Ireland vs South Africa 3rd T20: Visitors complete T20 series sweep after Temba Bavuma fifty

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma hit 72 runs and the bowlers then restricted Ireland as the visitors won by 49 runs to complete a clean sweep of their three-match T20 international series in Belfast on Saturday (July 24). South Africa won the opener in Dublin on Monday by 33 runs and sealed a 42-run victory in the second match three days later, also at Belfast.

The visitors, who won the toss and elected to bat, were without key players Quinton de Kock, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, who were among the five players rested for the match. Skipper Bavuma and Reeza Hendricks (69 runs) put up a 127-run opening wicket partnership to lead South Africa to a strong start before David Miller wrapped up with an unbeaten 36 off 17 balls to set a mighty target of 190.

“It was nice to hit the ball in the middle, and contribute for the team. Reeza and I play for the Lions. We know each other’s strengths, I am sure he would have enjoyed as well. We tried to take our time, and lay that foundation,” Bavuma said after the game.

[?] RESULT | #PROTEAS WIN BY 49 RUNS

Another solid performance in the field, backed up the excellent work done by the batsmen to see the #Proteas sweep the 3-match T20I series #IREvSA #ThatsOurGame pic.twitter.com/w3voXoiyLM

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 24, 2021

Ireland responded poorly, losing openers Paul Stirling (18) and Kevin O’Brien (2) in the first five overs before skipper Andy Balbirnie tried to rescue the hosts. But Balbirnie (27) was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner George Linde (2-21), while seamers Wiaan Mulder (2-10) and Lizaad Williams (2-30) also troubled Ireland as the hosts crumbled under pressure and finished on 140 for nine.

“It was obviously nice to contribute. (I was) struggling in the West Indies, and a series win as well, so a bonus there. The guys make it easy off the field,” player of the series David Miller said.

On his T20 World Cup plans, Miller said, “Going into it to win it. We’ll take it one game at a time, it’s a pretty long competition. It’s been a good time in the bubble (here), and we can now go out and see the country!”

(with Reuters inputs)