Ireland post impressive total in Abu Dhabi

An entertaining partnership of 59 between Curtis Campher and Neil Rock helped Ireland post a competitive total of 171-8 after choosing to bat first in the first of two T20 Internationals against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Opener Ross Adair (18 from 10 balls) took 16 off the first over of the innings from Lizaad Williams (3-0-29-0) to set the tone for a compelling performance before a drive against Wiaan Mulder to Tristan Stubbs at mid-off.

Captain Paul Stirling (2) was bowled by Ottneil Baartman (3-0-36-1) and when Harry Tector (16) toe-ended a reverse sweep against Bjorn Fortuin (4-0-28-1) to Williams at short third, the ‘host’ nation were wobbling at 64-3 in the seventh over.

Rock’s excellent, career-best 37 from 28 balls (4x4, 1x6) took full toll on some profligate bowling but also owed much to a positive, fearless mindset from the Irish top order who took the challenge to their opponents with bold footwork and slashing blades. Rock’s missed slog-sweep against legspinner Nqaba Peter (3-0-20-1) saw him bowled in the 14th over.

Former SA under-19 player, Campher, played with consummate skill for 49 from 36 balls (6x4, 1x6) before top-edging a pull against allrounder Patrick Kruger and George Dockrell’s terrific 21 from 16 balls ended one ball later with a catch to ‘keeper Ryan Rickelton.

Kruger collected a third wicket in the final over of the innings to finish with a flattering 4-27 from his four overs, but ‘lucky’ days are far fewer than ‘unlucky’ days and the Warriors allrounder deserved the fortune.

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

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