Hashim Amla had a career-best 159 runs as South Africa defeated Ireland by 201 runs on Tuesday at the Cricket World Cup in Canberra Australia. With 411 total, South Africa became the first team with back-to-back 400s (it scored 408 on Friday in a win over West Indies) and the second with consecutive 200-run wins, keeping pace with first-place India in Pool B.
Amla became the fifth South African batsman to reach 100 at the World Cup. AB de Villiers, who scored the fastest-ever 150 against West Indies, managed just 24 off nine deliveries against Ireland.
South Africa will clinch a spot in the quarterfinals with one win over its final two group-stage matches, against Pakistan on Saturday or United Arab Emirates on March 12. Pakistan and UAE make up the bottom of the Pool B standings.
Ireland suffered its first loss of the event after opening with two victories.
“It was a difficult evening,” Ireland captain William Porterfield told the BBC. “We had one early breakthrough and wanted more but then it was hard for us. You want to be taking your chances, but they played very well after that.”
Said de Villiers, per the BBC: “We did it our way. We have made a lot of hundreds over the past 12-15 months and we are very proud of that. Amla is still the rock and will always be that for us.”
After spending the first 17 years of his Post career writing and editing, Matt and the printed paper had an amicable divorce in 2014. He's now blogging and editing for the Early Lead and the Post's other Web-based products.
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