Magnificent century from Adair takes Ireland to 195-6

A magnificent century from Ireland opener Ross Adair and an opening stand of 137 with captain Paul Stirling propelled Ireland to an impressive total of 195-6 after being asked to bat first in the second and final T20 International against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening.

Adair was given a costly life on 19 and made the most of his fortune with just the third T20I century for his country following in the footsteps of Kevin O’Brien and current captain Stirling who contributed a rasping 52 from just 31 balls with seven fours and a six.

Right hander Adair received a chest-high full toss from Wiaan Mulder on 93 which he heaved over square leg for six leaving him with 99 and the luxury of a free-hit to complete his century from 57 balls with the next delivery before heaving his 58th to Matthew Breetzke at deep square leg.

Dashing footwork and quick hands brought the opener five fours and nine sixes with all of the Proteas attack suffering apart from Lungi Ngidi (4-0-23-1) who was back to his parsimonious best.

Stirling departed when an attempted upper-cut against Patrick Kruger (1-31) landed in the gloves of ‘keeper Ryan Rickelton and Ireland were unable to capitalise on a foundation which promised a total well in excess of 200.

George Dockrell finished unbeaten on 20 from 13 balls with just a single boundary and nobody in the lower order was able to provide the finishing momentum required in the final overs.

Adair’s record-breaking innings should have ended on 19 when he top-edged a pull to square leg only to be reprieved by Lizaad Williams’ no-ball. Dockrell, too, was reprieved on seven when Bjorn Fortuin’s relaxed catch off Mulder at deep square was over-ruled by the third umpire when the ball appeared to have hit the grass as well as his fingers.

Williams (4-0-35-1) and Mulder (4-0-51-2) were far from their best while spinners Fortuin (2-0-24-0) and Nqaba Peter (2-0-29-0) suffered badly at the hands of the openers once the foundation had been laid.

South Africa comfortably won the first match at the same venue by eight-wickets chasing down Ireland’s 171-8 in just 17.4 overs with openers Rickelton (76) and Reeza Hendricks (51) adding 136 for the first wicket to all but secure the win and move to a 6-0 record against Ireland in all T20Is.

IRELAND: Paul Stirling (captain), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock (wkt), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Ben White, Graham Hume.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi.