Any doubts about the gap between the up and coming young guns of International cricket and the team at the very top of the tree were laid to rest here today, as the South African juggernaut increased speed towards finally laying its World Cup hoodoo to rest in obliterating the Ireland team in Canberra.
South Africa smashed any remnants of doubt about their attacking ability, firstly dominating with the bat with a minimum of fuss before blowing away their opponents with speed and bounce with the ball. Having swept aside the West Indies last week in a similarly devastating way, they became the first team in International ODI history to post back-to-back totals of 400+. Despite the early loss of the dreadfully out of touch de Kock, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis toyed with the Irish bowlers, calmly potting them around wherever they felt necessary in a partnership that reaped 247 runs at better than a run a ball. Then, when it was time to up the ante (yeah, from better than a run a ball...) wickets were sacrificed, giving batsmen such as de Villiers (24 off 9), Rossouw (61* off 30) and Miller (46* off 23) the chance to finish off the slaughter. With the ball, the South African pace attack made their statement as well. Perhaps having lacked the fire they should in previous games, they brought it in spades here. Interestingly though, Dale Steyn only really fired up after he was hit to the boundary. His gentleness so far in the tournament has been unusual. Whether that will change after tonight will be interesting, but his first spell tonight brought two wickets with unplayable deliveries to Stirling and Joyce. Kyle Abbot put his hand up for a permanent place in the team with his excellent spell, while Morne Morkel was again threatening. Such was the ferocity of his pace attack, and the enormous figure his opponents had to chase, de Villiers even deemed to give his part-timers a couple of overs each, perhaps with a view for the games ahead should they be required. Rossouw, du Plessis and even de Villiers himself rolled their arm over, with AB once again picking up a wicket as a part of the bargain. The fact that this stretched the game beyond what it could have been was no doubt appreciated by spectators and TV networks alike. A final total of 210 flattered the Irish in a record loss.
South Africa appear to be circling their wagons at the right time, with the only problem for them being they do not have a good team to work out against before the quarter finals arrive, a match that will now be against either Sri Lanka or Australia. Ireland meanwhile still have their future in their own hands, and victories against both Zimbabwe and Pakistan will see them make the next round. Losses in either may mean they have to watch from the sidelines. They will be hoping to regroup and put this match behind them.
South Africa smashed any remnants of doubt about their attacking ability, firstly dominating with the bat with a minimum of fuss before blowing away their opponents with speed and bounce with the ball. Having swept aside the West Indies last week in a similarly devastating way, they became the first team in International ODI history to post back-to-back totals of 400+. Despite the early loss of the dreadfully out of touch de Kock, Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis toyed with the Irish bowlers, calmly potting them around wherever they felt necessary in a partnership that reaped 247 runs at better than a run a ball. Then, when it was time to up the ante (yeah, from better than a run a ball...) wickets were sacrificed, giving batsmen such as de Villiers (24 off 9), Rossouw (61* off 30) and Miller (46* off 23) the chance to finish off the slaughter. With the ball, the South African pace attack made their statement as well. Perhaps having lacked the fire they should in previous games, they brought it in spades here. Interestingly though, Dale Steyn only really fired up after he was hit to the boundary. His gentleness so far in the tournament has been unusual. Whether that will change after tonight will be interesting, but his first spell tonight brought two wickets with unplayable deliveries to Stirling and Joyce. Kyle Abbot put his hand up for a permanent place in the team with his excellent spell, while Morne Morkel was again threatening. Such was the ferocity of his pace attack, and the enormous figure his opponents had to chase, de Villiers even deemed to give his part-timers a couple of overs each, perhaps with a view for the games ahead should they be required. Rossouw, du Plessis and even de Villiers himself rolled their arm over, with AB once again picking up a wicket as a part of the bargain. The fact that this stretched the game beyond what it could have been was no doubt appreciated by spectators and TV networks alike. A final total of 210 flattered the Irish in a record loss.
South Africa appear to be circling their wagons at the right time, with the only problem for them being they do not have a good team to work out against before the quarter finals arrive, a match that will now be against either Sri Lanka or Australia. Ireland meanwhile still have their future in their own hands, and victories against both Zimbabwe and Pakistan will see them make the next round. Losses in either may mean they have to watch from the sidelines. They will be hoping to regroup and put this match behind them.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.