NAM vs IRE Ball by Ball Commentary

OUT! TAKEN! Two wickets in a single over to wrap things up in this contest, as Namibia have beaten Ireland by 31 runs and have leveled the series for the time being. Flatter and shorter delivery, right on middle. Hoey backs away to create room and swings hard for the pull. But he gets a steep top-edge that flies high over short fine leg. Jack Brassell turns, puts his head down, and sprints over his right shoulder towards the boundary before snatching a sensational two-handed catch over his head.

Short, turning down the leg side, Byron McDonough misses his flick and it brushes off the thigh pads toward backward square leg for leg bye.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! The skipper steps up to break this dangerous partnership. Pitches it up, fuller, offering a bit of flight, slower through the air, around off. Jai Moondra goes deep into the crease, trying to punch it downtown, but fails to time it right as he ends up hitting it flat and straight to the bowler, and Gerhard Erasmus makes no mistake in pouching the catch.

WIDE! Short of a length, outside off, turning away from the batter, beyond the tramline. Jai Moondra makes a leave.

Nials a yorker, wide outside off. Gavin Hoey tries to scoop it over short third but gets beaten.

Angling down the leg side, on a good length. Jai Moondra misses his flick and wears on the pad before it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.

Short of a length, on middle, Jai Moondra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a brace.

FOUR! Cheeky little shot from Moondra! Bangs a bouncer, over middle. Jai Moondra arches backward and upper cuts it over keeper for the boundary.

Slower one, on a good length, nipping it away. Jai Moondra fails to heave it across the line.

Short of a length, on off, Jai Moondra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a brace. With that, the 50-run stand comes up between this pair.

SIX! This man is on a mission! Full-length delivery, just outside off. Gavin Hoey plants his front foot toward the leg side of the delivery and launches it downtown for six more runs.

Fuller, angling down the leg side, Gavin Hoey flicks it to deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Short of a length, outside off, Gavin Hoey tries to pull it away, but gets the top edge, and drops safly to deep fine leg for a brace.

SIX! What a hit from Hoey! Bangs a bouncer, over off, Gavin Hoey rocks back and whacks it over wide long on for half a dozen.

On a length, outside off, Jai Moondra tries to hit it across, but gets the inside edge before the ball rolls to deep third for a single.

Much fuller, wide outside off, Jai Moondra tries to punch it away, crouching down, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

SIX! Good hit! Fuller delivery, on middle. Gavin Hoey clears his front leg and tonks it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Nails the wide yorker, outside off, but just inside the tramline. Gavin Hoey throws his hands at it but misses.

Back of a length and around leg, Jai Moondra pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, Jai Moondra hops up to pull it away but still fails to reach it. Wided.

Another full toss, outside off, Gavin Hoey throws his bat at it but gets a top edge on the bounce to the keeper. Zane Green can only parry it behind and allows a run.

Short of a length and outside off, Jai Moondra cuts it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings! A full toss, down the leg side. Jai Moondra makes no mistake and glances it away to the fine leg fence for a boundary. 250 up for Ireland!

Hits the deck hard, on middle, Gavin Hoey tries to heave it across the line but misses. Jack Brassell finishes his spell with incredible figures of 10-0-52-4.

Sees the batter move across, serves this full and outside off. Gavin Hoey tries to reverse scoop it but the ball catches the toe end of the bat and rolls to point.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, Gavin Hoey pulls it away wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Touch fuller and around off, Gavin Hoey lofts it but not with much timing. It goes high in the air and drops just over the mid off fielder, who gets to the ball to keep it two runs.

Hard length and on leg, angling in. Gavin Hoey backs away to push it but misses.

WIDE! A bouncer, on middle, Gavin Hoey tries to pull it away but misses. Given a wide on height.

Jaffa! Short of a length and on middle, takes off viciously off the deck. Gavin Hoey backs away to play at it but then tries to sway away, keeping his bat out. The ball zips past the outside edge.

Good length and just around leg, Jai Moondra misses his flick.

