Simi Singh becomes the first-ever player to score an ODI hundred batting at No. 8 or below

Ireland's bowling all-rounder Simi Singh made history against South Africa in the third ODI as he became the first player to score a century after batting at eight or low in the line-up. He scored a counter-attacking unbeaten 91-ball hundred to give his side a glimmer of hope in a steep chase, but he ran out of partners in the end.

Simi Singh in:-ODI - Only player to score a hundred at No.8 or belowT20I - Only player to score a fifty-plus at No.8 or below on debutThe ODI knock was today and T20I knock was against Netherlands in 2018.#IREvSA

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) July 16, 2021

Earlier in the day, South African skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first on a decent batting track. The Proteas openers, Janneman Malan(177) and Quinton de Kock(120) put on a mammoth 225-run opening partnership to give their side a great start.

Ireland's bowlers were left clueless for more than half of the first innings after the carnage of the duo. After a long time, Simi Singh provided the first breakthrough for Ireland by dismissing De Kock in the 37th over. Rassie van der Dussen(30) then played a supporting role to Janneman Malan. South Africa eventually reached 346/4 due to magnificent knocks from the opening batsmen.

🔄 CHANGE OF INNINGSA career-best 177* by Janneman Malan and Quinton de Kock's 120 saw the duo share a 225-run opening stand to set the foundation as the #Proteas post 346/4 📺 Watch the match on SuperSport 212📝 Ball by Ball https://t.co/ceJvyYt18y#IREvSA #ThatsOurGame pic.twitter.com/4TGx0H3p1p

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 16, 2021

Simi Singh stars in late Ireland fightback

Ireland then began their second innings with a massive 347-run target in front of them. Left-arm Orthodox spinner Keshav Maharaj(2/51) opened the attack for South Africa and dismissed both openers cheaply to reduce Ireland to 19/2 in 5 overs. Last-match centurion and Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie was also back in the pavilion at this point.

Andile Phehlukwayo(3/56) then scalped the wickets of Ireland's middle-order batsmen to derail the chase completely and put his side in the driver's seat. Simi Singh fought a lone battle at the end with a brilliant 100*(91 balls), but his efforts went in vain as Tabraiz Shamsi(3/46) cleaned up the tail with his beautiful variations. Simi Singh's knock comprised 14 hits to the boundary.

Janneman Malan deservedly won the player of the match award for his career-best ODI knock of 177.

South Africa win the 3rd ODI in Malahide 👏 Simi Singh's maiden ODI century, the highest ODI score ever by a No.8, proves to be an effort in vain as the series is tied 1-1. 📸 : @cricketireland#IREvSA | https://t.co/zJEPNH7N9b pic.twitter.com/ZK7Ztdpyl6

— ICC (@ICC) July 16, 2021