At their first World Cup in 2007, Ireland burst onto the scene snatching a dramatic tie with Zimbabwe before their famous win against Pakistan on St. Patrick’s Day. The Niall O’Brien inspired chase saw them through to the Super 8 stage where they added Bangladesh to their list of Caribbean scalps as they catapulted themselves into the cricketing limelight.
Four years later Ireland were at it again, this time it was
Niall’s brother Kevin providing the heroics as they beat England in Bangalore.
From 111/5, the target of 328 looked a mile away, but O’Brien’s 63-ball 113 saw
them home with five balls to spare.
Ireland don’t play on St Patrick’s Day this year, but two
days before it they play their final group game against Pakistan and I’m sure
they’d happily start the celebrations a couple of days early if they repeat
their 2007 heroics in Adelaide.
The class of 2015 looks set to give another good account of
itself, with the O’Brien’s leading a core contingent within the squad playing
in their third World Cup. Another of those is Ed Joyce who played for England
in 2007 and he’ll be joined at the top of the order by Warwickshire’s William
Porterfield, who played a key role in their domestic success in 2014. Boyd
Rankin will be a big miss having followed in Eoin Morgan’s footsteps by making
the switch to England, but much is hoped of Craig Young who has picked up 16
wickets in his first six ODIs.
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