ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: South Africa vs Ireland - As it happened...

Welcome to our live cricket blog for this Pool B clash between Ireland and South Africa. Follow live score and all the latest updates here:

In a lopsided affair South Africa crushed Ireland by 201 runs in a Pool B encounter in Canberra. While chasing a mammoth total of 411, minnows kept losing wickets from the very beginning and half of their batsmen were back in the hut inside first 12 overs. Ireland failed to live up to the expectations as they were outplayed by the Proteas in all the departments.   

Ireland Innings

Over 45.0 || Score 210/10

With the wicket of Dockrell South Africa thrashed Ireland by 201 runs in a Pool B encounter. Abbott was the pick among the bowlers as he scalped four wickets in his eight overs and conceded mere 21 runs.   

GH Dockrell b Morkel 25 (57b)

Over 44 || Score 203/9

A well directed bouncer by Morkel as it gave him his second wicket of the match. Sorensen in fear only managed to put his gloves to the ball as Kock took a simple catch behind the wickets. SA are now just a wicket shy to seal this match.  

MC Sorensen c de Kock b Morkel 22 (19b)

Over 42 || Score 199/8

Now it's getting a bit frustrating for South Africa. They have been trying to get the last two wickets to finish off the match but Sorensen and Dockrell, have already added 32 runs for the ninth wicket. In fact in the last three overs they hit three boundaries and a six.  

Over 38 || Score 172/8

Both the strike bowlers -- Steyn and Abbott -- are back into the attack. It clearly indicates that AB wants to wrap up the game a quickly as possible. Disappointing batting display by Irish batsman. 240 runs required in 12 overs.    

Over 36 || Score 168/8

Strike bowler Abbott has been called back to mope up the tail. And the speedster got some success in his first over as he picked up the wicket of Kevin, who missed his half-century by mere two runs. To complete his fifty in style, the big hitter went for a pull over mid-wicket but couldn't connect it as Rossouw picked up his second catch at deep mid-wicket.

KJ O'Brien c Rossouw b Abbott 48 (65b)

Over 34 || Score 163/7

In the 34th over, Dockrell played an inside out to perfection to launch South Africa's premier spinner Imran Tahir for a six over extra covers. Kevin is mere five runs shy of his fifty. 249 runs required off 16 overs.  

Over 32 || Score 155/7

Mooney Out! Skipper AB picked up his first wicket off the second ball he bowled. South Africa now need three more wickets to seal the match convincingly. Now it's just a formality for Protease to finish the match. George Dockrell is the new man in.

JF Mooney b de Villiers 8 (15b)

Over 27 || Score 135/6

Morkel provides a breakthrough. In rush of blood, half-centurion Balbirnie threw away his wicket. Even after collecting a boundary in the earlier ball, Balbirnie went for another big shot by pulling the bowler towards mid-wicket, but on this occasion he failed to connect it well as Rossouw took a simple catch in the end. 

A Balbirnie c Rossouw b Morkel 58 (71b)

Over 25 || Score 124/5

Andy Balbirnie have completed his half-century in the 34th over by hitting Morkel for consecutive boundaries. He used 66 balls to reach the mark, laced the six boundaries. Gutsy fifty by him. Meanwhile, Ireland have crossed the 100-run mark as well. 37 runs have come in the last five overs.       

Over 20 || Score 87/5

Kevin O'Brien and Andy Balbirnie have added 39 runs for the sixth wicket. They are dealing in singles and doubles at the moment. But one thing which is going sky high is the required rate. It has now gone over 10 runs per over as Ireland required 325 more runs from 30 overs.

Over 17 || Score 72/5

Balbirnie is playing sensible cricket as he is hitting the ball according to it's merit. 11 runs have come in the last two overs. Still one can sense that South Africa are heading towards a big win here at Canberra.     

