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Ireland vs South Africa, IRE and SA in UAE, 2 T20Is, 2024 Full score card

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2nd T20I, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, 29 Sep, 2024

Ireland

IRE

195/6

(20.0) ov

South Africa

SA

185/9

(20.0) ov

Ireland beat South Africa by 10 runs

Player Of The Match

Ross Adair,
Ireland
Ireland
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
South Africa
Ireland

South Africa • 185/9 (20.0 overs)

R Hendricks 51 (32)

M Breetzke 51 (41)

M Adair 4/31 (4)

G Hume 3/25 (4)

Ireland • 195/6 (20.0 overs)

R Adair 100 (58)

P Stirling 52 (31)

W Mulder 2/51 (4)

L Ngidi 1/23 (4)

Commentary

Right then, thank you for joining us for this thrilling match. Both the skipper's come together and lift the trophy as this T20I series ends in a draw. Although, we shall be back on October 2, 2024, when these two side will go up against each other in a 3-match ODI series. The first ball will be at 11.30 am GMT, but you'll know that you can join us early for the build-up. So, Stay tuned for more exciting cricket action, and until next time, take care and keep cheering!

Paul Stirling, the winning captain is in for a chat. He says that at the halfway mark, the team felt they were 15-20 runs short, as the opposition bowlers applied pressure, leaving them slightly under-par. With less dew on the pitch, however, they managed to pull through and secure the win. Explaining why wickets fell in clusters, it was noted that spending time at the crease was crucial to understanding the pace of the wicket, which ultimately won them the game. With new batters coming in, there was always a chance for a breakthrough. The team was absolutely delighted with the victory, acknowledging that it could have gone either way. Ends by saying that he is over the moon with the result, hoping to carry the momentum into the ODIs.

ROSS ADAIR IS ALSO THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES. He starts by saying that Balbirnie is a significant absence for the squad, but knew that if he stayed at the crease long enough, things could get easier. He expressed hope for Andy Balbirnie’s return soon but was determined to make an impact in this game. Reflecting on his performance, he says that the satisfaction of succeeding, especially with the strong South African is a delightful feeling. Having previously played rugby before switching to cricket after a couple of hip surgeries, he mentioned it felt rewarding to shine on the cricket field.

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa starts by saying that there were small moments with both bat and ball, which they missed on. Adds that each guy will have certain areas to improve at, mentions that they will try to improve the game individually. States that losing wickets at the death, did not help their cause at all.

Ross Adair wins the Player of the Match award for his outstanding knock of a century off 58 balls. He says that he wanted to put his mark and get a good score. Adds that he is pleased to get the hundred and the knock is very satisfying.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier in the innings, we saw Ireland gets off to a flier, but just like the first match, they once again faltered in the death overs, and to their disappointment they could not get over the 200-run mark which was easy to breach with the way Ross Adair and Paul Stirling got going. The former even recorded his ton, but in the end it is the win that matters the most. Paul Stirling will be elated with the way his bowler's came back in the game.

With 23 runs required off the final two overs, South Africa's hopes rested on Breetzke, but his dismissal in the penultimate over left them in a precarious position. Ireland’s bowlers and fielders held their nerve in the closing stages, executing perfect death bowling and sharp fielding to stifle any late resurgence. In the end, Ireland’s spirited fightback ensured they defended the total, leveling the series and denying South Africa a clean sweep.

Just as it seemed South Africa had the game under control, Ireland’s bowlers turned the tide. The Irish attack, which had been kept at bay in the first half, suddenly came to life, striking at regular intervals to stall the Proteas’ progress. Matthew Breetzke, though composed, found himself running out of partners as Markram, Stubbs, and Mulder fell cheaply, all failing to get into double figures. Despite South Africa's early dominance, the pressure began to mount as wickets tumbled.

South Africa’s chase of 196 was always going to be a formidable task, but they began with confidence, thanks to Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton, who provided a solid platform. Rickelton was the aggressor early on, making his intentions clear with a flurry of boundaries before falling in the final over of the Powerplay. His departure, however, did little to disrupt South Africa's rhythm, as Matthew Breetzke stepped in to support Reeza Hendricks. The latter timed his knock perfectly, converting his promising start into a well-constructed half-century. By the halfway mark, the Proteas looked well on course, sitting comfortably at 88 for 1.

What a game this one turned out to be. There was a time when we all though South Africa might cruise towards victory, but Ireland fought back till the very end and made solid comeback to level the series. Unfortunately, we won't be getting a series-decider in this one. Ireland walk out of the series with their heads held high.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 185/9

L Ngidi3 (2)

B Fortuin0 (0)

G Hume4-0-25-3

19.61

A historic win for Ireland! They have beaten South Africa for the first time in T20Is and leveled the series 1-1. Back of a length on off. Lungi Ngidi forces it to long-off for a single. Ireland win by 10 runs.

19.52

Two runs! A low full toss, outside off. Ngidi drags it towards deep backward point. They collect a brace.

Lungi Ngidi is the last batter for South Africa. He will face the hat-trick ball.

19.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Hume has his third! Bowls it short, around off. Lizaad Williams looks to slap this but gets the outside edge that flies toward short third where Matthew Humphreys accepts a dolly.

Lizaad Williams is the new batter.

19.3W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Graham Hume gets the last recognized batter and this should be the game for Ireland. Full and angling into the middle stump line. Patrick Kruger gets too far across for the scoop and misses it completely. The ball crashes into the stumps and the hopes of South Africa are all but gone now.

19.24

FOUR! Streaky but Patrick Kruger will take it. Full and wide outside off. Kruger throws his hands to it and gets the outside edge and flies over short third and into the boundary.

19.10

A terrific start to the over! Yorker length delivery, well outside off. Patrick Kruger gets across, swings, and misses.

Bjorn Fortuin is in at 9 for South Africa. Graham Hume has the responsibility to defend this score. Can he do it? Let's find out.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 178/7

N Peter4 (3)

P Kruger1 (1)

M Adair4-0-31-4

18.6W

OUT! STUNNING CATCH! Mark Adair gets his third wicket of the over and might be a game-changer! Slower length ball, outside off. Peter reaches for it and slaps it toward the extra cover region. Paul Stirling goes to his left and plucks it out of thin air. South Africa lose another. 18 needed off the final over.

18.52

Short of a length, angled into the body. Peter swivels and pulls it to long-leg for two more.

18.42

Back of a length, angling into the middle and leg. Peter pulls it toward deep square leg for a couple.

Nqabayomzi Peter is in at 8.

18.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Adair gets his third and it's the big fish Matthew Breetzke. Slower back of a length delivery, on off. Matthew Breetzke hangs back and pulls it flat to the throat of Harry Tector at the long-on boundary who takes it with ease. The half-centurian fails to take his side past the finish line. South Africa are six down.

18.21

Slower and fuller at the stumps. Kruger works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Patrick Kruger is in next.

18.1W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Mark Adair gets the key breakthrough! Slower bumper, banged into the surface on the off-stump line. Wiaan Mulder comes down the track to swat it across the line but ends up getting a top edge to the short leg region. Mark Adair runs around and takes it with ease off his bowling. South Africa lose their fifth.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 173/4

M Breetzke51 (40)

W Mulder8 (4)

G Hume3-0-18-1

17.60

Persists on the full and wide line outside off to Matthew Breetzke who swings hard for the drive but fails to connect. Just 5 runs off the over. 23 needed off 12 balls now.

17.51

Yorker length delivery, angled in, just outside off. Mulder skips down the pitch to hack it across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pad that further rolls toward point for one.

Commentary

Welcome back. The players and umpires make their way out to the middle. Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks are the openers for South Africa. Mark Adair has the ball in hand for Ireland. Here we go!

...THE RUN CHASE...

Right then, South Africa needs 196 to take the series 2-0. Can they chase it and make a clean sweep or will the Irish bowlers have a better outing today? Let's find out together. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Paul Stirling is in for a quick word. He says that it was a good start, and there was talk of building partnerships, which they did, but perhaps a few opportunities were left out there. States that the basics of cricket remain the same: you want the player hitting well to stay, while the other rotates the strike. However, they didn't finish well. The focus was on working through partnerships, and Ross played exceptionally, delivering one of the best knocks in an Irish shirt in a T20I.

