Tristan Stubbs of South Africa celebrates his half century during the 1st T20i match between West Indies and South Africa at Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Tarouba, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago FILE. Tristan Stubbs has revealed the mountain his side had to overcome before they were able to produce a truly dominant performance against Ireland. Picture: Randy Brooks/AFP
A torrid run of results may just have served as the catalyst for the Proteas as they claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in their One-Day International (ODI) series against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, according to Tristan Stubbs.
Since their run to the T20 World Cup final against India in June, South Africa have lost limited overs series to the West Indies (T20Is), Afghanistan (ODIs) and drawn with Ireland in their T20 series.
That run of poor results seemed a distant memory on Friday in Abu Dhabi as the Proteas piled on the runs as they posted a mammoth 343/4 in the second ODI.
Ireland could only manage 169 all out in response, as South Africa romped to a 174-run win.
A torrid run of results may just have served as the catalyst for the Proteas as they claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in their One-Day International series against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, according to Tristan Stubbs.
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) October 5, 2024
📽️: Cricket SA pic.twitter.com/uHey2gH9gX
Stubbs was the Proteas protagonist with a magical first ODI hundred as he ended 112 not out from 81 balls. His knock included eight fours and three sixes.
All the Proteas batsman came to the party though, with Ryan Rickelton (40), Temba Bavuma (35), Rassie van Der Dussen (35), Kyle Verrerynne (67) and Wiaan Mulder (43) all in the runs.
When asked how his team were able to produce such a comprehensive performance, Stubbs revealed the pain his charges had to overcome in the previous series.
“Yeah, it sucks losing. There's nothing to it. It hurts. The West Indies was tough and then that Afghanistan [series] was hard and now that loss to Ireland in the T20s wasn't great,” said Stubbs.
“And it's like when I went out in the first 30 overs, I was like this can't happen again. And fortunately, we got to a score that was then defendable, but that losing feeling, it's horrible.
“So I'll try and do anything to not have that feeling again.”