Bavuma celebrates after scoring a hundred on debut
Image courtesy of: The Indian Express
Temba Bavuma scored a magnificent century on debut as the Proteas annihilated a lacklustre Ireland side by 206 runs in Benoni.
Having reached the triple-figure mark in his first-ever ODI, Bavuma became just the second South African batsman after Colin Ingram in 2010 to score a hundred on debut.
Ireland captain William Porterfield would have been regretting his decision to bowl first as Bavuma and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock amassed a 159-run partnership, during which both batsmen surpassed their half-centuries.
With things spiralling out of control for Ireland, Kevin O’Brien delivered a much-needed wicket as he clean bowled De Kock for 82, which came off 66 balls and included eight boundaries and two sixes.
Bavuma and stand-in captain Faf du Plessis kept the runs flowing with a 62-run stand, during which Bavuma registered his hundred, before Du Plessis was dismissed by Craig Young for 21.
Young struck again in his next over as he removed Bavuma for a career-best 113, which came off 123 deliveries and included 13 boundaries and a six.
David Miller could only make 14 runs before he became O’Brien’s second victim, but JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien stabilised the innings with an 87-run partnership, during which both batsmen recorded their fifties, before Behardien fell on the last ball of the innings for 50, which came off 22 balls and included three boundaries and three sixes.
Duminy, meanwhile, remained undefeated on 52 off 43 deliveries, which included four boundaries and a six as South Africa finished on 354/5 off their 50 overs.
Young was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while O’Brien chipped in with two.
Chasing 355 to win, Ireland struggled right from the get-go and were reduced to 41/3 in the 11th over.
Paul Stirling put up a valiant fight as he made 40 before being trapped lbw off the bowling of Aaron Phangiso.
Ireland continued to collapse after Stirling’s dismissal, and despite O’Brien refusing to go down without a fight with his knock of 41, Ireland were eventually skittled out for a dismal score of 148.
Duminy was the most successful bowler with four wickets, while Phangiso and Wayne Parnell snapped up two wickets apiece. Kagiso Rabada and debutant Dewald Pretorius, meanwhile, claimed one wicket each.
Porterfield was disappointed with Ireland’s performance, and said: “It’s disappointing, those two early chances could have made a difference. No one means to put anything down, but the young attack kept coming back. You have to be taking wickets early in this format. Once they had a platform it was going to be difficult. Chasing a big total we had to go at it, but Stirling and O’Brien played well. You have to keep moving forward and learning otherwise it’s a pointless exercise.”
Du Plessis was impressed with South Africa’s massive win, and said: “Very happy, very excited to see what the young guys brought to the table. It was about making sure everyone is in good touch before a big series. It’s about trying to challenge the guys and get something from it, put ourselves under pressure. Australia will be a really good series.”
Bavuma was named Man of the Match, and said: “I just wanted to be out there, put on the shirt. I’m not really accustomed to batting up top, but it’s where the team needs me. I’ll try my best to take it with both hands. I enjoyed batting with Quinny. I’m pretty delighted with my performance.”