Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs led the way with the bat, as did Lizaad Williams with the ball, en route to a thumping win against Ireland in the first ODI.

Temba Bavuma had opted to bat first, but unfortunately, the Proteas were already 3 down for not much in the first 10 overs. Tony de Zorzi holed out to deep square leg, Bavuma was bowled by a peach from Craig Young, and Rassie van der Dussen edged to second slip.

Rickelton, who only had 2 ODIs under his belt, stepped up brilliantly, and Stubbs would provide the much-needed support. Both the newcomers started off sedately, but the blossoming stand was regularly punctuated with big shots. Rickelton was first to reach 50 (from 74 deliveries), but he’d soon take a liking to debutant Gavin Hoey’s legspin. Both players hit a total of 7 maximums, as SA were shifting gears to post a potentially imposing score.

However, Ireland fought back with two wickets in two overs, and both set batters were back in the dugout. Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo both went cheaply, and all of a sudden, 300 was out of reach. However, a decent fightback from the lower order ensured that they’d reach a respectable 271 at halftime.

Mark Adair and Graham Hume took 7 wickets between them, and successfully prevented SA from running away after a 4th wicket partnership of 152.

But that was all the excitement for the Irish, as the new-ball duo of Lungi Ngidi and Lizaad Williams made multiple inroads early on in the chase. Promising starts from Andy Balbirnie and Curtis Campher were emphatically cut short, and none of the middle-order batters could get going.

The Ireland innings continued to stagnate, as all the Proteas bowlers applied the squeeze. Soon enough, everyone was amongst the wickets, and that set up a big 139-run victory.

Tune in for game 2 on Friday.

SA 271/9 in 50 overs (Rickelton 91, Stubbs 79 – M Adair 10-0-50-4, Young 10-1-45-3)

IRE 132 all out in 31.5 overs (Dockrell 21 – Williams 10-1-32-4)