Cricket

Wayne Parnell sizzles with fifer as South Africa complete series win over Ireland

Left-arm pace all-rounder Wayne Parnell claimed a fine career-best five-for as South Africa beat Ireland by 44 runs in the second T20I.

Sentinel Digital Desk

Bristol: Left-arm pace all-rounder Wayne Parnell claimed a fine career-best five-for as South Africa beat Ireland by 44 runs in the second T20I at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol to seal a 2-0 series win. On the way of running through the Irish batting line-up in defence of 182/6, Parnell also became only the fifth South African to take 50 wickets in the shortest format of the game. His figures of 5/30 were essential in helping his team bundle out Ireland for just 138. Parnell's five wickets, also his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is, got him to join South Africa's top-five leading wicket taker list in the format, featuring Tabraiz Shamsi (69), Dale Steyn (64), Imran Tahir (61) and Kagiso Rabada (52). Dwaine Pretorius (3/33) led the support act, while Lungi Ngidi (1/14) and Tabraiz Shamsi (1/31) chipped in very well for South Africa. After losing the toss and pushed into batting first, opener Reeza Hendricks, whose previous four innings all yielded half centuries, began well but he fell narrowly short of another fifty, making 42 off 40 balls. At the other end, Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen had struggled to find their range to fall cheaply. But Hendricks again found support through Aiden Markram as he plundered three sixes in a 10-ball 27. Both were removed by Gareth Delany in an excellent 13th over leaving the visitors on 85/4 at that stage. An explosive 71-run stand between Heinrich Klaasen (39 off 16 balls) and the fit-again stand-in captain David Miller (32 off 20 balls) propelled South Africa to reach a strong total. The duo found the fence almost at will to take their team to a strong total at halfway stage of the match. Brief Scores: South Africa 182/6 in 20 overs (Reeza Hendricks 42, Heinrich Klaasen 39; Gareth Delany 2/24) beat Ireland 138 all out in 18.5 overs (Harry Tector 34, Barry McCarthy 32; Wayne Parnell 5/30, Dwaine Pretorius 3/33) by 44 runs. Also read: New Zealand beat Netherlands in 1st T20I Also watch: