Proteas get ready for Irish delight

NEW DELHI, June 24: After getting thrashed in their first ever ODI match against India on Saturday, Ireland are all set for their second encounter against mighty South Africa on Sunday at the Civil Service Cricket Club at Stormont in Belfast, Ireland.
The Proteas take the field for the first time since their World Cup semi-final defeat to world champions Australia.The second ODI at Belfast is expected to be a one-sided affair, with South Africa hoping to clinch a win against a depleted Ireland. Nevertheless, the visitors should take nothing for granted as Ireland would be hoping to spring a surprise.
Looking at head-to head clashes, the two sides have met twice in the showpiece event in the West Indies. In their Super Eights clash against Ireland, the Proteas comfortably clinched a seven-wicket win. But, a few weeks earlier, before the World Cup kicked off, South Africa lost miserably to the World Cup debutants as Ireland reduced them to 91 for 8.
Although the Proteas are going to have their first outing in more than two months, their key players have tasted recent action. Mark Boucher, Justin Kemp and AB de Villiers were seen in action during the Afro-Asia Cup in India, while Andrew Hall, Andre Nel and Charl Langeveldt have been playing county cricket.
Boucher and Nel are a cause of concern for South Africa as they are likely to miss the ODI due to illness. According to a Cricket South Africa spokesman, the two are suffering flu-like symptoms and are on medication, which means that coach Mickey Arthur might have to try a few new faces in the squad.
With the squad already having a decent number of seam options, Nel's absence wouldn't be much of a worry. As for Boucher, if he doesn't recover, Morne van Wyk would take the wicketkeeping gloves. As India's Piyush Chawla did well against the Irish, the South Africans may be tempted to consider the off-spin of Thandi Tshabalala.
With Saturday's crushing defeat still fresh in their memory, the Irish would leave no stone unturned to put in an improved show against South Africa. Although Trent Johnston's men put up a decent target of 194 runs for India to chase, the hosts fumbled in their bowling attack. Keeping in mind the South African batting prowess, Johnston's young army will have to get cracking on the pitch right from the first ball.
Teams:
Ireland (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
South Africa (from): Jacques Kallis (capt), Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Thandi Tshabalala, Morne van Wyk