Published: Sep 25, 2016, 11:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 25, 2016, 07:17 PM (IST)
Good morning! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Ireland tour of South Africa. This is the only One-Day International (ODI) between the two teams. The match is scheduled to be played at Willowmoore Park, Benoni. South Africa is playing two very brief limited-overs series with both Australia and Ireland which includes an ODI each. South Africa has been exceptional at home in Tests lately as they defeated New Zealand with ease and now this series will test their capabilities of playing limited-overs cricket at home. South Africa will play a full strength team while Dale Steyn will miss the ODI against Ireland.
South Africa’s last ODI encounter was a Tri-Nation series in the Caribbeans with the hosts and Australia. South Africa proceeded to the final of the tournament but lost it to West Indies. The team tried a few changes in the series which seemed to have worked for them. One of their most successful matches was against West Indies. the entire batting order contributed with runs. Hashim Amla scored 110 while Quinton de Kock added 71. Chris Morris, who was sent up at No. 3, did a good job scoring a 40 while Faf du Plessis added 73 more to take the score to a good 343. The team did really well with the ball as well, as Imran Tahir alone took 7 wickets to end things quicker for West Indies. Tabraiz Shamsi bagged 2 while Wayne Parnell bagged one, which helped them bundle West Indies for 204, handing South Africa a 139 runs victory.
South Africa have included a few new names who are expected to do well. Maintaining their tradition of producing all-rounders, the selectors have picked uncapped Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius. Morris will be expected to maintain his performance as one of the successful all-rounders. The team will be led by Faf du Plessis due to the absence of AB de Villiers. Though he will the missed, the batting looks strong enough to take on the Ireland team at home.
Ireland have not been very successful in their recent ODI series. Though they drew the series with Afghanistan, it was not an easy draw. Players like Ed Joyce, Kevin O’Brien, though performed brilliantly in one or two matches, could not maintain consistency. However, one player to look out for will be Barry McCarthy. The new player impressed everyone with his bowling and will be expected to better his performance in South Africa looking at the fact that the pitch might assist pace. Skipper William Porterfield will have to take charge of the batting while Peter Chase will have to lead the bowling attack and remain disciplined.
Squads:
South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, David Miller, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada
Ireland: William Porterfield (c), John Anderson, Peter Chase, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Stuart Poynter, Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson, Craig Young
