Ireland lose to South Africa in ODI opener

South Africa's Ryan Rickelton fell just nine runs short of a century

First ODI, Abu Dhabi

South Africa 271-9 (50 overs): Rickelton 91, Stubbs 79; Adair 4-50, Young 3-45

Ireland 132 (31.5 overs): Dockrell 21; Williams 4-32

South Africa won by 139 runs

Scorecard

Ireland lost to South Africa by 139 runs in the first of three one-day internationals between the sides in Abu Dhabi.

Opener Ryan Rickelton top-scored for South Africa with 91 as his fourth-wicket stand of 152 with Tristan Stubbs (79) laid the foundation for their side's score of 271-9 off their 50 overs.

Mark Adair took four wickets and Craig Young three.

Ireland's reply fell well short of their target as they struggled to 132 all out after 31.5 overs.

George Dockrell managed 21 and Andrew Balbirnie and Curtis Campher 20 apiece, while Lizaad Williams shone with the ball with figures of 4-35.

The sides recently drew their T20 series 1-1 and will meet again in ODI encounters at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Friday, 4 October and Monday, 7 October to conclude Ireland's season.

Ireland reply falls short

After making a steady start to their innings, South Africa suffered setbacks as they lost Tony de Zorzi (12), captain Temba Bavuma (4) and Rassie van der Dussen for a duck in three consecutive overs to lie 39-3 by the end of the ninth.

Rickelton smashed 91 off 102 balls, including three sixes and seven fours, as his partnership with middle-order batter Stubbs got their side back on track.

Rickleton fell in the 35th over and Stubbs six balls later to leave the score 198-5, but with the help of useful knocks from Bjorn Fortuin (28) and Lungi Ngidi (20 not out), South Africa progressed to post a creditable total.

Ireland's response began poorly as they lost skipper Paul Stirling for two in the first over and while fellow opener Balbirnie, restored to the line-up after sitting out the T20 encounters, and Campher (20), steadied the ship somewhat, the loss of the former saw them sit 38-2 by the end of the ninth over.

Wickets fell regularly thereafter to leave Heinrich Malan's side 61-5 and, although Dockrell, Andy McBrine (14) and Adair and Young (12 apiece) put up some resistance, the outcome always had an air of inevitability.

Ngidi and Fortuin backed up Williams' bowling effort with two wickets each.