WIDE! A bouncer, on middle, but too high for the umpire. Jai Moondra sways away from it. Called a wide.

Fuller and outside off, Gavin Hoey drags it off the bottom half of the bat towards long on for one.

WIDE! Tries the wide yorker, but this is way outside off, Gavin Hoey lets it go. Wided.

Pace off, on a length and on off, Jai Moondra guides it towards point for a quick run.

Fuller and angling down the leg side, Jai Moondra tickles it away towards fine leg for a brace.

Bangs in a bouncer, around off, Jai Moondra hops up but leaves it alone.

Much fuller, wide outside off, Gavin Hoey tries to punch it away, crouching down, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Just short! Pitched up and on middle and off, Jai Moondra looks to loft it but his bat turns in his hands. He slices it in the air towads extra cover, where the fielder moves forward but the ball just drop in front of him.

WIDE! And again! Pace off, but loses his radar and bowls it over the tramline, outside off. Jai Moondra lets it go. Another wide called.

WIDE! Slowe again, full but way outside off, Jai Moondra leaves it alone. Wided.

A slower one, full and on leg, Gavin Hoey clips it towards square leg for a run.

Pitched up, on middle, Gavin Hoey drills it down the pitch. Max Heingo gets low on his follow-through and stretches his right hand to stop the ball.

On a length and on middle, Gavin Hoey pats it to short mid-wicket.

Fuller one and on middle, Jai Moondra lobs it towards long on for a single.

Short of a length and around off, Jai Moondra has a heave across the line but misses.

Darts this one, full and on off, Jai Moondra drills it to long off for one.

OUT! MCBRINE IS RUN OUT! That's just a gift of a wicket. Gerhard Erasmus bowls this well behind the crease, drags his length back, on off. Andy McBrine pushes it to the right of the bowler and sets off for the run without even looking at his partner. Gavin Hoey has no interest in running and, to be fair to him, there was no run in it. Erasmues collects it and throws it to the keeper's end, where Zane Green does the rest and Andy keeps walking towards the hut. Namibia two wickets away from the win now.

Goes short and around off, Andy McBrine cuts it to point.

Flighted, full and on middle, Andy McBrine bunts it back to the bowler.

Flatter, full and on off, turns in sharply. Gavin Hoey stays back to push it away but gets an inside edge towads square leg for a run.

Floated, full and on leg, Andy McBrine clips it towards square leg for a single.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Pitched on a good length outside off stump, temptingly floating away. Dockrell advances down the pitch to launch a big blow through the off side, but appears to beat the bat as the keeper takes it cleanly in front of his chest. An instant, confident appeal from the gloveman persuades the umpire, who raises his finger.

FOUR! Just over the fielder! Short of a length, down the leg side. Dockrell pulls it past fine leg for four. Volschenk puts in a brave dive to save the boundary, but lands awkwardly on his shoulder and looks to be in real discomfort.

On a length, outside off, George Dockrell dabs it to cover.

Short, outside off, Andy McBrine guides it to deep third for one.

Four! The runs are piling up thick and fast. Short of a length, just outside off. McBrine swings it over mid-wicket for four more runs..

Yorker, on off, Andy McBrine jams it out.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Full-length delivery, on off, George Dockrell drills it to long off for a boundary.

FOUR! Supreme shot! Pitches it up, around middle and leg. George Dockrell clips it through short fine leg for a boundary.

Short, angling in, Andy Balbirnie nudges it to sqaure leg for a single.

Back of a length, around middle. George Dockrell pulls it to deep square leg for one.

A touch fuller, angling down the leg side, George Dockrell tries to flick it away, but wears on the pad.

On a length, around off, George Dockrell defends it to short extra cover.

Short of a length, around off, Andy McBrine dabs it to cover.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! It is Jack Brassell once again who breaks the partnership. Shorter one, angling down leg, Curtis Campher swings to pull it fine, misses, and the ball passes right by the glove. The Namibians explode in a massive appeal, and up goes the umpire's finger. Campher stands there in absolute disbelief, shaking his head, but with no review available, he has to take the long walk back

Short of a length, on middle, Curtis Campher pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Short, angling in, on middle, George Dockrell pulls it to deep square leg.