For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi and Patrick Kruger were economical and took a wicket each while Wiaan Mulder snapped a couple but was on the expensive side. The Proteas were taken to the cleaners in the first half of the innings but did a commendable job of getting back in the game with a few tidy overs and picking key wickets at the right time.

A solid batting effort from Ireland has helped them post a formidable score of 195 for 6 in their 20 overs. Having asked to bat yet again, their openers did a splendid job and added 137 for the first wicket inside 13 overs. Paul Stirling made a blistering fifty while Ross Adair slammed a terrific ton. The Irish lost their way once the openers were dismissed and did not get the desired finish, just like the first T20I. George Dockrell swung his bat and stuck a few lusty blows to take his side to a brilliant total but they would have got 10-20 more runs after the start they had got with the bat.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 195/6

G Dockrell20 (13)

F Hand4 (5)

L Williams4-0-35-1

19.61

A single to end the innings. Full ball, outside off. Dockrell works it through point. They get a single. A very neat final over from Lizaad Williams. Ireland end under 200. They will be gutted going into the break.

19.51

BYE! Lizaad Williams nails the yorker here, outside off. Hand looks to tonk it away but it catches the inner half and dies in front of the keeper. Ryan Rickelton fumbles behind the stumps. The batters take a single.

19.41

Williams dishes a length ball, outside off. Dockrell throws his bat at it, and the ball goes towards deep third off the outer half. One taken.

19.32

Full ball, around off. Dockrell uses his feet and thumps it past the bowler. Two runs taken. These two are running hard.

19.22

A length ball, outside off. George Dockrell carves it over point. The batters push hard for the first one and gets the second one in as well. This is what Ireland need.

19.11

Full ball, angled into the pads. Hand clips it through the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 187/6

F Hand2 (3)

G Dockrell14 (9)

P Kruger4-0-31-1

18.61

Slower and fuller, on middle and leg. Hand flicks it towards long on and takes a single.

18.51

George Dockrell pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.44

FOUR! A much-needed boundary. Kruger goes full, sliding down leg. Dockrell tickles it down to fine leg for four runs,

18.31

Full ball, on off. Hand thumps it down the park for one.

18.20

Short ball, on top of the stumps. Hand looks to free his arms, but gets no bat on it.

18.11W

OUT! RUN OUT! This is poor running. Short ball, on middle. Mark Adair whips it towards deep square leg and calls for two runs instantly. Although the throw from Matthew Breetzke from the deep is on the money. Ryan Rickelton grabs it and dislodges the bails to find Adair short of the crease. Fionn Hand walks in at number 8.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 179/5

M Adair2 (2)

G Dockrell9 (7)

L Ngidi4-0-23-1

17.61

Good length, on the pads. Mark Adair flicks it into the leg side for one. Ireland haven't scored a boundary since 11 deliveries. Once again, they are losing they way in the death.

17.51

Slower one, full and outside off. George Dockrell pushes it towards extra covers and hares off for one.

17.41

Short one, on off. Adair pulls it into mid-wicket for one.

17.3W

OUT! CLEANED UP! Lungi Ngidi is a happy man here, as he finally gets himself in the wicket's column. Slower ball, full and on middle, angling in as well. Neil Rock backs away and tries to hit it through the line but ends up playing the wrong line here. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the furniture behind. Mark Adair walks in at number 7.

17.20

Lungi Ngidi rolls his finger over this one, pitches it full, on the fifth stump line. Rock steps outside the crease and tries to smack it through the line but misses.

17.10

Slower one, on a length, outside off. Rock tries to chase it but misses.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 176/4

N Rock1 (1)

G Dockrell8 (6)

W Mulder4-0-51-2

16.61

Neil Rock gets off the mark instantly. It is a length ball, outside off. Rock slaps it through point for a single.

Neil Rock comes out to bat now.

16.5W

OUT! CAUGHT! Ireland are losing wickets in cluster now. Curtis Campher has to depart on a golden duck. It is full, angled into the pads, but with no pace on it. Curtis Campher tries to smoke it away but mistimes it towards long on. Tristan Stubbs there settles under it and takes a sharp catch.

16.51wd

WIDE! Slower ball, full, sliding down leg. Curtis Campher misses it. Wide called.

16.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! It does not matter, as Wiaan Mulder gets the big fish here. Ross Adair walks back after a well made century. It is a good-length ball, around off. Ross Adair hoicks it across the line and hits it towards deep mid-wicket, but does not get the power on it. Matthew Breetzke takes it cleanly in the deep. Curtis Campher is the new man in.

16.31

Another one bites the dust, as George Dockrell has to walk back on a low score. WAIT! The umpire isn't convinced with the catch and takes it upstairs. Mulder serves is short, on off, moving in a bit. George Dockrell stands tall, and heaves it across the line. The ball flies towards deep square leg. Bjorn Fortuin runs in from the deep, slides in front of him, gets both hands under the ball, but the momentum, takes it low and cross to the field. It brushes the turf, and the final decision is a NOT OUT. One taken.

South Africa
Ireland
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
R Rickelton

c C Campher b G Hume

36 22 1 4 163.63
R Hendricks

c P Stirling b B White

51 32 6 1 159.37
M Breetzke

c H Tector b M Adair

51 41 3 2 124.39
A Markram

b M Humphreys

8 5 0 1 160
T Stubbs

c N Rock b M Adair

9 6 1 0 150
W Mulder

c & b M Adair

8 5 1 0 160
P Kruger

b G Hume

5 4 1 0 125
N Peter

c P Stirling b M Adair

4 3 0 0 133.33
B Fortuin

not out

0 0 0 0
L Williams

c M Humphreys b G Hume

0 1 0 0 0
L Ngidi

not out

3 2 0 0 150
Extras

(b 0,lb 0,w 9,nb 1,Penalty 0)

10
Total 20.0 (RR: 9.25)
185/9

Did not bat:

Fall of wickets:

(R Rickelton, 5.3 ov) (R Hendricks, 12.3 ov) (A Markram, 13.4 ov) (T Stubbs, 16 ov) (W Mulder, 18.1 ov) (M Breetzke, 18.3 ov) (N Peter, 19 ov) (P Kruger, 19.3 ov) (L Williams, 19.4 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Adair
4 0 31 4 7.75
M Humphreys
4 0 30 1 7.50
G Hume
4 0 25 3 6.25
F Hand
2 0 35 0 17.50
B White
4 0 45 1 11.25
C Campher
2 0 19 0 9.50
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
P Stirling

c R Rickelton b P Kruger

52 31 7 1 167.74
R Adair

c M Breetzke b W Mulder

100 58 5 9 172.41
H Tector

b L Williams

5 7 0 0 71.42
G Dockrell

not out

20 13 1 0 153.84
C Campher

c T Stubbs b W Mulder

0 1 0 0 0
N Rock

b L Ngidi

1 4 0 0 25
M Adair

run out (M Breetzke / R Rickelton)

3 3 0 0 100
F Hand

not out

4 5 0 0 80
Extras

(b 0,lb 2,w 6,nb 2,Penalty 0)

10
Total 20.0 (RR: 9.75)
195/6

Did not bat: M Humphreys, B White, G Hume

Fall of wickets:

(P Stirling, 13 ov) (H Tector, 15.1 ov) (R Adair, 16.4 ov) (C Campher, 16.5 ov) (N Rock, 17.3 ov) (M Adair, 18.1 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
L Ngidi
4 0 23 1 5.75
L Williams
4 0 35 1 8.75
W Mulder
4 0 51 2 12.75
B Fortuin
2 0 24 0 12.00
N Peter
2 0 29 0 14.50
P Kruger
4 0 31 1 7.75
South Africa
Ireland

Commentary

Right then, thank you for joining us for this thrilling match. Both the skipper's come together and lift the trophy as this T20I series ends in a draw. Although, we shall be back on October 2, 2024, when these two side will go up against each other in a 3-match ODI series. The first ball will be at 11.30 am GMT, but you'll know that you can join us early for the build-up. So, Stay tuned for more exciting cricket action, and until next time, take care and keep cheering!

Paul Stirling, the winning captain is in for a chat. He says that at the halfway mark, the team felt they were 15-20 runs short, as the opposition bowlers applied pressure, leaving them slightly under-par. With less dew on the pitch, however, they managed to pull through and secure the win. Explaining why wickets fell in clusters, it was noted that spending time at the crease was crucial to understanding the pace of the wicket, which ultimately won them the game. With new batters coming in, there was always a chance for a breakthrough. The team was absolutely delighted with the victory, acknowledging that it could have gone either way. Ends by saying that he is over the moon with the result, hoping to carry the momentum into the ODIs.

ROSS ADAIR IS ALSO THE PLAYER OF THE SERIES. He starts by saying that Balbirnie is a significant absence for the squad, but knew that if he stayed at the crease long enough, things could get easier. He expressed hope for Andy Balbirnie’s return soon but was determined to make an impact in this game. Reflecting on his performance, he says that the satisfaction of succeeding, especially with the strong South African is a delightful feeling. Having previously played rugby before switching to cricket after a couple of hip surgeries, he mentioned it felt rewarding to shine on the cricket field.

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa starts by saying that there were small moments with both bat and ball, which they missed on. Adds that each guy will have certain areas to improve at, mentions that they will try to improve the game individually. States that losing wickets at the death, did not help their cause at all.

Ross Adair wins the Player of the Match award for his outstanding knock of a century off 58 balls. He says that he wanted to put his mark and get a good score. Adds that he is pleased to get the hundred and the knock is very satisfying.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Earlier in the innings, we saw Ireland gets off to a flier, but just like the first match, they once again faltered in the death overs, and to their disappointment they could not get over the 200-run mark which was easy to breach with the way Ross Adair and Paul Stirling got going. The former even recorded his ton, but in the end it is the win that matters the most. Paul Stirling will be elated with the way his bowler's came back in the game.

With 23 runs required off the final two overs, South Africa's hopes rested on Breetzke, but his dismissal in the penultimate over left them in a precarious position. Ireland’s bowlers and fielders held their nerve in the closing stages, executing perfect death bowling and sharp fielding to stifle any late resurgence. In the end, Ireland’s spirited fightback ensured they defended the total, leveling the series and denying South Africa a clean sweep.

Just as it seemed South Africa had the game under control, Ireland’s bowlers turned the tide. The Irish attack, which had been kept at bay in the first half, suddenly came to life, striking at regular intervals to stall the Proteas’ progress. Matthew Breetzke, though composed, found himself running out of partners as Markram, Stubbs, and Mulder fell cheaply, all failing to get into double figures. Despite South Africa's early dominance, the pressure began to mount as wickets tumbled.

South Africa’s chase of 196 was always going to be a formidable task, but they began with confidence, thanks to Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton, who provided a solid platform. Rickelton was the aggressor early on, making his intentions clear with a flurry of boundaries before falling in the final over of the Powerplay. His departure, however, did little to disrupt South Africa's rhythm, as Matthew Breetzke stepped in to support Reeza Hendricks. The latter timed his knock perfectly, converting his promising start into a well-constructed half-century. By the halfway mark, the Proteas looked well on course, sitting comfortably at 88 for 1.

What a game this one turned out to be. There was a time when we all though South Africa might cruise towards victory, but Ireland fought back till the very end and made solid comeback to level the series. Unfortunately, we won't be getting a series-decider in this one. Ireland walk out of the series with their heads held high.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 185/9

L Ngidi3 (2)

B Fortuin0 (0)

G Hume4-0-25-3

19.61

A historic win for Ireland! They have beaten South Africa for the first time in T20Is and leveled the series 1-1. Back of a length on off. Lungi Ngidi forces it to long-off for a single. Ireland win by 10 runs.

19.52

Two runs! A low full toss, outside off. Ngidi drags it towards deep backward point. They collect a brace.

Lungi Ngidi is the last batter for South Africa. He will face the hat-trick ball.

19.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Hume has his third! Bowls it short, around off. Lizaad Williams looks to slap this but gets the outside edge that flies toward short third where Matthew Humphreys accepts a dolly.

Lizaad Williams is the new batter.

19.3W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Graham Hume gets the last recognized batter and this should be the game for Ireland. Full and angling into the middle stump line. Patrick Kruger gets too far across for the scoop and misses it completely. The ball crashes into the stumps and the hopes of South Africa are all but gone now.

19.24

FOUR! Streaky but Patrick Kruger will take it. Full and wide outside off. Kruger throws his hands to it and gets the outside edge and flies over short third and into the boundary.

19.10

A terrific start to the over! Yorker length delivery, well outside off. Patrick Kruger gets across, swings, and misses.

Bjorn Fortuin is in at 9 for South Africa. Graham Hume has the responsibility to defend this score. Can he do it? Let's find out.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 178/7

N Peter4 (3)

P Kruger1 (1)

M Adair4-0-31-4

18.6W

OUT! STUNNING CATCH! Mark Adair gets his third wicket of the over and might be a game-changer! Slower length ball, outside off. Peter reaches for it and slaps it toward the extra cover region. Paul Stirling goes to his left and plucks it out of thin air. South Africa lose another. 18 needed off the final over.

18.52

Short of a length, angled into the body. Peter swivels and pulls it to long-leg for two more.

18.42

Back of a length, angling into the middle and leg. Peter pulls it toward deep square leg for a couple.

Nqabayomzi Peter is in at 8.

18.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Adair gets his third and it's the big fish Matthew Breetzke. Slower back of a length delivery, on off. Matthew Breetzke hangs back and pulls it flat to the throat of Harry Tector at the long-on boundary who takes it with ease. The half-centurian fails to take his side past the finish line. South Africa are six down.

18.21

Slower and fuller at the stumps. Kruger works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Patrick Kruger is in next.

18.1W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Mark Adair gets the key breakthrough! Slower bumper, banged into the surface on the off-stump line. Wiaan Mulder comes down the track to swat it across the line but ends up getting a top edge to the short leg region. Mark Adair runs around and takes it with ease off his bowling. South Africa lose their fifth.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 173/4

M Breetzke51 (40)

W Mulder8 (4)

G Hume3-0-18-1

17.60

Persists on the full and wide line outside off to Matthew Breetzke who swings hard for the drive but fails to connect. Just 5 runs off the over. 23 needed off 12 balls now.

17.51

Yorker length delivery, angled in, just outside off. Mulder skips down the pitch to hack it across the line but gets an inside edge onto the pad that further rolls toward point for one.

17.41

Pitched full, around off. Matthew Breetzke gets low and drives it to deep cover for a single.

17.41wd

WIDE! Graham Hume tries the full and wide ball again but lands it well outside the tramline. Matthew Breetzke drives and misses. Another wide.

17.30

Full and outside the off-stump. Breetzke opens the face of the bat and throws his bat at it but misses and falls over on the pitch.

17.31wd

WIDE! Slower delivery on a length way outside off. Breetzke lets it go. Wide signaled.

17.20

Pitched full, outside off. Matthew Breetzke attempts the reverse but does not connect.

17.21nb

NO BALL! Lands it full and well outside the pitch. Matthew Breetzke flays and misses. No ball signaled and a free hit is coming up.

17.10

Full-length delivery, just outside the tramline. Matthew Breetzke steps across for the drive but fails to connect.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 168/4

M Breetzke50 (34)

W Mulder7 (3)

C Campher2-0-19-0

16.61

Maiden T20I fifty for Matthew Breetzke. Slower length ball, angled into the middle. Matthew Breetzke makes room and taps it to point for a single.

16.52

Slower bumper, into the surface. Matthew Breetzke swats it through mid-wicket for a double.

