Clippings: Kiwis beat Ireland

GEORGETOWN, Guyana
New Zealand joined defending champions Australia on eight points at the top of the World Cup Super Eights standings after beating Ireland by 129 runs on Monday.
New Zealand racked up 263-8 after a late innings rally of 45 runs from the last three overs, following Peter Fulton's top score 83.
As the required run rate increased, Ireland lost their last seven wickets for 24 runs as they were bowled out for 134 with 12.2 overs remaining in the final World Cup match at the Providence Stadium.
Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori claimed 4-23 when he ran through the Irish tail. He had three lbws and finished the innings by bowling Kyle McCallan and trapping last man Boyd Rankin in front to be on a hat-trick in his next match.
Ireland, now on the cusp of elimination, rarely threatened the Black Caps' total despite an entertaining 49 off 45 balls from middle-order batsman Kevin O'Brien, who was eventually run out after a mix-up with his brother Niall.
With three matches left, the Black Caps are now almost assured one of the semi-final berths on eight points.
Ireland remain winless from their three second stage Super Eight games so far and their task does not get any easier with Australia up next on Friday.
New Zealand's victory did not appear so clear-cut at various stages of their innings when they slumped to 83 for three and later 189 for seven, with Ireland fielding athletically and bowling accurately for the most part.
Opener Fulton resisted Ireland with a steady 83 from 110 balls for his sixth one-day half-century with wickets falling around him.
Man-of-the-match Fulton eventually perished to the accurate off-spinner McCallan, who finished with two for 35 from his 10 overs.
It was left to the tail, though, to boost the Kiwis' total. McCullum struck two fours and a six that smashed a window in a third-tier press box.
The Black Caps have now won their last nine one-day internationals and require one more victory to match their best win-streak.

On endorsements...

MUMBAI
India's under-performing World Cup cricketers came under fire from former captains who have recommended that players should obtain permission from the board before entering into endorsement contracts.
"A copy of the endorsement contract should be submitted to the BCCI (cricket board) in order to ensure that there is no clause therein relating to performance-based incentive," a panel of seven former captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, recommended on Friday.
The board convened a two-day meeting on Friday to look into the team's surprise first-round exit at the World Cup in the Caribbean. Their Australian coach Greg Chappell resigned on the back of the performance this week.
Since the team's return, local media have written about corporate interest influencing selection procedures for the World Cup.
India is considered the corporate nerve-centre of the game and endorsements by Indian players run into millions of rupees.
Leading batsman Sachin Tendulkar currently endorses 11 products.
"(BCCI should) limit the number of endorsements of a player," they also recommended, according to a statement issued by the board secretary, Niranjan Shah.
The subject of the new coach to succeed Chappell, who resigned on Wednesday, is to be discussed on Saturday.

The Truth About Tendulkar: 7, 57 not out and 0

By John Cheeran
Greg Chappell has left. Now we are left with icons such as Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar and the senior mafia have blamed coach Chappell for all the ills with Indian cricket and for the World Cup fiasco.
The point is that without a bat in his hand Sachin Tendulkar is a cretin. The way he has batted against Bangaldesh and Sri Lanka in the World Cup and in the last few years too, even with a bat in his hand, Tendulkar has looked like a cretin.
It is time Tendulkar answered India, the nation, on two counts.
Why did Tendulkar react to rumours of Chappell having questioned his and other players' attitude when the coach submitted his report only today. (Friday)
Second, and the most important. Tendulkar has talked about the deep anguish on the basis of rumours. (Well, it might be the truth after all). And why is not talking about his own inability?
I think Greg Chappell is fully justified in questioning the attitude of Tendulkar when the master batsman could score only 7 runs against Bangladesh and failed to open his score against Sri Lanka. And in so many words, Tendulkar has implied that Chappell's presence as coach has hampered his batting, an argument put forward by gutless seniors who have spoken, putting on a purdah to various Indian cricket writers.
But if, in truth, Chappell's methods and madness have hampered Tendulkar, the batting maestro, how come he could score runs against Bermuda. He batted like a champion against Bermuda scoring an unbeaten 57 off 29 balls.
So Tendulkar batted 'brilliantly' against Bermuda at a time when Chappell did not speak to seniors for three-four days at all, if one goes by the Times of India report.
What does it illustrate Mr Tendulkar?
Do not blame Chappell for your shortcomings.
If your powers and skills as a batsman have not declined, you should have done better than scoring a duck against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. You haven't done that.
India pity you Tendulkar.
Tendulkar, let me tell you this. Facing the truth is much, much tougher than edging Glenn McGrath through slips to boundary.

