Simi Singh became the first batsman in the history of ODIs to hit a century in the No.8 position but Ireland still lost to South Africa thanks to big tons by Janneman Malan and Quinton de Kock.
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Ireland’s series against South Africa was proving to be historic in many ways. They had won against South Africa in ODIs for the first time. In the third ODI, they were blown away by the centuries of Janneman Malan and Quinton de Kock. The 225-run partnership for the opening wicket put South Africa in a strong position at 346/4. Ireland was reduced to 92/6 but Simi Singh chose the moment to create history. Simi Singh blasted a century and ensured Ireland did not go away without a fight but the Proteas managed to secure a 70-run win to level the series 1-1.
With this century, Simi Singh became the first No.8 batsman in ODI history to score a century. The previous highest scores in the No.8 position were a pair of unbeaten 95s by Sam Curran and Chris Woakes. Curran hit an unbeaten 95 in the third ODI against India in Pune that almost gave England a remarkable win. Woakes hit 95 against Sri Lanka in Trent Bridge in a match that was tied. Despite the performances of Simi Singh, Ireland was blown away once Malan and de Kock had stitched a partnership.
South Africa chose to bat, with Malan and de Kock making quick progress. Both batsmen found the boundaries on a regular basis. The partnership went past 100, with both Malan and de Kock going past 50s. After going past fifty, de Kock opened up with two sixes. Malan joined with another couple of sixes as Ireland’s bowlers struggled.
De Kock neared his century with a six and four off Andy McBrine. The left-hander notched up his 16th century in the 34th over and he opened up with two sixes and a four off George Dockrell. In the same over, Malan notched up his second ton. The partnership was finally broken when Simi Singh got rid of de Kock for 120 off 91 balls.
Malan opened up aggressively and he found good support from Rassie van der Dussen. South Africa went past 300, with Malan going past 150. Malan blasted a four and six as South Africa ended on 346/4.
Ireland could not cope with the discipline of the South Africa bowlers. Keshav Maharaj, Andile Phehlukwayo, and Tabraiz Shamsi regularly picked up wickets as Ireland was reduced to 92/6. But, Simi Singh and Curtis Campher delayed the inevitable.
Both Simi Singh and Campher rotated the strike and hit boundaries when the opportunity presented itself. Simi Singh hit a couple of boundaries but Campher came close to his fifty with a six and four off Maharaj. Simi Singh hit his fifty first and Campher followed suit. But, Phehlukwayo broke the 104-run stand with the dismissal of Campher for 54.
Simi Singh was running out of partners and he increased his aggression. He hit boundaries and calmly rotated the strike with Craig Young. In the 47th over, Simi Singh drove Lizaad Williams as he reached his maiden hundred to create history. The series will now shift to the Twenty20 International series as South Africa prepare for the ICC World T20 2021.
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