Last Updated on 3 months by Charbel Coorey

IRE vs SA 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IRE vs SA 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Ireland vs South Africa 3rd T20I Key Players | Belfast Pitch Report

Yet again, South Africa produced a total in the region of 160 and defended it thanks to more brilliant bowling by the world’s number one T20I bowler, Tabraiz Shamsi. However, it was far from smooth sailing as the Proteas were reduced to 58/5, with David Miller this time producing a very timely return to form.

Also, Ireland’s batting woes continued in this series, with their top order failing again to leave their middle order with too much to do. The home side has lost 19 wickets in the two games so far; cause for significant improvement as matches are limited between now and the T20 World Cup.

So, this third T20I, rather than it just being a dead rubber, serves as further important preparation for two sides whose batting still leaves a little to be desired. With spin so prominent in the second T20I, the onus will be on the batsmen to be better, with UAE conditions to certainly help spin later in the year.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Ireland:

• Andy Balbirnie needs to hold things together at the top for Ireland. The home side has lost a total of six powerplay wickets this series, so Balbirnie needs to rediscover his earlier form vs South Africa. He has three 50+ scores in six internationals against them.
• Paul Stirling has been effective with the ball rather than the bat. After his 2/12 in the first T20I, Stirling now has seven wickets in six T20Is on this ground at an average of just 10.14. However, he will be hoping for an improvement with the bat (6 inns, 96 runs, avg. 16.00).
• Harry Tector made his first score below 25 in South Africa’s tour of Ireland (previous scores of 25, 79, 29, 36). He will be key as he has in been in decent form of late.
• Simi Singh has been economical and in wicket-taking form. His three wickets this series have come at an average of 15.00 and economy rate of just 5.62.
• Mark Adair has the most wickets of any Ireland bowler so far this series. He has a total of five scalps, and will be key in Ireland’s quest for a win (figures of 3/39 and 2/33).
• Josh Little went wicketless for the first time vs South Africa, after taking six wickets in his first three internationals against them.

South Africa:

• It has been a surprisingly quiet series so far for Quinton de Kock. He has made two scores in the 20s, and will be looking to build on that here. He recently scored 255 runs in the five T20Is vs West Indies and scored a ton in the third ODI vs Ireland.
• What a timely return to form for David Miller. The left-hander is key to South Africa’s finishing, so his 75 off 44 balls would have been a relief to both he and the Proteas. His 103 runs this series have come at a strike rate of 158.46.
• Aiden Markram is still warming to the task of batting at four. However, he is enjoying a strong year in T20Is, with 339 runs at an average of 37.66 and strike rate of 154.09. He will be hoping to bounce back after a score of just 8 in the second T20I.
• What an arrival for Bjorn Fortuin. His 3/16 in the second T20I was a fine show of accuracy, and if selected again, he will want to make another impact. He has 10 wickets in 11 T20s in 2021.
• The more we see Tabraiz Shamsi, the better he gets. He followed up his 4/27 in the first T20I with 3/14 in the next, completely bamboozling the Irish batsmen. He has taken 24 wickets in 14 T20Is this year at an average of 12.90 and economy rate of 5.32. Outstanding.

Stats and Facts

• Will Ireland persist with Kevin O’Brien? The right-hander is having a terrible year, with just 27 runs in seven internationals, including consecutive ducks in this series.
• If Lungi Ngidi plays, he will have the opportunity to build on a prolific T20I wicket-taking record (36 wickets in 23 matches to date).
• South Africa have won five of their past seven T20Is.

Possible Playing 11

Ireland have the Kevin O’Brien question to answer. One option they have is to promote Balbirnie to opener and bring in another batsman.

Ireland: 1. Paul Stirling, 2. Kevin O’Brien, 3. Andy Balbirnie (c), 4. Harry Tector, 5. George Dockrell, 6. Lorcan Tucker (wk), 7. Shane Getkate, 8. Simi Singh, 9. Mark Adair, 10. Josh Little, 11 Craig Young/Barry McCarthy

South Africa could look at further rotation in this game. Lungi Ngidi has played both games, so could be rested for Anrich Nortje who is yet to play. Also, Kagiso Rabada could come back after missing the second match.

Also, should the Proteas persist with four openers in their top four? There is a chance Janneman Malan will be left out with either Heinrich Klaasen or Kyle Verryenne coming into the middle order.

South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Temba Bavuma (c), 3. Aiden Markram, 4. Rassie van der Dussen, 5. David Miller, 6. Kyle Verryenne/Heinrich Klaasen, 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. Bjorn Fortuin/George Linde 9. Beuran Hendricks/Kagiso Rabada, 10. Anrich Nortje/Lungi Ngidi 11 Tabraiz Shamsi

Civil Service Cricket Club Stormont Belfast Pitch Report and Weather

The surface in the last T20I was on the slower side, with spinners taking a total of 10 wickets. The Civil Service Cricket Club hosted T20Is between Ireland Women and Scotland Women earlier this year, where the top score was 137 in four matches. Also, more sunny weather is forecast.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Ireland have had their moments, but South Africa’s experience counts for plenty. The Proteas to win.