Short, angling in, around leg, Curtis Campher flicks it to backward square leg for a single.

Fuller, around off, George Dockrell pushes it to the left of cover and gets a single.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off, George Dockrell chips it over the short cover fielder but fails to get the timing right. The fielder leaps up high, outstreching his right hand, but it flies way over the finger tipes and the batter gets a single.

Short, on off, George Dockrell pushes it back to the bowler.

On a length, outside off, George Dockrell pats it to the left of the bowler.

SIX! Out of the park! Short of a length, angling in, around the hips of the batter. George Dockrell whips it cleanly over backward square leg for a biggie. 200 up for Ireland!

Short, around off, George Dockrell punches it to cover.

Short, outside off, Curtis Campher punches it to mid on for a single.

Full, at the stumps, Curtis Campher drives it to long on for one.

A touch shorter, angling down the leg side, Curtis Campher makes room and cuts it away.

Full, on middle, George Dockrell clips it behind square leg for one.

Pitches it up, on middle, Curtis Campher tucks it to long on for one.

Tossed up, fuller, on middle, George Dockrell clips it to deep square leg for one.

Fullish, on middle, George Dockrell eases it back to the bowler.

WIDE! Fires it fuller, down the leg side, George Dockrell misses his flick.

On a length, on middle and leg. Curtis Campher makes room and cuts it to backward point.

Short, around off, Curtis Campher pushes it back to the bowler.

Pitches it up, on middle, George Dockrell nudges it to long on for a single.

Short, on middle, Curtis Campher pushes it to long on for one.

FOUR! Edged and over! Short of a length, over middle. Curtis Campher tries to pull it away, but induces a thick top edge. The ball loops over the keeper and bounces away for four runs.

Much fuller, outside off, Curtis Campher crouches a bit and punches it straight to cover-point.

Tossed up, on middle, George Dockrell nudges it to mid-wicket.

A touch fuller, outside off, Curtis Campher dabs it to cover for a single and gets a single.

Short, outside off, Curtis Campher slaps it to backward point.

Fuller, on middle, Curtis Campher nudges it to mid-wicket.

Short, on middle and leg. Curtis Campher makes room and cuts it to the right of the backward point for a brace.

Fuller, on middle, George Dockrell nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Fuller, on off, George Dockrell drives it to cover for a single.

Pitches it up, on middle, Curtis Campher clips it to sqaure leg for a single.

Back of a length, over middle, Curtis Campher dabs it to backward point.

Just a shade, outside off, George Dockrell pushes it to cover for a single.

SIX! BOOM! Short of a length, on middle. George Dockrell picks up the length pretty quickly, rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for a biggie.

Short of a length, on off, George Dockrell dabs it away.

Short of a length, angling in, on middle. George Dockrell pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Short, on off and middle, George Dockrell dabs it back to the bowler.

Short, on middle, Curtis Campher nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Short, outside off, Curtis Campher punches it to deep point and gets a couple of runs.

Fuller, on middle, Curtis Campher pushes it back to the bowler.

Short, outside off, Curtis Campher pushes dabs it to cover.

Beaten! Back of a length, outside off, George Dockrell tries to punch but get beaten on the outside edge.

Back of a length, George Dockrell punches it to cover.

Back of a length, on off, George Dockrell dabs it to cover.

On a length, outside off, Curtis Campher to the point fielder, who fumbles and the batters gets the window to take the single.

Fuller, on off, Curtis Campher defends it down.

Full, wide outside off, Curtis Campher looks to drive but gets the inside edge and the ball rolls to short fine leg.

Pitched up, on off, George Dockrell taps it to cover.

Beaten! Pace off, fuller and around off, holds its line. George Dockrell lunges out and plays for the inward angle but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Hard length and on off, Curtis Campher stabs it past extra cover for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Curtis Campher dabs it down to point.

