DHAKA: Just another day with 400 scored in a one-day international. Twice in two innings South Africa have now crossed the milestone, this time anchored by hundreds from Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, as they overwhelmed Ireland by 201 runs which did severe damage to their net run rate, which could be a factor in quarter-final qualification.
South Africa 411 for 4 (Amla 159, du Plessis 109, Rossouw 61*) beat Ireland 210 (Balbirnie 58, Abbott 4-21) by 201 runs
Given the margin it is stretching the point to suggest one dropped catch changed the game, but Ireland found out how costly it can be to reprieve Amla when he was shelled on 10 by Ed Joyce at short midwicket. It would have left South Africa 25 for 2. Amla and du Plessis forged a 247-run stand for the second wicket before Rilee Rossouw and David Miller closed the innings with a partnership of 110 off 51 balls for the fifth wicket.
They could even afford for AB de Villiers to fall for 24 - albeit off nine balls - and still enjoy a super-charged finish. Rossouw brought up the 400 with his third six, clubbed over deep midwicket in the final over which cost 24, to carry South Africa beyond 400 for the third time this year. Next stop, 450.
Ireland have not been frightened by chasing 300 at World Cups, having done it successfully three times including against West Indies in this tournament, but this target would have been beyond their compass even without such a terminal early slide to 48 for 5 against South Africa's pace attack. Kyle Abbott continued to flourish as Vernon Philander's understudy with 4 for 21.
The Brendon McCullum School Of Captaincy would have been to aim for the swift finish, but de Villiers opted to try a few of his fifth-bowler combinations (including himself, with the reward of a wicket) and Ireland showed their spirit. Andy Balbirnie, who was picked out by many of his team-mates before the tournament as a player to watch, struck a plucky half-century from 66 balls and Kevin O'Brien hit 48 which moved the defeat away from record-breaking territory. The lower-order runs could yet be crucial in future calculations.
Source: Cricinfo
BDST: 1738 HRS, MAR 03, 2015
** SA set Irish 412-run target
