Ireland v South Africa in UAE Sept 26-Oct 6 (2 T20s and 3 ODIs)

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Being broadcast on youtube.

 

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THE SQUADS

Ireland Men’s ODI squad:

• Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

Ireland Men’s T20I squad:

• Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Graham Hume, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young

 

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The fixtures are as follows:

• 27 September 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (1st T20I; Abu Dhabi; start 4.30pm)
• 29 September 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (2nd T20I; Abu Dhabi; start 4.30pm)
• 2 October 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (1st ODI; Abu Dhabi; start 12.30pm)
• 4 October 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (2nd ODI; Abu Dhabi; start 12.30pm)
• 7 October 2024: Ireland Men v South Africa Men (3rd ODI; Abu Dhabi; start 12.30pm)

 

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Ross Adair can bash a ball. Ireland would be tempted to keep him there for the 50 over format.

 

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Ireland beat South Africa in Game 2

 

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Ireland and Afghanistan are more than worthy opponents now.

 

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Game 1 of the ODI series from Abu Dhabi:

Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(c), Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Stephen Doheny(w), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Gavin Hoey

South Africa have won the toss and have opted to bat

 

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Gavin Hoey and Ottneil Baartman make their debuts for their respective countries today.

 

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Lovely shot from Rickelton to get things underway in Abu Dhabi.

 

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Ireland all over the top of Saffers here , with SA 39/3 inside the powerplay. Been a horrendous batting effort so far.

 

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Young with a dolly. You have to catch those at this level.

 

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Irelands fielding maybe dismantling here.

 

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Not the most inspiring half century from Rickelton. 50 off 74 balls.

He needs to go on with it.

 

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South Africa have decided to target the debutant Hoey here.

 

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Stubbs bring his half century up in 62 balls. Been a solid rebuild.

 

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SA post 271/9 off their 50 overs. At one stage, SA looked odds on for 300+

 

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South Africa convincing winners by 139 runs. That was an embarrassing effort with the bat from Ireland.

 

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Game 3 of the final ODI of the series from Abu Dhabi.

South Africa (Playing XI): Ryan Rickelton(w), Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen(c), Kyle Verreynne, Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman

Ireland (Playing XI): Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling(c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Graham Hume, Fionn Hand

Ireland have won the toss and have opted to bat

 

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Williams has caused the Irish a few problems this series. I generally dont think they have been able to pick him for some unusual reason.

 

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Im also wondering where Lizaad Williams is in the pecking order like Shaun Pollock for South Africa.

 

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Ireland look scared to attack South Africa. Their pace bowlers have caused them scars in the first 2 ODIs and they are being really conservative in this dead rubber.

Make no mistake Ireland are still a fair way from the more established nations in this format. Its T20 where less skill and more luck involved where they do better.

 

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Ireland decided today to just play the 1 attacking shot in the opening powerplay and then look to block out the remaining over.

Not sure who their coach is but I generally think thats the wrong way to go about it these days.

 

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I can respect Paul Stirlings effort with the bat but I think maybe Balbirnie might not be good enough at this level , 11 off 24 is not good enough.

 

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Ireland post a respectable 284/9 off their 50 overs and we have a humdinger in Abu Dhabi!


Ireland given themselves a shot here.

 

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Its Irelands game to lose from here, having snagged 3 wickets in South Africas opening 10 over powerplay.


Verreynne is no mug with the bat though.