Stirling leads Ireland to competitive score in third ODI

Ireland captain, Paul Stirling, top-scored with a finely crafted 88 from 92 balls in a much-improved Irish performance as they posted a highly competitive total of 284 for nine after choosing to bat first in the third and final one-day international against South Africa at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Stirling added 101 for the first wicket with Andy Balbirnie who made a sedentary start, crawling to 20 from 43 balls before marginally accelerating to 45 from 73 before miscuing a pull shot against Lizaad Williams (10-2-56-4), giving Tristan Stubbs a tumbling catch at deep midwicket.

Curtis Campher made a lively 34 from 36 balls (4x4, 1x6) but found himself in a tangle attempting to scoop a length ball from Ottneil Baartman which crashed into his middle stump, but Stirling received a beauty from Baartman (8-0-32-2) which nipped between bat and pad to hit off stump.

Stirling paced his innings beautifully, attacking during the Power Play before manipulating the ball into gaps during the middle overs and would have been excellent value for a 15th ODI century had he reached the milestone. Nonetheless, he left his team well-placed at 179 for three with 15 overs remaining.

Harry Tector ran hard during his fine innings of 60 from 48 deliveries which contained four fours and a six and, although Ireland’s progress stumbled when Andile Phehlukwayo (2-32) had Lorcan Tucker (26) caught by keeper Ryan Rickelton attempting another scoop and George Dockrell (6) caught on the boundary, Ireland have every reason to believe they can cause an upset with a consolation victory.

Allrounder Jason Smith replaced Wiaan Mulder in the middle order after Mulder returned home for personal reasons while Reeza Hendricks, who arrived in the country just a day before the game, will open the batting in place of the injured Temba Bavuma. Rassie van der Dussen is captaining South Africa.

South Africa have already clinched the series with comprehensive victories by 139 and 174 runs in the first two matches at the same venue on Wednesday and Friday last week.

IRELAND: Paul Stirling (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wkt), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Fionn Hand.

SOUTH AFRICA: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman.