Centuries from Janneman Malan (177*) and Quinton de Kock (120) helped South Africa register a comprehensive 70-run win over Ireland in the third ODI at the Village, Dublin. It helped Temba Bavuma’s men to level the three-match 1-1 after the opening match was washed out.
Malan and de Kock forged a 225-run opening stand to get South Africa off to an excellent start. It was South Africa’s first 200-plus opening-wicket partnership in ODIs since 2000. Riding on that, they piled 346/4 after opting to bat. Barring the openers, Rassie van der Dussen (30) was the only South African to score in excess of 10.
Desperate for a win, South Africa brought in-form de Kock back in the line-up. De Kock did not disappoint. He smashed 11 fours and five sixes in his 91-ball 120 before Simi Singh (1-52) finally got him.
Wickets kept falling at the other end, but Malan remained till the end. He clattered 16 fours and six sixes in a career-best unbeaten 169-ball 177 to guide South Africa reach a mammoth total.
The chase was never on the cards for Ireland, especially after losing Paul Stirling (11) and Andy Balbirnie (7) early. Opening the bowling attack, Keshav Maharaj removed them both. Andy McBrine (9), too, departed cheaply as Ireland slumped to 27/3.
Harry Tector (29) and George Dockrell (15) added 54, but Andile Phehlukwayo (3-56) and Tabraiz Shamsi (3-46) then reduced Ireland from 81/3 to 92/6 in no time.
There was little contest left once Ireland’s middle order collapsed, but Curtis Campher and Simi Singh did not give up. The pair shared 104 for the seventh wicket before Phehlukwayo got Campher (54 off 54). Simi then batted with tail-enders to notch up his maiden ODI hundred. He was left stranded as Ireland were bowled out for 276 in 47.1 overs.
Brief Scores: South Africa 346/4 in 50 overs (Janneman Malan 177*; Josh Little 2-53) beat Ireland 276 in 47.1 overs (Simi Singh 100*; Tabraiz Shamsi 3-46) by 70 runs. Player of the Match: Janneman Malan.
South Africa level series 1-1. Player of the Series: Janneman Malan.