Tendulkar gives his heart and soul to Indian cricket!

By John Cheeran
In a face-saving exercise, Sachin Tendulkar has given an interview to The Times of India and tried to defend himself against coach Greg Chappell's so-called adverse remarks in the report, which is to be submitted to the Indian cricket board only on Friday.
Why is Tendulkar so alarmed about a report that is to be submitted to the BCCI only on Friday. Why is Tendulkar so eager to react to rumours?
If rumours are to be believed, it is not Greg Chappell alone who has criticised the seniors mafia.Even selector-cum-manager Sanjay Jagdale's report contains strong remarks against them.Tendulkar has told the Times of India that he has given his heart and soul to Indian cricket for 17 years.
What is Tendulkar talking about?
I should say Tendulkar is talking utter rubbish.
Tendulkar has given neither his heart or soul to anyone, leave alone Indian cricket. Tendulkar should not obfuscate the issues out there. Yes, Tendulkar has scored plenty of runs for Indian cricket team in the past and he is not able to score now and he should leave the stage for others. That's it.
Indian cricket and coach Greg Chappell needs runs from its batsmen. Wickets from bowlers.Sporting career stops beating much before heart and soul stop ticking. That's the truth, Tendulkar.
The problem with Tendulkar is that from a young age -- from as a 12-13 year-old schoolboy cricketer he has been hailed a prodigy -- he has not been subjected to criticism.
Tendulkar has faced up to some of the craftiest bowlers in international cricket but now he has to face up to the truth of the moment that his powers are waning.
Tendulkar says coach Chappell's criticism hurts him. That's the whole point of criticism, Tendulkar.
It is meant to hurt. It is meant to make you think and square up to the reality and not get lost in the past scoreboards.Tendulkar says no past Indian team coach has found anything wrong with his attitude.Possible.But times change, people change.
It is quite one thing for worthies such as Madan Lal, Anshuman Gaekwad, Sandeep Patil and John Wright to be in awe of Tendulkar.
But not Greg Chappell, who himself has been one of the classiest batsmen the cricket has produced in any era.If Chappell finds Tendulkar's attitude not conducive for Team India's cause, he has been bold enough to report the matter to the BCCI.
That's what a coach is supposed to do. That's why he has been paid by the BCCI.
And by the way, Mr Tendulkar, you have been given a filthy rich contract by the BCCI to score runs.
And not to return from the crease after failing to score even single against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in the World Cup and tell journalists about giving his heart and soul to Indian cricket.
Cmon, grow up Tendulkar.
It is time for you to walk away from the crease.
And pray, you can keep your heart and soul with you. Thank you.

Sachin Tendulkar's lamentations

MUMBAI, April 4:
Describing reports emanating from Greg Chappell's camp as"mere rumours", Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday rejected suggestions that the Indian cricket team was divided and that seniors did not help youngsters.
Healso denied that he had "any rift with anybody" or anything against anyone, an apparent rebuttal of reports that he and Chappell did not get along well duringthe recent disastrous World Cup.
In an interview to a TV news channel, Tendulkar said the last ten days had been painful and hugely disappointing to the teambecause it feels that it had let down the nation, did not live upto itsexpectations and the players as well. Asked whether the team was really unitedin the West Indies, he said "the team was united. I would prefer that the teamstays united. These (reports that there were differences between seniors andjuniors) all rumours.
"The reality is otherwise. Youngsters are all part ofus. It is not like that (fighting). We are extremely close and we are likefriends, no matter what X, Y, Z may say".
Tendulkar said controversies are rakedup when the team does not do well and "all these things come up." Asked about media reports today quoting him about his unhappiness with Chappell, he said hehad not used language like "hit out" or "blast". "This has never been my language. It is not my nature to get into fight with anyone. If the coach hadsaid that, I am hurt." To a question, he said "I am not against anyone. I haveno rift with anybody. These are rumours".
About the reported conflict betweensenior and juniors, the batting great said "I do not think it is correct. Seniors always encourage juniors. We joke around, we always walk up to them ,tell them what they should do. If there is something wrong with me, you shouldalso tell me."
Asked about his feelings after the World Cup exit, Tendulkarsaid "I think the last ten days have been terrible. It was nation's dream to winand bring back the Cup.
The team worked hard for it. But it was shattered inseven days. It was one bad day against Bangladesh and again against Sri Lanka.
"it was hugely disappointing. We have disappointed nation's hopes and expectations and we have not been able to live upto its expectations. We will regroup and play and give happiness to the country".
Asked if it was the saddest day in his life, Tendulkar said "I am sure it was extremely sad because nobody in our wildest dreams thought that we could be back so early. And this is beyond imagination."
"We want to tell the fans that we are extremely sorry for having disappointed the entire nation and all the hopes were on us and we werenot able to live upto expectations", he said.
Asked what was his message to cricket fans, he said he would like to tell the nation that the team was together and would go out on the field as a team and not as an individual.
"All we need at this point of time is your support and your good wishes becauseit means so much to the players when you know that the entire nation is with you, behind you and wishing well for you."

