Related Links : World Cup 2007 : Scorecard
South Africa eased off to a seven wicket victory against a spirited Ireland team in their second Super Eights Match at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. In a stop-start day, Ireland made a fight and lost with dignity after setting a target of 160 in 35 overs according to the Duckworth Lewis Method. Jacques Kallis led the way for the Proteas with the bat scoring an unbeaten half century.
On a damp wicket, Graeme Smith put Trent Johnston’s men in. Shaun Pollock struck straightaway getting one of the best Ireland batsman out for a nought. That was Jeremey Bray, the left hander, who was caught in the crease by a sharp incoming delivery. Rain then interrupted the proceedings twice inside the first Powerplay and when it gave away, the match was reduced to a 35 overs-a-side affair. Ireland did well in putting up 152 on the board at the loss of 8 wickets, a total enough to test the South Africans with the conditions helping swing bowling. The top scorer for the Irish was Andrew White with 30. One down batsman Morgan and wicket keeper Niall O’Brien chipped in with twenties. Charl Langeveldt was the successful bowler for SA for the second consecutive time, this time picking up three.
AB de Villiers like in the match against Netherlands a few days ago missed out to get a score against minnows. He was out for a third ball duck to the impressive Boyd Rankin in the first over. It might have raised some hopes of a major upset but Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis shut the door on the challenging Irish with their strokeplay. It also didn’t help that they were regular boundary scoring deliveries from Ireland bowlers that let off any sort of pressure that was on SA. A terrific low return catch from Trent Johnston in the 13th over saw his counterpart Graeme Smith depart after making a neat 41. Like De Villiers, Gibbs missed out getting out for just 6. But Prince, the next batsman, getting his opportunity back in the side saw the Proteas home with an unbroken stand of 80 for the fourth wicket with Kallis. Prince showed some aggression in his 44-ball 47 which had three fours and a six. Kallis took his time to score his 66 which had come in 86 balls with 8 fours. The D/L target of 160 was achieved in the 32nd over through a six over long on by Ashwell Prince. Kallis had a bad outing with the ball getting hit for 20 in his 3 overs but with his unbeaten half century got the Man of the Match award.