CRICKET:THE IRISH squad's trip to the zoo here yesterday was cancelled due to security concerns with one wag wondering if the players or the animals were more at risk.

In the end it was probably best to stay out of the stifling afternoon heat, while the team will have enough in the way of big game hunting on their plates today where they must beat South Africa at Eden Gardens to keep their slim chances of qualification for the quarter-finals alive.

Ireland skipper William Porterfield believes the stark nature of their predicament has focused minds against a South African side who bounced back from their defeat to England by inflicting a first loss on India in Nagpur in dramatic fashion on Saturday.

“We don’t have anything to lose at the minute; there’s not going to be too many people giving us much of a chance in tomorrow’s game,” said Porterfield, who was later reprimanded for breaching the ICC code of conduct in relation to comments he made about umpire Asoka de Silva’s lbw decision against Gary Wilson in the defeat to West Indies.

“South Africa were one of the pre-tournament favourites and they’ve just beaten India in a good game of cricket as well. We’ve just got to go out there and play with freedom and attack the same areas we’ve attacked every other game. If we go out there and do that and leave everything on the pitch then we’ll be happy.”

Ireland’s preparations have been far from ideal, with South African-born all-rounder Andre Botha ruled out of today’s clash after he was taken to hospital yesterday with suspected food poisoning before being released last night. His place is likely to go to Trent Johnston who will play despite not having fully recovered from the injury to his right knee, picked up in the defeat to India.

The Railway Union player did not bowl in training yesterday in a bid to keep the swelling down around his kneecap but is expected to play through the pain barrier today, with the lure of performing at Eden Gardens set to act as a suitable balm.

He’s not the only one looking forward to stepping out at one of India’s, and indeed the world’s, most iconic cricket grounds, which has been redeveloped from its 100,000-plus capacity to a 63,000 all-seater stadium. The wicket, too, is expected to be a belter.

“Coming to India you always hear of Eden Gardens; it’s one of the big grounds, like going to England and playing at Lord’s,” admitted Porterfield. “There’s a lot of history to the ground and it’s obviously massive as well. The lads are looking forward to getting out there and we’ve obviously got two games here, so it’s pretty special.”

South Africa have doubts over key batsman AB de Villiers (thigh) and leg-spinner Imran Tahir (finger) going into the game, with coach Corrie van Zyl also insisting the Proteas will be guarding against complacency after derailing India. “I think there’s always a danger of that, but it’s how you approach that danger that’s important,” said Van Zyl, before adding to the growing compliments of Ireland’s performances in the World Cup.

“I think we are fully aware of what Ireland have done and can do so it’s important how we prepare not just from a tactical point of view but also from a mental point of view. The way they’ve played in this tournament has impressed not just us but everybody in this tournament. So we know going into tomorrow’s game we’ve got a tough opponent.”

Plenty of respect then, but Ireland know today if they are offered some of the positions to push on for victory that they enjoyed in their three Group B losses to date, they must go for the kill. The law of the jungle applies from here on in.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s summer fixture list has been boosted by and invitation to take part in a three-team ODI series in Edinburgh in July. Ireland will take on Sri Lanka on Monday, July 11th, at the Grange ground before taking on Scotland the following day. Scotland will play Sri Lanka on Wednesday, July 13th.

Commenting on the games, Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: “This is a great boost to us to face a side of the quality of Sri Lanka. Ireland need to play more one-day internationals between World Cups to give us the experience we need to perform and excel at these tournaments.”