Cricket World Cup: South Africa v Ireland at Kolkata

South Africa will move to first spot in Group B, if they can beat Ireland, when they take them on at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday, March 15. >

The impressive win against India on Saturday has put them in pole position to top the group and they will finish as toppers if they win their remaining two games, irrespective of what India does. Ireland are almost out of the tournament but are still with an outside chance and a win here can get them back in the race for the fourth spot. >

South Africa will be high on confidence for the way they bounced back after that close defeat in the hands of England. The bowlers, especially Dale Steyn, brought them back wonderfully in the game against India and the entire top and middle order contributed to the win. They are clear favorites to top the group and should win this game. South Africa are likely to go with the same team, even though they can play an additional bowler or batsman in place of Morne van Wyk.

However, Ireland have showed that they are no push overs in this tournament and would want to show that to the South Africans as well. They got their tactics wrong in the West Indies game by not giving George Dockerell, their best bowler in the tournament, more than three overs. He should be bowling all his overs in this game and would be difficult, especially under lights.

This is the first game in Kolkata and it is tough to see how the pitch would behave. The easy option would be to bat first and put up a big score. Batting under lights would be a tough job, and for the Irish, it will be tough against the South African bowlers even during the day.