South Africa v Ireland World Cup Match Prediction & Betting Tips

South Africa won their opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, against Zimbabwe by 62 runs but were humiliated by India with a big difference of 130. The Proteas got back their rhythm when they crushed West Indies by a hefty margin of 257 in their third game. The former hammered 5-408 after the completion of allotted 50 overs and squeezed the innings of the latter for 151 mere runs in 33.1 overs.

Ireland made a rising beginning while clinching their first match against the Windies by four wickets and continued their journey towards success when they won a close encounter vs. United Arab Emirates by two wickets. The latter managed 9- 278 in 50 overs and the first reached the target by smashing 8-279 on the second ball of the final over. South Africa and Ireland have gathered four points each, one of them will move to six but a tough fight is expected in the field.

Players to watch

The skipper of South Africa, AB de Villiers, tore apart the bowling of West Indies, blasted unbeaten 162 off just 66 deliveries and posted the fastest 150 runs in the history of ODI cricket. Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Rilee Rossouw contributed 65, 62 and 61 runs, Quinton de Kock is struggling at the moment while David Miller and Farhaan Behardien are useful batsmen. Imran Tahir was the star performer with five wickets, Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel are assisting him nicely.

Gary Wilson along with Kevin O’Brien displayed match winning knocks of 80 and 50 whereas William Porterfield and Ed Joyce chipped in with 37 each. Paul Stirling, Niall O’Brien and Andy Balbirnie can be dangerous batsmen on their day while their bowling is being looked after by Max Sorensen, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, John Mooney and Kevin O’Brien.

Time & Venue

Tuesday, March 3, 2015 @ 03:30 GMT, 14:30 local at Manuka Oval, Canberra.

Weather

Partly cloudy with the temperatures around 12-28ᵒC.

Toss

South Africa has opted to bat and Ireland preferred to chase during the event.

The Pitch

The surface has favoured most to the bowlers in the last two matches except sizzling tons from Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels vs. Zimbabwe.

Teams

South Africa – AB de Villiers (C), Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Rilee Rossouw, Farhaan Behardien,, Kyle Abbott, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Morne Morkel.

Ireland – William Porterfield (C), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Niall O’Brien, Andy Balbirnie, Gary Wilson, Kevin O’Brien, John Mooney, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Max Sorensen.

Prediction

South Africa will be the most possible winner.