Ireland blow chance to shock South Africa
Monday, 5 March 2007Ireland blew a great chance for a shock win over South Africa after slumping to a 35-run defeat in their World Cup warm-up match today.
Set 193 for victory, Ireland appeared cruising to victory at 139 for four with 14 overs remaining, but collapsed dramatically to be all out for 157.
Andre Botha (40) and Kevin O'Brien (33) added 54 runs for the fifth wicket to put Ireland on course for what would have been one of the biggest upsets in world cricket.
But once Botha was caught by wicket keeper Mark Boucher off the bowling of Andre Nel, South Africa lifted their game and dismissed the next five wickets for just 18 runs.
However, they applied themselves to add 85 for the ninth wicket to restore respectability to their team's total.
Hall arrived at the crease at 66 for seven and shared a partnership of 25 with Mark Boucher for the eighth wicket.
Boucher fell at 91 but Hall found Peterson to be a useful partner and the pair batted resolutely to give respect to their team's total.
Peterson was eventually bowled by Andre Botha with less than three overs remaining. Botha also grabbed the wicket of Roger Telemachus (10) with the last ball of the innings.
Hall struck six fours and a six in his 98-ball innings which spanned 125 minutes.
The early part of the South African innings was undermined by some superb bowling from Ireland skipper Johnston and Dave Langfor-Smith.
Johnston took four for 40 off his 10 overs but it was Langford-Smith who removed the first three batsmen in an eight-over spell that cost 30 runs, putting South Africa's backs against the wall.
Ireland next play Canada on Thursday, while South Africa will face Pakistan in their second warm-up match on Friday.
