St Patrick's Day: Ireland at the Cricket World Cup
Ireland have played at the last three ICC Cricket World Cups, won seven games, caused a number of shocks and broken plenty of records along the way.
On St Patrick’s Day, we look back at their greatest moments at the tournament and celebrate the colour, entertainment and skill they’ve brought to the grandest stage of them all.
Ireland v Pakistan (17 March 2007)
Ireland won by 3 wickets
Bangladesh upset India thanks to Tamim Iqbal’s explosive 51 from 55.
ICC CWC 2007; India (191) v Bangladesh (192-5). Bangladesh won by 5 wickets
On this day 11 years ago, Ireland caused a true St Patrick’s Day shock as they sent Pakistan tumbling out of the ICC CWC, in what was undoubtedly one of the greatest upsets in the history of the tournament.
In just their second-ever World Cup game – a tied match with Zimbabwe was their first – Ireland put in an extraordinary performance with the ball to dismiss Pakistan, who were ranked fourth in the world in ODIs at the time, for just 132. Boyd Rankin finished with 3/32, while Andre Botha and Kyle McCallan ended with exceptional figures of 2/5 and 2/12 respectively.
Ireland’s wicket-keeper Niall O’Brien led the chase with a fantastic 72, before he was stumped off the bowling of Shoaib Malik.
It was left to O’Brien’s brother Kevin and captain Trent Johnson to finish off the chase in the dark, sparking huge scenes of celebration from Irish players and fans alike.
Ireland v England (2 March 2011)
Ireland won by 3 wickets
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)
Records tumbled as Ireland again sent shockwaves through the cricketing world by beating England in amazing fashion at the 2011 CWC.
Kevin O’Brien blasted the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history off just 50 balls as Ireland successfully completed the highest ever run-chase at the tournament.
Kevin Pietersen (59), Jonathan Trott (92) and Ian Bell (81) all passed the half-century mark to help England post a large total of 327/8 from their 50 overs.
In reply, Ireland looked to be in trouble at 111/5 before O’Brien launched his stunning attack, finishing with 113 from just 63 balls. John Mooney and Trent Johnson helped Ireland over the line with five balls and three wickets to spare.
Ireland v West Indies (16 February 2015)
Ireland won by 4 wickets
Match highlights – IRE vs WI
Match highlights – IRE vs WI
Ireland opened their Cricket World Cup 2015 campaign with yet another upset, this time against two-time champions West Indies.
Set a target of 305 by the Windies, Ireland produced another fine chase – their third 300-plus score at the World Cup – to claim another major scalp.
West Indies were faltering at 87/5 before a century from Lendl Simmons (102) and 89 from Darren Sammy saw them finish on 304/7.
Three of Ireland’s top four passed 50 – Paul Stirling (92 from 84), Ed Joyce (84 from 67) and Niall O’Brien (79* off just 60 balls) – as they completed the chase with four wickets remaining.
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