Ireland opener washed out

Upon waking this morning you could have been mistaken for thinking you were back in Ireland, so ominous looking were the clouds. (Score 1 for us). South Africa no longer had home advantage. We arrived bright and early at Centurion Park nerves and all. It wasn't long before we were out on the pitch warming up. For those of you woh haven't had the pleasure of being at Centurion, it has a beautifully fast outfield as well as good wickets: runs and wickets are there for the taking. Shillers won the toss (score 2) and elected to field (we know overcast clouds when we see them). The South Africans were in for a surprise as we weren't about to hand anything over to them and with our supporters far outnumbering the South Africans (score 3) it was our day.

Despite our shaky start where South Africa were 30 off 4, we brought it back to 49 for 2 off 10 overs, with a top bowliing spell from Babs taking 2 for 26 off 10, and great hands behind the stumps from Lenny. Jillers had another great day with the ball and took 2 for 38 off 9. The wickets kept falling in all the right places breaking up partnerships before they got started. The partnership between Fritz and Terblanche of 90 got away from us but all credit to them as they batted and ran well. from then on all the bowlers played a part and the fielding again was tight. The South Africans ran well, but we continued to get wickets at crucial times.

At the 45th over in true Irish style we came off for rain. We took lunch and when play resumed we took a quick wicket with Lenny's third catch behind the stumps. Yet again the run rate had been brought back to 4 an over. We came off again for rain in the 48th over with South Africa 204 for 7, a targe we were happy enough to chase. However, we would not be given the chance as rain set in and stayed. Match abandoned and three points in the bag. Bring on the Indians …