IRE vs SA 3rd ODI: Coach JP Duminy Rolls Back The Years as Substitute Fielder With Diving Save

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South Africa's batting coach JP Duminy rolled back the years with a spectacular diving effort when he came on as a substitue fielder during the third and final ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi on Monday (October 7).

Duminy, who retired from all forms of cricket back in July 2019, had to to fill in as a substitute fielder after some of the South African players felt the heat at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Duminy came on as substitute after several South Africa players signalled for reinforcement, having suffered fatigue and heat exhaustion from staying out in the post noon sunshine in Abu Dhabi.

The former South African all-rounder produced a brilliant diving stop in the final over of the match and helped his team save at least another run as Harry Tector's reverse scoop off Andile Phelukwayo balloned up towards short third man.

This is not the first time a coach has taken the field in a cricket, but it's unusual for a coach to step onto the field in an international game. Earlier this year, Australia were forced to use their support staff as fielders in a warm match before the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean.

Coming back to the IRE vs SA 3rd ODI, Ireland rode on skipper Paul Stirling's 88 off 92 balls and Tector's 60 off 48 balls to set a target of 285 for the Proteas. Ireland will be desperate for a consolation win, having lost the opening two matches.

For South Africa, Lizaad Williams was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets for 56 runs in his 10 overs. Fellow pace bowlers Ottneil Baartman and Andile Phehlukwayo also chipped in with 2 wickets each.

In response, South Africa had reached 79/5 at the end of 20 overs with in-form Tristan Stubbs departing for 20 off 44 balls, leaving Jason Smith (6* off 17 balls) stranded at the crease.

For Ireland, Mark Adair had claimed 2 wickets, dismissing Ryan Rickelton and stand-in skipper Rassie van der Dussen. Craig Young also took two crucial wickets of Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne, while Graham Hume claimed the other wicket.

Wicketkeeper-batter Verreynne (38 off 36 balls) was the biggest contributor with the bat for South Africa in the chase at the time of writing. Van der Dussen, Reeza Hendricks and Rickelton made single digit scores of 3, 1 and 4 respectively.