16.41

Full on the middle and leg. Mulder flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

16.32

Back of a length, angled into the leg pole. Mulder skips down the pitch and tucks it through square leg for a couple.

16.24

FOUR! Excellent Shot! On a length, outside off. Mulder plays it late and times it through the backward point region for a boundary.

16.11

Full-length delivery, wide outside off. Matthew Breetzke strokes it to deep extra cover for a single.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 157/4

T Stubbs9 (6)

M Breetzke46 (31)

M Adair3-0-26-1

15.6W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Tristan Stubbs is visibly frustrated here as he nicks one behind. South Africa lose a wicket against the run of play here. Ireland might still have some hope for a comeback. It is a length ball, outside off, angling across. Tristan Stubbs wants to continue with his aggression, he swings hard through the line but only to get a thick outside edge. Neil Rock with a solid catch behind the stumps. Wiaan Mulder is the new man in.

15.61wd

WIDE! It is full, but wide outside off. Infact, it goes past the tramline. The umpire extends his arms without any hesitation.

15.52

Full ball, around off. Stubbs drives it through covers for a brace.

15.44

FOUR! Cracking shot. Back of a length, outside off. Tristan Stubbs gets on top of it and slaps it hard through covers for a fine boundary.

15.31

A full toss, outside off. Matthew Breetzke slices it towards deep backward point. They take a single.

15.31wd

WIDE! The umpire signals a wide as Mark Adair sprays this one down the leg side.

15.24

FOUR! Nicely played. This is overpitched, outside off. Matthew Breetzke presses forward, gets under the wall and flays it over mid off for a boundary.

15.11

Tristan Stubbs hangs back to this good-length ball and cuts it towards deep point. One take before the fielder in the deep deals with it.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 143/3

M Breetzke41 (29)

T Stubbs2 (2)

B White4-0-45-1

14.66

SIX! What a hit. It is looped up, full and outside off. Matthew Breetzke extends his arm and bludgeons it over the cover fence. This goes flat and hard over the boundary ropes. South Africa 53 runs in 30 balls.

14.51

A bit short, on the pads. Tristan Stubbs flicks it to square leg for one.

14.51wd

WIDE! Pushed through quicker, wide outside off, turning away as well, which takes it past the tramline. Wide called.

14.41

Short, top of off. Matthew Breetzke makes some room and cuts it through point. One taken.

14.30

Length ball, around off, blocked out.

14.20

Pushed through quicker, around off. Matthew Breetzke uses his feet and drives it straight to Paul Stirling at extra covers.

14.12

A bit short, around middle turning in. Matthew Breetzke swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket along the ground. Fionn Hand fumbles in the deep which allows the batters to come back for the second run.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 132/3

M Breetzke32 (24)

T Stubbs1 (1)

M Humphreys4-0-30-1

13.61

Matthew Breetzke hangs back to this short ball and cuts it to deep point for another single. A wicket-taking over from Matthew Humphreys comes to an end.

13.51

Length ball, in the channel. Stubbs punches it to long off with a straight bat. They take a single.

Tristan Stubbs is the new batter.

13.4W

OUT! TIMBER! Aiden Markram tries to get fancy, but pays the price this time. Matthew Humphreys picks up his first wicket of this series. It is quicker, and fuller, around off, angling in as well. Aiden Markram goes for the reverse-hit but only manages to connect with thin air. The ball brushes the pads and goes on to crash into the stumps.

13.31

Quicker and full, on middle. Matthew Breetzke pushes it to the right of the bowler. They take a single.

13.20

An arm ball, on off, blocked out.

13.11

Flat ball, outside off. Markram chops it through point for one.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 128/2

A Markram7 (3)

M Breetzke30 (21)

B White3-0-34-1

12.61

Aiden Markram now pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket. They get a single.

12.56

SIX! BOOM! Aiden Markram opens his account with a biggie. White with a half-tracker, on off. Aiden Markram goes deep, winds up and smokes it over the cow corner region for a maximum.

12.40

A googly from White, outside off. Markram looks to push it away but gets it to mid-wicket off the inside edge.

Aiden Markram walks in at number 4.

12.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! Ben White picks up a huge wicket of Reeza Hendricks. This should give Ireland some confidence. It is looped up, full and outside off. Dipping as well. Reeza Hendricks prods and ends up chipping it towards Paul Stirling at extra covers. The Irish skipper, gets two hands on it, juggles it once and gathers it safely eventually.

12.21

Flatter one, outside off. Matthew Breetzke chops it to point. One taken.

12.16

SIX! This is a top spinner, full and on off. Matthew Breetzke gets on his front foot and tonks it towards wide long on for a maximum. This is sensational batting.

Runs Scored 17 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 114/1

R Hendricks51 (31)

M Breetzke23 (19)

F Hand2-0-35-0

11.64

FOUR! Reeza Hendricks brings up his half-century in fine fashion. This is a dipping full toss, outside off. Reeza Hendricks swings hard at it. The ball runs through the gap at short third. Third boundary of the over.

11.51

Way too full, outside off, angling past the tramline. Matthew Breetzke steps across once again, and gets it to deep backward point. They cross for one.

11.40

Hand nails the wide yorker this time. Matthew Breetzke shuffles across and tries to smack it away but gets beaten.

11.31

A length ball, outside off. Reeza Hendricks flays it over extra covers for a single.

11.24

FOUR! Consecutive boundaries. It is a wild full toss, outside off. Reeza Hendricks throws his bat at it. The ball catches the outside edge and runs down deep third for four more.

11.14

FOUR! Fionn Hand continues to miss his line and length here. This is too straight and full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks opens up the face, it catches the top-edge and flies over short third. Races away to the boundary.

11.11wd

WIDE! Three wides on the trot.100 up for the Proteas here. It is way too full, outside off, shaping away. Reeza Hendricks lets it be. Wided.

11.11wd

WIDE! Another wide here as Fionn Hand sprays it past the tramline outside off. The umpire extends his arms once again.

11.11wd

WIDE! Fionn Hand starts with a loosener here, he goes full, but way past the tramline. He wants to stay away from Reeza Hendricks' arc here.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 97/1

M Breetzke22 (17)

R Hendricks38 (27)

M Humphreys3-0-26-0

10.64

FOUR! A boundary to end the tidy over. Pitched-up delivery at the stumps. Breetzke stays leg side of the ball, drives it in the air, and over extra cover, the long off-fielder moves to his left, goes closer to the ball, and puts in the outstretched dive but fails to prevent the boundary.

10.51

Tosses it full on off. Hendricks comes down the pitch and eases it to wide of long-off.

10.41

Short and wide outside off, slapped to deep point for a single.

10.31

Shortens the length as Reeza Hendricks comes down the pitch and knocks it to long-off for one.

10.21

Tosses it on off, driven toward extra cover for a run.

10.11

Flat, outside off. Punched to sweeper cover for a single.

Time for Drinks! South Africa are 88/1 at the halfway stage of the game. The current partnership is building up nicely but they need a move on. The Require Rate is 10.8 and the Proteas have 9 wickets in hand. The Ireland bowlers on the other hand would look to break this partnership at the earliest. South Africa have done well to score at a good run rate, but this won't be enough to win the game. Rickelton batted well, scoring 36 off 22 balls. Hendricks has also performed well and remains unbeaten on 35 off 24 balls. Ireland will be looking to get Hendricks' wicket soon, and they will need to take a couple of wickets quickly.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 88/1

R Hendricks35 (24)

M Breetzke16 (14)

C Campher1-0-8-0

9.61

Pitched full on off. Reeza Hendricks eases it to long-off for one.

9.51

Bangs it short, on off. Matthew Breetzke swats it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.41

Low full toss angling in. Hendricks eases it to long-on for one.

9.31

Short of a length delivery around the fourth stump. Breetzke stays leg side of the ball, and punches it to the left of extra cover for a quick single.

9.20

Short and wide outside off. Breetzke cuts it firmly to the right of the diving backward point who saves a certain boundary.

