Ireland vs South Africa 2nd T20: David Miller powers Proteas to T20 series win

David Miller made the difference as he blasted an unbeaten 75 for South Africa to win the T20 series by beating Ireland by 42 runs. South Africa slipped to 58/5 after 10 overs but Miller led the fightback with Wiaan Mulder to post 159/7.

Ireland wasted its bowlers’ sterling effort. The Irish bats fell to 56-5 after 10 overs but didn’t have a Miller to beat up the bowlers. Ireland was all out for 117 with three balls left. South Africa has an unbeatable 2-0 lead with the third and last T20 scheduled on Saturday (July 24), also in Belfast.

The Proteas actually started badly. Temba Bavuma and Janneman Malan were removed for ducks in the first over by off-spinner Paul Stirling. Miller was dropped behind the wickets on 19 off a Josh Little delivery, and took advantage.

[?] RESULT | #PROTEAS WIN BY 42 RUNS

Spin-twins Tabraiz Shamsi (3/14) and Bjorn Fortuin (3/16) strangled the @cricketireland batsmen as the #Proteas claimed the second T20I to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series#IREvSA #ThatsOurGame pic.twitter.com/BdFJltjUVz

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 22, 2021

He and Mulder, 36 from 26 balls, repaired the damage in a stand of 58. Miller carried on and took 24 runs from four sixes, three flying over deep backward leg, off the last over bowled by Little.

Ireland found itself in similar trouble to South Africa at 56/5 after 10 overs but couldn’t turn it around. South African-born allrounder Shane Getkate top-scored with 24. Opener Kevin O’Brien was out for a third straight duck, caught and bowled by Bjorn Fortuin. The left-arm off-spinner earned 3-16 plus a maiden.

Fellow left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took 3-14 from his four overs, and Lungi Ngidi claimed 1-14.

(with PTI inputs)