Filed under: Cricket, World Cup
Ireland's World Cup adventure is over as South Africa overcame a stuttering start to book their quarter-final spot with a clinical 131-run win.But Ireland will rue letting the Proteas off the hook, with South Africa's top half having been hustled out by the midway stage of their innings at Edens Park.
That was largely down to some fine fielding as Graeme Smith (7) and Jacques Kallis (19) were run out to leave South Africa on the backfoot.
Yet JP Duminy settled any nerves before falling agonisingly one short of a century as he perished in the deep in search of late runs.
By then Duminy (99) had done enough to shift through the gears and propel South Africa to 272-7, with notable contributions from Colin Ingram (46) and wicket-keeper Morne van Wyk (42).
And once Morne Morkel's early strike wrestled complete control, there was no way back for the Associate team as wickets tumbled at regular intervals in their run chase.
The last hope disappeared once Gary Wilson (31) and Kevin O'Brien (19), the architect of the shock win over England, were dismissed in the same Robin Peterson over to end Ireland's dream.
Ireland v South Africa Scorecard
Kieron Pollard plays down his Twenty20 impact ahead of his crucial tussle with the England bowlers:
West Indies all-rounder Pollard believes his Twenty20 exploits will count for nothing ahead of the big Group B showdown in Chennai.
Pollard, who is one of the most destructive batsman in world cricket, has shone in the shorter format during his county spell with Somerset.
And even though his form in the 50-over game more erratic, he remains a danger man for England in Thursday's make-or-break game.
He said: "I've played in England and have come up against all their players.
"They will have strategic plans to get me out - but that's the same with each and every team.
"It's about assessing the bowlers, the pitch and the match situation and going from there. It's a different scenario now."
John Davison calls it a day - but his exploits with Canada will never be forgotten:
Veteran batsman Davison, who once blasted the fastest World Cup century, will retire from international cricket with minnows Canada.
The 40-year-old has decided to hang up his boots following Wednesday's dead-rubber with Australia. But he will leave having left his mark on the game having rose to prominence in 2003 for scoring the then quickest ton, taking just 67 balls against West Indies, to enter the history books.
Davison, who is a school teacher, will have reprimanded himself after the sloppy way he was run out against New Zealand. Failing to run in his bat at the non-striker's end, perhaps Davison thought then it was time to go.
Tigers skipper urges fans to remain calm as Bangladesh chase quarter-final spot:
Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has urged the fanatical Bangladesh supporters to remain "normal" as they chase a quarter-final spot.
Back-to-back wins has given the Tigers a chance to claim an unlikely place in the knockout stages. The co-hosts will have to wait on results deciding their fate before they face South Africa in the final Group B game on Saturday.
The all-rounder said: "It is good to get the confidence from the crowd.
"They must understand it's a game, some days you will win and some days you will lose and hopefully they will take it normally."
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/03/15/wc-headlines-south-africa-batter-irish-pollard-ready-al-hasan/
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