South Africa will be looking to improve their record in the World Cup Super League when they take on Ireland on 11 July, in the first of the three-match ODI series at the Village, Malahide. Temba Bavuma’s men currently languish on the last place of the points table, with one win and two defeats.
South Africa are coming from a 3-2 T20I series win over West Indies. Since being stripped of captaincy, Quinton de Kock has been in the form of his life. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram were also on a roll in the Caribbean, while their formidable bowling line-up, featuring Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi and Tabraiz Shamsi, is arguably one of the best in world cricket.
Until today, Bavuma only led South Africa once in an ODI series, against Pakistan in April. South Africa lost the series 1-2. Before that, they last played ODIs against Australia back in March 2020. Under de Kock’s leadership, they clean swept Australia 3-0.
Andy Balbirnie’s Ireland will miss Kevin O’Brien, who retired from 50-over cricket last month. Balbirnie confirmed that William Porterfield will return to the playing XI to replace O’Brien.
Paul Stirling holds the key for Ireland. Stirling, World No. 20 ODI batter, has been a threat to any world-class bowler for some time now. Ireland’s wonderkid Josh Little will be again in focus.
Head to Head
South Africa have played Ireland five times in ODIs, three of them came in World Cups. They won all five.
Probable XIs
Ireland: Paul Stirling, William Porterfield, Andy Balbirnie (c), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Josh Little, Craig Young and Barry McCarthy.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi.
Prediction
South Africa to win the contest.