Ireland v South Africa: Ireland well beaten by Proteas in first T20 encounter

With regular opening batsman Andrew Balbirnie sitting out the T20 encounters, Ireland began the game with a new top-two pairing of Ross Adair with Paul Stirling.

Adair scored a quickfire 18 off just 10 balls before being dismissed, then Stirling’s departure for two left their side 26-2 after just 2.2 overs.

Harry Tector managed 16 as the score advanced to 64-3, before a fourth-wicket partnership of 59 between Campher and Neil Rock (37) took them to 123-4.

Campher became the fifth wicket to fall, with George Dockrell (21) following him to the pavilion in the first ball of the final over.

Fionn Hand and Mark Adair also lost their wickets in that last over of the Ireland innings, the latter three batters falling to Patrick Kruger who finished with bowling figures of 4-27.

South Africa’s response was decisive before Hendricks was eventually out lbw to Craig Young at the end of the 13th over after an innings which included three sixes and five fours.

Soon after Rickelton was caught by Campher off the bowling of Mark Adair after his outstanding knock, smashing six sixes and three fours as he compiled his 76 off 48 deliveries.

Matthew Breetzke and captain Aiden Markram were unbeaten on 19 and 17 respectively as they helped their side over the line.