It was a bright day at Bengaluru. English skipper and birthday boy Andrew Strauss won the toss and chose to bat first. A team that shook Pakistan in the 9th edition of the Cricket World Cup, Ireland was a dangerous underdog. The team comprised of people from different walks of life, united by a passion for cricket.
The Englishmen began batting, with the openers putting up a 91 run partnership. Interestingly Andrew Stauss got out for 34 on the day he turned 34. After Kevin Pieterson was dismissed for 59, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell began to build a partnership. Both fell short of centuries as the result of a spirited bowling effort by John Mooney who ended up picking four scalps. England lost four wickets within 54 runs and ended up on 327 for 8. It appeared to be a tough task for Ireland.
Some minutes later, the Irish came out to bat. James Anderson sent back William Porterfield for a golden duck in the first over. Ed Joyce and Paul Stirling steadied the ship with a 62 run partnership. Just when Ireland seemed to be in a good position, Graeme Swann picked up three quick wickets reducing them to 111/5. It appeared to be extremely tough from here, but a man with pink hair arrived at the crease. He began striking fours and sixes and Alex Cusack, was happy to give him good company at the crease. He raced to a century of just 50 balls.
Just when the duo seemed to take Ireland home, Cusack was run out on 47. But it was not enough to stop the Irish expedition. The pink haired lad was run out forty balls later after a dazzling inning of 113 comprising of 13 boundaries and 6 sixers. . But Ireland was almost home with just 11 runs needed at one run per ball. A few minutes later, John Mooney hit the winning boundary and Ireland won by three wickets. Celebrations were launched in the Irish camp. The pink haired lad, Kevin O' Brien announced himself to every cricket lover on the planet.
Take a bow Kevin O' Brien!
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