Four on the trot: Hendricks joins T20I greats with stunning half-century

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Hit For Six!

South Africa opener Reeza Hendricks continued his scintillating run of form on Wednesday when he became just the sixth batter to score four consecutive half-centuries in men's T20I history.

England v India Scorecard

Hendricks joins T20I greats

Hendricks scored a superb 74 from just 53 deliveries for the Proteas against Ireland in Bristol as South Africa drew first blood in their two-game T20I series against Andy Balbirnie's side.

It was Hendricks' fourth fifty on the trot, with the 32-year-old joining greats of the game such as West Indies star Chris Gayle and New Zealand legend Brendon McCullum as batters to have achieved the feat at men's T20I level.

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Players to have scored four consecutive T20I half-centuries

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) 2008, 2009
Chris Gayle (West Indies) 2012
Craig Williams (Namibia) 2021
Rayyankhan Pathan (Canada) 2021
Gustav McKeon (France) 2022
Reeza Hendricks (South Africa) 2022

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Hendricks had previously scored 57, 53 and 70 during South Africa's three-match series against England and his knock against Ireland was just as good as his previous innings.

The right-hander hit 10 fours and one massive six and even enjoyed a century partnership with Aiden Markram (56), as South Africa overcame the early loss of Quinton de Kock (7) and Rassie van der Dussen (10) to post an excellent score of 211/5.

4⃣ matches
4⃣ half-centuries

Reeza Hendricks' fine form continues 🔥#IREvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/O42njZeZpw
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) August 3, 2022

Tucker, Dockrell give Ireland hope

Ireland came close in their run chase, with some superb hitting from wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker (78) and veteran George Dockrell (43) keeping them in the game right until the final overs.

The equation was 57 needed for victory from the final four overs and with Tucker and Dockrell still at the crease the required total was in sight.

But Tabraiz Shamsi (2/37) got rid of Tucker on the final ball of the 17th over and Dockrell then fell on the ensuing delivery of the next over as Ireland fell just short.

What a knock from Lorcan Tucker!

He brings up his 50 with a six – it's taken him just 25 balls to get there.

SCORE: https://t.co/iHiY0U5y7J #BackingGreen | #Exchange22 | #ABDIndiaSterlingReserve ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/clKq9IDRoD
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) August 3, 2022

Balbirnie stays positive despite loss

The loss was Ireland's seventh consecutive at T20I level, but Balbirnie believes a victory is just around the corner.

"200 isn't too much (to chase) and we were in the game for a long time," he said after the loss.

"The two wickets in two balls made the difference and hopefully we can change things around on Friday.

"We are playing pretty good cricket and we've been producing results and I hope we can level the series on Friday."

South Africa shine again with the bat, brushing aside a strong Ireland challenge in Bristol 👏#IREvSA Scorecard: https://t.co/tB9NQAZnbu pic.twitter.com/zUYTmDy4E1
— ICC (@ICC) August 4, 2022