IRE vs SA

That brings us to the end of our coverage for this series. South Africa would now head over to Bangladesh to play a test series that begins in a couple of weeks, while Ireland - barring any impromptu scheduling - would be in action next in January against Zimbabwe. We hope you enjoyed the commentary. This is for Darpan Tikiya to signing off. Sayonara!

Rassie van der Dussen (South Africa Captain): We didn't really appreciate how different the conditions were in the night. They put us under pressure with some quality bowling. We weren't good enough to overcome the discrepancy in the conditions tonight. Credit to them, they got to a decent total and put us under pressure. Jason Smith, Rickelton, Stubbs and Lizaad were the positives. Really happy with those performances.

Lizaad Williams (Player of the Series): We just found that it (wobble seam) was the most effective ball. Besides the heat, the wicket was a bit slower in the day. There was movement still, but it was slow. Credit to their openers for negotiating the new ball.

Paul Stirling (Ireland Captain and Player of the Match): (On the difference in conditions in the two innings) It was a massive difference. It was a lot slower in the first innings and then, quickened up. It was a relief to get over the line in the end. We were fractionally under par in the last two matches. So, delighted to win this. The game plan was the same in the last two matches. It was about hanging in there. We got the better of the conditions today. 

Jason Smith (South Africa): "It wasn't easy coming in in that situation. The conditions allowed me to hang around and take it deep. I took it step by step."

Ireland win by 69 runs.

Paul Stirling 88 (92) | Graham Hume 3/29
Jason Smith 91 (93) | Lizaad Williams 4/56

South Africa might have taken the series 2-1, but this is indeed a sweet victory for Ireland, especially considering that they now do not have any international matches for the next 4 months. They sign off the season on a positive note. 

The victory was set up by the skipper's effervescent knock up the order that helped Ireland put up a competitive total on the board. Balbirnie and Tector too chipped in with vital contributions. Though, it felt as if the hosts left a few runs out there as they collapsed from 233/3 to 282/9. 

But they more than made up for it with some excellent bowling. There was some swing on offer under the lights and the Irish bowlers relished it. In the last two games, they were forced to bowl under the scorching afternoon sun. Today, there was visibly more zip on the ball and more exuberance in the body language of the fielders

Each bowler chipped in. They bowled in partnerships, made the Proteas play some poor shots and got them all out for 215. Smith's 91 was the only bright spec for South Africa. 

46.1 Graham Hume to Lungi Ngidi, GONE!! THAT IS IT!! VICTORY FOR IRELAND. Full ball, a foot outside off. Ngidi had his front leg cleared already. He swings hard at it, only to get an outside edge. The keeper makes no errors.

Lungi Ngidi c Lorcan Tucker b Graham Hume 9 (21b, 2x4, 0x6)

45.6 Matthew Humphreys to Ottniel Baartman, APPEAL FOR LBW! Denied. Ireland review. Flat trajectory, length ball, at the off stump. It drifts in with the angle, beats him on the inside edge and thuds into the front pad. Ball-tracking suggests "umpire's call" on impact. Hence, Baartman survives. 

45.5 Matthew Humphreys to Lungi Ngidi, single. Flat, length ball, drifting in on middle and leg. The batter backs away and slaps it to deep point. 

45.4 Matthew Humphreys to Lungi Ngidi, DROPPED! A similar shot attempted by Ngidi. This time the ball goes flies to the man stationed at short third. He runs in, dives forward and spills the catch after getting two hands to it. 

45.3 Matthew Humphreys to Lungi Ngidi, dot ball. Slower ball, on a length, the batter swings across the line, gets an outside edge and the ball balloons up to the fielder at point, who collects it on a bounce. 

44.4 Graham Hume to Ottniel Baartman, good length, nipping back in at the off stump. The batter prods forward and pushes it back to the bowler.