South Africa crush Ireland

South Africa knocked the air out of Ireland at the Manuka Oval in Canberra today outclassing them by a staggering margin of 201 runs at the World Cup 2015.

After posting a total of 411 on the tons from Hashim Amla and Faf du Plesis, one of the World Cup highest, South Africa bowlers led by Kyle Abbott packed Ireland at 210.

It was a daylong lesson of punishment for Ireland having tasted the sour end of South Africa for dropping Hashim Amla early after the Proteas won the toss and elected to bat.

Amla finished with a career best of 159 accompanied by Faf du Plesis, 109, striking his second consecutive century of this tournament.

Andy McBrine took two wickets while John Mooney and Kevin O'Brien one each for Ireland amidst a day of average standard fielding examples and bowling.

In reply, Ireland were devastated early by attack from Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott. Andy Balbirnie, 58, and Kevin O'Brien, 48, restored pride in the Irish run chase.

Abbott finished with career best figure of four wickets for 21 runs in his eight overs. Morne Morkel followed with three, Steyn paved way for the Irish slide with his two and AB de Villiers, an experiment done, claimed one.

With today's win, South Africa remained second in Pool A to the first placed India, and Ireland slipped down one place to fourth.

Ireland Team

WTS Porterfield (Capt), PR Stirling, EC Joyce, NJ O'Brien, A Balbirnie, GC Wilson (wk), KJ O'Brien, JF Mooney, MC Sorensen, GH Dockrell and AR McBrine

South Africa Team

HM Amla, Q de Kock (wk), F du Plessis, RR Rossouw, AB de Villiers (Capt), DA Miller, F Behardien, DW Steyn, KJ Abbott, M Morkel and Imran Tahir