Back of a length and around off, George Dockrell punches it through covers for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs! Back of a length but angling down the leg side, George Dockrell fails to glance it away. Zane Green, the keeper, who is standing up to the stumps, can only parry it behind as the ball rolls to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Fuller and on off, George Dockrell gets forward and pushes it to short cover.

On a length and on off, Curtis Campher strides out and taps it to short cover.

Overpitched and on off, Curtis Campher drives it straight to mid off.

Back of a length and around off, George Dockrell punches it through covers for one.

FOUR! Action replay of the first ball! Dug into the surface, on middle, not short enough to trouble the batter. George Dockrell latches onto it and pulls it to the deep square leg fence for another boundary.

Fuller and on off, George Dockrell drills it to mid off.

FOUR! Fine shot! Short of a length and on middle. George Dockrell picks up the length early, gets on top of the bounce and heaves it away to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

A low full toss, on middle, George Dockrell jams it out to long on for one more.

Flatter, full and on middle, Curtis Campher drills it to long on for one.

SIX! Clean strike! Flighted delivery, full and on middle. Curtis Campher gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it powerfully over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 150 up for Ireland!

Drags his length back again, around off. Curtis Campher moves back and cuts. It goes in the air for a moment but drops in front of cover-point, who dives to his right to make a half-stop. They cross.

Short and on off, George Dockrell moves back and punches it through covers for a run.

Tossed up, full and around off, Curtis Campher drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Good length and on middle, angling in, George Dockrell blocks it out.

Dug into the surface, around off, Curtis Campher runs it down to deep third for a single.

Hard length and on off, Curtis Campher punches it towards cover, where the fielder lets it thorugh, allowing the second run.

Back of a length and outside off, Curtis Campher cuts it but uppishly and wide of point. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton dives to his left but just fails to reach it. The fielder in the deep cuts it out, keeping it to two runs.

On a length and on middle, Curtis Campher tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Short of a length and on middle, Curtis Campher pulls it wide of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Looped up, full and on off, Curtis Campher drives it to long off for one.

FOUR! A welcome boundary! This is flighted, full and on middle and leg. Curtis Campher gets down on one knee and nails the sweep to the deep square leg fence for four runs.

Dragged back, on middle, Curtis Campher swats it wide of long on for a brace.

A risky single! Flatter, short and on off, George Dockrell pats it to the right of short cover and sets off for the run. The fielder quickly gets to the ball and throws it at the bowler's end, but misses the stumps. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton fails to gather it cleanly and breaks the stumps without having control of the ball. Dockrell survives.

Tossed up, full and on off, George Dockrell strides out, opens the bat face and steers it to backward point.

Floated, short and around off, Curtis Campher punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

Pitched up, on middle, angling in, George Dockrell misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. A slight shout for LBW, but turned down. Clearly going down the leg side.

Much fuller and on off, George Dockrell gets half-forward and taps it to point.

Nasty! Another bouncer, directed at the body of the batter. George Dockrell is late to get out of the way, and he turns his head. The ball crashes into the back of the helmet. Brassell checks in on the batter, which is good to see.

WIDE! Bangs in a bouncer, on middle, but too high. George Dockrell ducks under it. Wided.

In the blockhole, on off, George Dockrell jams it back to the bowler.

Full again and on middle, George Dockrell blocks it out.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Jack Brassell gets his second in as many overs, and this is the biggest of them all as he gets rid of the dangerous Irish skipper. Fuller delivery, on middle, angling in a bit. Paul Stirling steps across to flick it away but his legs gets tanlged up and he misses, getting hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a big shout for LBW, and the finger goes up. Stirling is really disappointed with himself and mumbles to himself while walking back. A fantasitc knock but it comes to an end now, and Ireland lose half their side.

Flighted, full and on leg, Paul Stirling clips it through mid-wicket for one more.

Dragged back, around off, Curtis Campher punches it through cover-point for one.

Slows it up, full and on off, Curtis Campher defends it on the front foot.

