India's iconic stadium Eden Gardens hosted its first World Cup match on Tuesday when South Africa took on Ireland in a bid to qualify for the quarterfinals. The Proteas' skipper Graeme Smith, however, lost the toss and was put in to bat on a lively pitch in humid Kolkata, with rain forecast later in the evening.
South Africa, who are buoyed after their nailbiting win over India on Saturday, need one more win to be the first team from Group B to reach the quarterfinals. And Smith and his boys would like to settle the issue on Wednesday with a win over William-Porterfield led Irish team.
The Proteas chose to give AB de Villiers a rest and brought in Colin Ingram.
Ireland, though not totally out of the quarterfinal race, need to win this one and their next game against fellow Associates the Netherlands and hope that the other results go in their favour to qualify on net run rate.
Veteran Irish all-rounder Trent Johnston comes back into the team in place of Andre Botha.
