South Africa crushed the minnows Ireland by 201 runs to record their third victory in the Cricket World Cup 2015. They have now safely climbed on to the second spot of the group table. The Irish cricket team had no power to challenge the mighty Proteas. It was almost raining boundaries in Canberra as the South African batsmen played some spectacular knocks in the match.
Hashim Amla, South Africa
The Proteas seemed completely in control of the match even after losing Quinton de Kock (1) at the very third over of the match. A storm was waiting for the minnows as Hashim Amla 159 (128b, 16x4s, 4x6s) played an absolutely brilliant knock in the match. His mammoth partnership of 259-run for the second wicket with Faf Duplessis 109 (109b, 10x4s, 1x6s) completely stunned the Irish bowlers.
Captain AB de Villiers 24 (9b, 1x4s, 2x6s) was also looking dangerous but he was dismissed early. However, David Miller 46* (23b, 4x4s, 2x6s) and Rilee Rossouw 61*(30b, 6x4s, 2x6s) put an unbroken 110-run partnership in the last 50 balls that helped South Africa piled a gigantic score of 411/4 on board. Amla’s batting was completely breathtaking and fans went frenzied with his every glorious shot.
Ireland never looked comfortable in front of the powerful South African bowling line up while chasing. They have lost quick five wickets for 48 and soon the game went out of their hands. Only Andy Balbirnie 58 (71b, 7x4s) and Kevin O Brien 48 (65b, 3x4s, 1x6s) showed some resistance despite other batsmen’s failure to spend some time at the crease.
The Proteas played outstandingly in the match. First they scored a huge total on the scoreboard and then bowled out the Irish team for 210/10 at the end of the 45th over to win the match emphatically. It was the right-arm-fast-medium pacer Kyle Abbott, who didn’t give a single opportunity to the minnows to settle down the crease.
Abbott picked up 4-wickets and finished his spell (8-0-21-4) with good figure. On the other hand experienced Morne Morkel also supported him well from the other end. His spell (9-0-34-3) also devastated inexperienced Irish batting order. Both the pacers shared 7-wickets between them. Skipper Ab De Villiers also tried his hand at bowling (2-0-7-1) and got 1 wicket. Dale Steyn also picked up two wickets in the match. Eventually Proteas won the match convincingly by 201-runs without any challenge. Hashim Amla was adjudged man-Of-The-Match for his classy yet aggressive 159. It was also his best score in ODI career so far.
Tags: Canberra, Cricket, Cricket World Cup, CWC 2015, Hashim Amla, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, Ireland, South Africa
