Canberra, March 3 (IANS) Top order batsmen Hashim Amla (159) and Faf du Plessis (109) cracked centuries to help South Africa post 411/4, the highest total of the current World Cup, in 50 overs against Ireland in a Pool B game at the Manuka Oval here on Tuesday.
After skipper AB de Villiers elected to bat, South Africa lost left-handed opener Quinton de Kock (1) early with the scoreborad reading 12/1 in 2.3 overs. However, du Plessis joined in-form and right-handed opener Amla in the middle and the duo put up a 247-run partnership, their highest in World Cups for the second wicket.
The Proteas smashed the hapless Irish bowlers all around the park and scored at a very good pace. They upped the ante even more after scoring half-centuries and continued to dominate. The 31-year-old Amla scored a run-a-ball century and also became the fastest batsman to register 20 One-Day International (ODI) hundreds in just 107 innings.
On the other hand, 30-year-old du Plessis notched up his fourth ODI century. He faced 109 balls and scored 10 fours and a six. He was bowled off a Kevin O'Brien yorker but not before putting his team in command at 259/2 in the 39th over.
Du Plessis' fall brought big-hitting de Villiers to the crease and he didn't take much time to go berserk once again. Amla, meanwhile, continued to make merry as he scored his next 59 runs in just 28 balls. He belted 16 fours and four sixes in his 128-ball stay but lost his wicket by offering a catch to Ed Joyce at long-off of a Andy McBrine delivery in the 42nd over.
Two balls later, de Villiers reverse swept McBrine and the ball landed in the hands of Nial O'Brien at backward point. He played a cameo of 24 from nine deliveries which included one four and two sixes.
Afterwards, Rilee Rossouw (61 not out in 30 balls) and David Miller (42 not out in 22 balls) played savage for an unbeaten 110-run partnership which helped the African side score 131 runs in the last 10 overs.
South Africa added 230 runs in the last 20 overs which ultimately helped them end at 411/4, which is the second highest team total in World Cup history after India's 413/5 against Bermuda in 2007.
Brief scores: South Africa 411/5 (Hashim Amla 159, Faf du Plessis 109, Rilee Rossouw 61 not out; Andy McBrine 2/63) vs Ireland.
World Cup: Trouble will increase for cricket fans! There may be a change in the schedule of the India-Pakistan match, know the reason
The Indian team has to face Pakistan in the ODI World Cup to be held later this year. Both the teams will be face to face on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The International
Government of Jharkhand in preparation for giving unemployment allowance if not 100 days of employment in a year
Workers living in the cities of Jharkhand will also get guaranteed employment for 100 days in a year. Unemployment allowance will be given if the government cannot provide employment. The State
Blast in schools in Afghanistan: 3 blasts in schools in Kabul, 25 children killed, fidayeen attacker blew himself up at one place
Terrorists have targeted schools in Afghanistan. Three blasts took place in schools in Kabul on Tuesday morning. A fidayeen attacker blew himself up in a school. According to local media, so far 25
The struggle of 132 medical students of Jammu trapped in Ukraine continues, after walking for hours, the Russian occupied Pirichin reached
More than a hundred children of the Jammu division trapped in Ukraine are struggling for their safe return. After walking for hours, they have reached Russian-held territory in Ukraine itself, but are
Why Finland wants to go to NATO despite Putin's threat
Important announcements made on Sunday
Farmer Protest: Will the tractor parade get a green signal today? Meeting started between police and farmer leaders
Protests by farmers on Delhi's borders over the new agricultural laws continue for the 59th day on Saturday. In the 11th round of meeting between the farmers' organizations and the government on
India, Pakistan to celebrate richness of Urdu in Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 27 (IANS) Indian and Pakistani writers Intizar Hussain, Javed Akhtar, Ashok Vajpayee, and Nida Fazli, among others will participate in an Urdu festival in Delhi to celebrate and
34th day of the attack on Ukraine: Russia's attack caused a loss of $565 billion to Ukraine, destroyed 7,886 km of roadways
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues for the 34th day. The Russian army is constantly firing missiles at Ukrainian cities. So far, Ukraine has suffered a loss of $ 564.9 billion. In which more
GST payment deadline for April extended till May 24, relief to taxpayers
The government on Tuesday extended the due date of the April GST payment to May 24. This has been done because taxpayers are facing technical glitches on the GST portal. The government has also asked
'Direct Chief Minister' program started to listen to public complaints, CM Mamta will listen to people's complaints
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee started a new program called 'Side Chief Minister' on Thursday just before the Panchayat elections on the lines of Didi Ke Bolo to listen to the grievances of the
