Despite a poor start, South Africa recovered to post a decent enough total and defended it successfully at the end to seal the three-match T20I series against Ireland 2-0 this Thursday
Opting to bat first upon winning the toss, South Africa got off to a horrible start, losing skipper Temba Bavuma (0) and in-form No.3 Janneman Malan (0) in the first over without any run on the board to the gentle off-spin bowling of Paul Stirling (2/12).
Struggling to break free against some disciplined Irish bowling, the Proteas lost three further cheap wickets, getting reduced to 58/5 in the 10th over after Aiden Markram (8), Rassie van der Dussen (6) and in-between Quinton de Kock (27) were also dismissed.
It is in such a critical situation that Miller produced his game-transforming onslaught. The left-hander smashed 5 sixes during his unbeaten knock of 75 off 44 deliveries. Miller’s exceptional innings was backed up quite nicely by all-rounder Wiaan Mulder (36). Their crucial 58-run sixth-wicket partnership pushed South Africa to a competitive score of 159/7.
Apart from Stirling, medium-pacer Mark Adair (2/33) and off-spinner Simi Singh (1/26) also bowled quite nicely for Ireland, who, however, will be disappointed that their bowling attack couldn’t sustain the pressure for long enough. Once Miller found the sweet spot, the likes of Craig Young (1/39) and Joshua Little (1/42) had little to no answers to stop him.
Ireland never got going in the run-chase and lost wickets at regular intervals with the momentum shifting completely. Spinners Bjorn Fortuin (3/16) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3/14) hardly offered any scoring opportunities and shared six wickets between them. They triggered Ireland’s collapse to just a 117 all out. Shane Getkate (24) and George Dockrell (20) were the only two Irish batsmen to reach the 20-run mark in the second half, where the home team needed their top-order mainstays – Stirling (19), Kevin O’Brien (0) and Andrew Balbirnie (6) – to control the game better.
Brief scores
South Africa 159/7 in 20 overs (David Miller 75*, Wiaan Mulder 36; Paul Stirling 2/12, Mark Adair 2/33) beat Ireland 117 in 19.3 overs (Shane Getkate 24, George Dockrell 20; Tabraiz Shamsi 3/14, Bjorn Fortuin 3/16) by 42 runs.
