Brothers in Arm Destroy WC 2024 Runners-up in Twenty20 Cricket

The Adair brothers, Ross and Mark, showcased their exceptional skills in Ireland’s first-ever T20 cricket victory over South Africa with a 10-run win on Sunday in the second and final match of the series.

Ross Adair's remarkable performance saw him scoring his first international century in just 57 deliveries, a feat that left the cricket world in awe. His dismissal in the very next ball did little to diminish the impact of his innings. Mark Adair, on the other hand, took 4-31 in his four-over tenure as Ireland levelled the series 1-1. 

Ireland posted 195 runs at a loss of 6 wickets during the 2nd T20I encounter, against which the Proteas were restricted to 185-9 at the Sheik Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Irish skipper Paul Stirling, along with Ross Adair, gave their side a monumental start, making an opening stand of 137 runs before Stirling was dismissed at the end of the 13th over. Adair’s century-bounded innings comprised nine sixes, but his team’s scoring slowed down after his dismissal in the 17th over.

Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke both scored 50-plus runs, but all went in vain as South Africa fell short of 10 runs to win the match. 

Mark Adair, in particular, played a pivotal role in setting up the historic victory for Ireland. His exceptional performance saw him picking up three wickets in the 19th over, a display of skill and determination that the Irish team and fans can be proud of.

The final over was bowled by Graham Hume, who conceded just seven runs and picked up a wicket, which led to a massive upset for the South African side. 

The two sides will face each other in three One-Day International matches in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, October 2.