ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: Ireland vs South Africa - Player ratings
Centuries from top order batsmen Hashim Amla (159) and Faf du Plessis (109) helped South Africa thrash Ireland by 201 runs at the Manuka Oval. With the help of 247-run partnership between Amla and du Plessis, their highest in World Cups for the second wicket, South Africa posted 411/4 in 50 overs, the highest total of the current showpiece event.
With the win, the Proteas registered their third victory in four matches, nearing the quarter-finals of the 14-nation tournament. Ireland lost their first match in three games, having beaten the West Indies and the United Arab Emirates.
Here are the player ratings from the match:
South Africa
Hashim Amla
Rating: 10/10
The bearded warrior recorded a career-best 128-ball 159 to bag the Man of the Match Award. In the process, he became the fastest to cross 5000 runs and also the fastest to cross 20 ODI centuries. Unarguably, Amla’s incredible show qualifies as the performance of the match.
Quinton de Kock
Rating: 1/10
Yet another failure for him to add to his poor run this World Cup. He got a thick edge early on, and was back to the pavilion in no time. Quite a disappointing performance from the young lad.
Faf du Plessis
Rating: 9/10
A very controlled run-a-ball century to complement Amla from Faf du Plessis. His innings helped to build the 200-plus partnership and steered the innings towards a huge total.
Ab de Villiers
Rating: 6 /10
He continued at his phenomenal strike-rate and played a small cameo at the crease. However, the biggest surprise was to see AB de Villiers bowl today, and pick a wicket, too!
David Miller
Rating: 7/10
Lower down the order, David Miller chipped in with a 46 not out, at a strike-rate of 200. It was quite a handy performance as far as the total is concerned. His knock ensured that the Proteas crossed the 400-mark once again.
Rilee Rossouw
Rating: 8.5/10
If Amla, Faf, and Miller weren’t enough, Rossouw’s 61 not out sealed the deal for the Proteas. He was instrumental with the bat, making a mockery of the Irish bowlers. To add to that, his fielding was a huge positive today.
Dale Steyn
Rating: 5/10
The pace spearhead grabbed 2 wickets at a good economy rate. Much better than his previous performances this World Cup. He also picked the most crucial wicket of Ed Joyce.
Kyle Abbot
Rating: 8/10
Abbot rocked the Irish batting line-up with figures of 4-21. An inspired bowling performance from the South-African ensured that Ireland did not have any opportunity to settle in.
Morne Morkel
Rating: 6.5/10
Morkel cleared up the tail and sealed the game for the Proteas. He complemented Abbot well and picked up 3 wickets.
Imran Tahir
Rating: 2/10
The spinner went wicketless in his 10 overs, in a performance that wasn’t quite up to the mark. A lot is expected from Tahir, who is hailed as one of the best spinners in ODI cricket currently.