Flatter, full and on middle, Paul Stirling goes down and sweeps it to deep square leg for another run.

Short and outside off, Curtis Campher cuts it to deep point for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Paul Stirling drives it through covers for a single.

OUT! CAUGHT! Jack Brassell strikes now and Ireland are crumbling here. He bangs in a well-directed bouncer on middle. Lorcan Tucker tries to take it on with a pull shot but the ball gets big on him and he also loses his bottom band. It flies off the top edge towards deep square leg, where JJ Smit settles under it and takes a fine catch. The pressure keeps building on Striling at the other end.

Pitched up, on middle, Lorcan Tucker drills it back to the bowler, who makes a half-stop on the follow-through.

On a length and on middle, Lorcan Tucker tucks it to short mid-wicket.

A bouncer, on middle, Lorcan Tucker ducks under it.

Fuller and on middle, Paul Stirling uses his feet and bunts it towards mid off for a quick single. The fielder fumbles but no harm done.

Good length and on middle, Paul Stirling stays back and pats it down the pitch.

Flighted, full and on middle, Lorcan Tucker defends it on the front foot.

OUT! TIMBER! That is a beauty from Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton. He pushes through a slider, full and on middle, skids through the deck. Harry Tector stays back and tries to play it with a straight bat but does so down the wrong line. It goes past the outside edge and hits the top of off pole. Tector looks bemused but has to walk back now. Ireland are 119/3 now.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Harry Tector blocks it out.

Floated, full and on off, Paul Stirling drills it to long off for a single.

Tossed up, full and on off, Paul Stirling drives it to short cover.

FOUR! Nicely done! Shorter in length and outside off. Paul Stirling plays it late and cuts it using the pace past backward point for a boundary.

Hits the deck hard, around off, Harry Tector steers it to the right of backward point. He wants the run but is sent back.

FOUR! Gets it away! Dug into the surface, down the leg side, there to be put away. Harry Tector just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Hard length, around off, Harry Tector looks to punch it away but misses.

Fuller and on middle, Harry Tector clips it to short mid-wicket.

DROPPED AGAIN! Paul Stirling is using all his luck here! Back of a length and outside off, takes off sharply. Stirling looks to steer it away but gets taken aback by the extra bounce and just hangs his bat away. It lobs up towards point, where Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton leaps up and gets fingertips on it but fails to hold on. A single taken.

SIX! Cracking shot! Short of a length and around off, Paul Stirling picks up the length in a trice, steps across and swivel-pulls it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Pitches it up, on off, Paul Stirling drives it gently to the left of the bowler for a single.

On the fuller side, outside off, Harry Tector pushes to deep point for one.

A low full toss, around middle, Harry Tector flicks it to mid-wicket.

Short, outside off, Paul Stirling punches it to deep backward point for one.

Short of a length, around middle, Harry Tector knocks it to long on for a single. 100 up for Ireland.

Short, outside off, Paul Stirling slaps it to deep point for one.

Sort of a length, outside off, Harry Tector cuts it to backward point.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! The ball just kissed off the bails and knocked'em off to break the 44-run partnership. Back of a length delivery, pitching it on off, nipping in. Carmichael backs away to punch it through cover, but the ball sneaks past the outside edge to hit the top of the stumps.

Much fuller, on off, Cade Carmichael jams it to cover.

Just a shade behind the good length, on middle, Paul Stirling tucks it to mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Up, up and away! Pitches it up, on middle and leg. Paul Stirling yet again makes room to the leg side and smashes it over long off for six more runs.

Back of a length, down the leg side. Paul Stirling makes room to cut it away, but misses the connection.

Full toss, wide outside off, Cade Carmichael pushes it to cover.

DROPPED! Short ball on middle, Stirling mistimes a pull to deep backward square leg. Alexander Volschenk runs forward and tries to grab it with both hands, but it bursts through and hits his midriff before dropping out. They cross.

FOUR! Back-to-back FIFTY for the Irish skipper! Fuller in length, outside off, Paul Stirling sweeps it to the right of deep backward sqaure leg for a boundary.

