Ireland take a 1-0 lead in the series with one match to go – the first was a washout – and South Africa must now win the final ODI to remain alive in the series. A complete all-round display from the hosts means the visitors are comfortably beaten. South Africa will have much to ponder about after this loss: they had no control with the ball at the death, they dropped four catches and their batters could never take off.
Balbirnie, the Ireland captain, is also the Player of the Match.Ireland have beaten South Africa for the first time in seven ODIs and taken 10 World Cup Super League points to advance to fifth spot on the points table. After upsetting England last year, then losing a series to Netherlands earlier this year, Ireland’s 2023 World Cup ambitions are somewhat back on track. They have also taken an unassailable lead in the ODI series, which has been reduced to two matches after Sunday washout which means Friday’s finale is a must win for South Africa to avoid conceding the trophy.
It was also lucky No. 7 for Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie, who brought up his seventh ODI century to set the innings up. Balbirnie opened the batting and built the innings until the 42nd over before handing over to Harry Tector, who smashed 79 off 68 balls to take Ireland to their highest total against South Africa. Tector and George Dockrell put on 90 for the fourth wicket at a scoring rate of 11.73 to set South Africa a tough target of 291.