Seamers struggle as Ireland post 290

The Proteas seamers struggled with accuracy and consistency as Ireland posted 290/5 in the 2nd ODI at Malahide.

Ireland’s innings comprised of some excellent balanced batting displays from Andy Balbirnie (102 off 117 balls), Harry Tector (79 off 68 balls and George Dockrell (41 off 21 balls).

The Proteas seamers struggled to find wickets and struggled for consistency, with 22 fours and 6 sixes hit off the seamers.

Kagiso Rabada dismissed Balbirnie and Phehlukwayo got two wickets in the final over to end with 2/73 but the damage had been done at this point as Ireland posted 290.

Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi did well to dismiss Paul Stirling and Andy McBrine respectively, to subdue Ireland to an extent, as they were 124/2 after 28.3 overs.

Balbirnie’s century (10 fours, 2 sixes) was excellent to keep the stability, but the backend performance from Harry Tector (6 fours, 4 sixes) and Dockrell (5 fours, 2 sixes) really took the sword to the Proteas bowlers.

Ireland was also handed a couple of lifelines when Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kyle Verreynne and Kagiso Rabada dropped catches at crucial moments. But Ireland’s batters deserve the credit for batting bravely and with confidence.

South Africa will have to bat sensibly and show their chasing ability as they aim to record the first win of the series after the 1st game rained out.