Short of a length, outside off, Paul Stirling slaps it uppishly toward deep point. The fielder at deep backward point, runs to his right and flicks it to keep it in play. Two runs taken.

Fuller, around off, Paul Stirling stabs it to cover.

Tossed up, just outside off, Paul Stirling tries to sweep it away, but fails to find the conenction and wears on the front pad. Appeal goes round, but the impact on the pad is surely outside off.

Pitches it up, on off, Cade Carmichael drives it to mid off.

A touch fuller, on off, Cade Carmichael punches it hard, but straight to the cover fielder.

On a length, on off, Cade Carmichael gets on his front foot and blocks it to cover.

Back of a length, angling in, Cade Carmichael fails to tuck it to sqaure leg.

Short of a length, around off, Paul Stirling pulls it uppishly, to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, just outside off, Paul Stirling guides it late, but the keeper dives to his right and makes a save.

Short, angling in, Cade Carmichael tries to pull it but fails to make the connection.

On a length, outside off, Paul Stirling pushes it to cover-point for one.

Appeal goes round for caught behind, in fact, the keeper throws the ball high up in the sky, thinking it's a wicket. but the umpire remains unmoved. Short-pitched delivery, angling sharply down the leg side. Stirling attempts to pull, appearing to brush the ball on its way through. Zane Green reacts magnificently behind the stumps, diving full length to his left to take a stunning low catch. But it seems the ball came off the thigh pad or missed entirely.

Full-length delivery, on off, Paul Stirling blocks it down.

Full, on off, Paul Stirling dead-bats it down.

Hard length, outside off, Cade Carmichael dabs it to short third for one.

Pitches it up, on off, Paul Stirling blocks it down.

Full, on off, Paul Stirling drives it back to the bowler.

Full, on off, Cade Carmichael tries to drive it to cover, but gets the inside edge, before the ball nutmegs the batter and bounces off to sqaure leg for one.

On a length, around middle, Paul Stirling clips it to mid-wicket for one.

SIX! KABOOM! Floated up, fuller, on off, Paul Stirling skips down the track and launches it over long on for half a dozen.

Full, on middle, Paul Stirling defends it to cover.

Full, angling in, on middle, Cade Carmichael clips it to deep mid-wicket, where the fielder moves to his left and makes a diving stop. Two runs taken.

Short of a length, Paul Stirling tucks it to deep square leg for one.

Back of a length, over middle, Paul Stirling looks to flick it away, but fails to get the connection and get thumped on the thigh pad.

Fuller, on middle, Cade Carmichael nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Pitches it up, on off, Cade Carmichael pushes it to cover.

Low full toss, on middle, Cade Carmichael blocks it down the track.

Just a shade behind the good length, outside off. Cade Carmichael pats it to cover for one.

On a length, angling in, on middle, Cade Carmichael clips it to mid-wicket.

Some movement off the deck now! Bangs it hard, does Max Heingo, pitching it just outside off and nipping in sharply. Cade Carmichael stands tall and looks to block it down, but gets beaten on the outside edge and takes a blow on his midriff.

Pitches it up, outside off, Paul Stirling guides it to deep third for a single.

Short of a length, outside off, Paul Stirling slaps it to the right of deep point for a couple of runs.

Fuller, on off, Cade Carmichael pushes it to deep backward point for one.

FOUR! Deft touch! Back of a length, just outside off. Paul Stirling just opens the face of the bat and steers it toward through short third for a boundary.

On a length, outside off, Cade Carmichael cuts it to deep backward point for one.

Beaten! Good-length delivery, on the fifth stump line, holds its line. Cade Carmichael has a tentative poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Nicely done! Fuller and on middle, angling in, Cade Carmichael brings his wrists into play and flicks it with amazing timing through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Fuller, on middle, Cade Carmichael blocks it down.

Fuller, around the leg stump. Paul Stirling fails to flick it and wears on the toe of his boots. The ball rolls to right of mid-wicket for a leg bye.

