Tristan Stubbs’ maiden century set up a comprehensive victory for the Proteas against Ireland to seal an ODI series win.

South Africa have scored two mighty impressive wins in as many games, as Ireland have been consigned to another heavy defeat. 

A superlative first ODI century for Tristan Stubbs, complemented with steady contributions from multiple others helped set up a tall score, and the bowlers made relatively short work of the Irish batting unit.

Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma got off to a positive start, but things took an unfortunate turn when a dive from Bavuma resulted in a wrist injury, which would keep him out of the rest of the game. In spite of a solid start, he had to retire hurt. Rassie van der Dussen came in at first drop and did well to keep the score rolling along, but Ireland had their first opening when Curtis Campher claimed a return catch off Rickelton.

Another burgeoning partnership came to an end when van der Dussen became legspinner Gavin Hoey’s first ever international wicket. But from then on, Kyle Verreynne and Tristan Stubbs gradually took the game away. Boundaries might’ve been few and far between, but some superb running between the wickets ensured the early momentum was never stalled.

Verreynne brought up a well-compiled half-century, but it was Stubbs who began shifting gears. When Verreynne was stumped, that nearly evoked a similar situation from the previous game, but Wiaan Mulder would provide steady support for Stubbs.

Towards the back end of the innings, Stubbs got inventive with his shots, and connected brilliantly with his big hits. The Proteas may have just missed out on 350, but that didn’t discount anything from a record score of 343/4 at halftime.

It was back to familiar scenes for Ireland, as Lizaad Williams and Lungi Ngidi – yet again – got multiple breakthroughs early in the innings. Williams was a little expensive early on, but 3 wickets at the top ensured a domineering start for SA.

Soon enough, Ottneil Baartman and Andile Phehlukwayo joined the mix with wickets of their own, and Ireland were completely off balance during the steep chase.

The rest of the Ireland innings continued to go south, but a 52-run final-wicket partnership managed to slightly reduce the margin of defeat to 174 runs.

SA 343/4 in 50 overs (Stubbs 112*, Verreynne 67)

IRE 169 all out in 30.3 overs (Young 29* – Williams 5-0-36-3)