South Africa post second highest total in World Cup

Canberra, March 3 (IANS) As opener Hashim Amla recorded his highest individual ODI score, South Africa with 411/4 posted the second highest total in a World Cup during their encounter against Ireland at the Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

Amla hit 159 off 128 balls as he and Faf du Plessis (109) clobbered the Ireland bowling to all parts of the ground.

The Proteas posted a mammoth 411/4 in their allotted 50 overs, just two runs shy of India's 413 against Bermuda in the 2007 edition.

South Africa finished the formalities bowling out Ireland for 210.

The Proteas also hold the record for the third highest score in any World Cup for their 408 against West Indies last Friday.

The ton was also the 20th ODI hundred for Amla, who became the fastest player in history to reach the milestone.

It was also the fifth win for the Proteas by a margin of 200 or more runs the most for any team in the quadrennial event.