Williams, Rickelton guide Proteas to victory over Ireland in first ODI

South Africa claimed a comfortable 139-run victory over Ireland in the opening One Day International (ODI) of their three-match series on Wednesday evening.

The Proteas had a few scares with the bat, pinned back with three wickets down on only 39 in the ninth over and then again on 212 for seven in the 42nd over. But on both occasions they fought back, eventually setting a solid total of 271 for nine in their allotted 50 overs.

Ryan Rickelton (91 off 102) and Tristan Stubbs (79 off 86) were responsible for the first fight-back, as both batters scored their maiden international half-centuries in the format.

Later, the tail of Bjorn Fortuin (28 off 34), Lizaad Williams (13 off 11) and Lungi Ngidi (20 off 17 not out) carried the team to a respectable total.

South Africa’s quick bowlers, led by Williams, broke the back of Ireland’s chase with accurate swing and seam bowling under lights at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.

All five bowlers used by skipper Temba Bavuma were in the wickets as they bowled out Ireland for 132 runs with 28.1 overs remaining.

Williams was the standout as he recorded career-best figures of four wickets while conceding only 32 runs with one maiden in his 10 overs.

Ireland’s batters largely rolled over to South Africa’s impressive fast bowlers, with most struggling to get in line with the moving ball.

South Africa’s Lizaad Williams starred with the ball in the first ODI against Ireland, taking 4-32. (Photo: Daniel Prentice / Gallo Images)

South Africa’s batting innings got off to a torrid start with Tony de Zorzi (12 off 14) falling early to a short-ball plan by Mark Adair, who was the pick of the Irish bowlers.

South Africa’s most experienced batters, Bavuma (four off four) and Rassie van der Dussen (0) – the latter playing in his first ODI since December 2023 – fell within an over of each other and left the team in a precarious position.

Adair baited Van der Dussen into an edge behind with an away swinger while Craig Young cleaned up Bavuma with a brilliant inswinger.

But Stubbs in his fifth ODI and Rickelton in his third dropped anchor and played more conservatively to overcome the moving ball.

“When Tristan came and joined me we were in a spot of bother,” Rickelton, who was named player of the match, said. “We just spoke about trying to hone into our Test match skills, tighten up and look to bat for a period of time and take some time out of the game.

“Naturally we score quite quickly so we always knew we’d be able to catch up.

“Luckily we could both get through that initial difficult phase and manage to put on a nice partnership.”

Both players eventually freed their shoulders once set, digging into the spin of Gavin Hoey and Andy McBrine particularly. Stubbs stroked two majestic fours and four sixes while Rickelton bludgeoned seven fours and three sixes.

But after their exquisite 152-run partnership off only 155 balls, they fell in successive overs, with all-rounders Andile Phehlukwayo (one off seven) and Wiaan Mulder (11 off 18) falling shortly after to leave South Africa scrambling for a decent finish to the innings.

But the bowlers obliged, seeing out the last eight overs while adding 59 runs.

In reply, Ireland’s batters failed to deal with the pronounced swing with the new ball.

Opener Andy Balbirnie (20 off 28), South African born Curtis Campher (20 off 36) and George Dockrell (21 off 32) were the only Irish batters to get into the 20s.

Ngidi secured the opening breakthrough, getting captain Paul Stirling with a wide swinging delivery that the skipper dragged onto his stumps. A lack of footwork failed the skipper – a trend that would filter through to the rest of his team.

Williams, from the other end, bowled his opening eight overs on the trot and picked up three wickets for his selfless endeavour. Balbirnie, Campher and Harry Tector all fell to his accurate, sharp bowling.

Ottneil Baartman, on debut in the format for South Africa, maintained the pressure and was rewarded with a maiden wicket, that of keeper Stephen Doheny.

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Fortuin (two) and Mulder (one) got in on the act too, helping clean up the Irish batters, who put up little resistance.

Williams came back for his final two overs and for his maiden five-wicket haul in the format. Although looking threatening, he only claimed one more, that of McBrine.

There was a scare in the field when De Zorzi slid down trying to save a boundary and his right knee got caught in the outfield. Cricket South Africa confirmed that the opening batter has been sent for scans.

South Africa now have a perfect opportunity to break their 12-month white-ball series win drought when they play Ireland in the second ODI on Friday at the same venue. DM