KOLKATA: South Africa has injury worries over its leading run scorer and wicket-taker at the World Cup ahead of the Group B game against Ireland at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. South Africa coach Corrie Van Zyl confirmed Monday that batsman AB De Villiers had gone for a scan on an injured left thigh muscle that required him to use a runner in Saturday's victory over India. Van Zyl said he did not expect the injury to end De Villiers' tournament but he was waiting for a doctor's report before deciding on the right-hander's participation against Ireland. The in-form De Villiers has scored two centuries and a half-century in four innings at the World Cup. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir is still resting his fractured thumb and is likely to miss the match. De Villiers handed over the wicketkeeping duties to Morne van Wyk in South Africa's last two matches. South Africa will be wary of Ireland's fighting spirit. Ireland has been the most impressive of the non-Test nations, pulling off a shock win over England and testing favorites India and the West Indies before losing. South Africa, with six points from four games, will be assured of a place in the last eight with a victory while Ireland, with two points from four matches, only has a slim chance of qualifying. The momentum is currently with South Africa which bounced back strongly to defeat India in a tense finish. “Saturday's win is a massive step forward in the self-belief department for us and we can play with a bit more freedom,” South Africa captain Graeme Smith wrote in his column in an Indian newspaper Monday. “That doesn't mean we think we can just walk in and knock Ireland over Tuesday. Many of the guys in Ireland have played county cricket. As a team they have got good cricket sense, can be dangerous and have to be taken seriously.” South Africa has shown they have depth in both bowling and batting. “We know South Africa are one of the favourites to win this World Cup. Hopefully, they will relax a bit (after India's match) and give us a chance,” said Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha. “Maybe they will have a couple of hangovers. We know we have to win the last two games and we are not going to back out. Everyone's up for the challenge.” Ireland not only made India battle for victory with their gritty display, but also gave a scare or two to the West Indies before losing by 44 runs inn Mohali. “It's not just the West Indies game, we were in with a chance even against Bangladesh and India, but failed to get over the line,” said Botha. Ireland is sweating over the fitness of in-form paceman Trent Johnston who suffered a knee injury against India. Johnston, who missed the last match, is his team's second-highest wicket-taker with six in three games. Irish captain William Porterfield said: “We don't have anything to lose. There won't be many people giving us much of a chance in tomorrow's game. “We've just got to go out there and play with freedom and attack in the same way that we have attacked in every other game. If we go out and do that I'll be happy.” The Irish skipper said he was confident Kevin O'Brien would be among the runs again. O'Brien smashed the fastest ever World Cup century off just 50 balls against England but has failed to repeat his heroics. “I wouldn't say the opposition has read his game. He can come off on any given day. He's had a couple of low scores but he hasn't been struggling for form,” said Porterfield. Porterfield reprimanded Ireland captain William Porterfield was reprimanded Monday for criticizing an umpiring decision after his side's defeat to the West Indies. Porterfield had criticized the leg before decision handed to Gary Wilson at a crucial juncture during Friday's crunch match in Mohali. As Porterfield accepted the sanction without contest, there was no need for a hearing, said a press release by the International Cricket Council (ICC). He was given an official reprimand but was not fined as it was his first such offense, the ICC statement said.
