Parnell stars as SA sweep Ireland T20 series

Wayne Parnell’s maiden five-wicket Twenty20 international haul led South Africa to a convincing 44-run victory over Ireland at Bristol on Friday as the Proteas completed a 2-0 series win.

The 33-year-old left-arm quick took 5-30 as Ireland, chasing 183 to win, were dismissed for 138 in what was their eighth successive defeat at this level ahead of a T20 World Cup.

Parnell put a dent in Ireland’s chase early on, reducing them to 2-2 with two wickets in consecutive balls. Balbirnie fell for a duck, and Lorcan Tucker went first ball when he miscued to mid-on.

Parnell followed up with two wickets in three balls, Curtis Campher caught behind before Tector holed out off a miscued pull for 34.

Parnell had a fifth wicket when Andy McBrine was brilliantly caught by diving wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. – AFP