Ireland were given a World Cup reality check as South Africa put them to the sword in Canberra.
Brilliant centuries from Hashim Amla (159) and Faf du Plessis (109) helped South Africa post over 400 for the second game in succession.
"@ICC: 411 / 4! Briliant from South Africa, the 1st side to ever score 400+ in consecutive ODI 's! #SAvIRE #cwc15 http://ift.tt/1DDksHN"
— Ronel govender (@ronel1218) March 3, 2015 Ireland prefer chasing, but the victory target of 412 proved well beyond them as they were bowled out for 210.
It is a damaging defeat for Ireland, but they still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages, while South Africa are heading for the quarter finals at a rate of knots.
South Africa elected to bat after winning the toss on what looked an excellent Canberra pitch.
Ireland took an early wicket, as Quinton de Kock edged John Mooney behind to wicketkeeper Gary Wilson and was given out after a review.
Any Ireland celebrations were quickly snuffed out, as Amla and Du Plessis came together to put on 247 for the second wicket.
Amla , though, did receive an early life as Ed Joyce spilled a good chance at short midwicket. It proved a very, very costly drop.
While Du Plessis went about his business at an impressive run a ball, he was put in the shade by Amla who powered to his 159 off 128 balls.
Both Amla and Du Plessis hit the ball to all parts of the ground in making three figures.
WATCH: Hashim Amla brings up his 20th ODI century for South Africa. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/SOT4CnbpAD
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015
WATCH: Faf du Plessis bring up his 100. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/6HNaUuBOzl
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015 Andy McBrine and Kevin O’Brien removed Amla and Du Plessis, respectively, but that did not check South Africa’s momentum, and David Miller and Rilee Rossouw hammered the bowling in the final 10 overs to take South Africa to 411 for four.
Dale Steyn has been a little below his best so far at the World Cup, but he has time to find his form, and there were indications of a revival against Ireland.
Pace and bounce did for Ireland opener Paul Stirling, who edged behind to De Kock, who took a simple catch. The umpire initially gave Stirling not out, but a sensible South Africa review sent the batsman back to the pavilion.
WATCH: @OfficialCSA strike early as Steyn removes Stirling after a review. #CWC15 #fireitup http://t.co/qsKM2KsWtC
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015
Joyce had an afternoon to forget in the field, having shelled Amla early on, and his day was capped off when he edged Steyn to Amla in the slips to depart for a duck.
Dale Steyn is in rhythm - that is a very good news for South Africa heading in to the quarterfinal #SAvIRE
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 3, 2015 Niall O’Brien is one of the classiest batsmen in the Ireland lineup, but he chased a wide ball from Kyle Abbott and fell to an excellent catch in the slips from Amla , who took the ball despite De Kock flying across his line of sight.
WATCH: Hashim Amla takes a wonderful catch at slip after Quinton de Kock had deflected Niall O'Brien's thick edge. http://t.co/gETOHo8i9o
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 3, 2015 Kevin O'Brien once again showed his prowess with the bat, as he and Andy Balbirnie put on 81, but Ireland did not have enough firepower and were ultimately well beaten by 201 runs.
While South Africa are genuine contenders for the title, Ireland still have designs on reaching the last eight and can achieve that if results go their way. They have games to come against Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan. Two wins will be enough, and one may well still take them through.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1F4qS4W
via IFTTT March 03, 2015 at 02:54AM
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