Ireland attack dismantles South Africa

South Africa’s World Cup preparations were in disarray midway through their innings in the warm-up clash with Ireland in St Augustine.

South Africa were struggling on 91 for eight after 25 overs, with Andre Hall (12) and Robin Petersen (nought) at the wicket.

On a pitch that offered no real threat to the batsmen, South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and opted to bat.

But disciplined bowling from Ireland, who were led by 30-year-old Dave Langford-Smith (three for 31) and his captain Trent Johnston (four for 17), stunned the team ranked number one in the world in the one-day game.

Langford-Smith removed Smith (nine) in his second over with a delivery that left him and took the outside edge on the way to wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien.

Getting the ball to swing and move off the seam, Langford-Smith struck again in his fourth over when he bowled AB de Villiers (five) with the South Africa score on 26.

He followed up with a clever slower delivery which bowled Jacques Kallis (12) to leave South Africa 42 for three in the 11th over.

Herschelle Gibbs brought up the South Africa 50 with a superb drive through the covers and repeated the shot off Johnston in his first over.

But the Irish captain had his revenge in the next over when Gibbs (21) drove loosely outside the off stump and was bowled.

Johnston then bowled Ashwell Prince (seven), had Shaun Pollock (one) caught at the wicket and bowled Lance Bosman (nought) as South Africa plunged to 66 for seven.

Mark Boucher and Hall shared in the best partnership of the innings, 25 for the eighth wicket, before John Mooney, who replaced Johnston, dismissed Boucher (14).