Experience could tell come the crunch – Kevin O'Brien
Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien is no stranger to big-match pressure. As the unbeaten boys in green prepare for a high-profile clash with the Windies in Group A, the 34-year-old all-rounder can reflect that he has already played in three World Cups, and given Irish cricket its most treasured memory in the process.
It was back in 2011 that O’Brien played his magical innings against England, on a hot night in Bangalore. Ireland were 111/5 chasing 327 and looked down and out before a 50-ball century – the fastest in World Cup history, punctuated by six enormous maximums – set up a memorable three-wicket win.
But while O’Brien has remained a dependable presence in Ireland’s line-up, he has not hit an ODI hundred since that day. It’s a record he’s determined to change.
Kevin O’Brien hits a 50-ball century – the fastest in World Cup history – as Ireland shock England
ICC CWC 2011; England (327-8) v Ireland (329-7). Ireland won by 3 wickets (5 balls remaining)
“Certainly I’m due a score, something similar, so hopefully I can do it in this tournament,” he says, though his tournament with the bat is yet to catch fire after scores of 4 and 12 in Ireland’s wins against the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea.
“I don’t put myself under too much pressure. Of course, you want to score hundreds for your country and the last one I got was 2011, I think. So it is something there but it doesn’t put too much pressure on myself.
“I just try and go out there and perform to the situation the game presents itself to me. Whether that means scoring a 60 or 70 off a 100 balls, or if it means scoring quicker than a run a ball, I’ll do what I can to get over those situations as best as I can.”
O’Brien – the brother of Ireland wicket-keeper Niall – has also backed his team’s experience to hold the key come the Super Six stage of the competition.
“Ten of us played the last World Cup, and seven or eight who played the previous one. Certainly it brings a lot of experience into the team, and hopefully it stands us in good stead come the crunch time.
“Playing my fourth World Cup would be nice,” he says. “This tournament provides a good opportunity for us as a team to qualify.”
With a place in the Super Sixes likely regardless of the result in Saturday’s encounter, the match provides an excellent chance to land a psychological blow on the Windies who, also unbeaten, are likely to be rivals for the trophy.