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Top score: South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton with 91 points (Randy Brooks)
Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs scored half-centuries as South Africa defeated Ireland by 139 runs on Wednesday in the first of three one-day international matches.
With the win, the Proteas took revenge for their shock T20 loss to the same opponents last weekend, following their defeat in the ODI series against Afghanistan last month.
Rickelton led the batsmen in just his third appearance in this format, hitting 91 off 102 balls with seven fours and three sixes.
This was the 28-year-old’s highest score in international cricket, but his hopes of a maiden century were dashed when he dragged a ball from Andy McBrin into the stumps in the 35th over.
Stubbs, a middle-order batsman playing his fifth ODI, was similarly relentless against the Irish bowlers, hitting 79 off 86 balls with two fours and four sixes.
Both players helped save South Africa from the brink of 39-3, scoring 152 for the fourth wicket as the Proteas made 271-9 in 50 overs.
Leg-spinner Gavin Hoey endured a nightmare debut with 0-65 from 10 overs.
Mark Adair, who took four wickets in Ireland’s 10-run T20 win on Sunday, picked up a further four on Wednesday.
In response, Ireland struggled to make headway, losing their first five wickets for just 61 runs against fast bowlers Lizard Williams and Lungi Ngidi.
Only three Irish batsmen reached over 20 on Williams, playing his fifth ODI and finishing with a career-best 4-32 from 10 overs.
Ireland were eventually bowled out for 132 in 32 overs, with veteran all-rounder George Dockrell top-scoring with a modest 21.
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