Ireland and South Africa will feature in the 2 T20Is and 3 ODIs, starting September 27th in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi will host the entire IRE vs SA ODI and T20I. The forthcoming series goes down in history as both countries feature in bilaterals for the first time in a neutral country.
The IRE vs SA T20I series kicks off on September 27th and finishes on September 29th while the IRE vs SA ODI series are scheduled on October 2nd, 4th, and 7th.
Ireland, the host for the series dealing with the crisis, high costs with temporary infrastructure and without a permanent home venue have led them to shift the entire series to UAE, the country that provides high-quality facilities to stage the International fixtures. They even played the Only Test against Afghanistan at the Tolerance Oval earlier this year which they won by 6 wickets.
This will be their first white-ball assignment following a dreadful campaign in the T20 World Cup in the Americas a few months back where they bowled out without a win.
South Africa on the contrary are already in UAE and took part in the 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan but that didn’t go well as they lost the series 2-1. They have announced different squads for each format with Aiden Markram leading the side in the T20Is, while diminutive batter Temba Bavuma will captain the team in ODIs.
Our cricket betting app provides complete details of the IRE vs SA series.
Ireland and South Africa in UAE, Schedule
Here we can see the entire schedule of IRE vs SA in UAE.
1st T20I – September 27th at 9 PM IST, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2nd T20I – September 29th at 9 PM IST, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
1st ODI – October 2nd at 5 PM IST, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
2nd ODI – October 4th at 5 PM IST, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
3rd ODI – October 7th at 5 PM IST, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Ireland vs South Africa Team Analysis
Ireland Team Preview:
Recent form: Lost, NR, Lost, Lost, Won
T20I Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Fionn Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Graham Hume, Neil Rock (wk), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Ben White, Craig Young.
With outcomes not going their way lately in the shortest format, selectors have made a tough decision in picking the T20I squad against South Africa. Ireland had a horrendous T20 World Cup 2024 where they failed to win a game. National selector, Andrew White emphasized bringing the dynamic approach to their top order hence not considering Andrew Balbirnie for the T20Is. At the same time, he remains very much in the scheme of things for the ODIs.
They made few changes on their return to T20Is with Josh Little missing out due to his CPL commitments for Trinbago Knight Riders. At the same time, fellow pacer Barry McCarthy who is recovering from injury hasn’t been considered for selection. Fionn Hand and Matthew Humphreys have been named replacements while the rest of the squad featured in the T20 World Cup have been retained.
ODI Squad: Paul Stirling (c), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Gavin Hoey, Fionn Hand, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Neil Rock (wk), Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker (wk), Craig Young.
Recent form: Lost, NR, Lost, Won, Won
It’s been a while since Ireland took part in the ODIs, they last played against Afghanistan in March earlier this year where they lost 2-0. They even underwent a significant overhaul for the ODIs against South Africa with no place for Gareth Delany, Theo van Woerkom, and Matthew Foster.
Stephen Doheny, Graham Hume, Fionn Hand, and Matthew Humphreys are all back in the ODI setup with Gavin Hoey, the only uncapped player in the mix. Experienced batter Paul Stirling will captain the side in both T20Is and ODIs.
South Africa Team Preview:
T20I Squad – Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams.
Recent form: Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Won
Runners-up in the T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa lost the subsequent T20I series against West Indies 3-0 last month. The selectors have again decided to field an experienced side with regulars Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi all being rested.
Matthew Breetzke who last featured in a T20I in May against West Indies is back in the side. Nqaba Peter and uncapped Andile Simelane have been included in the 15-member squad, while Donovan Ferreira and Kwena Maphaka have been dropped.
With most of their frontline players well above the age of 30, now, it’s the best opportunity to build the team for the future with an inexperienced squad.
Reeza Hendricks, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs are their key batters and the rest will revolve around Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, and Matthew Breetzke. Lungi Ngidi will spearhead the bowling attack in the absence of regular quicks Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.
ODI Squad – Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, and Lizaad Williams.
Recent form: Won, Lost, Lost, Lost, Won
It’s a tough one to digest for the Proteas who lost the ODI series against Afghanistan 2-1. They somehow avoided the whitewash with a consolation 7 wickets win in the 3rd ODI. Their batters failed to deliver in the 1st and 2nd ODIs where they bundled out for just 106 and 134 respectively. The loss exposed their vulnerability against the spin where they lost 9 wickets for just 49 runs from a commanding position of 85 for 1 in the 2nd ODI.
Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram have been rested while Ryan Rickelton and Rassie van der Dussen come into the squad for the ODIs against Ireland.
Ireland vs South Africa Top Picks
Tristan Stubbs
Tristan Stubbs is the new star in the making for South Africa who has all the attributes to become the finisher for the team. He plays the spin better than anyone in the side and his ability to deal with the pressure sets him apart from the rest. The 24-year-old was the top performer for the Proteas in their disappointing 3-0 loss in the T20Is against West Indies last month, making 144 runs in 3 matches at a strike rate of 177.77 with the top score of 76. He is going to play a key role for South Africa in the IRE vs SA series.
Lorcan Tucker
Lorcan Tucker is the second leading run-scorer for Ireland in T20Is this year with 263 runs in 12 matches, only after Andy Balbirnie (298 runs). He even holds the same position for Ireland in the ODIs, scoring 88 runs in 2 matches with the top score of 85. He is all set to make a big impact in the IRE vs SA series.
Ireland vs South Africa Winner Prediction
When it comes to T20Is, it’s anybody’s game and we at our online cricket betting app predict a 1-1 stalemate in the 2-matches T20I series.
South Africa is comparatively well sorted in all areas in the ODIs and we predict them to come out well 2-1 in the 3-matches series.
South Africa is looking for a change and is fielding different sets of squads for both T20Is and ODIs and therefore it’s an advantage for Ireland to make the best use of it. Sign Up now on our Cricket Betting App – GUGOBET. Get the best Cricket Exchange facilities and a 100% Welcome Bonus.
