Rain spoils first ODI between SA and Ireland

The Irish rain brought an early end to the first one-day international between Ireland and South Africa at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin on Sunday.

Half-centuries from William Porterfield and Andy Balbirnie helped Ireland to 195 for four in 40.2 overs before rain forced an early end to the hosts' innings after Temba Bavuma had won the toss and asked the home side to bat first.

The hosts, who had reached 145 for two after 35 overs when the rain forced the first halt to proceedings, resumed to reach 195 before rain brought an early end to the home side’s innings. The match was then reduced to 43 overs per side and with Ireland having just eight overs in the tank.

The rain continued to fall and the umpires were forced to call an end to the match with no further play possible, meaning both sides pick up five points in the World Series competition.

Porterfield, who faced 87 deliveries for his 63, his 18th half-century and first since 2019, struck nine boundaries in a watchful opening innings with Paul Stirling (13). Kagiso Rabada (8.2-2-43-2) and Lungi Ngidi (8-0-33-0) failed to strike within the first Power Play with Ireland reaching a very cautious 28 without loss.

Andile Phehlukwayo’s first over went for 12 but struck in his second over, when Stirling decided to take on the medium-pacer, top-edging the ball to David Miller in the covers. Phehlukwayo (7-1-39-1) pulled it back well before rain brought an early end to the innings.

Captain Balbirnie (65) laid a good foundation with a second-wicket stand of 87 off 106 deliveries before Tabraiz Shamsi (8-0-35-1) had Porterfield gloving behind to be caught by Aiden Markram, with the ball bouncing off wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne’s helmet.

Porterfield’s dismissal did not deter Balbirnie, with the right-handed captain striking six fluid boundaries from 79 balls. Balbirnie chipped Rabada straight to Shamsi at mid-wicket but Harry Tector (25) struck two fours and one juicy six from 28 balls in trying to lift the scoring rate, to try and put more DLS pressure on the visitors before edging Rabada to Verreynne behind the stumps.

Mark Adair was sent in up the order and the right hander struck two sweet maximums to end unbeaten on 16 from eight balls with George Dockrell unbeaten on a single to leave the Irish on 195 for four before rain forced the players from the field.

Keshav Maharaj bowled well at times and found some good purchase but went wickets in nine overs, conceding 38 runs.

IRELAND: – Paul Stirling, William Porterfield, Andy Balbirnie (capt), Harry Tector, George Dockrell, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Simi Singh, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Josh Little, Craig Young

SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma (capt), Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi