Tristan Stubbs
Tristan Stubbs’ maiden ODI century helped South Africa win the second ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi. Apart from Stubbs, every member of the top six contributed to South Africa’s impressive 343 total, which proved too much for Ireland, who lost the series.
South Africa did not hesitate to bat first after winning the toss, and after a slow start, Temba Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton began to hit boundaries. Craig Young delivered the 10th over of the innings, and both openers hit sixes before Bavuma finished with a boundary, pushing the run rate beyond six for the first time. Against the run of play, Bavuma retired hurt due to a wrist injury, forcing Rassie van der Dussen into the crease. However, the other set batsmen was fast sent back to the pavilion after Rickelton chipped one back at the bowler, retiring for 40.
The two fresh bats didn’t take long to re-establish themselves, hitting a home run each against Curtis Campher and gradually resuming a solid stand. Another set hitter was forced to leave without cashing in when van der Dussen inside-edged one onto the stumps. Kyle Verreynne, who took over for Tony de Zorzi, made the most of his opportunity, bringing up a half century. Stubbs, who had established himself at this point, appeared in good form as the South Africans piled on the runs. By this point, the kid had begun to loosen up, scoring a stunning fifty off only 45 balls.
Ireland brought back Verreynne shortly after he had scored over 100 with Stubbs, and despite a handful of quiet overs after that, South Africa piled up the heat in the final few overs. Graham Hume was clobbered for two sixes and a four by Stubbs in a single over, while Mark Adair conceded three boundaries in his over, which also saw the youngster reach a spectacular 75-ball century. Adair came back strongly in the final over of the innings, but South Africa had made 61 from the final five, thereby putting Ireland out of the race.
Their dominance over the game was firmly established as Lungi Ngidi and Lizaad Williams struck once apiece early on to eliminate Ireland’s openers. Williams, who took four wickets in the first ODI, racked up two more in a single over to cripple Ireland. At 44/4, the chasing side had little chance of recovering as wickets continued to fall.
Ottneil Baartman scored 50/5, and Andile Phehlukawayo, with his smooth medium pace, caused problems. A second consecutive batting collapse was not something Ireland wanted, especially after that difficult outing on the field, but that is exactly what was happening. Six South African bowlers managed to bowl on the day, and each of them took at least one wicket. Quite impressively, Ireland’s last three batsmen combined for 73 as they managed to drag the score from 85/7 to 169 all out, which just postponed the inevitable.
Brief scores: South Africa 343/4 in 50 overs (Tristan Stubbs 112*, Kyle Verreynne 67) defeated Ireland 169 in 30.3 overs (Craig Young 29*, Lizaad Williams 3/36) by 174 runs.