Hashim Amla is a rock: de Villiers

Canberra, March 3 (IANS) South Africa skipper AB de Villiers has praised Hashim Amla for his knock of 159 against Ireland on Tuesday, saying that the opener is a "rock".

Amla’s innings powered the Proteas to a mammoth total of 411/4 with Faf du Plessis also scoring a century. In reply, Ireland were skittled out for 210 in 35 overs, handing South Africa a 201-run victory in a World Cup Pool B match at the Manuka Oval here.

“Amla was incredible, he will always be the rock for us, effortlessly plays with a lot of class and whatever you do, he always has the answer,” de Villiers, who himself scored 24, said at the post-match presentation.

The 31-year-old also credited his bowlers for a spirited performance as pacers Kyle Abbott (4/21), Morne Morkel (3/34) and Dale Steyn (2/39) wreaked havoc for the Irish batsmen.

“Very impressed with the bowlers, they were very motivated. The nice thing was we did it our way. We are not following any other strategy, we are doing it our way,” concluded de Villiers.

South Africa next play Pakistan on March 7 at Eden Park, Auckland.