Toss South Africachose to bat vs Ireland
Less than 10 days handing over the captaincy armband to David Miller, Keshav Maharaj has it back after Miller was ruled out of the opening T20I against Ireland with a lower-back spasm. Miller joins Kagiso Rabada on the sick bed, though Rabada has been ruled out of both matches in the series with an ankle injury. Miller will be monitored by the medical staff with a view to playing in Friday’s second game.
His unavailability meant South Africa had to make a change to their middle order and they brought back Heinrich Klaasen, who missed the third match against England. They also benched Rilee Rossouw in favour of Rassie van der Dussen and Andile Phehlukwayo to include both their other allrounders, Wayne Parnell and Dwaine Pretorius. Lungi Ngidi is the only specialist quick retained for this match, with Anrich Nortje also sitting out. Maharaj’s inclusion means there are two spinners, with Tabraiz Shamsi given an opportunity to prove he has learnt from an expensive outing in Bristol a week ago.
Ireland’s XI were also forced to make a change from the team that played against New Zealand. Craig Young is out of the series with a groin injury but instead of fellow pacer South African-born Graham Hume, Ireland have included an extra spinner. Andy McBrine, George Dockrell and Gareth Delany are their slower-bowling options.
Ireland: 1 Paul Stirling, 2 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 3 Lorcan Tucker, (capt) 4 Harry Tector, 5 George Dockrell, 6 Curtis Campher, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 Andrew McBrine, 9 Mark Adair, 10 Barry McCarthy, 11 Josh Little