Recations to Chappell's resignation

New Delhi
A day after resigning as India's coach, Greg Chappell garnered praise in some cricket circles on Thursday and admonishment from others. Chappell, a former Australian Test great, quit on Wednesday, citing personal reasons in the resignation letter he sent to Sharad Pawar, President of India's cricket board.
His resignation followed comments on Wednesday from India's star batsman Sachin Tendulkar who said he had been hurt by Chappell's recent criticism of senior Indian players after the World Cup, where India wasunexpectedly ousted in the first-round.
The Indian team lost to Bangladesh inits opening match and was then knocked out of the tournament by Sri Lanka. Chappell, 58, has received withering criticism from members of India's cricketestablishment and the sports media in recent days for blaming the team's WorldCup ouster on poor attitudes by veteran players. Former chief selector KiranMore said Chappell was a straightforward man, and people in India didn't likethat.
"He would say it on the face and we don't want to hear that,'' More told the Press Trust of India news agency Thursday.
More blamed the media for the controversy. "There is a lot of pressure on players and coaches now becauseof the media,'' he said. Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth said Chappell failed to perform as coach and resigning was his only option.
"From what we can gather, it looks like he was trying to dictate,'' said Srikkanth.``He will not be remembered by Indian cricket because he hasn't contributedanything.'' Chappell was named coach of the Indian side in 2005. His contractwas set to expire later this month.
"I think his greatest contribution wasshowing Indian cricket the mirror,'' former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar told theCricinfo Talk Web site. ``We get very emotional about our cricket, ourplayers. We sometimes overrate our cricketers because we are so obsessed with them -- we don't look around too much ... Greg Chappell has shown us, in blackand white, what is wrong and what is right with our cricket,'' Manjrekar said. Chappell's straight-talking persona likely led to his downfall, said Manjrekar.
"That is the Australian way of doing business. They don't beat around thebush.'' Chandu Borde, a former Indian test player, said Chappell might havebeen physically and mentally tired and that's the reason he did not want tocontinue.
"He was a great player and a knowledgeable person and I am suresome people would have benefited from his knowledge,'' PTI quoted Borde as saying.
India's cricket players are adored by millions and are among theworld's highest-paid cricketers. However, the players also face serious flakwhen they fail to live up to fans' expectations.

Woolmer murder a factor in Chappell's resignation: Ian

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's murder at the World Cup may have hastened Greg Chappell's decision to quit as India's coach, elder brotherIan Chappell said on Thursday.
The younger Chappell had on Wednesday declined to extend his two-year tenure as India's coach due to "family and personal" reasons after the national team were knocked out of the ongoing World Cup in the firstround."If there was any chance of Greg continuing as coach of India, itprobably disappeared when Bob Woolmer was murdered during the World Cup," IanChappell wrote in the Mumbai-based Mid-day newspaper.
"Such an ugly incident issure to focus your concentration on life's priorities. Greg is probably betteroff without all the angst that comes with one of the most demanding jobs incricket."
Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Kingston, Jamaica, onMarch 18, a day after Pakistan were defeated by minnows Ireland to bow out ofthe tournament.Jamaican police said Woolmer was strangled to death but have yetto identify the killers.
The World Cup humiliation caused shock and anger amongcricket-mad fans in India and Pakistan, forcing police in both countries totighten security around the players.Ian Chappell, who, like Greg, is a formerAustralian captain, said his brother must have thought hard before deciding notto seek an extension to his 300,000-dollar-a-year job with India."I doubt Gregwill feel completely fulfilled," wrote Ian.
"A perfectionist, even one who hasmellowed, is never going to be happy with under-achieving on his expectations.
"Greg's only rationale for playing cricket was to win. His approach in hislatest role would have been exactly the same -- to do everything he could tohelp India win."Greg is a respectful person but there is no point in trying tobe like an Indian when you've been employed because of your knowledge andexperience as an Australian cricketer."