9.14

FOUR! Nicely done! On a length, outside off. Matthew Breetzke guides it in the gap between short third and the backward point fielder for a boundary.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 80/1

M Breetzke10 (10)

R Hendricks33 (22)

B White2-0-20-0

8.61

Flatter leg break, outside off. Matthew Breetzke slaps it toward deep cover for a run.

8.51

Flatter on off. Hendricks pulls it toward deep mid-wicket one a single.

8.46

SIX! BOOM! Tosses it full on off. Reeza Hendricks slogs it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

8.31

Tad short, around off. Matthew Breetzke slaps it on the bounce to long-off for one.

8.21

Flatter on off. Knocked to long-on for one.

8.11

Pulls the length back as the sees Matthew Breetzke advancing down the track and he turns it toward mid-wicket for one.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 69/1

R Hendricks25 (19)

M Breetzke7 (7)

M Humphreys2-0-17-0

7.62

Tosses it full, around off. Reeza Hendricks makes room and drives it toward wide of long-off for a couple.

7.51

Short and wide outside off. Matthew Breetzke cuts it to deep cover for one.

7.41

Flat on off. Reeza Hendricks knocks it through covers for one.

7.31

Low full toss outside off. Matthew Breetzke skips down the pitch and drives it to deep point for a single.

7.21

Flat, around off. Reeza Hendricks carves it to deep point for one.

7.11

Flatter, outside off. Matthew Breetzke makes room and chops it to short third for a single.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 62/1

R Hendricks21 (16)

M Breetzke4 (4)

B White1-0-9-0

6.64

FOUR! BANG! Touch short and quick on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks is quick to pounce on it as he rocks back and pulls it powerfully to the deep square leg fence for a boundary to end the over.

6.51

Full and at the stumps. Breetzke punches it to cover for a run.

6.41

Drops it short, outside off. Pulled to long-on for a single.

6.31

Flatter on off. Punched to sweeper cover for a single.

6.21

Wrong'un, on the middle and leg. Reeza Hendricks turns it through square leg for a single.

6.11

Tad short, on the middle and leg. Matthew Breetzke pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Time for some leg spin. Ben White comes into the attack.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 53/1

R Hendricks15 (13)

M Breetzke1 (1)

G Hume2-0-13-1

5.60

Good length angled into off. Reeza Hendricks tucks it to short mid-wicket.

5.52

Back of a length, outside off. Reeza Hendricks gets on top of the bounce and punches it past the backward point fielder for a couple.

5.41

On a length, angled in on off. Matthew Breetzke taps it toward point for a single.

Matthew Breetzke is in at 3.

5.3W

OUT! TAKEN! Graham Hume draws first blood. Bowls the slower bumper into the shot, on the leg stump line. Ryan Rickelton makes room and is early into the shot. He miscues the pull toward backward square leg region where Curtis Campher comes in and makes no mistake this time. Ryan Rickelton departs after a breeezy start.

5.21

Is that OUT? Full-length delivery outside off. Reeza Hendricks lifts it toward the deep extra cover region. Curtis Campher comes in from the boundary and gets hold of the ball. He is unsure of the catch and throws it back into play. The umpires have gone upstairs to have a look. The replays confirm that the ball bounced before getting into the hands of Campher. No damage done.

5.10

Pitched full, outside off. Reeza Hendricks drags this toward short mid-wicket fielder.

Runs Scored 18 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 49/0

R Rickelton36 (21)

R Hendricks12 (9)

F Hand1-0-18-0

4.62

A couple to end the over. Short ball, on middle. Ryan Rickelton pulls it to deep square leg from inside the crease. Two runs taken.

4.50

A dot now! Hand goes full, on off. Ryan Rickelton drives it to point. The fielder there makes a half-stop.

4.46

SIX! BANG! Ryan Rickelton has his eye-in. Back of a length, in the channe;. Ryan Rickelton reads it well and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence.

4.30

Very full, outside off. Ryan Rickelton gets it into the leg side off the inside edge.

4.24

FOUR! EDGY! Back of a length, angling across, outside off. Ryan Rickelton goes for the cut. It catches the outside edge and flies towards deep third. One bounce and into the boundary.

4.16

SIX! Ryan Rickelton puts Hand under pressure instantly. It is way too full, wide of off. Ryan Rickelton extends his arms and tonks it over the long off fence for a maximum. Rickelton makes it look super easy.

Fionn Hand comes on with the ball.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 31/0

R Rickelton18 (15)

R Hendricks12 (9)

M Adair2-0-12-0

3.61

Back of a length, on top of off. Ryan Rickelton swivels and pulls it to deep square leg. One taken. 10 runs come from this over as well. South Africa are off to a promising start.

3.51

Full ball, aroud off. Reeza Hendricks shuffles across and tries to carve it through the line. The ball catches the inside edge and rolls into the leg side. One taken.

3.41

Mark Adair angles in a full-length ball, outside leg as he follows the batter. Ryan Rickelton pushes it towards mid on for one.

3.30

Short ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton cuts it to point, but not in the gap.

3.26

SIX! BOOM! Mark Adair dishes a short ball, outside off. Ryan Rickelton stands tall and smokes it over the bowler's head for a maximum.

3.11

Mark Adair comes over the wicket and starts with a length ball, outside off, jags back in a bit. Reeza Hendricks dabs it to the right of the keeper. One taken.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 21/0

R Rickelton10 (11)

R Hendricks10 (7)

G Hume1-0-9-0

2.62

A missed opportunity. It is short, wide of off. Ryan Rickelton hangs back and cuts it in the air to the left of point. The fielder dives to that side, gets a hand on it and parries it towards sweeper covers. The batters take two runs.

2.50

Another dot now. Hume serves it on a length, on top of off. Ryan Rickelton pushes it to covers from inside the crease.

2.40

Back of a length, outside off. Ryan Rickelton punches it to point but only to find the fielder.

2.36

SIX! This is stunning. Ryan Rickelton gets the first maximum of this run chase. This is too full and in the slot for Ryan Rickelton. He sends it sailing over the long on fence for a maximum.

2.31wd

WIDE! Graham Hume errs in his line this time, as he sprays it way past the tramline. Wide given.

2.20

Two dots on the trot now. Hume angles it across on a length this time. Ryan Rickelton uses his feet this time, but could not get any bat on it this time either.

2.10

This is a full ball, outside off, angling across as well. Ryan Rickelton tries to push it away but gets beaten.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 12/0

R Rickelton2 (5)

R Hendricks10 (7)

M Humphreys1-0-10-0

1.61

On the pads, Ryan Rickelton nudges it towards mid on. The baller gives it a chase. Enough time for the batters to cross. A positive over for South Africa. 10 runs comes from it.

1.51

Around off, pushed out for one.

1.44

FOUR! Up and over. This is tossed up, full and on off. Reeza Hendricks picks it up early and lofts it over the man at mid on. The ball trickles into the fence.

1.30

Back of a length, outside off. Reeza Hendricks looks to smack it through the line, but it catches the inner half and rolls in front of mid off. One taken.

1.24

FOUR! This is placed perfectly. Short ball, wide of off. Reeza Hendricks goes back and punches it through covers. The ball races away.

1.10

Short ball, outside off, angling in a bit. Reeza Hendricks cuts it to point off his back foot.

Matthew Humphreys will share the attack.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 2/0

R Hendricks1 (2)

R Rickelton1 (4)

M Adair1-0-2-0

0.61

Short ball, outside off. Reeza Hendricks cuts it over backward point. They take a single.

0.50

This is very off, on the off stump line, with some away swing. Reeza Hendricks gets squared up here.

0.41

South Africa and Ryan Rickelton are finally off the mark here. Good length, outside off, with some away shape on it. Ryan Rickelton taps it to point and crosses.

0.30

Full ball, around off. Ryan Rickelton jams it back to the bowler.

0.20

PEACH! Mark Adair angles in a length ball, around off. The one nips away sharply with some extra bounce. Ryan Rickelton hangs back, pushes the bat away from the body, but gets beaten on the outside edge here.

0.10

Mark Adair comes 'round the wicket for the left-hander. He dishes a length ball, outside off, Ryan Rickelton just watches it sail past him.

