Ireland claimed just their second ODI victory over South Africa as half-centuries from Paul Stirling and Harry Tector contributed to a 69-run consolation triumph in Abu Dhabi.
South Africa had won the first two meetings to render this third ODI a dead rubber but Ireland made a better fist of it with the bat on Monday, amassing 284 for nine after a couple of sub-200 totals.
Captain Stirling top-scored with 88 off 92 deliveries and Tector made a quickfire 60 off 48 balls, while there were crucial cameos from Andy Balbirnie (45), Curtis Campher (34) and Lorcan Tucker (26).
Lizaad Williams’ four for 56 included three wickets in an over as Ireland fell away at the back end but their score looked a winning one when the Proteas lurched to 10 for three in reply.
Jason Smith lashed four sixes and nine fours in his 91 off 93 balls in just his second ODI but he was penultimate man out, holing out to Graham Hume, who finished with three for 29.
Craig Young collected three for 40 after Mark Adair had chipped in with two of the first three wickets to fall as South Africa were all out for 215 in 46.1 overs.
WE WIN!!! 🥳
What a night in Abu Dhabi. We end our tour to the UAE on a winning note! 🙌
▪️ Ireland 284-9 (50 overs)
▪️ South Africa 215 (46.1 overs)#IREvSA #BackingGreen #MyMaster11 pic.twitter.com/aVW3oSGeMX— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) October 7, 2024
“We played really well, we played probably the match we talked about playing and when that comes to fruition it’s really nice to watch,” Stirling told Cricket Ireland afterwards.
Ireland’s next action won’t be until 2025, and Stirling is hoping the squad take advantage of the extended break to improve their all-round game.
“I don’t think we’ve had four months without international fixtures in a long, long time, so from a personal development point of view, as players, it’s actually really exciting,” he added.
“We can go away and try and work on our game….there’s opportunities to go out to say Australia, South Africa in the winter and either play cricket or try and get better.
“That’s really exciting from my point of view; it’s usually game after game and your form deteriorates really quickly.”