South Africa v Ireland
Wisden's review of the 24th match, South Africa v Ireland
15-Apr-2016
At Canberra, March 3, 2015 (day/night). South Africa won by 201 runs. Toss: South Africa.
A final dash that produced 230 runs in the last 20 overs propelled South Africa past 400 for the second match in a row, an unprecedented feat in one-day internationals. Amla was in his element on a flat pitch and fast outfield, but owed his career-best score to the life he was afforded on ten by Joyce, who spilled a powerfully struck but routine chance at midwicket, off Kevin O'Brien's first delivery. Du Plessis dutifully worked his way to a foundation-laying run-a-ball century during a second-wicket stand of 247, while Amla managed four sixes. At the end it was Miller and Rossouw who did most of the damage, after off-spinner McBrine nabbed Amla (Joyce clinging on at long-off) and de Villiers (top-edging a reverse sweep for 24 off nine) in three balls. When Ireland batted, Abbott and Steyn were too fast and furious for the top order: they slipped to 48 for five, before Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brien stopped the rot. For the second match running, though, South Africa won by more than 200 runs - causing irreparable damage to Ireland's net run-rate. NEIL MANTHORP
Man of the Match: H. M. Amla.
A final dash that produced 230 runs in the last 20 overs propelled South Africa past 400 for the second match in a row, an unprecedented feat in one-day internationals. Amla was in his element on a flat pitch and fast outfield, but owed his career-best score to the life he was afforded on ten by Joyce, who spilled a powerfully struck but routine chance at midwicket, off Kevin O'Brien's first delivery. Du Plessis dutifully worked his way to a foundation-laying run-a-ball century during a second-wicket stand of 247, while Amla managed four sixes. At the end it was Miller and Rossouw who did most of the damage, after off-spinner McBrine nabbed Amla (Joyce clinging on at long-off) and de Villiers (top-edging a reverse sweep for 24 off nine) in three balls. When Ireland batted, Abbott and Steyn were too fast and furious for the top order: they slipped to 48 for five, before Balbirnie and Kevin O'Brien stopped the rot. For the second match running, though, South Africa won by more than 200 runs - causing irreparable damage to Ireland's net run-rate. NEIL MANTHORP
Man of the Match: H. M. Amla.