Commentary

Welcome back. The players and umpires make their way out to the middle. Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks are the openers for South Africa. Mark Adair has the ball in hand for Ireland. Here we go!

...THE RUN CHASE...

Right then, South Africa needs 196 to take the series 2-0. Can they chase it and make a clean sweep or will the Irish bowlers have a better outing today? Let's find out together. Join us in a bit for the second essay.

Paul Stirling is in for a quick word. He says that it was a good start, and there was talk of building partnerships, which they did, but perhaps a few opportunities were left out there. States that the basics of cricket remain the same: you want the player hitting well to stay, while the other rotates the strike. However, they didn't finish well. The focus was on working through partnerships, and Ross played exceptionally, delivering one of the best knocks in an Irish shirt in a T20I.

For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi and Patrick Kruger were economical and took a wicket each while Wiaan Mulder snapped a couple but was on the expensive side. The Proteas were taken to the cleaners in the first half of the innings but did a commendable job of getting back in the game with a few tidy overs and picking key wickets at the right time.

A solid batting effort from Ireland has helped them post a formidable score of 195 for 6 in their 20 overs. Having asked to bat yet again, their openers did a splendid job and added 137 for the first wicket inside 13 overs. Paul Stirling made a blistering fifty while Ross Adair slammed a terrific ton. The Irish lost their way once the openers were dismissed and did not get the desired finish, just like the first T20I. George Dockrell swung his bat and stuck a few lusty blows to take his side to a brilliant total but they would have got 10-20 more runs after the start they had got with the bat.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 195/6

G Dockrell20 (13)

F Hand4 (5)

L Williams4-0-35-1

19.61

A single to end the innings. Full ball, outside off. Dockrell works it through point. They get a single. A very neat final over from Lizaad Williams. Ireland end under 200. They will be gutted going into the break.

19.51

BYE! Lizaad Williams nails the yorker here, outside off. Hand looks to tonk it away but it catches the inner half and dies in front of the keeper. Ryan Rickelton fumbles behind the stumps. The batters take a single.

19.41

Williams dishes a length ball, outside off. Dockrell throws his bat at it, and the ball goes towards deep third off the outer half. One taken.

19.32

Full ball, around off. Dockrell uses his feet and thumps it past the bowler. Two runs taken. These two are running hard.

19.22

A length ball, outside off. George Dockrell carves it over point. The batters push hard for the first one and gets the second one in as well. This is what Ireland need.

19.11

Full ball, angled into the pads. Hand clips it through the gap at mid-wicket for one.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 187/6

F Hand2 (3)

G Dockrell14 (9)

P Kruger4-0-31-1

18.61

Slower and fuller, on middle and leg. Hand flicks it towards long on and takes a single.

18.51

George Dockrell pulls this short ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

18.44

FOUR! A much-needed boundary. Kruger goes full, sliding down leg. Dockrell tickles it down to fine leg for four runs,

18.31

Full ball, on off. Hand thumps it down the park for one.

18.20

Short ball, on top of the stumps. Hand looks to free his arms, but gets no bat on it.

18.11W

OUT! RUN OUT! This is poor running. Short ball, on middle. Mark Adair whips it towards deep square leg and calls for two runs instantly. Although the throw from Matthew Breetzke from the deep is on the money. Ryan Rickelton grabs it and dislodges the bails to find Adair short of the crease. Fionn Hand walks in at number 8.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 179/5

M Adair2 (2)

G Dockrell9 (7)

L Ngidi4-0-23-1

17.61

Good length, on the pads. Mark Adair flicks it into the leg side for one. Ireland haven't scored a boundary since 11 deliveries. Once again, they are losing they way in the death.

17.51

Slower one, full and outside off. George Dockrell pushes it towards extra covers and hares off for one.

17.41

Short one, on off. Adair pulls it into mid-wicket for one.

17.3W

OUT! CLEANED UP! Lungi Ngidi is a happy man here, as he finally gets himself in the wicket's column. Slower ball, full and on middle, angling in as well. Neil Rock backs away and tries to hit it through the line but ends up playing the wrong line here. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the furniture behind. Mark Adair walks in at number 7.

17.20

Lungi Ngidi rolls his finger over this one, pitches it full, on the fifth stump line. Rock steps outside the crease and tries to smack it through the line but misses.

17.10

Slower one, on a length, outside off. Rock tries to chase it but misses.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 176/4

N Rock1 (1)

G Dockrell8 (6)

W Mulder4-0-51-2

16.61

Neil Rock gets off the mark instantly. It is a length ball, outside off. Rock slaps it through point for a single.

Neil Rock comes out to bat now.

16.5W

OUT! CAUGHT! Ireland are losing wickets in cluster now. Curtis Campher has to depart on a golden duck. It is full, angled into the pads, but with no pace on it. Curtis Campher tries to smoke it away but mistimes it towards long on. Tristan Stubbs there settles under it and takes a sharp catch.

16.51wd

WIDE! Slower ball, full, sliding down leg. Curtis Campher misses it. Wide called.

16.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! It does not matter, as Wiaan Mulder gets the big fish here. Ross Adair walks back after a well made century. It is a good-length ball, around off. Ross Adair hoicks it across the line and hits it towards deep mid-wicket, but does not get the power on it. Matthew Breetzke takes it cleanly in the deep. Curtis Campher is the new man in.

16.31

Another one bites the dust, as George Dockrell has to walk back on a low score. WAIT! The umpire isn't convinced with the catch and takes it upstairs. Mulder serves is short, on off, moving in a bit. George Dockrell stands tall, and heaves it across the line. The ball flies towards deep square leg. Bjorn Fortuin runs in from the deep, slides in front of him, gets both hands under the ball, but the momentum, takes it low and cross to the field. It brushes the turf, and the final decision is a NOT OUT. One taken.

16.21

HUNDRED FOR ADAIR! He was sensational in the first game as well, and has picked things up from where he left off in this one. Length ball, around off. Ross Adair pushes it out and takes a single.

16.27nb

NO BALL AND SIX! Ross Adair moves to 99 now. Wiaan Mulder serves a full toss, on off. Ross Adair comes down the wicket, and bludgeons it over the deep square leg fence. This is high and goes way into the stands. The umpire signals a no ball for height. FREE HIT coming up.

16.21wd

WIDE! Slower bouncer this time, but it bounces over the batter's head. The umpire signals a wide.

16.11

Short one, outside off, with no pace on it. Dockrell pulls it to mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 163/2

G Dockrell6 (4)

R Adair93 (55)

L Williams3-0-27-1

15.61

Good length, outside off. George Dockrell stays back and cuts it hard towards deep point. One taken.

15.52

Back of a length, on off. George Dockrell mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

15.41

Pitched up, outside off. Adair thumps it down to long off for a run.

15.31

Good length, around middle. George Dockrell makes some room and taps it to covers for one.

15.22

Full length, outside off. Dockrell drives it through covers for two runs.

George Dockrell comes out to bat now.

15.1W

OUT! TIMBER! Lizaad Williams comes back into the attack and makes an instant impact. It is a length ball, that lands outside off. The ball nips in a touch. Harry Tector is caught inside the crease. He looks to flick it away but ends up playing all around it. Eventually the ball sneaks through the gap at rattles the stumps.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 156/1

H Tector5 (6)

R Adair92 (54)

P Kruger3-0-23-1

14.61

A length ball, around middle. Tector tucks it towards fine leg. One taken.

14.50

Length ball, around off, defended out solidly.

14.41

It is fuller, tailing into the pads. Adair gets an inside edge on to the pads. They take a single.

14.31

Harry Tector now pulls this short ball to deep square leg for one.

14.22

Full ball, angled in around middle. Tector lofts it over mid off. They take two runs.

14.11

Slower and shorter, on off. Adair mishits it to the right of the bowler. They take a single.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 150/1

R Adair90 (52)

H Tector1 (2)

W Mulder3-0-38-0

13.61

Full again, on off. Adair hits it over the bowler's head. The fielder at long off cut it out for just a single.

