Skipper Stirling leads Ireland to ODI victory against South Africa

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Ireland captain Paul Stirling led from the front with an impressive 88 as his side completed their ODI series against South Africa with a convincing 69-run win in the final in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Chasing 285 to win, South Africa slipped to 126-6, with only a fine 91 from Jason Smith keeping them in the game.

But Smith couldn't stop the Irish from claiming only their second ODI victory over the Proteas.

“It’s a relief to get over it,” Stirling said.

“We talked about just winning the game and getting the job done. We were disappointed in the first two games. We knew if we put in the effort and kept our wickets in hand, we would get the runs.”

Johannesburg-born Graham Hume, who played for the South African Under-19s, was the pick of the Irish bowlers with 3-29, while Ulster-born Craig Young finished with 3-40.

South Africa won the ODI series 2-1, with both teams sharing the previous T20 series 1-1.

Stirling set the tone for Ireland's 284-9 after winning the toss and electing to bat.

This was in contrast to the first two games when Ireland were in the hunt and failed to last 32 overs as they scored 132 and 169 in response to South Africa's high scores.

On Monday, Stirling and Andy Balbirnie put on 101 for the first wicket before Balbirnie fell to Lizaad Williams, who scored a consistent 45 from 73 balls.

Curtis Campher accelerated with 34 off 36 balls before falling to Ottneil Baartman, who then bowled Stirling in his next over. The captain had hit three sixes and eight fours in his innings.

Harry Tector kept Ireland moving with a 48-ball 60 while Williams, the only South African bowler to complete his entire 10 overs, finished with 4-56.

South Africa's response soon faltered at 10-3 as Mark Adair substituted Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen to replace injured captain Temba Bavuma. Reeza Hendricks edged out Graham Hume to Balbirnie at second slip.

Kyle Verreynne (38) and Tristan Stubbs (20) steadied the innings with a 49-run partnership, but with Verreynne ahead of Young the wheels came off again.

At 126-6, South Africa had a chance to save themselves, but Smith made sure the Irish had to wait.

The 29-year-old from Western Province, who failed to score in his only other ODI against Afghanistan last month, seized his chance after being drafted after Wiaan Mulder returned home for personal reasons.

Smith hammered his 91 from 93 balls with nine fours and four sixes before cutting Hume to Adair at third man.

e.g./pb