South Africa men national cricket team, The Proteas, on Friday, thrashed Ireland by eight-wickets in the first of their two-match T20 series played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Proteas who reached the T20 World Cup final in June, came into the matches against Ireland on the back of an ODI series defeat by Afghanistan in Sharjah.

Ryan Rickelton and Reeze Hendricks struck half-centuries as South Africa romped to a victory with Rickelton making 76 off 48 balls and Hendricks adding 51 off 33 deliveries as South Africa’s opening pair put on 136 for the first wicket in reply to Ireland’s total of 171-8.

Earlier in the game, South Africa captain Aiden Markam called correctly and put Ireland into bat at the toss, with Ireland skipper Paul Stirling joined in the middle by Ross Adair, playing his ninth T20I in the absence of Lorcan Tucker.

Curtis Campher top-scored with the bat for Ireland, accumulating 49 as his team made 171-8 off their 20 overs but The Proteas responded with a dominant Rickelton and Hendricks putting on an opening partnership of 136 as the Proteas reached 174-2 to reach their target with 14 balls to spare.

South African-born Curtis Campher top-scored for Ireland with 49 and received support from wicketkeeper Neil Rock, who contributed 37 before Ireland lost their way late in the innings after being asked to bat first, while all-rounder Patrick Kruger finished with a triple-wicket maiden, snaring George Dockrell, Fionn Hand and Adair in the final over to end with figures of 4-27.

The second T20 match between the sides will be played at the same venue on Sunday when Ireland will aim to secure their first ever T20 victory over their opponents at the seventh attempt.

Kenyan duo of Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa were the major winners in the inaugural women-only track and field event at Athlos NYC 2024 held on Thursday at New York’s Icahn Stadium.

While Kipyegon secured victory in the 1500m in a time of 4 minutes, 79 seconds to claim victory, Moraa clinched second place in the 800m event to cart home the princely price money which superceded what Diamond League winners take home.

Three-time Olympic champion Kipyegon who was among three Kenyans alongside world champion Moraa who took part in the 800m and Susan Ejore-Sanders who joined the Olympian in the 1500m.

Launched by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband to retired American tennis great, Serena Williams, the
Athlos championship aims to build off of the star power of women’s track events.

The winners of each event pocketed $60,000 – twice the prize money offered at the Diamond League finale – and first place finishers each received a custom Tiffany crown.

Speaking to journalists after the race, Kipyegon said:

“I pick inspiration from many characters back at home. I started competing when I was about fifteen years old and I am still going strong,” said Kipyegon in her victory speech.