Ireland 329 for 7 (K O'Brien 113, Cusack 47, Swann 3-47) beat England 327 for 8 (Trott 92, Bell 81, Pietersen 59, Mooney 4-63) by three wickets
Kevin O’Brien hit the fastest century in World Cup history to help Ireland record their first ever victory over England in One Day Internationals.
In pursuit of 328 O’Brien dismantling England’s bowlers with a masterclass of power hitting, clearing the ropes on no less than six occasions he made light work of Matthew Hayden’s previous record for the fastest hundred in World Cups reaching three figures in just 50 balls. Ran out with just 11 runs required, O’Brien’s heroics were still enough to see Ireland home with five balls to spare and send a dedicated Irish contingent into ecstasy in Bangalore.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first England began brightly as Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen set about posting their first score in the competition so far, and the pair looked good for a big score before 18 year old George Dockrell had the England skipper bowled for 34 trying to nurdle a ball into the legside. One wicket brought two and having eased past fifty Pietersen again gave his wicket away, this time trying to sweep a ball well outside the off stump only to propel the ball straight up into the air and into the pouch of keeper Niall O’Brien.
With the game in the balance at 111 for 2 it was two Warwickshire batsmen, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott who steadied the ship for the Ashes-holders. Bell continued his good form with the bat clearing the infield on more than one occasion with a number of delicately played chips and regularly dissecting the field with his trademark lofted drives. At the other end whilst less eye-catching Trott managed to command a superior run-rate and keep England on course for a total nearing 350.
Both men passed fifty and looked good for three figures when Bell picked out an acrobatic Paul Stirling at midwicket to fall 19 runs short of a maiden World Cup ton. Less than two overs later and Trott was also back in the shed attempting to heave a full straight delivery over the bowlers head only find thin air and his off-stump uprooted.
Yet with five and a half overs to go and sitting pretty on 288 for 4 England still looked set for an imposing total, but a mini Irish fight back in the closing stages of the innings restricted Strauss’s men to 327 for 8 from their 50 overs. Trent Johnston and John Mooney able to the tame England’s lower middle order and restore some pride for Ireland.
Returning to the field England’s morale was given an instant lift when William Porterfield dragged on to Jimmy Anderson first ball of the innings, and after some swift stroke play from Paul Stirling and former England opener Ed Joyce, Graeme Swann swung the match firmly back in England’s favour snuffing three Irish wickets in as many overs.
Kevin O’Brien however had other ideas. Arriving at the crease with his team 106 for 4 O’Brien set the tone for what would be one of the greatest World Cup turnarounds. Aided by some woeful fielding and useful cameos from Alex Cusak and John Mooney O’Brien soon had England on the ropes, literally and figuratively.
Two sixes in one Swann over saw him become the highest run scorer in One Day Internationals for Ireland and it wasn’t long before a thumping maximum off Anderson brought up a remarkable 30-ball fifty just six overs later. The onslaught failed to cease and no bowler was spared as England’s seamers struggled to keep the rate below seven runs-per-over. Just 20 balls later and O’Brien completed the inevitable nudging a wayward delivery from Michael Yardy into the leg side to complete the fastest hundred in World Cup history and set up a famous Irish victory.
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