South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl in the first T20 International (T20I) against Ireland in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Skipper Aiden Markram called correctly at the toss, and will bat at number four while Tristan Stubbs comes in at five. Ahead of the game, there was talk that Stubbs could bat at four but that does not seem to be the case.
As the skipper of the T20 squad, Markram will be expected to set a good example against an Ireland team which will present a vastly different challenge to the tricky spin attack of Afghanistan.
Up top, Ryan Rickelton will partner Reeza Hendricks to open the batting, with Matthew Breetzke coming in at three.
Tristan Stubbs' explosive 72 off 28 balls against England stunned the opposition with his power-hitting display. pic.twitter.com/VEs6qpY0UX
— Best Of Batters (@BestOfBatters) August 11, 2024
Hoping for something different
The Proteas went with two allrounder in Wiaan Mulder and Patrick Kruger, while spinners Bjorn Fortuin and Nqaba Peter will provide the spin options.
Lizaad Williams and Ottniel Baartman will hope to set the tone as the two quicks.
The Proteas come into the contest off a 2-1 loss to Afghanistan in a three-match One-Day International series in Sharjah last week.
Whether the outcome will be any different, will be difficult to predict as this is still an experimental Proteas group, selected for both the series.
Teams:
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nqaba Peter, Lizaad Williams, Ottniel Baartman.
Ireland: Paul Stirling, Ross Adair, Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, Neil Rock, George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Fion Hand, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young, Ben White.