World Cup: Fiery Ireland beat the English

Ireland beat England by three wickets in what could be called one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. On Wednesday, the Irish team became the first to successfully chase a total of 327, the previous best being Sri Lanka, who had chased 312.

Kevin O’Brien was the man who made history at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The 26-year-old’s 113 off 63 balls changed the course of the game, giving every reason for the Indians to worry as they face them next on Sunday.

O’Brien’s dramatic century came off just 50 balls, the fastest ever in World Cup history. Alex Cusack and O’Brien’s sixth wicket partnership of 162 runs in 17.1 overs did the trick for the minnows.

Initially, though, a 328-run target seemed impossible to chase, especially after Ireland lost captain William Porterfield off the first ball. Ireland were all but done until Kevin O’Brien walked in at No 6 after the dismissal of Ed Joyce, who had crawled to 32 off 61 balls.

The all-rounder, who plays for Nottinghamshire, announced himself by hitting the second ball he faced for a boundary. In the 25th over, bowled by Michael Yardy, he hit two fours and followed it up with two sixes in Graeme Swann’s over. England skipper Andrew Strauss must have sensed trouble then.

Ireland fans sensed victory when O’Brien went after James Anderson, smashing two back-to-back fours and followed them up with a massive six to end the over with 17 runs.

Going by England’s heroic performance on Sunday, when they chased 338 runs to tie the match with a strong Indian side, a grander total was expected of them on Wednesday. When skipper Andrew Strauss elected to bat, a total much like the one India had scored in their World Cup opener against Bangladesh, must have been on his mind. But the English ended up posting only 327.

The 6,000-odd spectators got to witness some classic shots by former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Kevin Pietersen (59 off 50 balls), Ian Bell (81off 86 balls) and Jonathan Trott, who created a new record of scoring 1,000 ODI runs in just 21 innings to join Viv Richards and compatriot Pietersen.

Coming in at No 3, after birthday boy Strauss gifted his wicket to talented left-arm spinner George Dockrell, Trott scored a steady 92 off 92 balls. He was well assisted by Ian Bell. Trott hit a powerful drive off John Mooney to the point boundary and then followed it up with another one, cutting past third man. His best shot, though, came while he was on 80. He lofted the ball off Mooney’s attempted yorker for a six, an absolutely splendid shot to watch.