ICC World Cup 2011 update: South Africa beats Ireland by 131 runs at Kolkata.

Ireland won the toss and chose to field first. The Mr consistent Hashim Amla could not perform that well
in the game and was dismissed on 18 runs to give Ireland their first breakthrough at South African total
of 24 runs. Captain Graeme Smith also could not pose a strong total and dismissed after making only 7
runs. He was given run out to John Mooney.

Morne van Wyk and Jaques Kallis progressed the innings further for South Africa. Van Wyk was batting
extremely well for his 42 runs but unfortunate for him he was clean bowled by George Dockrell leaving
South Africa at 84 for 3 in 15.5 overs. Just when the South African total reached 95 runs another blow
came for them as Kallis was given run out on 19 runs.

Faf du Plessis also could not contribute much to the South African innings and diminished after scoring
11 runs on the bowling of Paul Stirling. The partnership between JP Duminy and Collin Ingram was the
one that pull things back on track for South Africa.

The duo played very intelligent cricket with Duminy playing the major role for anchoring the South
African innings. The partnership between the two added together 87 runs. Ingram who was batting on
46 runs was cleaned up by Trent Johnston to force South Africa at 204 for 6 in the 40 th over.

Johan Botha continued supporting Duminy at the other end to add runs to the South African total.
Finally the 7th South African wicket fell when JP Duminy was dismissed just one short of his century by
John Mooney.

Botha and Robin Peterson remained unbeaten until the books for South Africa closed after their 50
overs play at 272 with the loss of 7 wickets. Botha was batting on 21 runs while Peterson still did not get
off the mark.

In reply, Ireland was off to a poor start. It lost it first wicket a total of 8 runs when William Porterfield
was dismissed by Morne Morkel for 6 runs. Paul Stirling also could not do much with the bat this time
around and was sent back to the pavilion by Morkel after he made 10 runs. Things got worse for Ireland
when it had lost four of its key batsmen at a total of just 51 runs by the 12 th over.

Niall O’Brian was dismissed for 10 runs while Ed Joyce also could not do much and was sent off the field
after making just 12 runs. Gary Wilson was the highest run scorer for Ireland for his 31 runs until he was
dismantled by Robin Peterson given out LBW. Alex Cusack and Kevin O’Brian also became victims at the
hand of Robin Peterson.

As the wicket of Cusack fell, Ireland was in deep shambles at 107 for 7 in the 26 th over. The remaining
three wickets also fell in a regular pattern for Ireland as John Mooney was dismissed for 14 by Kallis
while Trent Johnston and George Dockrell departed after making 12 and 16 runs respectively. Finally the
books were completely closed for Ireland at a total of 141 runs in 33.2 overs forcing them to face a
defeat by 131 runs.
Ireland has been one of the best minnow side in the world cup with some good victories under its belt.
However the South African bowling seem to slice through their batting so easily which would certainly
leave a mark on the rest of the teams that had an eye on the match. With such good victories under its
belt, South Africa certainly is one of the Hot Favourite teams to win this world cup. Will it? Only time will
tell.