How do Ireland stop South Africa from putting a dent in their World Cup ambitions in Canberra on Tuesday? Well it’s as easy as AB, see!
Cricket fans – and the Ireland squad – got another taste of just why Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is the undisputed No 1 batsman in the world last Friday when he took apart West Indies’ bowling attack for the second time in six weeks in the Proteas’ massive 257-run victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
That knock, the fastest 150 in World Cup history, saw De Villiers’s finish 162 not out from just 66 deliveries in a total of 408 for five. In January he hit a world record 31-ball century in the ODI clash against the Windies at Wanderers; South Africa’s total of 439 for two also including centuries from Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw.
Shane Warne describes it like bowling to a batsman with no stumps, such is the versatility of De Villiers’s shot-making skills combined with his athleticism in using every inch of his batting crease.
De Villiers is the consummate athlete and while you can imagine Warne cadging a cigarette or chatting up the girls at the bike sheds while in school, the South African skipper was busy putting together a sporting CV that would be hard to match.
Junior Springbok captain, check; Junior Davis Cup player, check; 100 metres junior record holder, check; scratch golfer, check .
Yeah but can he sing? Well yes he can, and play guitar and has even released an album. You want to hate him? He’s one of the most humble of big-name sports stars.
His rise to the top of the world of cricket even took a brief and glittering detour through Ireland in 2004, when a 20-year-old kid from Pretoria arrived at Middle Road for a summer with Carrickfergus Cricket Club.
It didn’t last the whole summer as he was eventually called up to representative honours and left with all the best wishes of Northern Cricket Union bowlers after an incredible two and a half month spell where he averaged over 110, finishing off with back to back unbeaten double centuries against Cliftonville and Instonians.
Relish opportunity
Ireland wicketkeeper Gary Wilson, who played for Belfast Harlequins in De Villiers’s first game for Carrickfergus, is a big admirer of the 31-year-old right-hander, but believes Ireland’s bowlers need to relish the opportunity of taking on the kind of quality South Africa possess in their batting line-up.
“He’s had some record in the last 12 months, but we’ll have our plans to him as well, he’s not invincible,” said Wilson, whose knock of 80 helped Ireland claim a tense two-wicket over the UAE to make it two wins from two in Pool B.
“I think that’s the way the bowlers should be approaching it as well, to try and get his wicket. All the boys will be looking forward to bowling and all the pressure will be on South Africa.”
If many observers have marked Tuesday’s game down as one Ireland will really struggle in – South Africa also possessing a brilliant bowling attack – Wilson and the Ireland squad have a different outlook as they chase down a place in the quarter-finals.
“We are here to win games of cricket in the World Cup. Whether it is against South Africa or the UAE or India, no matter who it is, we’ll always go out on the pitch to try and win the game,” added Wilson.
“At the minute we’re sitting two from two and confidence couldn’t be better in the group.”
South African all-rounder Vernon Philander remains a doubt for the game after suffering a hamstring strain, while Ireland coach Phil Simmons again picks from a full squad of 15.
Ireland’s struggles in the last 15 overs might see off-spinner Andrew McBrine return to the starting line-up for a game that looks like being Ireland’s most testing in Pool B.
