Simi Singh’s batting performance deservingly received many accolades in the third One Day International against the Proteas last Friday. Ireland’s hero Simi Singh believes his team can take much confidence from their 50-over performances into the T20 Internationals starting tomorrow at Malahide.

Singh’s unbeaten maiden century takes him to the top in the list of highest scores by a number 8 batsman in the 50 over format of the game, and a moment he is very proud of, even though the bitterness of his side losing the match.

Speaking ahead of training, Singh said: “To get my first ton against a team like South Africa was a dream come true for me, especially at Malahide where I started my cricket in Ireland.”

“While we were disappointed with the result in the last ODI, overall we were pretty happy with how we played throughout the series – particularly how we fielded. To compete with one of the best teams in the world and take 15 [World Cup Super League] points from the series was a good outcome for us. We'll take a lot of confidence through from the ODIs.”

“It's a quick turn-around between the two formats, but most people in the squad are pretty experienced at doing this at this point. We've played a lot of T20 cricket over the last few years, so we just need to switch on – as bowlers we just have to back our skills particularly with the death bowling, and the batters need to focus on hitting their areas and finding those boundary options.”

“The mindset as a bowler in T20s is still the same as the ODIs – as bowlers we're trying to take wickets, as that is the best way to contain their batters.”

“We don't get to play against teams of this calibre regularly, so this T20I series against South Africa is a massive opportunity for us in preparing for the T20 World Cup.”

The first T20 International between Ireland Men and South Africa Men begins tomorrow at 4pm, in Cricket News Ireland is bringing in four changes for the T20Is from the ODI squad – Shane Getkate, William McClintock, Kevin O’Brien and Ben White.

Also read: Cricket Ireland has named its 14 women squad for the Netherlands series

WHERE TO WATCH THE SERIES

Ireland/UK: BT Sport
North America: Willow
Middle East / North Africa: Etisalat
Sub-Saharan Africa:  SuperSport
India: Fancode
Australia: Fox Sports
New Zealand: Sky NZ

FIXTURES

The series schedule is:

World Cup Super League ODI series

11 July: Ireland v South Africa, 1st ODI (Malahide)
13 July: Ireland v South Africa, 2nd ODI (Malahide)
16 July: Ireland v South Africa, 3rd ODI (Malahide)

T20I series

19 July: Ireland v South Africa, 1st T20I (Malahide, 4pm)
22 July: Ireland v South Africa, 2nd T20I (Stormont, 4pm)
24 July: Ireland v South Africa, 3rd T20I (Stormont, 4pm)

IRELAND MEN’S SQUADS

ODI squad

Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andrew McBrine, Graeme McCarter, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.

T20I squad

Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, George Dockrell, Stephen Doheny, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, William McClintock, Kevin O’Brien, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.