The match between England and Ireland started in low profile fashion as most of the seats were found unfilled in the Bangalore's M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, but the match result pulled everyone’s attention towards it. The result ranks as one of the great world cup shocks - taking its place alongside Ireland's victory over Pakistan in 2007 and Kenya's wins against West Indies in 1996 and Sri Lanka in 2003. It had all been going so smoothly for England earlier and Jonathan Trott becoming the equal fastest batsman to 1,000 ODI runs as they piled up their 10th highest total in the format. England managed to put awesome score of 327-8 on board with a run-a-ball 92 contribution by Trott. Pietersen and Ian Bell also did his bit on the day, slamming 59 off 50 balls 81runs respectively. With a huge total to chase, Ireland started but lost its skipper William Porterfield in the first delivery from Anderson. However his opening partner Paul Stirling with 5 fours and a six scored 32 from 28 balls. Ireland almost went out of the game as they were buried at 111-5 with 217 more runs to win with high required rate. There come the superman of Ireland, Kevin O'Brien who scored a 50-ball century as Ireland chased down a target of 328 to upset England by three wickets at the World Cup. He launched into a furious counter-attack, going to 50 off 30 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Further he took just another 20 deliveries to complete the sixth quickest hundred in ODIs. Finally he blasted 113 off 63 deliveries, including 13 fours and 6 sixes, and shared a 162-run stand in 17 overs with Alex Cusack (47) which paved way for a history victory. It is the highest run chase of this format in World cup. To lose against a team like Ireland, who played really well towards the end of their batting innings, was very unexpected but a good wake-up call for the England team.
No comments:
Post a Comment