Ireland 'In Crease' Over Record Breaking Win

Ireland has shaken the cricket world, beating England with a record-breaking century in the Cricket World Cup.

The victory in Banglore, India saw the otherwise unknown Irish mid–fielder Kevin O’Brien hit 113 in just 50 balls, making it the fastest century in World Cup history. More significantly, the record breaking play saw Ireland overtake England's gargantuan 327 to win the game against all odds.

The unprecedented victory prompted Ireland's Taoiseach-elect Enda Kenny to nominate the victory as one that "exemplified all the best qualities of our nation".

“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.

Brendan Ryan, Labour's spokesman on Enterprise sent his "heartiest" congratulations to the team saying that the record achieving victory surpassed previous victories such as beating the West Indies in Belfast a number of years ago and Pakistan in the last world cup series.

"The achievement of Kevin O'Brien in setting a record for the fastest century ever scored in a world cup series was pivotal to the victory. However the victory could not have been achieved without the all-round support of all the other members of the team."

Mr Ryan said that the development of cricket in Ireland, north and south, in recent years was an example of what Irish people can achieve when they are given the opportunity and they put their minds to it.

"The Irish cricket team has given a sense of pride and a boost to the morale of everyone in Ireland by virtue of this victory and hopefully we can look forward to further successes in the remainder of the tournament."

The British press have reacted with shock at the victory against their extremely experienced and highly rated team. On Thursday morning, The Independent described said of the result, "on the scale of sporting shocks, Ireland broke the sound barrier".

Meanwhile, the Dáily Telegraph said Ireland had "[eased] England aside like one of the great one-day sides of the past except this was an associate nation bereft of IPL [Indian Premier League] stars and Ashes winners."

The Guardian said the victory had put England's World Cup hopes into "disarray".

(DW)