Ireland vs South Africa: Andy Balbirnie century sets up historic triumph for Irish

Ireland will have the chance to claim the series when the third and final match is played at the same venue on Friday.

Captain Andy Balbirnie scored a stylish century as Ireland recorded their first ever One-Day International victory over South Africa with a win by 43 runs in the second match of their three-game series in Malahide on Tuesday (July 13). Balbirnie stroked 102 from 117 balls as the home side posted 290 for five in their 50 overs, before restricting the tourists to 247 all out in their reply to secure the historic victory and a 1-0 lead in the series after Sunday’s opener was washed out. Ireland will have the chance to claim the series when the third and final match is played at the same venue on Friday. “I’m extremely proud with the character we showed,” Balbirnie said. “We knew it was a pretty tough pitch to take 10 wickets on, but the way we stuck at in the middle and towards the death was a credit to them (the bowlers). “It is a huge day for cricket in Ireland. We will have a couple of beers and enjoy this, but at the same time we have to look to Friday, when we could potentially win a series.”