Cricket News: Reeza Hendricks sets up South Africa's 21-run win against Ireland
South Africa posted a commanding total of 211-5 against Ireland in Bristol on Wednesday, with Reeza Hendricks hitting his fourth successive Twenty20 fifty
Hendricks' latest fifty came off 32 balls, including seven fours and a six, while Markram reached the milestone in 25 balls, including six boundaries.
Markram was caught at deep square leg by leg-spinner Gareth Delany before Hendricks holed out to point on consecutive deliveries.
South Africa suffered an early setback when captain David Miller was ruled out due to a back spasm. Keshav Maharaj took over as captain, and Miller's fellow batsman Heinrich Klaasen replaced him in the XI.
Kagiso Rabada, the Proteas' fast bowler, had already missed both matches in this series due to an ankle injury.
Lorcan Tucker's 38-ball 78 was not enough for Ireland as South Africa won the first T20I by 21 runs.
Ireland made the strongest statement they could with a powerplay led by Tucker that put them well ahead of South Africa at the same stage of their innings. Andy Balbirnie, captain, set the tone with fours in the first three overs before top-edged Wayne Parnell to Pretorius at mid-on.
Despite the early setback, Tucker and Paul Stirling dispatched Lungi Ngidi's second for 17. Tucker went on to hit Parnell for four over mid-off and six over long-off before facing Pretorius' slower ball. Tucker had 26 runs off eight balls in the powerplay as Ireland scored 67, 20 more than South Africa's total at the time.
Set a lofty target of 212, Tucker and George Dockrell (43 off 28) kept Ireland in the hunt until wickets fell at the end.
Man of the Match: Reeza Hendricks
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