Over 15 || Score 61/5

After being thrashed by the South African batsmen, now the Irish batsmen too haven't lived up to their expectations. Farhaan Behardien and Imran Tahir are bowling in tandem for SA, whereas, Kevin O'Brien and Andy Balbirnie are in the middle.  

Over 12 || Score 51/5

What a fine spell of fast bowing from both the ends. Abbott picked up his third wicket when he trapped Wilson in front of the wicket. Ireland's top order flopped badly as half of the side is back to the pavilion. In the meantime Ireland have crossed the 50-run mark.  

GC Wilson lbw b Abbott 0 (3b)

Over 10 || Score 47/4

Abbott Strikes again. Big big blow for Ireland as they lost the wicket of experienced campaigner N O'Brien. He went for a flashy drive, but only managed a thick outside edge as Amla took sharp and risky catch at first slip. Poor start by Ireland as four of their batsmen are already back in the hut and they still need 365 from 40 overs. 

NJ O'Brien c Amla b Abbott 14 (9b)

Over 7 || Score 36/3

Andy Balbirnie and Niall O'Brien are in the middle as Ireland lost their first three wickets in quick succession. In the seventh over, Niall O'Brien played a perfect back-foot drive off Steyn to collect his first boundary. Both the bowlers are steaming in and are too hot to deal with. 11 runs have come off the last two overs.      

Over 5 || Score 25/3

Two more wickets for the Proteas as Abbott and Steyn picked a wicket each in the last two overs. First Abbott dismissed skipper Porterfield in the third 4th over, and then in the next, Steyn picked up his second wicket in the form of Joyce who perished without even opening his account. Ireland are at the back-foot while chasing a huge total after losing their first three wickets inside six overs.  

EC Joyce c Amla b Steyn 0 (4b)  

WTS Porterfield c du Plessis b Abbott 12 (17b)

Over 3 || Score 17/1

Steyn Strikes, Stirling walks back! A quick short of length delivery, moving away after pitching, and went straight into the hands of wicketkeeper after kissing the outside edge of his bat. Before getting out Stirling hit Steyn for consecutive boundaries. It means the bowler has the last laugh.    

PR Stirling c de Kock b Steyn 9 (6b) 

Over 2 || Score 7/0

Kyle Abbott is bowling with the second new ball. A big LBW appeal off the third delivery as the ball hit on the pad of Porterfield. But umpire wasn't interested, though, it was a close shave. Two runs from the over.

Over 1 || Score 5/0

Porterfield started off his innings in style by playing a crunching drive towards cover for a boundary. Five runs off the opening over. 

Regular openers Paul Stirling and skipper William Porterfield have come to the middle as South Africa set a massive total of 411 for them. Dale Steyn to start the bowing for his side. 

South Africa Innings

Over 50 || Score 411/4

24 runs have come in the last over as SA crossed the 400-run mark in consecutive matches. Miller and Rossouw hit a boundary and a six each to put up an imposing total of 411 in front of Ireland. 

Kevin O'Brien to ball the last over of the innings. 

Over 49 || Score 387/4

Boundaries are raining at the moment. Miller smashed two fours in the over as SA added 16 more to their total.  

Sorensen to bowl the penultimate over of the innings.

Over 48 || Score 371/4

Rossouw hit him for a six and a boundary to collect 11 from the over. 400-mark is still within their reach.   

McBrine with his last over.

Over 47 || Score 360/4

Rossouw launched Sorensen for a six towards mid-wicket off the third ball. But that's the only big shot being played in the over. Still ten runs came from it. 

Over 46 || Score 350/4

Miller and Rossouw have quickly added 49-runs for the fifth wicket. Good over for Ireland after a long time as Paul Stirling conceded mere three runs in it, all singles. Meanwhile, SA have touched the 350-run mark.  

