IRE VS RSA - 2nd ODI, South Africa tour of Ireland, 2021

With a "no result" in the first game, and a win in the second, Ireland cannot lose the series. Perhaps that gives them the license to give it an anchorless go at the Proteas on Friday, and strengthen their chances for the World Cup. For now, they'll put their feet up with a couple of beers after beating South Africa comprehensively for the first time in their history. That's it from our coverage here at Cricbuzz. Ciao for now!

Andrew Balbirnie | Ireland captain | Man of the Match: We were put in on a greenish wicket, and they had good bowlers. The way our guys bowled at the death and the middle was amazing. It was a win that we really needed. I thought we outfielded them today, which made the difference. Tector's freedom while batting was a match-winning. We'll enjoy this - it's the first time we have beaten them and it's a huge day for Ireland. We will have a few beers, it's not everyday that you beat a team of this stature but we have another target in mind, that is to win the series on Friday. I didn't want to disturb the middle order that much, and McBrine's 30 and his bowling was exceptional today, and I just couldn't be prouder of this group. Facing players of the calibre of Rabada and co. and coming out with a decent score, that's why you play international cricket. We're pushing hard to get maximum League points this series.

Temba Bavuma | RSA Captain: We didn't take it lightly, but they outplayed us in all facets. Their fielding was impressive. They nailed their batting and bowling skills too, and we need to do a lot of work. The plan for us in the first PP was taking wickets and we couldn't do so. We created chances but our fielding let us down. We pride ourselves on our fielding. Momentum was on their side and we couldn't get any on our side. No partnerships for us either, other than Rassie and Malan, and a lot of conversations need to happen and need to translate to execution on the field.

18:22 Local Time, 17:22 GMT, 22:52 IST: It was a tall order, particularly with some of SA's key players benched. Bavuma and Markram departed early, but the dismissals of Malan and Rassie really did the damage. Ireland bowled well, didn't provide width, set better fields, and most importantly, took their catches. The bowling was the difference between the two sides, and certainly the fielding. One can't expect to win an ODI after dropping four catches. Eventually, the lower and middle order of SA fizzled out, and succumbed to the scoreboard pressure, before the tail offered some resistance that would inevitably be short-lived. Presentations coming up in a moment.

Mark Adair to Nortje, out Bowled!! 1-0 to Ireland! They've beaten South Africa for the first time in ODI cricket! AN inch-perfect yorker, Nortje jams his bat down and gets a thick inside edge into the stumps to send the Irish team into delirious celebrations in Malahide. Nortje b Mark Adair 10(8) [4s-1]

Mark Adair to Nortje, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Tabraiz Shamsi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Mark Adair to Maharaj, out Caught by Harry Tector! That's a full-toss, tries to shovel that over long-on, but ends up handing the simplest of catches to Tector at long-on who holds on comfortably. Ireland can smell the sweet scent of victory. Maharaj c Harry Tector b Mark Adair 17(19) [4s-1]

Mark Adair to Maharaj, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Mark Adair to Nortje, 1 run, shorter, pace off, slapped away cross-batted to long-off for one

Joshua Little to Nortje, 1 run, back of a length ball outside off, Nortje opens the face and steers it down to third man for one

Joshua Little to Nortje, 2 runs, full and wide once again, Nortje gets under it and squeezes it away towards deep backward point for a couple

Joshua Little to Maharaj, 1 run, full and wide, and that's slapped to wide long-off for one

Sameer: Very happy to see Ireland's performance here. Strong, determined and passionate.

Joshua Little to Nortje, 1 run, reaches the attempted wide yorker and squeezes it down to square third man for one

Joshua Little to Nortje, no run, good length and wide outside off, Nortje reaches out to get back on it, misses

Joshua Little to Maharaj, 1 run, full and wide, sliced away towards deep backward point for one

Mark Adair to Maharaj, 1 run, pitched on a length, and that's carted down to long-on, cross-batted, for a single

Mark Adair to Maharaj, no run, jagging away from a length, no pace, and evades the batsman's attempted ramp

Mark Adair to Nortje, 1 run, short of length and just outside off, chopped off the under-edge towards deep backward point for a single

Mark Adair to Nortje, FOUR, free-hit, half-volley outside off, Nortje clears his front-leg and crashes this wide of mid-off to the long-off fence for four