13.54

FOUR! Nicely played. It is pitched up, outside off. Adair stands tall and lofts it over covers for a fine boundary.

13.41

On the pads, tucked into the leg side by Tector for one.

13.30

This is full, around off. Tector stabs it into the off side. Adair ventures out looking for a single, but he was sent back just in time to avoid any mishap.

13.21

LANDS SHORT! Ross Adair riding on his luck here. It is a good-length ball, on off. Ross Adair swings hard across the line, but it catches the thick outside edge and lobs up towards point. Ryan Rickelton tries to rush in, but even a dive could not get him there in time.

13.16

SIX! Is it dropped? Wiaan Mulder dishes it full, wide of off. Ross Adair extends his arms and slashes it hard. The ball lobs up towards deep point. Lizaad Williams rushes to his left in the deep, gets two hands on it, but the ball spills out of his palms and lands past the ropes. A chance goes abegging here for the Proteas.

Harry Tector comes in at number 3.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 137/1

P Stirling52 (31)

R Adair78 (48)

P Kruger2-0-17-1

12.6W

OUT! CAUGHT! Patrick Kruger outsmarts Paul Stirling with a slower one here and gets rid of him. Patrick Kruger dishes a bouncer, but with no-pace on the delivery. Paul Stirling stays behind, throws his bat at it, but only manages to get a thick outside edge. Ryan Rickelton takes a sharp catch behind the stumps. South Africa have finally got the breakthrough, and they will look to build on it now.

12.51

Patrick Kruger follows the batter outside leg with a full ball. Ross Adair flicks it through mid on. One taken.

12.41

Paul Stirling knocks this length ball into the off side for one.

12.32

FIFTY FOR THE SKIPPER! A really great knock from Paul Stirling. Ireland missed this in the first game. This is his first half-ton after 20 T20I games as well. He has broken the curse. Short ball, on off. Paul Stirling pulls it through the gap at mid-wicket. They take two runs.

12.21

Back of a length, outside off. Adair shuffles and pulls it over backward square leg. It meets the fielder on a bounce. The batters take a single.

12.11

Patrick Kruger now start with a length ball, around off. This one holds in the surface a bit. Paul Stirling waits for it and dabs it towards deep third. One taken. He moves to 49.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 131/0

P Stirling48 (27)

R Adair76 (46)

L Ngidi3-0-20-0

11.61

Slower ball, full and outside off. Paul Stirling opens the face and guides it towards point. One run taken. It has been a solid batting performance from Ireland. If they finish under 200, it will be very disappointing for them.

11.51

Full ball, tailing into the right-hander. Ross Adair digs it into the leg side and crosses.

11.44

FOUR! Up and over. Lungi Ngidi overpitches this time, and he sprays it wide of off as he sees the batter charge down the wicket. Ross Adair somehow manages to get to the ball, and slices it over covers for four runs.

11.30

Pace-on this time, Ngidi dishes it full, on the fifth stump line. Ross Adair winds up and looks to go downtown but fails to get any bat on it.

11.20

Touch shorter, but hardly any pace on offer. Adair only manages to push it into the off side.

11.11

It is a slower ball, full and outside off. Paul Stirling dabs it through backward point for one.

Change. Lungi Ngidi is back into the attack now.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 124/0

R Adair71 (42)

P Stirling46 (25)

N Peter2-0-29-0

10.62

It is angling in, around middle and leg. Ross Adair uses his feet and flicks towards deep mid-wicket. It lands short of the fielder who is charging in from the deep. They collect a brace.

10.50

Around off, blocked out solidly.

10.46

SIX! This one is flying. What a hit. Peter overpitches this time, but get no spin, as Adair is quick to get on to this. He gets under this one and smokes it over the long on fence.

10.30

CLOSE! Goes past the leg pole here. It is a googly, that lands around middle and spins past the leg stump. Adair tries to tonk it away but gets no bat on it.

10.26

SIX! BANG! Ross Adair gets a hold of this one. It is tossed up, full and on off. Ross Adair gets low and dispatches it over the long on fence for a maximum.

10.10

Flatter one, outside off. Adair goes back and chops it towards point.

Time for Drinks! Ireland are off to a rollicking start as their openers have added an unbeaten 110 runs in 10 overs. Ross Adair has got to his fifty while Paul Stirling is nearing his milestone. South Africa needs to get rid of this partnership quickly or else they will have a daunting score to chase.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 110/0

P Stirling46 (25)

R Adair57 (36)

W Mulder2-0-25-0

9.64

FOUR! Good attempt though by the fielder in the deep! Short and wide, Paul Sterling slashes it over backward point. The fielder dives to his left but fails to stop it as the ball races away.

9.54

FOUR! Well played! Fuller one, just outside off, Paul Sterling picks it well and creams it past extra covers for a boundary!

9.40

Length, outside off, Paul Sterling looks to slap it but misses.

9.32

A low full toss, outside off, Paul Sterling slashes it through point. The fielder in the deep makes a full stretched dive to his right and stops it. Just two runs!

9.21

Too full, outside off, Ross Adair taps it to point for one.

9.11lb

Lands it outside off, Paul Sterling looks to flick it but the ball deflects off his pads towards square leg. They cross.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 98/0

R Adair56 (35)

P Stirling36 (20)

B Fortuin2-0-24-0

8.66

SIX! Ross Adair is creating problems here for South Africa! Lands it on off, Ross Adair moves forward and lifts it magnificently over long off for a biggie.

8.50

Full, outside off, Ross Adair taps it to the cover fielder.

8.40

Quicker, on middle, Ross Adair blocks it back.

8.36

SIX! Fifty up for Ross Adair and what a way to get it! Short, on middle, Ross Adair gets low and slogs it elegantly over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

8.20

Short and wide, Ross Adair cuts it to the point fielder.

8.11lb

Lands it down leg, Paul Sterling looks to flick it but the ball clips his pads and rolls towards short fine. They cross.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 85/0

R Adair44 (30)

P Stirling36 (19)

P Kruger1-0-11-0

7.62

Full, outside off, Ross Adair reaches out to it and steers it over covers for a brace.

7.50

Length, down leg, Ross Adair looks to flick it but wears it on his pads.

7.51wd

Wide! Too full, way outside off, Ross Adair leaves.

7.46

SIX! That has gone miles! Short, on middle, Ross Adair is severe on it. He picks it well and plunders it over the deep mid-wicket fence.

7.30

A yorker, right into the blockhole, Ross Adair digs it back to the bowler.

7.21

Too full, outside off, Paul Stirling reaches out to it and steers it past point for one more.

7.11

Back of a length, on middle, Ross Adair rocks back and tugs it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 74/0

R Adair35 (25)

P Stirling35 (18)

N Peter1-0-15-0

6.61

Shorter again, on middle, Ross Adair hangs back and nudges it towards mid-wicket for one.

6.52

Quicker, shorter, on leg, Ross Adair helps it fine for a brace.

6.40

Quicker one, just outside off, Ross Adair looks to slap it but gets beaten. That just missed the off pole!

6.36

SIX! In the slot and that has been dismissed! Lands it on middle, Ross Adair dances down the wicket and lofts it magnificently over long on for a biggie.

6.24

FOUR! Well timed stroke! Short and wide, Ross Adair reads the length early and slaps it past point for a boundary.

6.12

Streaky! Lands it outside off, with some turn, Ross Adair looks to punch it but edges it to third man for a brace.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 59/0

P Stirling35 (18)

R Adair20 (19)

L Williams2-0-20-0

5.60

Length, on middle and leg, Paul Stirling tucks it to the square leg fielder.

5.54

FOUR! Shot! Short and down leg, Paul Stirling swivels and pulls it magnificently over short fine for a boundary.

5.40

Length, angling in, Paul Sterling eases it to the cover fielder.

5.34

FOUR! Well played! Made the most of the free hit. Too full, on off, Paul Sterling opens the face of the bat and steers it through point for a boundary.

Lizaad Williams has overstepped and the celebrations turn into agony from the pacer. Ross Adair gets a lifeline.

