da 888casino： On paper the match against adepleted Ireland side is the ideal way to ease into their shortone-day tour of the Emerald Isle, but they would be well advised nottake anything for granted
da bet vitoria： Andrew McGlashan in Belfast23-Jun-2007
Seeing that Piyush Chawla did well against the Irish, the South Africans may be tempted to consider the offspin of Thandi Tshabalala © Getty Images
South Africa take the field for the first time since their World Cupsemi-final drubbing, at the hands of Australia, in the laid-backsurroundings of Stormont on Sunday. On paper the match against adepleted Ireland side is the ideal way to ease into their shortone-day tour of the Emerald Isle, but they would be well advised nottake anything for granted.The two sides met twice in the Caribbean. The game that mattered – inthe Super Eights – comfortably went South Africa’s way with aseven-wicket victory but, a few weeks earlier, they’d been jolted intolife during their opening warm-up match in Trinidad as Ireland reducedthem to 91 for 8.South Africa recovered to win that match but for their first outing inmore than two months, with cool, overcast conditions, in unfamiliarsurroundings, they will have to be on their guard. One advantage forthem is that key players have tasted recent action. Andrew Hall, CharlLangeveldt and Andre Nel have been playing county cricket while MarkBoucher, AB de Villiers and Justin Kemp were involved in the Afro-AsiaCup.However, there is a potential problem on the horizon with Boucher andNel both suffering flu-like symptoms. They are on medication and aCricket South Africa spokesman said they were hopeful of playing, butit may lead Mickey Arthur into having to try a few of the five new (orrecalled) faces in the squad.If Boucher doesn’t recover Morne van Wyk would take the wicketkeepinggloves. His only previous one-day international was in the 2003Natwest Series final against England, at Lord’s, when South Africawere thrashed by seven wickets. The absence of Nel wouldn’t be felttoo strongly, as the squad is packed with seam options, and a possibledebut is on the cards for allrounder Vernon Philander along with aone-day return for Dale Steyn following his outstanding form forWarwickshire.The other interesting bowling option for the South Africans toconsider is the offspin of Thandi Tshabalala. Although conditions atStormont wouldn’t initially cry out in favour of the spinners, PiyushChawla was very effective against Ireland. For teams brought up on adiet of medium pace seam and swing having a slow-bowling optionprovides a different test.Ireland will want to put in an improved display after their nine-wicket defeat against India. Trent Johnston thought his side had put a decent total on the board but were let down by some loose bowling. The South African batting order is going to be another stiff challenge for his young attack.After their final training session the South Africans opted not tocome down to the Civil Service Ground and give their opponents theonce over. Instead, they headed off to watch the Springboks take onthe All Blacks in the Tri-Nations rugby. The cricket team’s task onSunday should be much easier.South Africa (from) Jacques Kallis (capt), Mark Boucher, AB deVilliers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, CharlLangeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn,Thandi Tshabalala, Morne van WykIreland (from) Trent Johnston (capt), Kenny Carroll, Alex Cusack, Thinus Fourie, Dominick Joyce, Gary Kidd, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O’ Brien, Niall O’ Brien, William Porterfield, Roger Whelan, Andrew White,Gary Wilson