OUT! BALBIRNIE IS RUN OUT! The Irish openers started pretty well, but a moment of brilliance in the field has brought their downfall. Back of a length ball wider of off stump. Balbirnie advances to slap it through the off side, but finds the fielder at short cover, who executes a fine diving partial save. Balbirnie sets off for a risky single, looking at the ball and not his partner, but Stirling aborts the run midway. Turning back in desperation, Balbirnie slips and loses his balance completely. Malan Kruger recovers smartly, firing a return to the keeper, who runs forward and slips too, but has enough time to dislodge the bails, with Balbirnie grounded in the middle of the pitch. Ireland are 54/1, chasing 322 runs.

Short of a length, outside off, Andy Balbirnie cuts it to the right of deep third for a brace.

In the air... SAFE! Fuller in length, just outside off. Paul Stirling tries to smash it downtown, but catches the upper part of the bat. The ball loops over cover and drops safely. Single taken.

Just a shade behind the good length, just outside off. Paul Stirling blocks it down.

On a length, around off, Andy Balbirnie punches it to wide of cover for one.

Hard length, outside off, Paul Stirling slices it uppishly toward deep backward square leg for one. That brings up the 50-run stand between these two batters.

WIDE! A touch fuller, wide outside off, swinging away from the batter. Paul Stirling swings and misses with a large gap.

Dug into the surface, around off, straightens off the deck. Andy Balbirnie throws his hands at it but only connects with thin air.

Almost dragged on! Short of a length and on middle, angling into the batter. Andy Balbirnie stays back to pat it away but gets an inside edge just past the leg stump.

In the air...SAFE! Ruben Trumpelmann pulls his length back a bit, outside off. Andy Balbirnie uses his feet and tries to go over covers but slices it in the air. The fielder from point runs backward but fails to reach it and grabs it on the bounce. Two taken.

Fuller and on off, angling in, Andy Balbirnie looks to drive but gets a bottom edge towards mid on.

Good length and on off, Andy Balbirnie opens the bat face and guides it wide of point. Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton dives to his right to make a fine stop.

Back of a length and outside off, Paul Stirling steers it towards deep third for a single.

Goes fuller and on off, angling away. Andy Balbirnie tries to drive on the up but misses. The keeper is standing up to the stumps and fails to gather it cleanly. It lobs up off his pads and drops in front of short third.

Good length, on middle and leg, Paul Stirling goes down and swipes it off the inner half of the bat towards fine leg for one.

Just short of a length and on off, gets some extra lift off the deck. Paul Stirling looks to punch it away but misses.

Goes fuller and on middle and leg, Paul Stirling tucks it to short mid-wicket.

On a length and on off, Paul Stirling pushes it towards cover.

FOUR! Not where he intended it to go but he will take it! Back of a length and just around off. Paul Stirling backs away a bit too much and throws his bat out to reach. It takes the underedge and races to the third man fence for a boundary.

Maiden over! Hard length and on off, Andy Balbirnie stays back and stabs it to extra cover.

Pitched up, on off, Andy Balbirnie drills it off the toe end towards mid off.

Back of a length and around off, Andy Balbirnie punches it to cover-point. 6 dots in a row now!

Pulls his length back a bit, on off, Andy Balbirnie opens the bat face and taps it to short cover.

Touch fuller, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie knocks it to mid on.

On a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie pushes it to cover.

Swing and a miss! Short of a length and on off, shoots up off the deck. Paul Stirling backs away and throws his bat at it but fails to connect.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, Paul Stirling gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Pitched up, on the pads, Andy Balbirnie flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Goes fuller, on middle, Paul Stirling clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Back of a length and on middle, nips back in a bit. Paul Stirling stays back to play at it but gets a bottom edge onto the pitch as the ball rolls just past the leg stump.

Good length and on off, Paul Stirling steps across and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Dug into the surface, on middle, Paul Stirling pulls it on the bounce to deep square leg for one.

