Ireland score 152 for eight against South Africa

Ireland middle order rescued their side from abject surrender to score a decent 152 for eight against South Africa in the rain-truncated Super Eight tie at the Providence Stadium here today.

Only one Irish batsman touch 30s as South African bowlers kept a tight lease on their unfancied opponents after three spells of rain reduced the match to 35-over-a-side.

Middle order consisting of Andrew White, Andre Botha and Niall O'Brian clicked but not for long to put up a decent total to defend before the strong South African batting lineup.

Sensing rain, South Africa captain Graeme Smith wisely opted to field first after winning the toss. His decision paid off as veteran Shaun Pollock returned to form and tied down the Irish batsmen with a miserly seven-over spell which saw him giving away just 17 runs and picking up the wickets of both the openers before rain interrupted in the 13th over.

When the match resumed, Ireland threw their bat around realising that the match would be shortened and South Africa are packed with batsmen to chase any score as they also brought in Andrew Prince for the match.

After the fall of openers Jeremy Bray and William Porterfield, Eoin Morgan and man-in-form Niall O'Brien started hitting around but perhaps it was too late and too little as both Andrew Hall and Charl Langeveldt maintained a disciplined line and length.

Both of them were too seasoned for the Irish batting lineup and despite the dampness in the wicket managed to get good bounce.

Morgan was dismissed by a beauty off a Hall delivery which kicked off from good length and Morgan tried to save his chin rather than playing the ball and it spooned to Prince for an easy catch.

O'Brien followed him soon and with four wickets down for 74 runs in the 23rd over, there was very little to do for South Africa.

White and Botha joined the party and pushed the total to 116 with some lusty hittings but White fell to a full toss when his full blooded shot was plucked out of thin air by Herschelle Gibbs at short midwicket off the bowling of Smith.

As Botha too returned back to pavilion, there was a serious threat whether the Irish batsmen would be able to survive the stipulated 35 overs. They, however, did and hoisted a few big sixes too towards the close, ending their innings at 152 for eight.

Langeveldt ended his seven-over spell with three wickets, taking his total so far in the tournament to 11. He is now right behind Lasith Malinga and Glen McGrath in the overall highest wicket taking list so far.

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