Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

IRE vs SA 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IRE vs SA 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Ireland vs South Africa 1st ODI Key Players | Malahide Pitch Report

ODI cricket returns to Ireland in what is a crucial series for the home side. The Irish, who languish in 10th spot with seven defeats in nine matches – including a 2-1 series defeat to The Netherlands – need points desperately if they want to qualify directly to the 2023 ODI World Cup.

The test awaiting them here certainly promises to be a tough one. South Africa are riding a wave of a successful tour of the Caribbean, where they held their own superbly in the T20I series. The Proteas still aren’t the completed package in ODI cricket, but the potency of their pace attack, form of Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram, and a middle order looking for more consistency should hold them in good stead.

And, of course, Temba Bavuma’s side will be after critical Super League points. South Africa currently sit bottom of the table, but have played the least number of games along with Zimbabwe, so this series presents a very viable opportunity to make strides up the table.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Ireland:

• Paul Stirling will be crucial at the top for the home side. The right-hander is the leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2021 (546 runs, avg. 78.00), with three centuries and two half-centuries in eight ODIs. He will be aiming to improve his record vs South Africa which reads: 3 ODIs, 59 runs, avg. 19.66.
• Skipper Andy Balbirnie will also be key. He has been struggling in ODIs this year (8 ODIs, 161 runs, avg. 23.00), so a turnaround is essential for his team.
• Ireland are set to welcome back classy all-rounder Curtis Campher. The South African-born Campher has scored three half-centuries in eight ODIs, as well as eight wickets.
• Josh Little was a huge positive for Ireland in the series against The Netherlands. He took eight wickets in the three matches (3/32, 4/39, 1/35). His pace will be key in making the South African batsmen uncomfortable.
• Craig Young took three wickets in his only ODI vs South Africa, back in 2016. However, he went for a huge 81 runs.
• Barry McCarthy has the most wickets of any bowler in ODIs at Malahide (7 matches, 13 wickets, avg. 30.15).

South Africa:

• How good has Quinton de Kock been since he was relieved of the captaincy? He was superb in the West Indies, scoring 255 runs in the five T20Is at an average of 51.00. Also, he has made a score of 82 in his two ODIs vs Ireland.
• Aiden Markram has also been brilliant in 2021. He has scored 292 runs in seven T20Is at an average of 41.71 and strike rate of 158.69, and will be looking to transfer this form to ODIs.
• Temba Bavuma scored a century on his ODI debut against Ireland back in 2016 (113).
• Rassie van der Dussen averages an extraordinary 80.90 in 23 ODIs. David Miller’s 60 runs against Ireland have come at a strike rate of 153.84.
• Kagiso Rabada will be looking to improve on his record of 19 wickets in 15 ODIs at an average of 35.00 in Europe. In his only ODI vs Ireland, back in 2016, Rabada took figures of 1/22.
• Anrich Nortje has taken seven wickets in two ODIs in 2021, and Tabraiz Shamsi is coming off a player-of-the-series performance in the T20Is vs West Indies.

Stats and Facts

• South Africa have won all five ODIs against Ireland.
• William Porterfield has the second-most runs of any player on this ground (315, avg. 31.50). Andy Balbirnie is close behind with 277 runs (avg. 30.77).
• Simi Singh has taken 14 wickets in seven ODIs this year.
• South Africa can move ahead of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in the ODI Super League table with a win here.

Possible Playing 11

Kevin O’Brien retired from 50-over cricket after Ireland’s series loss to The Netherlands. So, William Porterfield, who was dropped for the third ODI of that series, is set to slot in.

Curtis Campher, who was super impressive against England last year, is also set to return after injury.

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. William Porterfield, 3. Andy Balbirnie (c), 4. Harry Tector, 5. Curtis Campher, 6. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 7. Simi Singh, 8. Andy McBrine, 9. Barry McCarthy, 10. Josh Little, 11. Craig Young

Anrich Nortje missed the fifth T20I vs West Indies due to a knee complaint. He should be fit and ready to go for this game.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Aiden Markram, 3. Temba Bavuma (c), 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. David Miller, 6. Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Andile Phehlukwayo, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Anrich Nortje, 10. Lungi Ngidi, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

Malahide Pitch Report and Weather

There is some grass on the pitch which can aid movement for the new ball bowlers. So, the challenge for the openers will be to see this period through. If they can, then they can take advantage of the small boundaries on this ground.

Unfortunately, there is a 70% chance of rain. Hopefully there should be enough play for a result.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

South Africa to win, weather permitting.