2nd March, 2011 the day minnows called Ireland or the non-test playing nation announced itself that the victory against Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup was not unexpected by any margin. In any other sport if Ireland beat England it is somewhere possible to believe but in Cricket it was very rare and when it was during the World Cup tournament it was a complete miracle.
Over the years in cricket, Ireland has defeated the team like West Indies in the world Cup tournament or in the regular T20l fixture in the most recent times 2020 – where Ireland humiliated West Indies by 4 runs victory after posting 208 runs.
In the 2011 World Cup, Ireland and England were placed in Group B alongside South Africa, India, Bangladesh, West Indies, Netherlands. The top four teams were qualified (teams have to win at least three games or have better net run-rate if they have equal wins of other teams) for the next round which featured South Africa, India, England and West Indies. But in the league phase, one match which caught the attention of everyone when Ireland locked horns with the big team England.
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Before this game, England had 1 win against Netherlands (where the associate nation scored 292 batting but England came out as victorious by 6 wickets) and 1 tie against India in the 338 run. Where Ireland was defeated by Bangladesh in their second game of the tournament to register its victory by 27 runs. Ireland's campaign started losing note and in its second game of the tournament it was still believable that Ireland had to wait for its first victory as England was favourites in the match.
England captain has won the toss and decided to bat first at the same venue where they have played its last match against India in the high scoring game of 338 runs scored by both the sides respectively. On the brilliant performance of top-order English batsman, England has scored 327 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. Kevin Pieterson (59), Jonathan Trott (92) and Ian Bell (81) were the leading run scorer from England. 23 extras were conceded by in-experience Ireland bowlers.
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The target of 328 with more 6 runs per over for Ireland had no chance against the bowling line-up of James Anderson and Stuart Broad. To make the chase completely impossible Anderson struck on the very first ball when Porterfield was clean bowled. Surviving the early blow, Ireland gad put on the fight but that couldn't last before they were reduced to 111 runs for the loss of 5 wickets by the end of 25th over.
More than 200 runs were required off 150 balls and with 5 wickets in hand. Kevin O’Brien and Alex Cusack were now the batsman to rescue the side from the jaws of defeat but very soon they have cleared their intentions to England with some big shots over the ropes. Both the batsmen have added 162 run partnership for the sixth wicket off 103 balls in which Kevin O’Brien smashed the fastest hundred of world Cup history by beating the record of Mathew Hayden 58-ball 100. Kevin O’Brien took 50-ball to reach his hundred and scored 113 runs off 63 balls before Ireland had chased down the target with 3 wickets to register the famous win over England (who had conceded 33 extras in the chase).
Take a look at the some of the absolute hits from Ireland against England in 2011 World Cup Game
