ICC WORLD TWENTY20
Venues: Lord's, The Oval, Trent Bridge Date: 5-21 June
Coverage: Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, Radio 4 LW, Red Button and online, with live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobiles. Live TV coverage on Sky Sports with highlights on BBC

Niall O'Brien was in top form for Ireland in the warm-up game

Niall O'Brien hit a superb 62 from 52 balls for Ireland but it was not enough to prevent a 30-run Twenty20 defeat by South Africa at Southgate on Thursday.

The Northamptonshire left-hander was in fine form as Ireland chased 164, but he was not adequately supported and the Irish closed on 133-6.

Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis did the damage for the Proteas, enjoying a 109-run partnership over 12 overs.

Smith smashed 63 from 41 balls and Kallis also impressed with 57 from 40.

O'Brien evoked memories of his famous match-winning knock against Pakistan as he showed his team-mates the perfect formula for batting in the abbreviated format of the game, combining quick running with boundaries at regular intervals.

Chasing a victory target of 164, Ireland and Jeremy Bray in particular got off to a flier, as the tall left hander crashed four boundaries in his 12-ball score of 17, before tamely driving spinner JP Duminy to Albie Morkel at mid-off.

Smith had introduced spin into the attack as early as the third over, and the move paid immediate dividends.

It was the triumvirate of Duminy, Botha, and Peterson in particular, who ensured that despite the heroics from O'Brien, that Ireland were never seriously in contention.

The trio had a combined analysis of 6-64 from 12 overs, as Ireland struggled to find the boundaries required.

Williams Porterfield (eight), Kevin O'Brien (six), Gary Wilson (0), and John Mooney (six), all succumbed to the spinners, on a track which was always difficult to score on once the pace was taken off the ball.

Andrew White (16 n.o.) shared in a 50-run stand for the sixth wicket in 6.2 overs with Niall O'Brien, bringing respectability to the total after they had been reduced to 77-5.

Duminy (3-15), Peterson (2-30), and former Malahide professional Johan Botha (1-19) were the wicket takers in Ireland's final total of 130-6.

Earlier Ireland had fought back well after an early onslaught from Smith and Kallis.

Smith hit seven fours and two sixes, being particularly savage on Alex Cusack, whom he struck for 24 in one over.

Kallis was only slightly less severe on the Irish attack in a knock which included seven fours and two sixes.

After they both departed, retired out, Ireland fought back well, with Regan West in particular helping keep the run rate in check.

The left-arm spinner bowled with plenty of guile and variety, conceding just 20 runs from his four overs, while capturing the wicket of Justin Ontong.

Peter Connell (2-35) picked up the wickets of Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel, while Cusack finished well removing the prolific Duminy for just 14.

A final South African total of 163-6 was always likely to be out of Ireland's reach, but O'Brien ensured that there were one or two anxious moments for one of the tournament favourites.

Ireland travelled to Nottingham immediately after the game, which will be their base now before taking on Bangladesh on Monday, and India on Wednesday.

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