An incredible opening stand of 136 between Reeza Hendricks and Ryan Rickelton helped South Africa complete a comprehensive eight-wicket win with 14 balls to spare in the first T20 International against Ireland in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Set a challenging 172 to win, Hendricks (51 runs, 33 balls, 5x4, 3x6) and Rickelton (76 from 48) smashed the Irish attack to all parts of the ground as they scored at over 10 runs per over.
Top-scorer Rickelton was particularly destructive as he struck six maximums and three fours.
Though he was out through a soft dismissal as he reached for a widish delivery and caught at cover, he had done enough to see South Africa requiring just 34 from 37 balls.
A massive moment for Ryan Rickelton 👏![CDATA[]]>🔥
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 27, 2024
He earns his first half-century as a Protea👊
📺 Stream #IREvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/LOTuhyQTty
No problem
Even with the recent struggles of the Proteas batting lineup, chasing the remaining runs proved comfortable for Aiden Markram (17 from 12) and Matthew Breetzke (19 from 14) ending unbeaten.
After being sent in to bat, the Irish went hard at the South African attack right from the start of their innings.
Though the Proteas picked up two early wickets, only Ireland skipper Paul Stirling (2) missed out.
A third wicket partnership of 38 in 4.2 overs between Harry Tector (16) and top-scorer Curtis Campher (49 from 36) wrestled the advantage for Ireland. Left arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin struck to remove Tector, but that brought wicketkeeper Neil Rock (37 from 28) to the middle.
Together with Campher, the pair put on 59 for the fourth wicket in 6.5 overs to move Ireland to 123 after 13.2 overs.
A handy contribution of 21 from 16 by George Dockrell helped the Irish cause, but the momentum was stolen by South Africa in the last five overs as they restricted Ireland to 42/4 to end their innings on 171/8.
Patrick Kruger was the chief destroyer for South Africa at the death, which included a quite spectacular triple wicket maiden in the 20th over. The allrounder ended with impressive figures of 4/27.