#CWC15 day 17: #SAvIre

After day 16 there was a rest day in cricket world cup 2015. After that rest day there was a clash between South Africa and Ireland on day 17. South Africa was coming of a emphatic win against West Indies while Ireland defeated UAE and were cruising towards quarter finals. Both the teams were high on confidence and all the players were ready to give their 100% in that match.

Game 24: South Africa vs Ireland

South Africa won the toss and AB DeVilliers chose to bat first. DeKock and Amla began the innings for South Africa. While Mooney and Sorensen picked up the two new balls for Ireland. Mooney bowled a maiden over first up while Sorensen gave 12 runs in his first over. South Africa were 12/0 after 2. Mooney on the third ball of the third over forced DeKock to edge one straight to the keeper but umpire gave it not out. Ireland went for review and snicko showed that there was nick but a faint one. Moreover replay showed the deflection as well. So the decision was overturned and DeKock was on his way back to pavilion. DeKock's poor run in this world cup continues. He should have walked after nicking the ball. DuPlessis replaced DeKock in the middle. DuPlessis and Amla were getting easy runs from Irish quicks. So Poterfield brought spinners into the attack on both the sides. Dockrell and Stirling kept Amla and DuPlessis contained for next 10 overs.

South Africa after 20 overs reached to a total of 115. Both DuPlessis and Amla brought up their half centuries and they crossed 100 run partnership as well. Against West Indies as well these two steadied the South African innings after the early blow. In this match they just carried their form forward. Sorensen came back into the attack in 22nd over and as if Amla was just waiting for that move. He immediately shifted gears and smacked 24 runs in 24th over which was bowled by Sorensen and he was off after that over. Poterfield understood that spinners are more effective. So he kept spinners on from both the ends. South Africa reached to the total of 181 for the loss of one wicket at the end of 30 overs. They were looking dangerous. Amla was on the verge of his 20th century at that stage. Amla brought up his 100 in 33rd over. He became the fastest man to 20 ODI hundreds. DuPlessis brought up his 100 in 36th over and South Africa was cruising towards huge total again. After DuPlessis' ton, 200 run partnership came up between DuPlessis and Amla.

After bowling spinners constantly, Poterfield had no other option but to bring his fast bowlers back in the batting powerplay and again Amla was just waiting for it. He picked up 27 runs off Mooney in 38th over. In 39th Kevin O'Brien yorked DuPlessis on 109. He played run a ball innings but it was a cruicial knock from him. The stage was set then for DeVilliers and Miller to come and have a go. DeVilliers started doing what he is famous for. South Africa was 280/2 at the end of 40 overs. In 41st over Amla reached to 150. Another 200 was on the cards at that stage but in 42nd over McBrine picked up both DeVilliers and Amla in three balls which according to me was the best over of the innings. After that Miller and Rossouw carried on. Surprisingly Rossouw was the aggressor in that partnership instead of Miller. Both of them were just enjoying the Irish bowling. South Africa ended up at 411/4. Rossouw hit 27 ball 50. I thought he is an opener but he can bat anywhere in the batting line-up. Miller stayed unbeaten on 46. McBrine was pick of the bowlers his figures was 2/63. He has impressed a lot. He has performed better than Dockrell and according to me he is the best spinner in this world cup.

In reply Poterfield and Stirling came to face Steyn and Abbott. Stirling and Poterfield started well and they needed to do that as they came out to chase mammoth 412. South Africa also had Steyn who squared up Stirling and catch was given to DeKock but umpire again didn't gave him out. South Africa reviewed it and the decision was overturned. I saw some bizarre umpiring that day. After Steyn it was Abbott's turn to pick up a wicket. He removed Poterfield and Ireland was 21/2. After that it was Steyn again. He trapped Joyce in his old trick. He first pushed Joyce back by bowling a bouncer and then he bowled a fuller one at 146ks which Joyce pushed and gave a simple catch to Amla at first slip. Ireland 21/3. Big trouble. Then Niall O'Brein and Balbirnie tried to bring Ireland back in the match. Niall was not being able to hold it for too long and edged one to first slip on the score of 48. Amla doesn't miss many. He got out to Abbott.

Abbott was on fire that day. He picked up his third wicket in form of Wilson. He struck on Wilson's pads and umpire gave it out. Wilson didn't review it and went back to pavilion. Ireland was 48/5. Kevin O'Brein was the next man in and he had to play a miraculous innings to take his team home. Ireland needed an innings of 200 from him to win the match. Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brein made the partnership of innings then. They carried on pretty well till 129. On the total of 129, Kevin O'Brein hit straight one into hands of deep mid wicket. He got out on 48. Unfortunately he missed his half century but it was enjoyable innings. It is always treat to watch him bat. Again it was Abbott who broke that partnership. It was fourth wicket for Abbott. After Kevin's wicket match was almost over. There wasn't any big partnership after that. Only highlight after Kevin's wicket was that AB DeVilliers came to bowl and he picked up a wicket as well. Is there anything Guru AB can't do on a cricket field? South Africa wrapped up the Irish innings on 210. For Ireland Balbirnie was was the highest scorer with 58 runs. It was the first defeat for Ireland in this world cup and confidence booster for South Africa. South Africa became the first team to score 400+ runs in two consecutive matches.

It was that day in world cup 2015 when Ireland looked like an associate for the first time. While South Africa proved that why are they favourites to win this world cup. Day 18 features two games. First one is between UAE and Pakistan and other one is between Australia and Afghanistan.

#CWC15 day 18