Ireland upset South Africa with 43-run win in 2nd ODI

DUBLIN, July 14, (AP): Ireland recorded its first-ever victory over South Africa, beating the visitors by 43 runs after captain Andy Balbirnie’s century in their second one-day international.

Balbirnie scored 102 from 117 balls and Harry Tector added 79, including four sixes, as Ireland posted 290-5 in the second of their three-match ODI series at The Village.

The Proteas had never lost an ODI to Ireland and now must win on Friday to avoid a series defeat. The first match of the series ended in a no-result after persistent rain on Sunday.

Opener Janneman Malan scored 84 to lead South Africa and Rassie van der Dussen added 49 before the Irish bowlers found their rhythm as the Proteas fell to 247 all out.

Mark Adair, Josh Little and Andy McBrine each picked up two wickets for the hosts.

Balbirnie’s tally included 10 fours. South Africa won the toss and chose to field, as they did in Sunday’s match, when Balbirnie top-scored with 65 off 79 balls.

Andile Phehlukwayo took 2-73 off 10 overs for South Africa.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council has tweaked the points system for the next World Test Championship.

Twelve points will be awarded to the winning team of every test match contested in the 2021-23 cycle, with four points awarded for a draw and six for a tied game. The percentage of points won will be used to determine the WTC standings.

Cricket’s governing body issued a statement Wednesday saying the change was made to simplify things. Under the previous system, the same number of points were allocated to each series, but divided across the number of matches played.