Over 45 || Score 347/4

Kevin O'Brien is mixing up his deliveries. But Rossouw still managed to hit two boundaries in the over as the bowler leaked 11 runs. Can Ireland stop SA

Over 44 || Score 336/4

Miller clobbered Mooney for a flat six over mid-wicket in the last ball off the 43rd over. Miller too is a dangerous batsman at the death overs, who can smack the bowlers all over the ground. 29 runs came in the last two overs.

Over 42 || Score 307/4

McBrine dismisses Amla and De Villiers in the same over. He first got the better of Amla who went for a big shot over long off but caught at deep. And then after the gap of a ball he picked the priceless wicket of dangerous AB. Rilee Rossouw and David Miller have come to the middle after SA lost two wickets in quick succession.    

AB de Villiers c NJ O'Brien b McBrine 24 (9b)

HM Amla c Joyce b McBrine 159 (128)

Over 41 || Score 299/2

From here on SA will be targeting the total of 400. And it's looking within their reach. Another expensive over for Ireland as 19 came off it. First Amla hit consecutive boundaries and then De Villiers smacked Kevin O'Brien for a maximum.   

Over 40 || Score 280/2

Another expensive over as 18 runs came from it. De Villiers has started hitting boundaries from the word go as he quickly moved to 14 off five with the help of a boundary and a six.  

Over 39 || Score 262/2

Kevin O'Brien breaks the partnership, du Plessis Out! A well disguised yorker to clean bowled the set batsman. Here comes the destroyer AB de Villiers. What a time for him to come to the middle.     

F du Plessis b KJ O'Brien 109 (109b)

Over 38 || Score 255/1

Amla is smashing the bowlers all over the park. He is on a roll here. In the over he smashed two boundaries and equal number of sixes as SA collected 27 runs from it. Batting Powerplay is proving even more expensive for Ireland. SA have also crossed the 250-run mark in the over. 

Over 37 || Score 228/1

In the 37th over by KJ O'Brien, Amla and du Plessis collected a boundary each to add 13 runs to their total. Irish bowlers are looking listless against these two outstanding cricketers.  

Over 36 || Score 215/1

In the 36th over, du Plessis placed spinner Dockrell for a single to complete his hundred. It's his 4th ODI ton. The number three batsman reached the mark in 109 balls with the help of nine boundaries and two sixes. SA are heading towards are a huge total.   

Over 35 || Score 211/1

Sloppy fielding has already cost Ireland dearly. After dropping Amla early in the innings, the opener made sure that they pay heavily for that. Nine runs came in the last two overs. Now du Plessis needs two more runs to complete his hundred.    

Over 33 || Score 202/1

Opener Amla took a single towards long off in the 33rd over to complete his 20th ODI ton. Superb knock by the the right-hander. You can't ask for anything better than this. Meanwhile, SA have crossed the 200-run mark as well.    

Over 30 || Score 181/1

Amla has reached the nervous 90s. He would love to go past the three figure mark as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, Paul Stirling has been brought back into the attack. Skipper Porterfield is juggling his bowlers well but nothing has worked for him thus far. Amla is mere five runs shy of his hundred.

Over 28 || Score 172/1

Dockrell and McBrine are bowling at the moment for Ireland. In the 25th over, Amla and du Plessis have crossed the 150-run partnership. SA are heading towards a massive score. Same bowling attack which performed impressivly against erratic West Indies and new comers Afghanistan, is looked ordinary against the robust SA batting line up.  

Over 25 || Score 160/1

Amla is dealing in sixes now. In the 24th over by Sorensen, the elegant opener broke the shackles and launched the bowled for consecutive sixes -- one over cow corner and the next towards extra covers. He  then collected a boundary off the next before du Plessis smacked the bowler for another maximum off the fifth ball. Big Big over for SA as 24 runs came off it. 36 runs came in the last three.

Over 22 || Score 124/1

Amla is now looking to accelerate the run-rate a bit as he is trying to add runs quickly. In the 22nd over by Sorensen he played a slightly risky shot down the ground to collect his 8th boundary. Ireland are looking clueless at the moment. Is it time for Irish skipper to call back strike bowler Mooney to bowl an over or two? Nine runs off the last two overs.

