Temba Bavuma became only the second South African to score a century on ODI debut and shared in a Willowmoore Park record opening stand of 159 with Quinton de Kock to set up a dominant performance in their one-off ODI against Ireland
Commentator: Andrew McGlashan
South Africa win by 206 runs and, it has to be said, it was rarely a proper contest today. The home side very efficient, but were hardly tested. Once the openers, de Kock and Bavuma, had added 159 there was unlikely to be a way back for Ireland. They slowed the run rate for a while, before JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien plundered 87 in the last seven overs. With the ball, the quicks struck early the the spinners did the rest. And it means Ireland's last two completed ODIs have been huge defeats: 255 runs v Pakistan and now this result. What can they do against Australia in two days?
William Porterfield "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."
Faf du Plessis "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."
Man of the Match is Temba Bavuma for his hundred on ODI debut: "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."
And that just about wraps things up for today. South Africa ticking a few boxes, Ireland with plenty of questions to answer. For now, from Gnasher and Alan, it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.
PKD Chase c Miller b Duminy 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
CA Young b Duminy 0 (5m 7b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
And some more heartfelt thoughts from DC: "Lastly we have no A series whatsoever, so our young and budding cricketers get thrown straight into the deep end e.g Poynter who has excelled in any A games he has had incl a 100 vs SL A. Irish cricket isnt dead IMO, given time and patience we will improve, but if as tends to go in cricket a poor run of form = instant calls for some form of demotion which strangely none of the FM's seem to get, then yes we will disimprove. We need regular games vs Zim/AFG/WI to find our place in cricket, throwing us out altogether just leaves us nowhere. CI need to schedule more matches vs fellow neighbours Scotland and Netherlands too, even to blood some youngsters. "
Temba Bavuma congratulated the selectors for showing faith in his ability to open the batting after he became only the second South African to score a century on debut
Plays of the day from the ODI between South Africa and Ireland in Benoni
Temba Bavuma became only the second South African to score a century on ODI debut and shared in a Willowmoore Park record opening stand of 159 with Quinton de Kock to set up a dominant performance in their one-off ODI against Ireland
After big defeats in their previous three ODIs against full member nations, Ireland captain William Porterfield chose to reflect on the positives on the eve of their only ODI against South Africa
In the larger context, there may not be any good reason for Ireland to visit South Africa for two one-off ODIs but it will serve as an invaluable experience for the Associate side