Greg Chappell's final statement

Following is the press statement issued by outgoing Indian cricket team coach Greg Chappell in Mumbai.
Today I informed the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that I would not seek an extension to my contract to coach the Indian cricket team for family andpersonal reasons.
Firstly, I would like to extend my thanks to the BCCI for allowing me the honour of coaching the Indian cricket team over the past 22months. It is, and it remains, one of the most challenging coaching positions inworld cricket.
I am grateful to the players with whom I have worked in this time for the challenges that they presented me with and which I tried to meet ina professional, methodical and interesting way in the interests of the team andthe individual.
To the media, my thanks also for constantly forcing me to question myself, my thinking and the way I went about my job of guiding the team through the many tests that we faced.
I would like to make special mention of my support staff without whom I would not have survived the rigours of the past 22 months. Ian Frazer and Greg King deserve special mention for their efforts asdo John Gloster, S. Ramakrishnan and Ramesh Mane.
I am particularly gratefulfor the wonderful support of my family, especially my wife Judy, who has enjoyed the experience as much as I.
The people of India deserve a special mention, as they are the ones whose attention, enthusiasm and love and support drive the great game, and business, of cricket in this country, and around the world. I thank them all, especially those who have written to me and the thousands who have gone out of their way to come up to me with well wishes.
I am also grateful for the opportunity to extend my knowledge and awareness of this region and for the wonderful friends that I have made here. I look forward to continuing my contact with India in the coming years and I wish Indian cricket and all those involved with it much joy and success in the future.

Clippings: Sri Lanka edge out England

ST JOHN'S, Antigua
Sri Lanka upstaged England by two runs in their Super 8 World Cup game, after young batsman Ravi Bopara was dismissed off the last ball, having almost snatched the game on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka fast bowler Dilhara Fernando bowled Bopara with three runs needed off the final delivery to leave England stranded on 233 for eight chasing Sri Lanka's 235 all out.
The 21-year-old Bopara smashed 52 off 53 balls in only his fifth appearance for England after a brilliant chase with wicketkeeper Paul Nixon (42), the duo adding 87 runs for the seventh wicket.
Sri Lanka's second victory in their third Super Eights match gave them six points and left them on the verge of a semi-final berth while England have just two points from two games with four left to play.
"We are just gutted," said England skipper Michael Vaughan.
"I always thought we would get over the line in that last over," he said. "It wasn't to be but the players can be very proud about the way they've played today."
England had looked set for an upset victory over their formidable rivals until a middle-order collapse saw them lose three wickets for seven runs to be reduced to 133 for six.
With 103 still runs needed, the pair attacked with left-hander Nixon reverse-sweeping off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for six.
Nixon was dismissed with England needing 16 off seven balls.
Bopara took a four, two and a single off three successive deliveries to leave England needing four off the last two. Tail-ender Sajid Mahmood took a leg bye before Fernando ended Bopara's brave innings.
Sri Lankan bowlers had staged a superb fightback after Kevin Pietersen (58) and Ian Bell put on 90 runs for the third wicket to revive the innings from 11-2.
Bell was run out for 47, failing to ground his bat when bowler Sanath Jayasuriya flicked a Pietersen drive on to the stumps.
Muralitharan then had the aggressive Pietersen caught and bowled to win an intense personal battle before Fernando dismissed Andrew Flintoff (2) and in-form Paul Collingwood (14) in the same over.
England paceman Sajid Mahmood took four for 50 and Flintoff three for 35 to cap a superb England effort on the field in the morning after Vaughan elected to bowl first.
Opener Upul Tharanga top-scored with a patient 62 and added 91 runs for the third wicket with skipper Mahela Jayawardene (56) after early setbacks.
New ball bowlers James Anderson and Mahmood and first change Flintoff tied down scoring as Vaughan rotated his bowlers and set excellent fields.
Mahmood removed dangerous opener Sanath Jayasuriya (25), who played on to the stumps, and had Kumar Sangakkara (17) caught at point with a slow full toss.
The 37-year-old Jayasuriya, winning a one-day record 385th cap had begun aggressively after scoring a match-winning 115 against hosts West Indies in the previous game on Sunday.
Sri Lanka lost the last six wickets for 42 runs before they were all out off the last ball.

