Difficult re-entry into international competition

CRICKET/One Day Internationals Stormont:Ireland suffered a difficult re-entry into international competition in Belfast over the weekend, as they played host to India and South Africa in the Future Cup Series.

Yesterday's match against South Africa was blighted by heavy overnight rain, which meant the start of the game was delayed until 4pm. When they finally took to the pitch, the contest was reduced to 31 overs a side, South Africa running out winners by 42 runs.

The South African innings started brightly with AB de Villiers intent on stirring Irish memories. In 2004 the then 20-year- old from Pretoria made back to back double centuries playing for Carrickfergus, and he seemed set on doing something similar, scoring 40 in 35 deliveries. He went, caught at deep cover off Roger Whelan, who had an encouraging weekend opening the Irish bowling.

The catcher was Brisbane-born Alex Cusack, who had a debut to remember, being involved in each of the four Proteas wickets that fell.

Man of the match Cusack proceeded to take three for 15 off his four overs, including the prized wickets of Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis but not before the captain had stamped his authority on the game with a belligerent 46 in even time, including a huge straight six off the spin of Andrew White.

Opening the Ireland innings, Kenny Carroll and William Porterfield, batting in increasingly heavy drizzle, kept up with the required rate against a hostile pace attack of Steyn and Ntini. Steyn's first ball stunned Carroll, flying at him from short of a length and finishing up over point.

The Railway Union player's predominantly back foot technique encourages and frustrates bowlers in equal measure, persuading them to pitch the ball well up in search of lbw.

As a result he gets more than his fair share of half volleys, which he clips efficiently through mid-wicket. On a rare excursion on to the front foot, he straight drove Steyn, and was rewarded with a wicked skimming bouncer for his trouble, which he did well to avoid.

With the score on 45, Carroll met with a cruel end. Setting off for a single, he slipped on the greasy surface, stepping on to his own stumps. His downfall prompted a rush of Irish wickets, three going in nine balls, as 45 for 0 turned into 47 for three and then 56 for four. Thinus Fourie, promoted to number three against his countrymen, was caught at slip off Steyn for one and Porterfield went caught behind off Philander.

Niall O'Brien drove loosely at the same bowler, who got one to pass through bat and pad. Philander was Ireland's original choice as overseas professional for the Friends Provident Trophy before he withdrew injured.

Alex Cusack added 38 not out to his three wickets, but ran out of partners as the run rate crept up. All hope of a win were extinguished when Trent Johnston fell to a stunning boundary catch by Diminy diving full length at long off.

On Saturday, Roger Whelan provided a great moment in the midst of some otherwise attritional cricket on a cold and damp day in Belfast. Green, orange and white flags were much in evidence among the few hundred members of the crowd, however they belonged to India not Ireland. The majority in the ground were Indians up from Dublin eager to catch a rare glimpse of their heroes as they pass through.

Whelan's moment came early as he removed Sachin Tendulkar fourth ball. It is difficult to relate just what a big deal Tendulkar is to Indian cricket fans - think Beckham and add some. The "little master", who has amassed a record 78 international centuries, shaped to clip Whelan through mid wicket. It was on him quicker than anticipated and passed through the gap between bat and pad, hitting middle and off stump. Whelan's celebratory dance owed much to his other career as lead singer of The Stimulants, an indie rock band.

The Ireland total of 193 was mainly the work of Niall O'Brien, who made the innings' only half century, and Johnston, who hit two sixes in his quickfire 34 off 44 balls.

India's 19-year-old leg spinner Piyush Chawla tied up the middle order, taking three for 29 off his ten overs. Two weeks ago it was a similar story as seven wickets fell to the Middlesex spin attack.

The team's lack of exposure to high class spin bowling was blamed by captain Johnston, "It's the spin bowling we continue to have most problems with," he said afterwards, "it's only in games like this where we get the chance to have a go".

The pick of the wickets was a googly to dismiss Kevin O'Brien. The Irish player is in good company, Chawla played the same trick against Tendulkar in a provincial game at home recently.

India reached the Irish total comfortably, winning by nine wickets with Ganguly man of the match.

India and South Africa meet for three further games here over the coming week, beginning tomorrow.

South Africa: Innings

M N van Wyk c Johnston b Cusack 52

A B de Villiers c Cusack b Whelan 40

J H Kallis c K J O'Brien b Cusack 46

H H Gibbs c N J O'Brien b Cusack 2

J M Kemp not out 18

M V Boucher not out 2

Extras lb4 w9 pens 0 13

... --

Total 4 wkts (31 overs) 173

Fall: 1-75, 2-136, 3-147, 4-162.

Did Not Bat: V D Philander, T Tshabalala, J P Duminy, M Ntini, D W Steyn.

Bowling: Whelan 7-0-43-1; Fourie 6-0-30-0; K J O'Brien 2-0-15-0; McCallan 6-0-31-0; Johnston 4-0-17-0; A R White 2-0-18-0; Cusack 4-0-15-3.

Ireland: Innings

W T S Porterfield c Boucher b Philander 17

K E D Carroll hit wicket b Steyn 21

M J Fourie c Kemp b Steyn 1

D I Joyce c Boucher b Kallis 11

N J O'Brien b Philander 4

A R Cusack not out 36

K J O'Brien c van Wyk b Tshabalala 6

A R White c Ntini b Duminy 3

D T Johnston c Duminy b Ntini 9

W K McCallan c Boucher b Philander 10

R K Whelan b Philander 0

Extras lb7 w6 pens 0 13

... --

Total (30.5 overs) 131

Fall: 1-45, 2-47, 3-47, 4-56, 5-66, 6-77, 7-83, 8-96, 9-129.

Bowling: Ntini 6-0-23-1; Steyn 7-0-30-2; Philander 5.5-1-12-4; Kallis 6-0-21-1; Tshabalala 4-0-30-1; Duminy 2-0-8-1.

South Africa beat Ireland by 42 runs