MATCH THREAD: ICC Cricket World Cup, 34th Match, Group B: Ireland v South Africa at Kolkata, Mar 15, 2011, 09:00 GMT

[al-Sagar]

Ireland vs South Africa

Match scheduled to begin at 14:30 local time (09:00 GMT)

Current time: 10:23 local, 04:53 GMT | Match begins in: 4:07

FINALLY A GAME AT EDEN GARDENS KOLKATA

[al-Sagar]

this game is important for us as an IRISH win would make our QF equation complex.

so we have to hope SA performs a professional job and does not choke

[Rabz]

Yes, finally a game at the Eden Garden.

[al-Sagar]

it will be interesting to see how much crowd this game draw ....

also there is a IRE vs NED game there

[al-Sagar]

William Porterfield wins the toss and Ireland will bowl first

[al-Sagar]

10-0 after 2.3

[al-Sagar]

Although Eden Gardens wears a refurbished new look after a make-over, its a pity that the seating capacity has reduced from 90,000 to 65,000

[Ayan]

Hello all .

A very important game for us indeed. This is the big one before the big one (WI-Eng) before the big one (BD-SA). Anything but a regulation SA victory will make qualification much harder for us. Lets hope SA doesn't make a meal out of it and approached the game with the right level of concentration and humility. Otherwise, the Irish, who have been playing good cricket in this tournament, are well capable of causing another upset.

Lets go, Proteas!

[Ayan]

Why was the capacity reduced? Renovation couldn't be done without it (because more space was needed, etc.), or is 65k optimum because seats weren't filled to 90k often enough and upkeep was costly? There must be a good reason (although in the subcontinent there's not always one) because the stadium is iconic, and its seating capacity was part of its iconic stature.

[Ayan]

Nevermind, area wasn't reduced. From Cricinfo:

Shishank: "Seating capacity getting reduced is actually good, it is good for the spectators as there is now more shoulder space and people can sit comfortably. This is a step taken in the right direction as spectator comfort should be of utmost priority."


SA 24/1 after 5 overs. Amla got out trying to accelerate.

[Banglatiger84]

I am actually surprised that India got 2 games at Bangalore and not even one at Kolkata.

[al-Sagar]

SA 50-1 after 9

lost the wicket of amla

[al-Sagar]

Originally Posted by Banglatiger84
I am actually surprised that India got 2 games at Bangalore and not even one at Kolkata.

the india-england game was moved from Kolkata to Bangalore because of rehabilitation world delayed

[al-Sagar]

direct hit and out

[al-Sagar]

kallis in after smiths departure

[al-Sagar]

ireland have dropped two catches today already

[Ayan]

this is not good. it's supposed to be a batting wicket, and there'll be dew later on. south africa need to get their act together and score 300.

[al-Sagar]

there is good chance of rain at KOLKATA

[al-Sagar]

what a straight drive by KALLIS .......

[al-Sagar]

van wyk providing the entertainment

[al-Sagar]

fourteen of that johnston over

[al-Sagar]

another good stroke by KALLIS

[al-Sagar]

i think it started drizzling already

[al-Sagar]

kallis looks to be in sublime touch

another

[Ayan]

good news! hope it'll turn into a downpour.