Over 20 || Score 115/1

100-run partnership off 105 balls ​between Amla and du Plessis for the 2nd wicket. In the 20th over, du Plessis also completed his half-century. They are milking the Irish bowlers at the moment.  

Over 18 || Score 102/1

Another bowling change! Spinner Andy McBrine has been given the ball for the first time in the innings. Meanwhile, Amla completed his fifty by placing the ball towards cover to run three. Boundaries are coming at regular intervals for South Africa. Sensible batting by the two senior members of the team. Ireland conceded 15 runs off the last two overs. And SA have also crossed the 100-run mark.

Over 16 || Score 87/1

It's high time Ireland should break this dangerous looking partnership. They have already added 75 runs for the second wicket. Amla is mere two runs shy of his fifty. What a form he has been in. Dockrell and Stirling are bowling in tandem for Ireland.    

Over 15 || Score 80/1

Dockrell is flighting the ball, which is a good thing to do and it also shows the confidence of the bowler. But thus far the fielding of Ireland has been pathetic. They have dropped a couple of catches.    

Over 12 || Score 66/1

Ohh that's quite a move. Spin from both the ends as Paul Stirling has also been introduced. And the news is that both the bowlers are troubling the batsmen. So a smart move by the Irish skipper. Nine runs came in the last two overs.    

Over 10 || Score 57/1

Spin for the first time as George Dockrell has been introduced into the attack. But Amla and du Plessis both are good players of spin as they use their feet against them quite effectively. Meanwhile, SA have crossed the 50-run mark. So after losing their first wicket early on, SA have recovered well.   

Over 8 || Score 48/1

After playing a classy straight drive in the first ball, Amla played an expensive cover drive off the fifth. And both the shots crossed the boundary line with an ease as ten runs came from the over. Amla is in sublime form and it's imperious for Ireland to get him out early.  

Over 7 || Score 38/1

Mooney is not offering much of a room to the batsmen to free their arms. Two runs from the over. Even Amla and du Plessis are not ready to take any chances against the bowler.    

Over 6 || Score 36/1

First bowling change! Kevin O'Brien replaced Sorensen. OOH Amla Dropped! First ball, full-length, pitching in the middle and leg, Amla flicked the ball in the air, found a fielder in Ed Joice at shot mid-wicket but he fumbled it down. And then Amla smashed the bowler for consecutive boundaries to collect 11 from it.  

Over 5 || Score 25/1

Mooney beating the batsmen at regular intervals. Mind it! he is not an express bowler, but batsmen struggle against him because of his disciplined bowling. Another good over for Ireland as he conceded mere four runs.   

Over 4 || Score 21/1

Sorensen has to control his line. He is into his second over and has already bowled six wides. Off the third legitimate delivery of the over, Du Plessis played a super cover drive to hit his first boundary of the match. Another expensive over by the bowler as he leaked nine off it.  

Over 3 || Score 12/1

Mooney strikes, De Kock Out! First breakthrough for Ireland. What a delivery. It pitched at a good length, angling away from the left-hander and got the thin edge of his bat as wicketkeeper took a simple catch. Excellent start by Mooney. This time it's a wicket maiden by the seamer. Faf du Plessis is the new man in. 

Q de Kock c Wilson b Mooney 1 (4b)

Over 2 || Score 12/0

South Africa opened their account with the help of an extra as  the first ball was a wide by Soresen. Amla then collected two boundaries in the over as 12 runs came off it.   

Max Sorensen has the other new ball in hand. 

Over 1 || Score 0/0

Mooney is right on the money. He has this quality of picking up the line and length straight up. Maiden over first up by the seamer.   

In-form Hashim Amla and De Kock are at the centre to open the batting for South Africa, whereas, specialist Irish seamer John Mooney has the brand new ball to challenge the openers first up.       

