Ireland vs South Africa in UAE

SA vs IRE, 1st ODI

Preview 

After the T20I series concluded with Ireland and South Africa sharing the honours, the focus shifts to the ODI leg. Ireland will head into this series with a whole lot of confidence. They will be keen to continue the winning momentum and translate their T20I success into 50-over cricket. South Africa on the other hand will see this series to prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. 

Ireland managed their maiden victory over the Proteas in this format the last time these sides met in an ODI series in Dublin in 2021. 

Wins like that and the one they just registered in the T20 series here bring a colossal shift in the way an associate nation like Ireland approaches challenging a giant like South Africa. The Irish side hasn’t gone through many changes since that series, with the core still intact.  Paul Stirling has done quite well as the skipper of the team, winning five out of eight matches. Harry Tector has been their standout batter over this period, averaging 58 and striking at 91 with five 100s from 33 matches.  Stirling, Andy Balbirne and Andy Mcbrine have made useful contributions at the top of the order, too. George Dockrell recognised for his clean ball striking has more than 700 runs under his belt with a high score of 91*. 

In the bowling department, the onus will be Craig Young and Andy McBrine who have picked up 30 and 28 wickets respectively in this period. Josh Little, their veteran pacer in this format, is not featuring in this series. 

South Africa’s bowling prowess may have loads of talent in their attack but are short on experience. Only Lungi Ngidi (33 matches) and Andile Phelukwayo (18 matches) have made more than 10 international caps from the squad that’s been named for this series. Bjorn Fortuin (7), Nadnre Burger (5), Lizaad Williams (4), Wiaan Mulder (8) and the newcomer Nqabayomzi Peter (2) have a combined 26 caps.

And Otteneil Baartman who has shown his mettle in the limited overs format has yet to make his debut in 50-over cricket. The inexperienced bowling lineup can pose a problem for them in the series opener.  Rassie Van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verrynne and Tony de Zorzi will be the key batters for them in this match.

Match Details 

Match: IRE vs RSA, 1st ODI, Ireland v South Africa in UAE, 2024

Date: Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM

Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Pitch and Weather Report

The ODI series will also played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium. The wicket is known for providing equal assistance to both batters and bowlers. Any score above 250 can prove challenging here.

The weather forecast for Wednesday looks reasonably good and we can likely witness a full match without any rain interruptions.

IRE vs SA Squads

IRE: Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny (wicket-keeper), Gavin Hoey, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Neil Rock (wicket-keeper), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wicket-keeper), Craig Young

SA: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton (wicket-keeper), Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Lizaad Williams

IRE vs SA Probable Playing XIs

IRE: Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling (c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Craig Young, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume.

SA: Temba Bavuma(c), Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickleton, Rassie van der Dussen, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne(w), Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lungi Ngidi

Match Prediction

We are backing SA to win this encounter and go one-up in the series.

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