Tag World-cup-2011

The fastest century in world cup is a tough list to break into but even tougher is the fastest century in one day cricket. Today, 2 March 2011, Ireland's Kevin O'Brien broke into both of them and scripted an underdog story that'll be remembered for a long time to come..

Ireland, an associate nation of ICC, were considered a competitive team before this world cup 2011 Groub B match began but hardly anyone would have put their money on them to beat fatherly figures England. Toss came down in senior's favour and English side elected to bat, reaching first fifty runs in 8th over with both openers looking ominous. Captain Andrew Strauss was first to depart, at 91 in 14th over before Kevin Pietersen followed couple of overs later. Young spinners George Dockrell and Paul Stirling had brought Irish side back into the game but Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott put together a handsome 167 run stand to flush away hopes. 3 overs to go when scoreboard read 278 for 2 wkts, England should have collected at least 75 runs from here on but John Mooney's accuracy cut them short to 327 for 8 wkts. A solid total no doubt.

Irish chase started in worst possible manner as captain William Porterfield edged first delivery of the innings onto his stumps. Young Paul Stirling appeared in fine nick but today wasn't his day, top edging a pull shot to reduce Ireland 62 for 2 wkts in the 10th over. England rejected Ed Joyce played his usual role of blocking one end while Niall O'Brien tried to keep scoreboard tickling from other end. Gary Wilson, selected in this match ahead of experienced Andre Botha, was trapped leg before wicket in the 25th over shortly after Niall and Joyce were dismissed and now, Ireland had lost almost all hopes winning this game. ALMOST..

Kevin O'Brien hit everything off middle of his bat straight away and his first half century came off 30 ball when 161 more runs were required off less than 100 balls remaining. O'Brien knew he had to keep finding baundaries if not the stands all the way if he had do something exception. he he six sixes and 13 fours in his century which is now the fastest in world cup and 6th fastest in ODI cricket ever.

Fact : Kevin O'Brien is now leading run scorer for Ireland in one day cricket. He took over his captain William Porterfield. Also, Trent Johnston completed 50 wickets in ODI which makes him the first Irish bowler to do so.
This was the biggest chase of world cup ever.

Scorecard : England v Ireland, World cup 2011 : 2 March, Bangalore :-

England innings (elected to bat)
Batsman			Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Andrew Strauss		b Dockrell	34	37	2	1
Kevin Pietersen	b N O'Brien	b Stirling	59	50	7	2
Jonathan Trott		b Mooney	92	92	9	0
Ian Bell	c Stirling	b Mooney	81	86	6	1
Paul Collingwood	c K O'Brien	b Mooney	16	11	0	1
Matt Prior		b Johnston	6	5	1	0
Tim Bresnan	c Johnston	b Mooney	4	8	0	0
Michael Yardy		b Johnston	3	6	0	0
Graeme Swann	not out		9	5	1	0
Stuart Broad
James Anderson
Extras (23)	byes=1, lbyes=2, wides=2, noballs=20

Total = 327 for 8 wickets from 50 overs.
Bowlers :-	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wickets	Extras
Boyd Rankin	7	0	51	0	4 wides
Trent Johnston	10	0	58	2
Alex Cusack	4	0	39	0	1 wide
George Dockrell	10	0	68	1	5 wides
John Mooney	9	0	63	4	1 wide
Paul Stirling	10	0	45	1

Ireland innings (target = 328 from 50 overs)
Batsman			Runs	Balls	4s	6s
William Porterfield		b Anderson	0	1	0	0
Paul Stirling	c Pietersen	b Bresnan	32	28	5	1
Ed Joyce	st Prior	b Swann	32	61	3	0
Niall O'Brien		b Swann	29	36	2	1
Garyl Wilson	lbw	b Swann	3	14	0	0
Kevin O'Brien	run out	(Prior/Bresnan)	113	63	13	6
Alex Cusack	run out	(Broad/C'wood)	47	58	3	1
John Mooney	not out		33	30	6	0
Trent Johnston	not out		7	4	1	0
George Dockrell
Boyd Rankin
Extras (33)	byes=5, lbyes=16, wides=12, noballs=0

Total = 329 for 7 wickets from 49.1 overs.. won by 3 wickets.
Bowlers :-	Overs	Mdns	Runs	Wickets	Extras
James Anderson	8.1	0	49	1	1 wide
Stuart Broad	9	0	73	0	2 wides
Tim Bresnan	10	0	64	1	2 wides
Graeme Swann	101	0	47	3
Paul Collingwood	5	0	26	0
Colling Obuya	1.3	0	9	0	1 wide