International Cricket: South Africa vs. Ireland 7/16/21 ODI Cricket Prediction

South Africa’s tour of the Ireland resumes on Friday July 16th, 2021 at 5:45am EST with the third and final ODI match being played at Dublin (Malahide). 

If Ireland are to win tomorrow’s match, it will their biggest ODI achievement on home soil. It will also put them third in the World Cup Super League table behind England and Bangladesh, a feat that will give them high hopes of an automatic qualification for 2023. South Africa would be looking to save themselves the embarrassment of losing this series by winning and levelling it 1-1.

Ireland was inspired by their captain Andy Balbirnie (102) who scored his 7^th century after elevating himself to the top of the order. He was well assisted by Harry Tector (79), George Dockrell (45), and Andy McBrine (30) who all ensured that Ireland posted a competitive 290 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs. After such a batting display, the Irish bowlers shared the spoils in the restriction of the Proteas batsmen with Andy McBrine returning to take 2 wickets alongside Mark Adair and Josh Little who also took 2 wickets each. Ireland will not rest on their laurels as they will like to win their first series since beating Zimbabwe in July 2019.

South Africa will believe that they played a disappointing game in totality. The bowlers were pummeled all over the field and the batsmen were unable to have healthy partnerships to get them over the line. Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi were expected to be the backbone of the bowling unit, they did not put their hand up to produce worthy spells. Andile Phehlukwayo took 2 wickets but he actually conceded the most runs of 73 in his 10 overs. Janneman Malan (84) and Rassie van der Dussen(49) were the only batsmen over 25, no wonder they lost the game by 43 runs. Temba Bavuma. South Africa’s captain, will ask for more from his batsmen which also includes himself if they are to salvage a win in this format against the Irish.

Ireland shocked South Africa and sent a message to the other teams in the World Cup Super League notifying them that they are indeed a threat. Can they continue this impressive form or will South Africa gather themselves, reevaluate and win the final game? I believe South Africa will indeed change the flow of the tide and ride the wave to victory tomorrow on the back of Quinton de Kock’s return to the side. A thrilling finish to this truly unexpected battle of a series is expected, but South Africa will get the win here.