Sense of timing: Chappell bows out

MUMBAI, India, April 4
India coach Greg Chappell handed in his resignation on Wednesday, two days before the Indian cricket board meet to analyse the team's poor World Cup performance in the Caribbean.
"Today I informed the president of the BCCI that I would not seek an extension to my contract to coach the Indian cricket team for family and personal reasons," Chappell said in a statement.
The Australian's two-year contract was due to runout at the end of April."Chappell's contract is over, it was until the WorldCup," board president Sharad Pawar told reporters in New Delhi, acknowledging that the board had received the Chappell resignation e-mail.
Chappell, 58, took up the post in 2005 with an eye on success at this year'sWorld Cup but India suffered a shock first-round exit last month in the Caribbean, losing to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
"Firstly, I would like to extend my thanks to the BCCI for allowing me the honour of coaching the Indian cricket team over the past 22 months. It is, and it remains, one of the most challenging coaching positions in world cricket," Chappell said.
"I am grateful to the players with whom I have worked in this time for the challenges that they presented me with and which I tried to meet in aprofessional, methodical and interesting way in the interests of the team and the individual," the statement said.
"I would like to make special mention of my support staff without whom I would not have survived the rigours of the past 22months. "The people of India deserve a special mention as they are the ones whose attention, enthusiasm and love and support drive the great game, and business, of cricket in this country, and around the world.
"I thank them all, especially those who have written to me and the thousands who have gone out oftheir way to come up to me with well wishes."
The former Australian captain's tenure with India has yielded mixed results since takingover in May 2005 from New Zealand's John Wright, who served as India's first foreign coach for almost five years.
A 1-0 test series victory last year in the Caribbean -- their first in 35 years -- was one of the high points. But the failure to qualify for the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy as hosts last year and the disappointment of a first-round exit from the World Cup has notgone down well with cricket-crazy India.
India notched a record 17 consecutive one-day victories when batting second under his reign but the team's inabilityto perform away from home saw it end with a record of 32 wins against 27 defeats, with three no-results.
One particular sore point was that the batsmen failed to complete the full 50 overs in 12 of 17 one-dayers away from home. India 's test record during the period was only slightly better, winning seven, drawing seven and losing four. Chappell's relationships within the dressing roomwere bumpy, too, with a public spat with skipper Saurav Ganguly just months into his job leading to the Bengal left-hander's axing.
Ganguly later returned and was one of India's few successes at the World Cup. Leading India batsman SachinTendulkar also reacted angrily that Chappell had questioned the attitude of senior players at the World Cup and his comments set off a national debate

Former chief selector Kiran More has urged the Indian cricket board to look seriously into the players' poor World Cup performance and not be distracted by coach Greg Chappell's resignation on Wednesday.
"I think the main issue is getting diverted now by the resignation of Greg," More said.
"At the end of the day the performance is what is important and the blame cannot be totally laid at Chappell's door," said More.
Former coach Aunshuman Gaekwad expressed surprise at Chappell's decision.
"It has come as a surprise because Greg's been saying that he is contracted until the end of the month and would arrive at a decision during the two-day meeting," said the former test batsman.
Many feel the angry reactionof leading India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, suggesting Chappell had questioned the attitude of senior players at the World Cup, had led to the Australian'sdecision.
Record-breaking batsman Tendulkar's comments on Wednesday set off a national debate.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev said he wasdisappointed at the results.
"A little disappointed. We had a lot of hopes on Greg Chappell and the results weren't very good for the Indian team," he told a private television news channel."(But) I would like to see his report, know what we need to do to improve."

