South Africa sweep T20I series after Bavuma, Hendricks fifties

South Africa openers Temba Bavuma (72) and Reeza Hendricks (69) scored half-centuries each to help produce the visitors' best T20 total of the Ireland tour as South Africa swept the T20I series against Ireland. The one-day international honors were shared, but South Africa dominated the shorter format with previous wins by 33 and 42 runs.

South Africa posted 189-2 despite playing a very cautious brand of cricket in the first 10 overs but soon opened the game after the 15th over. In reply, Ireland was well short at 140-9 as George Linde, Lizaad Williams, and Wiaan Mulder took two wickets each to restrict the opposition. Captain Andy Balbirnie top scored with 27.

Bavuma won the toss, batted first, and hit his maiden T20 fifty, 72 from 51 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. Hendricks played his first match of the Ireland tour and his 69 came from 48 balls. Seven went for four, plus there was one six over long on.

"We came here with certain goals that we wanted to achieve and I believe we have done so. We want to challenge ourselves according to our standards and keep getting better and better. We have the opportunity to do something that hasn't been done. World Cup is still a couple of months away, we still have time to iron out all the little things, we are looking forward to that event," Bavuma said after the game.

David Miller finished off the innings scoring 36 from 17 and was named player of the series. "It's nice to contribute after the one-dayers. I was struggling a little bit in the West Indies, it was nice to come out and get some runs on the board and hit it sweet again. Series win as well, a little bonus there," Miller said in the post-match presentation.

(With inputs from PTI)