Hitting hundred or playing rugby: Ireland's T20I hero Ross Adair reveals pick

Ireland's Ross Adair has picked scoring a hundred in cricket over playing rugby after his heroics with the bat in the second T20I against South Africa on September 29, Sunday. Adair scored a brilliant 100 off 58 balls to help his side secure a historic win over the Proteas in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. The 30-year-old had earlier plied his trade in rugby before a few injuries forced him to take up a career in cricket.

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Speaking after the win, Adair said it was great to get a hundred in cricket and also commented on how a lot of South African rugby fans in Ireland would talk about the sport.

"Going to have to say the century. Lot of South Africans in Ireland and have heard a lot from them about the quarter-finals and semi-finals in Rugby, it was nice to get it in the cricket," said Adair.

The 30-year-old got his chance since usual opener, Andrew Balbirnie, was out of the squad. Adair said that he wanted to make a mark on the game in Balbirnie's absence.

"Balbirnie is a big miss for us in the squad, I knew if I stuck in for long enough it could get easy. We are looking forward to have Andy (Balbirnie) back at some stage, but I wanted to make a mark today," said Adair.

Really good bunch of people

Adair also paid tribute to his teammates, including his brother Mark, saying that they're as good if not better than his rugby teammates. Adair said he is aiming to get into as many T20 squads as possible so that he can travel with the team.

"It's great, they are a really good bunch of people to be around. I have come from a rugby background, they are as equal if not better than them. I try to get in as many T20 squads as possible so that I can travel with them around the world and enjoy their company," said Adair.

Ireland and South Africa will now turn their focus towards the ODI series, where Ross Adair will not be a part of the squad.

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