South Africa v Ireland: Cricket World Cup 2015 Group B clash at Manuka Oval

SOUTH AFRICA notched a second-straight score in excess of 400 before unleashing a pace barrage to record a thumping win over Ireland in Canberra.

South Africa's AB de Villiers (centre L) celebrates with teammates after taking a wicket during the 2015 Cricket World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and South Africa in Canberra on March 3, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

SCARY South Africa’s batting exploits reached new heights on Tuesday as AB de Villiers’ side became the first team in one-day international history to score over 400 in two successive matches.

Ireland never stood a chance in reply to South Africa’s 4-411 in Oval in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 8,831 at Canberra’s Manuka Oval.

William Porterfield’s men fought back from 5-48 to score 210 all out in their World Cup Pool B clash as South Africa notched a 201-run win, four days after a 257-run triumph over West Indies at the SCG.

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Morne Morkel was among the wickets for the Proteas.

Man of the match Hashim Amla upstaged de Villiers (24 off nine balls) with a record-breaking knock of 159 off 128 deliveries.

Ireland’s batting resistance was absent early in reply. South Africa’s Dale Steyn (2-39) broke through twice in his first three overs to remove Paul Stirling (nine) and Ed Joyce (0).

Steyn’s new-ball partner Kyle Abbott took a career-best 4-21. When Abbott claimed his third wicket of the innings in the 11th over, Ireland was in a hopeless position at 5-48.

Andy Balbirnie (58) dug in to score his maiden half-century, putting on 81 for the sixth wicket with Kevin O’Brien (48).

Tailender John Mooney was bowled by medium-pacer de Villiers as the skipper showed there’s little that is beyond him in this tournament, while Morne Morkel finished with 3-34.

South Africa’s brutal innings of 4-411 almost equalled India’s World Cup record total of 5-413 in 2007.

Amla and Faf du Plessis (109) shared a 247-run stand for the second wicket and de Villiers was his usual attacking self, hitting 24 off nine balls.

Last Friday against West Indies, de Villiers clubbed the fastest 150 in ODI history off just 64 balls in a total of 5-408.

On Tuesday Amla scored his 20th hundred in 108 ODI innings, which is a world record for fastest to reach the milestone.

Amla posted his highest ODI score.

Hashim Amla took apart the Ireland attack.

The 31-year-old Amla hit 16 fours and four sixes, holing out to long off at 3-299.

Rilee Rossouw (61 not out from 30 balls) and David Miller (46 not out off 23) remained unbeaten.

Missed chances at short mid-wicket with Amla on 10 and at slip with du Plessis on 19 cost Ireland 239 runs.

Amla played down his latest milestone for fastest to reach 20 hundreds.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes,” he said.

“I’m just glad to be getting some runs.”

Amla also took a remarkable slips catch after the ball deflected off wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock’s glove to an unsighted Amla.

“I’m glad the one Quinny flicked didn’t hit me in the teeth,” Amla said.

All is not lost by Ireland who will chase a third win from four matches in Saturday’s game against Zimbabwe (1-3) in Hobart.

“Zimbabwe is a big game for us,” Ireland captain Porterfield said.

South Africa (3-1) faces Pakistan in Auckland on Saturday and UAE in Wellington five days later.

De Villiers says all-rounder JP Duminy (side strain) has resumed bowling in the nets.

Originally published as South Africa v Ireland: Cricket World Cup 2015 Group B clash at Manuka Oval