ABU DHABI: Tristan Stubbs smashed a maiden One-day Intern­ational century as South Africa routed Ireland by 174 runs to clinch their three-match series with a game to spare on Friday.

The 24-year-old Stubbs made an undefeated 112 off 81 balls with eight fours and three sixes as the Proteas piled up 343-4 in their 50 overs.

In reply, Ireland were dismissed for 169 with almost 20 overs left as they suffered a second successive heavy defeat after losing by 139 runs in the opener on Wednesday.

Stubbs made 79 in that match and was merciless again on Friday, reaching three figures from 75 deliveries as the Irish attack wilted despite using seven bowlers.

Stubbs shared a 103-run partnership for the third wicket with the recalled Kyle Verreynne and 92 for the fourth wicket with Wiaan Mulder.

Verreynne made 67 from 64 balls with Mulder speeding to 43 off 34 deliveries while at the top of the order Ryan Rickelton hit 40 to add to his 91 from the opening fixture.

“I thought the first game, myself and ‘Ricks’ got out back to back. Today, I didn’t want that to happen,” explained Stubbs.

“That was the big focus. I thought they bowled quite well. They made us hit to the big side. We were rotating nicely and that helped us get the runs.”

The only cloud for the Proteas was seeing skipper Temba Bavuma forced to retire with an elbow injury sustained as he scrambled to avoid a run out.

Opening batsman Bavuma was on 35 when he was forced to call it quits and he stayed off the field when Ireland batted with Rassie van der Dussen taking charge.

“I think I aggravated an old injury on my elbow. We will get to know in the next few days. Right now, I am at the mercy of the doctors,” said Bavuma.

Ireland’s reply got off to the worst possible start with openers Andy Balbirnie (one) and captain Paul Stirling (five) back in the pavilion by the end of the third over with just seven runs on the board.

The Proteas made regular inroads before tailenders Craig Young (29 not out) and Graham Hume (21) put on an entertaining last-wicket partnership of 52.

South Africa fast bowler Lizaad Williams, who claimed a career-best 4-32 on Wednesday, took 3-36 from five overs.

“It was a tough day at the office,” said Stirling.

The three-game series concludes at the same Abu Dhabi venue on Monday.

SCOREBOARD

SOUTH AFRICA:

R. Rickelton c&b Campher 40

T. Bavuma Retired Hurt 35

R. van der Dussen b Hoey 35

K. Verreynne st Doheny b McBrine 67

T. Stubbs not out 112

W. Mulder c Hoey b Young 43

A. Phehlukwayo not out 4

EXTRAS (B-2, W-5) 7

TOTAL (for four wickets, 50 overs) 343

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-78 (Rickelton), 2-136 (van der Dussen), 3-239 (Verreynne), 4-331 (Mulder)

DID NOT BAT: B. Fortuin, L. Williams, L. Ngidi, O. Baartman

BOWLING: Adair 10-0-79-0 (2w); Hume 9-0-64-0 (1w); Young 10-0-79-1 (1w); Campher 3-0-22-1; McBrine 10-0-43-1 (1w); Hoey 7-0-49-1; Dockrell 1-0-5-0

IRELAND:

A. Balbirnie b Williams 1

P. Stirling b Ngidi 5

C. Campher c Rickelton b Williams 17

H. Tector c Rickelton b Baartman 20

S. Doheny lbw Williams 0

G. Dockrell c Ngidi b Phehlukwayo 11

M. Adair c Van der Dussen b Mulder 21

A. McBrine lbw Fortuin 10

G. Hoey c (Sub) b Ngidi 23

G. Hume b Fortuin 21

C. Young not out 29

EXTRAS (LB-2, NB-2, W-7) 11

TOTAL (all out, 30.3 overs) 169

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-3 (Balbirnie), 2-7 (Stirling), 3-44 (Campher), 4-44 (Doheny), 5-50 (Tector), 6-65 (Dockrell), 7-85 (Adair), 8-113 (McBrine), 9-117 (Hoey)

BOWLING: Ngidi 7-1-38-2 (1w, 1nb); Williams 5-0-36-3 (1nb); Baartman 4-0-8-1 (3w); Phehlukwayo 4-0-13-1; Mulder 5-0-36-1 (3w); Fortuin 5.3-0-36-2

RESULT: South Africa won by 174 runs.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Tristan Stubbs

SERIES: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2024