The Ireland cricket team look set to face a daunting total in their second game of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 in Bangalore. England won the toss and elected to bat. Currently they’re on 211 for 2 with 15 overs left to bat.
You can pick up the Test Match Special radio coverage here. ESPNCricinfo scorecard and over-by-over text commentary. Or the Guardian’s version here.
England 327 for 8 from 50 overs. Ireland did well to restrict England to 327 in the end. But 328 to win is a big ask given their batting performances to date.
Ireland Innings
Porterfield b Anderson 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) FoW 0 for 1 from 1 ball.
Stirling c Pietersen b Bresnan 32 (28b 5×4 1×6) FoW 62 for 2 from 9.5 overs
Niall O’Brien b Swann 29 (36b 2×4 1×6) FoW 103 for 3 from 20.2 overs
Joyce st †Prior b Swann 32 (61b 3×4 0x6) FoW 106 for 4 from 22.2 overs
Wilson lbw b Swann 3 (14b 0x4 0x6) FoW 111 for 5 from 24.2 overs
Cusack run out 47 (58b 3×4 1×6) FoW 273 for 6 from 41.3 overs
Kevin O’Brien run out 113 (63b 13×4 6×6)FoW 317 for 7 from 48.1 overs. Fastest 100 in World Cup history!
Ireland 329 for 7 from 49.1 overs
IRELAND WIN!
A tremendous performance by the Ireland team! From 111 for 5 after 24.2 overs to win by 3 wickets with 5 balls remaining.
Special mention for Kevin O’Brien [Man of the Match] who hit the fastest century in World Cup history [in just 50 balls]. The target of 328 is also the highest run chase in World Cup history!
Higlights on BBC 2 tonight at 10pm!
Adds The Guardian has some reactions from clubhouses in Dublin and Belfast.
And from the RTÉ report
The Fine Gael leader [and expected incoming Taoiseach] Enda Kenny paid tribute to the Irish team. He said: ‘Ireland’s cricketers exemplified all the best qualities of our nation, playing with courage and pride and showing that seemingly insurmountable odds can be overcome.
The victory marks one of the finest days in Irish sport and my warmest congratulations go out to each and every member of the squad after this historic win.
‘Their supreme effort will lift the spirits of every single Irish person, no matter where they are in the world. Ireland’s performance is truly inspiring demonstrating that, with self-belief, the apparently impossible can be made possible and real change can occur.
‘All members of the Irish team played an integral role in this historic triumph and I wish the team every success in the remainder of the tournament.
‘I look forward to greeting the players upon their return home.’