FOUR! Second of the over! Ruben Trumpelmann bowls this on a hard length and around off. Paul Stirling backs away a bit and slaps it over extra cover for four more runs.

A quick and sharp bouncer, around off, Paul Stirling thinks about the pull but then decides against it.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Short of a length and just on off. Paul Stirling moves across, lifts his front leg up and heaves it away towards deep square leg. JJ Smit runs to his left and dives but lets it through for a boundary.

Back of a length and on middle, nips back in, Paul Stirling tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Fuller in length and around off, Paul Stirling pushes it to cover-point.

Hard length and on off, Andy Balbirnie stabs it out to the off side.

Good length and around leg, Paul Stirling fails to flick it as the ball goes off his thigh pad towards fine leg. Leg bye taken.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, Paul Stirling stays back and pats it down the pitch.

Short of a length and outside off, Andy Balbirnie cuts it through point for a run.

On a length and on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Back of a length and around leg, Paul Stirling nudges it off his hips through square leg for a single.

Pitched up, on off, Andy Balbirnie just checks his drives and beats the dive of mid off to his right. However, the ball does not have enough legs and mid on runs back to collect it. Two taken.

FOUR! Nicely done! Fuller again but outside off this time. Andy Balbirnie crouches low, gets his hands through the shot and crashes it through extra cover for a boundary.

WIDE! Goes full but down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie misses his flick. Called a wide.

Lands this back of a length and on middle, takes off again. Andy Balbirnie tries to get his hands up to keep it out but takes a blow to his thumb.

Wow..that took off! Ruben Trumpelmann bangs this into the pitch, just outside off, and it shoots up sharply off the deck. Andy Balbirnie gets on his toes and tries to cut but misses.

FOUR! Put away! Short of a length and around the leg-stump line. Andy Balbirnie stays inside the line of it and just helps it on its way to the deep backward square leg fence for a boundary.

A half-volley, around off, Andy Balbirnie drives it firmly but straight to cover.

Hard length and around off, Paul Stirling punches it to extra cover.

WIDE! Errs in line again and serves this full and down the leg side, Paul Stirling leaves it alone. Wided.

FOUR! Unlucky for the bowler! Pitched up and around leg, shaping in. Paul Stirling shimmies down the track and looks to go big down the ground but gets a inside edge that races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

WIDE! Full again but down the leg side, Paul Stirling fails to glance it away. Wided.

Touch fuller, on middle and off, Paul Stirling taps it towards short cover.

Short of a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie opens the bat face and steers it towards point. The fielder dives to his right and gets a hand to take the sting out of the ball. Just one.

Back of a length and around off, Andy Balbirnie rides the bounce and punches it through covers for a brace.

Fuller in length and on middle, shaping away. Andy Balbirnie guides it off the outer half of the bat towards point.

Short of a length and on off, Paul Stirling dabs it down to point.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, jags back into the midriff of the batter. Paul Stirling manages to pat it down to the leg side.

Lands this on a good length and on off, nips back in, Andy Balbirnie looks to push it away but gets another inside edge towards fine leg for a single.

Goes fuller and on off, Andy Balbirnie drives it square but fails to beat point.

Back of a length and around off, Andy Balbirnie looks to punch it away but misses.

Ruben Trumpelmann begins with a hard-length delivery, on middle and leg, Andy Balbirnie tries to work it away but ends up stabbing it onto the pitch.

Hard length and around off, Paul Stirling punches it towards cover-point.

FOUR! Streaky! Short of a length and just outside off, gets some extra bounce again. Paul Stirling slashes hard and gets an outside edge that flies over first slip for a boundary.

Pitched up, on middle again, Paul Stirling knocks it down the pitch.

Touch fuller and on middle, Paul Stirling tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Good length and on middle and off, Andy Balbirnie looks to push it away but gets an inside edge towards fine leg fora single. Ireland are underway in the chase!

Right on the money! JJ Smit starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, on off, takes off sharply. Andy Balbirnie tries to ride the bounce and keep it out but gets beaten on the outside edge.