Waugh's money on Australia

Editor's note: From The Australian

April 03, 2007
STEVE Waugh says Australia is on target to defend the World Cup and should have little trouble against "unsteady" England this weekend.
The man who captained Australia to the World Cup in 1999 said the real dangers to Ricky Ponting's team were New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka.
And he warned that only one bad game could undo Australia's strong campaign in the Caribbean.
"The favourite sides are playing well – Australia is going well, New Zealand look strong, South Africa and Sri Lanka – I think the winner will come out of one of those four," Waugh said.
"But it just takes one bad game by a side in the semi-finals and it is all over."
Speaking at the Laureus world sports awards in Barcelona, Waugh said New Zealand had found good form and had confidence after its three consecutive wins over Australia in the recent Chappell-Hadlee series.
And despite Australia's World Cup group victory over South Africa, Waugh still felt the Proteas could have an impact in the semi-finals.
"Sri Lanka have good momentum and they seem to have really good together side and a good coach in Tom Moody," he said.
"If the pitch is slow they can beat anyone. They'll be a tough side to beat because they have loads of match winners."
Waugh felt England, despite winning the tri-series in Australia earlier this year would not trouble Ponting's men in their Super Eights match in Antigua this weekend, despite the presence of potential match winners in Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen.
"England's win in Australia was good and they showed a lot of character, but Australia ran out of steam," Waugh said.
"I don't think they (England) played that great cricket.
"I think Australia are favourites but I've played enough one-day cricket to know that if someone performs on the day – if you get a Flintoff or a Pietersen performing to their potential, they can beat anyone – they have two genuine match winners there.
"England have been a bit unsteady at the moment they don't look like the winners to me."
Waugh also said it was good for cricket that minnow nations like Ireland and Bangladesh had made the super eight stage of the tournament.
"I'm really glad that Ireland and Bangladesh made it through," he said.
"We need more countries coming through. We can't have the same teams doing well all the time.
"I was really impressed with Ireland.
"And Bangladesh – they've got 150 million people there.
"They are part of the future of world cricket and they have to do well."

Clippings: South Africa beat Ireland

Georgetown, April 4
Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock wriggled out of bad patches to co-author South Africa's seven-wicket win against a never-say-die Ireland but the gloss was somehow missing from their triumph in the Super Eight match of the cricket World Cup here on Tuesday.
Asked to bat first in hostile conditions and amid repeated rain interruptions, Ireland climbed up to 152 for eight from their 35 overs.
Defending the total, they ensured it was not exactly a stroll in the park for South Africa and fought well within their limitations before succumbing in the 32nd over.
Ireland, which had delivered the knock-out punch to Pakistan in the group stage, simply didn't have the wherewithal to plot yet another upset but they did a good account of themselves in the match.
Fancying a semifional berth, South Africa now face Bangladesh while Ireland take on New Zealand at this very venue on Saturday and Monday, espectively.
After their bowlers restriced Ireland to a modest total, South Africa faced a revised target of 160 under the Duckworth-Lewis rule in the afternoon.
Kallis (66) proved the mainstay of the innings who kept South Africa straight on purpose after three wickets were lost for 85 runs by the 17th over.
It was Kallis' unbeaten 80-run association with Ashwell Prince (47), which saw South Africa through amid deepening gloom.
Ireland's lanky right-arm medium-pacer Boyd Rankin gave South Africa early jitters with the wicket of AB de Villiers (0) off the third ball of the innings and then had Herschelle Gibbs (6) midway through the passage.
But captain Graeme Smith (41) was the tower of strength at the top of the order and with Kallis and Prince coming good, there were no further alarms.
Smith needed 45 balls for his 41 runs and hit six fours while Kallis faced 79 balls and struck eight boundaries. Prince played handsomely for his 47 runs, needing 44 balls for it and slamming three fours and a six, which sealed the fate of the match.
Earlier, three interruptions and regular revisions of overs permissible left Ireland with only 35 overs during which they made a spirited attempt on a stop-and-start day.
Early drizzle delayed the start of the game by 20 minutes and Ireland didnt have the luck of toss either as they were sent in to bat.
They were 16 for one when rain held up the play for 10 minutes, 17 for one after just seven further balls had been bowled and then 23 for one after another 13 minutes of play was possible.
Then came the longest break before the umpires reduced it to a 35-overs-a-side affair.
South Africa achieved an early breakthrough when Pollock won a leg before shout against the prolific Jeremy Bray for nought. The ball shaped to go away but held its line to rap the batsman in line of stumps.
William Porterfield was steady during his knock of 14 from 33 balls with one four before he became Pollocks second victim at 31 for 2 in the 13th over.
Eoin Morgan (28) and Niall O Brien were then engaged in a hectic stand of 32 for the third wicket before Morgan skied Andrew Hall for Ashwell Prince to complete the catch inside the circle.
Morgan faced 50 balls for his 28 runs and hit four fours.
O Brien continued his good form with 25 runs before he scooped Charles Langeveldt for Herschelle Gibbs to complete the catch at the short fine leg position.
Andrew White (30) was another one to chip in with a useful score but he failed to carry on as he picked up a full-toss from Graeme Smith and sent it straight Gibbs at short midwicket.
White hit 30 from as many balls during his enterprising innings but his departure plunged his side to 116 for 5 in 29 overs.
Langeveldt (3 for 41) picked up some cheap late wickets to go with Pollocks ( 2 for 17) early blitz and a good spell by Andrew Hall (2 for 37) in the middle overs.

