuries that helped the Proteas take a 1-0 series lead with two matches still to come.
Rickelton (91 off 102 balls, 7x4, 3x6) scored his maiden ODI half-ton, and his 152-run fifth-wicket partnership with Stubbs (79 off 86 balls, 2x4, 4x6) ensured that South Africa recovered from 39/3 to set the hosts a competitive target of 272 to win off 50 overs.
South Africa were on the mark from the first over, with the experienced Lungi Ngidi (2/35) getting Ireland captain Paul Stirling (2) to chop on and set the tone for the rest of the bowlers.
The loss of Stirling disrupted the Irish side’s momentum as the visitors worked well in partnerships, and limited any free scoring opportunities with a persistent tight fourth-stump line of attack.
Curtis Campher’s hard fought 20 off 36 balls was the only other decent contribution in the innings.
Lizaad Williams (4/31) toiled hard and was the pick of the bowlers as he immediately found a good line and length from his first spell.
Proteas ODI Debutant! 🧢
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 2, 2024
A proud moment for Ottneil Baartman as he receives his ODI cap from Andile Phehlukwayo ahead of today’s clash against Ireland! 🎉🇿🇦
A new journey begins!
#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvsIRE pic.twitter.com/uEiZck1YmA
The 31-year-old’s dismissal of Andy Balbirnie (20) was the pick of his four wickets as he hit the top of off and connected with the former Irish captain’s off-stump, sending a clear message to the opposition’s dug-out.
Williams was duly supported by debutant Ottneil Baartman (1/24) and the Bjorn Fortuin (2/28), with Wiaan Mulder chipping in with 1/11.
Fresh off a disappointing first series defeat against what was an Afghanistan side that have enhanced their reputation from minnows to world beaters, the clash against Ireland would not be as straightforward as the history and the recent T20 clashes have shown.
SA take the first W of the ODI series!
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 2, 2024
The impressive bowling attack by the Proteas secured the team a win by 139 runs over Ireland. ⚡️⚡️⚡️
💥Wickets:
4 - Lizaad Williams
2 - Lungi Ngidi & Bjorn Fortuin
1 - Ottneil Baartman & Wiaan Mulder
#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvsIRE pic.twitter.com/kJDaDIraiL
The expectation would still have been for a South African side missing a few of their regular players to still see off the Irish challenge.
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. The new-ball pairing of Mark Adair (4/50) and Graham Hume (1/42) didn’t take long to find their rhythm, hitting good areas and having the Proteas three down with 39 runs on the board.
Adair, who was a thorn in the last T20I that Ireland won by 10 runs, picked up from where he left off as he dismissed Tony de Zorzi (12) and Rassie van der Dussen for a four-ball duck.
The Irish had their tails up at the fall of captain Temba Bavuma (4), and they almost saw the back of the dangerous Stubbs, who was dropped by Craig Young at short fine leg when attempting a reverse sweep while on 13.
It would prove to be a costly drop as Stubbs, with Rickelton, would absorb the pressure and break loose as the ball got softer.
What a performance from the Proteas in the first ODI against Ireland💥👏
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 2, 2024
Ryan Rickelton lead the charge with a sensational 91 runs, showing pure class at the crease! 🏏🔥 And Lizaad Williams was unstoppable with the ball, taking 4 key wickets to seal the deal! 🎯💪
A brilliant… pic.twitter.com/M1GgWA9LS5
Their partnership was broken by McBrine when he clean-bowled Rickelton, who only needed nine more runs to reach his maiden ODI century.
Stubbs also didn’t last long thereafter as Ireland clawed their way back into the contest. The 24-year-old’s attempted pull towards mid-wicket went straight into the hands of Balbirnie to get rid of both set batters, with the score on 198/5.
South Africa lost four wickets for 21 runs, but crucial contributions from the last two partnerships added a valuable 42, which gave the visitors a defendable score of 271/9.