In the first T20I in Abu Dhabi, South Africa defeated Ireland by an easy 8 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. In 13 overs, Ryan Rickelton (76) and Reeza Hendricks (51), the openers for South Africa, put on a 136-run partnership.
In the first T20I at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, South Africa defeated Ireland by eight wickets thanks to the bats of Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks. With 14 balls remaining, South Africa comfortably defeated Ireland’s 171 for 8, thanks to a brilliant opening partnership between Rickelton and Hendricks that set a record-breaking 136 runs.
With a career-high 76 runs scored by Rickelton and 51 from Hendricks, it was the highest opening pair for South Africa in a T20I match. With the aid of their outstanding effort, South Africa reached 174 for 2 in just 17.4 overs. When put to bat first, Ireland got off to a strong start. In the first over, Ross Adair faced South African bowler Lizaad Williams. He hit two fours and a six before being out for eighteen. Soon after, Ottneil Baartman bowled Captain Paul Stirling, but Curtis Campher’s aggressive 49 kept the Irish in the hunt.
Ireland rushed to 63 for 2 at the end of the PowerPlay as Harry Tector entered the fray and hit Williams for three straight boundaries. South Africa’s bowlers retaliated as the Irish innings went on. Towards the end, Patrick Kruger in particular caused havoc, taking four wickets for just 27 runs. After a scary situation of 153 for 4, his last-over heroics included three wickets, which helped reduce Ireland to a modest 171 for 8.
With a 59-run combination between Neil Rock (28) and Campher, the Irish middle order was steadied. However, after Campher was removed, Kruger took advantage of the situation and easily finished the innings. The South African openers did not lose any time in answering. Hendricks and Rickelton launched an early assault, with Hendricks hitting three boundaries against Mark Adair and Rickelton hitting two.
South Africa was leading 58-0 at the end of the PowerPlay, and the Proteas’ work only became simpler when the dew affected Ireland’s bowling grip. With a perfectly timed boundary, Rickelton reached his first international fifty, and Hendricks quickly followed suit, reaching his half-century before Craig Young trapped him in front. Despite the fact that both openers fell quickly after reaching their fifties, Aiden Markram (19*) and Matthew Breetzke (13*) saw the game through with ease, guaranteeing that South Africa finished the chase with 2.2 overs remaining.
The second and final T20I between the two countries will take place on Sunday. After that, attention will turn to a three-match ODI series.