Ganguly's attitude comes under scanner

Editor's note: This report first appeared in indiatimes.com
NEW DELHI, April 3:
The post mortem of India's World Cup debacle is a fire that refuses to blow over. Team India truly never had it so bad - divided between the prima donnas and the youngsters who didn't know which way the wind blew, the unhappiness in the Indian dressing room was probably the perfect recipe for disaster.
And now, soon after the revelations of team coach Greg Chappell on the strong divide within the Indian team between the senior players who rule the roost and the youngsters who are mere pawns come new shocking revelations from a member of the team management to Times Now - about the senior players.
The revelations come in the form of another report, also from the team management that will be presented along with Chappell's report on April 6 to the BCCI. Sources within the team management have told Times Now this report too focuses on the senior players in the team.
Sources close to Sanjay Jagdale who will present the report, say the report speaks of how some senior players defied the pre-decided team strategy and went on to the field to play individual innings, throwing off-gear the entire game plan. "Ganguly not following team strategy" Amongst the tainted, is comeback man Sourav Ganguly. This might sound shocking for a batsman who on the face of it has averaged 68 in his last ten games and hit 2 half centuries in the World Cup games.
But a closer look at his innings, sources say, reveals that his game was against the overall team strategy. In the game against Bangladesh, although the pitch was conducive for batting, Ganguly played a very slow innings and struggled against the left-arm spinners - the very bowlers he was supposed to take on as per the team strategy. Surprisingly in the game against Bermuda his strike rate at the end of the 10th over was 52, whereas much-maligned Virender Sehwag had a strike rate of over 100.
This continued in the next 10-over period, till Captain Dravid sent out a stern message from the dressing room to accelerate the run rate. In the end Sourav Ganguly’s innings was littered with 70 dot-balls.
The perception is the Ganguly was too keen on getting his hundred - to the detriment of the team’s performance. Against the Lankans, the supposedly in-form Sourav he stood exposed to left-arm seamers even as Sehwag was scoring freely in his short innings of 48.
Sachin's attitude a problem? In fact the team member adds that even Sachin Tendulkar's strained relationship with Chappell ever since the South African tour when the little master averaged a paltry 23 in four One-dayers, was hurting team.
The source has also told Times Now that Chappell also believed the master blaster's repeated failure was hurting the team's chances. "The senior players just have to understand that they are playing for the country and not for their personal glory," said the source. The source tells Times Now that Chappell also had differences with Sachin regarding his batting position - Sachin was keen to open the innings with Sourav, but Greg Chappell wanted him to bat lower down the order.
And when the team management decided to bring him lower in the order, it irked Sachin no end. And that is not all - what further rubbed the coach the wrong way was the constant meddling with the batting order just to please the senior players. Team not fit enough Add to that, the poor fitness of senior team members - two frontline pacers and three top order batsmen - haunted the team's performance.
All in all it was hardly a fit squad for an event like the World Cup and explains why this team is cooling its heels at home.
Now the pressure is clearly on the BCCI bosses to pull Indian cricket out of the mire Meanwhile with so many leaks around, coach Greg Chappell who presents his most debated report to the BCCI panel this Friday, is expected to shy away from taking names. After all, the fear of Greg Chappell and leaks is not new one.