5.32nb

NO BALL!  Bowls it short, angling in. Ross Adair miscues the pull to Kruger at the deep mid-wicket boundary who takes a sharp catch but the replays show that Williams has overstepped. No ball signaled. Free hit coming up.

5.21

Full on the pad, clipped through mid-wicket for a single.

5.11

Full and at the stumps. Drilled to long-on for one.

5.11wd

WIDE! Full and angling down the leg. Ross Adair plays and misses. Wide signaled.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 46/0

R Adair18 (17)

P Stirling26 (13)

L Ngidi2-0-13-0

4.61

Back of a length, angling in. Ross Adair knocks it toward long-on for one.

4.50

Pitched full, on off. Ross Adair drills it toward mid-off and looks to take the run. Stirling is half way down but the poor throw from Markram allows him to get back.

4.40

Slower and fuller outside off. Ross Adair plays and misses.

4.34

FOUR! UP AND OVER! Pitched full on the middle and leg. Ross Adair lifts it over the man at mid on for a boundary.

4.20

Dipping slower ball on the leg pole. Ross Adair is late to bring his bat down and gets stuck on the pad. Appeal but this was going down.

4.11

Slower length ball, on off. Paul Stirling waits and taps it past point for one.

4.11wd

WIDE! Full and sliding down the leg. Stirling flicks at it but misses. The keeper does well to dive to his left and stop it. Wide signaled by the umpire.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 39/0

R Adair13 (12)

P Stirling25 (12)

B Fortuin1-0-12-0

3.66

SIX! HIGH AND HANDSOME! Tosses it on the middle and leg. Adair skips down and lofts it over the long-on fence for half a dozen. Massive hit that.

3.50

Fired in at the stumps. Ross Adair bunts it back at the bowler.

3.41

Full on the middle and leg. Eased to long-on for one.

3.34

FOUR! BANG! Short and wide outside off. Paul Stirling makes room and slaps it through point for a boundary.

3.21

Fired on the middle and leg. Ross Adair works it through mid-wicket for one.

3.10

Flatter, around off. Knocked into covers.

Bjorn Fortuin comes on now.

Runs Scored 14 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 27/0

R Adair6 (8)

P Stirling20 (10)

W Mulder1-0-14-0

2.61

Pitched full and follows the batter outside leg. Ross Adair bunts it to cover-point for a single.

2.50

Length, angling down the leg. Clips the pad of Ross Adair on the way to the keeper as he misses the flick.

2.41

Back of a length on off. Paul Stirling hops and taps it toward point for a single.

2.32

Full again and a hint of away swing around off. Driven toward deep backward point region for a brace.

2.24

FOUR! CREAMED! Pitched full, outside off. Stirling leans forward and drives it elegantly through covers for a sublime boundary.

2.16

SIX! WHAT A SHOT! Pitched full, outside off. Paul Stirling reaches for it and slams it over the deep point fence for half a dozen.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 13/0

P Stirling7 (6)

R Adair5 (6)

L Williams1-0-7-0

1.61

Full on the pad, clipped toward deep square leg for one.

1.54

FOUR! Excellent Timing! On a fullish length, around off. Paul Stirling opens the bat's face and times it through the point region. It races away to the ropes.

1.40

Back of a length nipping into the right-hander. Stirling pulls at it early and gets the inside edge of the bat onto the body.

1.30

Full-length delivery on the leg. Paul Stirling bunts it to mid-on.

1.21

Short ball, angled into the body. Ross Adair miscues the pull toward deep backward square leg for one.

1.11

Back of a length, outside off. Paul Stirling punches it past the point fielder for a single.

Lizaad Williams will share the attack.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 6/0

R Adair4 (5)

P Stirling1 (1)

L Ngidi1-0-6-0

0.60

Good length delivery again, on off. Ross Adair keeps it out.

0.50

On a length, angled in on off. Ross Adair blocks from the crease.

0.44

FOUR! BANG! Pitched full, in the slot. Ross Adair drills it through the mid-off region for a cracking boundary.

0.41wd

WIDE! Slower length ball, wide outside the tramline. Left alone by Ross Adair. Wide signaled.

0.30

Pitched full, outside off. Ross Adair skips down the pitch, heaves and misses.

0.20

Short of a length, wide outside off. Ross Adair slashes hard and misses.

0.11

Pitched full and a hint of away swing, around off. Paul Stirling drives it uppishly toward backward point for a single.

All in readiness now as the teams and the umpires make their way out to the ground. Paul Stirling and Ross Adair to open for Ireland. Lungi Ngidi has the ball in hand. We are moments away from the live action.

Paul Stirling says that they need to do better than game one and bat better. Adds he is happy with the youngster’s performance and needs to do a better job with the ball. Ends by adding the change with Graham Hume coming in for Craig Young.

Aiden Markram, the South African skipper says that they will bowl first.  Adds that he expects the surface the play similar to the first game. Shares that they want to do better in the powerplay with the ball and set the tone. He Mentions Ryan Rickelton as a big positive and he is glad for him to get the runs and hoping for him to carry on. Ends by adding the One change, Ngidi in for Baartman.

South Africa (Playing XI) - Ryan Rickelton(WK), Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram(C), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi ( in place of Ottneil Baartman)

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling(C), Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock(WK), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Ben White, Graham Hume (in place of Craig Young)

TOSS UPDATE - South Africa have won the toss and opted to BOWL.

On the flip side, South Africa did not have the best of starts with the ball but they did well to close the innings on a high. Patrick Kruger starred with four wickets while Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks slammed impressive fifties at the top of the order to make the chase simple. They failed to close the game but set a good platform for Markram and Breetzke to finish the formalities. So, can Ireland script a comeback or will South Africa prove to be strong for their opposition? Let’s find out. Toss and team news coming shortly.

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of the second and final T20I of the series between Ireland and South Africa from the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Proteas started the series with a fine win and will hope to make it 2-0 while Ireland will want to put in a better effort and square the series. In game one, Ireland were asked to bat first and they posted 171 for 8 on the back of runs from Curtis Campher, Neil Rock, and George Dockrell. Paul Stirling-led side were well on course to breach the 200-run mark with a couple of quiet overs at the backend that did not allow them to finish well. With the ball, the Irish bowlers had no answer to the hitting from the Proteas opening duo. They did pick a couple of wickets but the opposition got home with more than two overs to spare.  

...MATCHDAY...

Ireland face a quick turnaround as they gear up for the second and final T20I of the series at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Proteas established their dominance in the series opener, securing an unassailable lead. Aiden Markram and his team will be keen to replicate that performance and complete a clean sweep, while Ireland will look to level the series and carry some momentum into the upcoming three-match ODI series. In the first T20I, after being asked to bat, Ireland got off to a promising start but faltered as they lost wickets at regular intervals. This prevented them from building any real momentum during the middle overs and they couldn't finish strongly. Despite that, they posted a competitive total, but their bowling efforts fell short. In pursuit of 172, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks took full advantage of Ireland’s indiscipline with the ball, putting the game out of reach. The Proteas chased down the target in just 17.4 overs, marking the highest successful run chase in T20Is at this venue. Ireland's top order, featuring Ross Adair, Harry Tector, and captain Paul Stirling, failed to make a significant impact in the first game and will need to step up. Curtis Campher and Neil Rock showed promise and will have to ensure that once they get in, they capitalize on it. With the ball, Ireland’s bowlers struggled to back their batters, placing the onus on Mark Adair and Craig Young in the pace department. While Matthew Breetzke was tidy, Ben White will need to tighten up after a wayward performance. For South Africa, it was a collective bowling effort, with Patrick Kruger shining with a four-wicket haul. Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi missed out on the last game and could feature to get some game time ahead of the ODI series. Ireland, on the other hand, will be hoping for the return of Lorcan Tucker, who missed the first T20I due to injury, as his presence would bolster the batting lineup. With Ireland eager to make amends and South Africa aiming for a sweep, this promises to be an exciting encounter. Who are you rooting for?