Ross Adair emerged as the star for Ireland as they made history on Sunday by securing their maiden win over South Africa in men’s T20I cricket, clinching a 10-run victory in Abu Dhabi. This remarkable feat helped Ireland level the two-match T20I series at 1-1.
Adair’s stunning century powered Ireland to a solid total of 195/6 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, which proved to be too challenging for South Africa to chase down. Adair’s impressive innings consisted of five boundaries and nine towering sixes, taking him to a score of exactly 100 from 58 deliveries. He formed a formidable opening partnership with captain Paul Stirling, who contributed 52 runs, as the pair amassed a 137-run stand for the first wicket. This achievement made Adair only the third Irish player to hit a century in a men’s T20I match.
Prior to Adair, former skipper Kevin O’Brien reached this milestone by scoring 124 against Hong Kong in 2019, and Paul Stirling had become the second Irish player to hit a T20I century with his unbeaten 115 against Zimbabwe in 2021.
While Adair and Stirling’s partnership initially set Ireland on course for a score exceeding 200, disciplined bowling performances from South African bowlers Lungi Ngidi (1/23), Lizaad Williams (1/35), and Patrick Kruger (1/31) curtailed Ireland’s momentum in the later stages of the innings, giving the Proteas a fighting chance of completing a series sweep.
However, Irish bowlers Mark Adair (4/31) and Graham Hume (3/25) played crucial roles in dismantling South Africa’s batting lineup, despite half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke, who both scored 51 runs. Their efforts ensured that Ireland claimed their first victory over South Africa in a men’s T20I match.
Captain Paul Stirling expressed his delight with his team’s performance, especially praising Ross Adair for his outstanding batting display. “During the halfway mark, we were hoping to add another 15-20 runs to our total,” Stirling commented. “They bowled tightly and we thought we were a bit below par, but the reduced dew factor worked in our favor, and we managed to get the win. Ross was exceptional, and we are thrilled with this victory. It could have gone either way, but we’re absolutely elated with this result and hope to maintain our form heading into the ODI series.”
The focus now shifts to the upcoming three-match ODI series, with the first match scheduled to be played in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
