After winning the toss, Bavuma decided to bowl first and drew first blood by dismissing the in-form Stirling. After that, Porterfield and the skipper Balbirnie stitched up a good partnership worth 87 runs. Both of them were settled but couldn't continue as they were dismissed in their 60's . Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets and 1 a piece for Shamsi and Phehlukwayo. The innings was all set for an exciting finish but the rain spoiled the game. With 10 more overs remaining in the inning, due to rain the umpires called for the covers and they called the match off after a couple of hours.
Image Courtesy: The Week
Takeaways
Ireland: A rare failure of Stirling came during this game. He has been in red hot touch in ODIs this year. His dismissal forced Porterfield to play a bit more cautiously even after being set. The veteran again proved his worth by building a crucial partnership and scoring a fifty for himself immediately after a return from his injury.
South Africa: The wickets column won't tell the story of how difficult it was to score off Ngidi. He bowled tight lines and lenghts throughout his spell. He would probably have got wickets in his remaining overs as he was set bowl in the death.
Returns
South Africa would've thought that they would win this game by beating a new-full time member of the ICC, so they gave an opportunity to the young Kyle Verreynne by resting Quinton de Kock but considering the way Ireland batted and the match being washed out which didn't allow Kyle to have a go, he might comeback in the next one to ensure that they don't lose this game. Since, the Irish batters put up a clinical performance with the bat, we expect no changes to be made in their playing XI.
Image Courtesy: Crictimes
Probable Playing XI
South Africa: de Kock (wk), A Markram, T Bavuma (c), Van der Dussen, D Miller, G Linde, A Phehlukwayo, K Maharaj, K Rabada, T Shamsi, L Ngidi
Ireland: P Stirling, W Porterfield, A Balbirnie (c), L Tucker (wk), M Adair, S Singh, G Dockrell, A Mcbrine, J Little, A Mcbrine, C Young
Fantasy Teams:
Safe XI: Quinton de Kock (c), P Stirling, A Balbirnie, Van der Dussen, D Miller, S Singh, A Mcbrine, K Maharaj, J Little, K Rabada (vc), T Shamsi
Risky XI: P Stirling (c), A Markram, W Porterfield, T Bavuma, L Tucker, M Adair, G Linde, G Dockrell, C Young, L Ngidi, T Shamsi (vc)