Ireland's wicketkeeper-batsman Gary Wilson has claimed that he would throw South Africa into the hat as well to win the World Cup along with New Zealand and Australia after AB de Villiers' men defeated William Porterfield's men on Tuesday in Canberra.
Ireland lost by 201 runs to South Africa, and Wilson claims that the massive defeat was not the result they had been looking for but added that he would suggest that only a high-quality side would be able to take down the Proteas at this tournament.
In his column for the BBC, Wilson stated that before playing against South Africa on Tuesday, he was pretty adamant that either New Zealand or Australia were going to win this World Cup. He insisted that he is still sure that both of these host countries would be right up there but claimed that after that performance against Ireland he would throw South Africa into the hat as well.
Wilson claimed that the South African's have almost every base covered: a high quality seam attack; guys that hit the ball out of the ground consistently; Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis setting the game up and probably the best spin bowler in the world at the minute in Imran Tahir.
However, he stated that after the game Ireland were relaxed enough about the defeat, adding that what's the point in getting down about losing a game like that, admitting that they were out-skilled, but added that that doesn't mean that they suddenly become a bad side. He claimed that it is simply a bump in the road for them.
The wicketkeeper claimed that it was their consultant assistant coach Matthew Mott who spoke first and reminded them that no one had died and that they had simply been beaten by a team that, man for man, were more skilful than them.
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However, Wilson claimed that one thing that they have on their side is guts and determination.
Wilson claimed that no one dodged on Tuesday, adding that when balls were getting dispatched it would have been easy for guys to go missing but everyone wanted the responsibility.
Wilson admitted that they knew that chasing 411 was a daunting challenge but it's a measure of their team that in the changing room at half-time they had a plan of how they were going to chase down the runs, by breaking it into sections and trying to come home strong.
He claimed that in the past it may have been about damage limitation, but not anymore. Now, he said that it obviously didn't work out for them, adding that it wasn't even close and losing by 200 runs is not something they are proud of.
Wilson insisted that it would have been a brave man to back them to come there and win all six group games, adding that they knew there were likely to be setbacks along the way but claimed that they are there to win as many games of cricket as possible.