South Africa overpowered Ireland by 70 runs in the third one-day international at Malahide on Friday to end the series all level at 1-1.
Ireland were eyeing their first ODI campaign success against a top eight nation after a 43-run win on Tuesday put them 1-0 up following a washed out opener.But Janneman Malan’s career-best 177 not out was the centrepiece of the Proteas’ imposing 346-4 on Friday.
Together with Quinton de Kock, who made 120, he shared a first-wicket partnership of 225.
Ireland needed to surpass their previous highest successful chase, of 329 against England last year, for victory. It was a task that proved beyond them, despite Singh’s innings of exactly 100 not out (his first ODI century) in a total of 276. South Africa’s Andile Phehlukwayo and Tabraiz Shamsi took three wickets apiece.
SA vs IRE scores:
South Africa 346-4, 50 overs (J Malan 177 no, Q de Kock 120)Ireland 276, 47.1 overs (Simi Singh 100 no, C Campher 54; T Shamsi 3-46, A Phehlukwayo 3-56)
Singh’s innings marks the second brilliant peformance in men’s ODIs this year batting that low. Sam Curran’s valiant 95 not out that went in vain as India sealed the ODI series 2-1 by winning the third and final match in Pune. It was an innings that made England stand-in skipper Jos Buttler see shades of the ‘great finisher’ Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Curran.
In a tense series decider, Curran, coming out to bat at No 8, led a fine England fightback after they were 200/7 to revive the visitors’ hopes of chasing down 330 but eventually fell short by seven runs.
Curran held the record jointly with fellow English all-rounder Chris Woakes.
Highest scores in men's ODIs batting 8 or lower
Player | Runs | SR | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Match date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Simi Singh (IRE) | 100* | 109.89 | 2 | v South Africa | Dublin | 16 Jul 2021 |
Chris Woakes (ENG) | 95* | 103.26 | 2 | v Sri Lanka | Nottingham | 21 Jun 2016 |
Sam Curran (ENG) | 95* | 114.45 | 2 | v India | Pune | 28 Mar 2021 |
Andre Russell (WI) | 92* | 143.75 | 1 | v India | North Sound | 11 Jun 2011 |
Nathan Coulter-Nile (AUS) | 92 | 153.33 | 1 | v West Indies | Nottingham | 6 Jun 2019 |
Ravi Rampaul (WI) | 86* | 130.30 | 1 | v India | Vizag | 2 Dec 2011 |
Thomas Odoyo (KENYA) | 84 | 86.59 | 1 | v Bangladesh | Nairobi (Gym) | 13 Aug 2006 |
Darren Sammy (WI) | 84 | 168.00 | 2 | v Australia | Gros Islet | 25 Mar 2012 |
Lance Klusener (SA) | 83 | 107.79 | 2 | v Australia | Johannesburg | 22 Mar 2002 |
Daniel Vettori (NZ) | 83 | 107.79 | 2 | v Australia | Christchurch | 22 Feb 2005 |
Jacob Oram (NZ) | 83 | 207.50 | 1 | v Bangladesh | Napier | 5 Feb 2010 |
Here are the reactions to Singh’s innings:
You can check out the highest scores batting at eight or lower in women’s ODIs here.
With AFP inputs
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