This is going to be a cracker of a match. Ireland have won their first two matches against West Indies and Afghanistan and their players must be in high spirits. On the other end, South Africa are the title contenders with too many match-winners in the side. Certainly, Proteas are the favourites going into the match but don't underestimate Ireland.       

Toss: South Africa have won the toss and elected to bat first.

Ireland Squad

William Porterfield, Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O'Brien, Andrew Balbirnie, Gary Wilson, Kevin O'Brien, John Mooney, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Max Sorensen, Andy McBrine, Peter Chase, Stuart Thompson, Craig Young

South Africa Squad

Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, AB de Villiers, David Miller, Farhaan Behardien, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Jean-Paul Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander

Ireland go into Tuesday`s World Cup clash against South Africa in Canberra faced with a question that even fanciful Test nations have struggled to find an answer for.

How does one tame the rampaging AB de Villiers before he destroys the rivals` bowling attack, dents their morale and leaves them dumbstruck by what just hit them?

The West Indies once more suffered at the hands of the South African captain who, despite a stomach illness, smashed an audacious 162 off 66 balls with 17 boundaries and eight sixes in Sydney on Friday to fashion a 257-run win.

It was against the same team that de Villers smashed the fastest one-day century off 31 balls at home in January, prompting former Australian dasher Adam Gilchrist to call him the "most valuable cricketer on the planet."

The Proteas, one of the pre-tournament favourites, needed the brutal attack by their 31-year-old captain to steady the ship after they were stunned by India by 130 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground a week ago.

De Villiers was run out for 30 in that match by a brilliant throw from the deep by Mohit Sharma, which must make Ireland wonder if that is the only way to see the back of him.

But the proud Irish, whose cricket has developed rapidly under their West Indies coach Phil Simmons, will look to run the mighty Proteas closely after winning their first two games in the tournament.

Ireland chased down a challenging West Indies total of 304-7 at Nelson with four wickets and 25 balls to spare on the back of half-centuries from Paul Stirling (92), Ed Joyce (84) and Niall O`Brien (79 not out).

Simmons, the former West Indies opening batsman, insisted the result was not an upset because his team was now capable of matching skills with the more established teams.

"It excited me the way we played against the West Indies," said Simmons. "They played four fast bowlers, thinking we would not be able to cope with the speed. It`s the best I`ve seen the team play and it augurs well for the future."

Ireland overcame wayward bowling in their next game in Brisbane to allow the United Arab Emirates to pile up 278-9, but the batsman kept their nerve to win in the final over with the ninth-wicket pair at the crease.

If other results go their way, even one win from their four remaining games against South Africa, India, Pakistan and Zimbabwe could see Ireland qualify for the quarter-finals.

However, past records favour South Africa against the Irish, who progressed from the first round in their inaugural appearance at the World Cup in 2007 but were knocked out in the group stages four years later.

Ireland have lost all three one-day internationals against South Africa so far. In their last meeting at the 2011 World Cup at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Proteas thumped them by 131 runs.

Still, the Irish can be expected to blast away at the batting friendly Manuka Oval wicket where West Indies opener Chris Gayle hammered a World Cup record score of 215 against Zimbabwe last week.

South Africa`s only worry will be the underwhelming form of pace spearhead Dale Steyn, who has claimed just three wickets in the first three games at a high average of 47.66.

With de Villiers` team almost certain to qualify for the knock-out rounds, Steyn will be needed to be at his best if South Africa are to have a shot at their maiden World Cup title.

An unlikely bowling hero for the Proteas is leg-spinner Imran Tahir, whose nine wickets so far is only behind the New Zealand seam duo of Tim Southee (13) and Trent Boult (10) in the leading bowlers` list.

Match Officials

Umpires: Steve Davis(Aus), Ranmore Martinesz(SL)
Third Umpire: Ian Gould(Eng)
Match Referee: Roshan Mahanama(SL)