IRE vs SA, 2nd T20I Review: Adair brothers help Ireland topple Proteas to level series

Ireland and South Africa continued their T20I series by taking on each other in the second T20I. Both sides locked horns at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, on September 29, and the clash began with Ireland batting first after losing the toss. 

The side saw Paul Stirling and Ross Adair open the innings and amass 52 and 100 runs, respectively. Harry Tector added five runs on the board, with George Dockrell going unbeaten on a score of 20 runs. Furthermore, after a few runs in the middle order, Ireland managed to post a total of 195 runs in the first innings, losing six wickets in the process. 

As for South Africa, Wiaan Mulder was the highest wicket-taker for his side in the first innings, with two wickets to his name. Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams, and Patrick Kruger took one wicket each as well. 

Middle order’s falling out saw South Africa slip away in second T20I

Aiming to chase down a target of 196 runs, South Africa came out to bat and opened their innings with Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks scoring 36 and 51 runs, respectively. Matthew Breetzke added 51 runs on the board as well. However, after the good start provided by the top order, it all came down to the wire due to the middle order’s failure to go big. 

Skipper Aiden Markram departed for eight runs, Tristan Stubbs added nine runs on the board, and Wiaan Mulder added eight runs, with Patrick Kruger scoring five. Ireland’s bowling attack put in an excellent showing to ensure that the Proteas did not chase down the target. 

South Africa managed to score 185 runs in 20 overs, losing nine wickets in the process as Ireland won the game by 10 runs and ended the series on level terms. The side put in an excellent performance with the ball; Mark Adair was the highest wicket-taker in the second innings with four wickets to his name; Graham Hume took three wickets, with Matthew Humphreys and Ben White taking one wicket each.