Cricket-Irish upend top-ranked South Africa

ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad, Mar 5 (Reuters) Ireland made a memorable debut in the Caribbean when they restricted top-ranked South Africa to a mediocre 192 in 50 overs in a World Cup warm-up match today.

Australian-born fast bowlers Dave Langford-Smith and Trent Johnston shared seven wickets as the South Africans were at one stage left reeling at seven for 66 before Andrew Hall hit a gutsy 67 not out to spare them further embarrassment.

South Africa could have been in deeper trouble had it not be for the fact that the warm-up matches are being contested by 13-players-a-side, which meant they could pack their line-up with extra batsmen.

The Irish, who are playing in their first World Cup, bowled with penetration on a responsive pitch and fielded aggressively.

Langford-Smith dismissed Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis cheaply before Johnston removed Herschelle Gibbs, Ashwell Prince, Shaun Pollock and Loots Bosman in quick succession.

South Africa dwindled to 91 for eight before Hall and Robin Peterson (29) rescued the innings with a partnership of 85.

Langford-Smith took three for 30, while Johnston claimed four for 40.

South Africa will begin their World Cup campaign in Group A against the Netherlands on March 16 before facing world champions Australia and Scotland.

REUTERS SP KN2353