Hard on the nerves
'Simply outstanding, simply brilliant' is the only way to describe the scenes that transpired after our World Cup debut performance against Zimbabwe.
It was a game that beforehand many believed we could win, many went as far as expecting us to win, but as players, it was a case of putting our years of training and preparation under the meticulous planning of coach, Adi Birrell, into action.
One thing we had not anticipated was the impact the travelling Irish support would have on the game. They have travelled hundreds and hundreds of miles to get to Jamaica and even then, the vast majority are based over two hours away from the match venue of Sabina Park.
Having lost the toss and been asked to bat by Zimbabwe the early nerves took time to settle and although there were valuable contributions along the way, one man stood 10 foot tall. Jeremy Bray’s sparkling hundred was the cornerstone for subsequent events.
Overall, our three disciplines of batting, bowling and fielding were possibly 25% off where we wanted to be as a team, however with big match nerves and all that was involved in a first World Cup appearance there perhaps needs to be room for manoeuvre…but not too much!!
What we lacked in skill execution on the day, we compensated for by sheer persistence and refusal to give up. Zimbabwe were in cruise control with only 20-odd runs required for victory but sporting pressure brought the game to a nerve-wracking climax.
By the last few overs we as players could not hear one another or captain Trent Johnston as the noise levels increased ten fold within the stadium. With nine required by Zimbabwe off the last over, only eight were mustered and Ireland had rescued only the third ‘tied match’ in World Cup history and sparked wild scenes of euphoria. It felt like a win under the circumstances.
Having watched the final few overs on television replays the emotions that were etched across every face of every supporter shown meant I could only smile. If ever there was an indication to me that it’s easier being in the middle than in the stands, then this was it.
Words cannot describe the player's feelings for the travelling support and the effect they had on the outcome of this game. Every boundary scored and every wicket taken raised the roof and they were a credit to Irish sport. They made the noise of 20,000 and having received a best wishes fax from Mr Bertie Ahern the night before there is every chance he heard a few songs being sung late into the night back in Dublin.
The game was embraced by the public here in Jamaica and the many texts, emails and phone calls from home proved what a special occasion this was. Now for the next challenge against Pakistan.
Well played! Ireland may be the team that justifies the inclusion of minnows in this world cup. It is rarely that a non-test team starts a match against a test team (a fringe one at that) being slight favorites. Ireland in the carribbean reminds me of Cameroon in the 1990 football world cup. All the best!
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Complain about this posthats off to the irish...i think they are the team that has the pssibility of majoring into the ODI elite group..They could give bangladesh a run for their money..the rest like holland canada bermuda scotland et all have a long way to go..its st patricks day..go ireland go...I AM AN INDIAN though
Well done my Irish brothers! although you could have clamped down on the 50th over and won the game easily with a tight bowling and good strategy, instead of the tie. I was born in India on this day (Mar 17 - St Patty's day) and had a part Irish girlfriend. so, I guess I can say I have a close connections to the Irish :-)
Now, make this Indian brother proud by beating Pakistan next!
Complain about this postThe thing that left me wondering the most was which side was to be considered as the minnow, with Zimbabwe handicapped ( i use that term in lack of a better one) and Ireland with its Irish luck. Anyways here is another request to add me to your blogrolll or please do me a favour and make some recommendations on how to improve my blog(I am very passionate about it).
Complain about this postSmart Alec
IRELAND FOR THE SUPER 8 !!!! they are playing so well for debutants .... never underestimate them .... even in cricket!!!
Complain about this postOutstanding, it's awesome, keep it up Ireland.!!
Complain about this postCome on Ireland, make it a great Paddy's day! My heart can't take much more of this! Go on!!
Helen
Complain about this postireland for the cup. What a victory agaisnt the pakistan
Complain about this postAwesome. Brilliant. Keep it up to the semis!
Complain about this postWhat an amazing game! Just shows that even the so-called minnows can show their worth and exceed expectations. Just cause we don't have test status, doesn't mean we can't play! Good on Bangladesh as well. Come on the underdogs!
Complain about this postOn St. Paddy's day...Erin go bragh!
Amazing stuff...barring something equally amazing pulled off by Zimbabwe in the next few days (who would therefore deserve to advance) Ireland is going to the Super-8 round. Not just a win, but also eliminating Pakistan at the same time. Wow!
As I said, and will say again as I raise a glass high here in Southern California...Erin go bragh!
Complain about this postPakistan! Gone!!!!!
Complain about this postYou've been defying all expectatations, it's good
to see greenhorns giving others a run for their
money, see you in the super 8.
Anyway, awesome play lads and I'm hoping you
Complain about this postget test status soon....
what a victory for banladesh against india!!
Complain about this postAbsolutely Briliant .............does any of the Irish lads spare some time to show England how to play Cricket.
Brilliant .......good luck lads, superb Catching, great bowling ( forget the tactical wides ) ....just brilliant.
Pakistan team can now have the consolation they were outplayed for a change and not robbed.
Complain about this postWhat? Kent dumped Niall O'Brien because Geraint Jones looked the better batsman?! You're unbelievable!
Complain about this postThe terrific performances by Ireland so far in this World Cup prompts me to suggest one way in which Irish (and Scottish) cricket can be assisted.
The best Irish and Scottish players should not be poached by England. Players such as Ed Joyce should be playing for Ireland and Gavin Hamilton should have always played for Scotland. England should be renamed England and Wales.
The only other alternative would be to rename the England cricket team as Britain and prevent Northern Irish from playing for Ireland and scrap the Scottish team altogether. Just try suggesting this solution to the fantastic fans of these two countries!
Complain about this postWouldn't it be ironic if Ed Joyce's world cup campaign ended in the group stages while Ireland went through to the super-eights?
Complain about this postAs a Wexfordman, I'd like to thank you all for making my life a little easier from now on. I've always been ridiculed by my soccer and GAA playing mates (I play them too) for playing a sport that "stops when it rains"! Since Thursday they all want to wax lyrical about cricket and how no other sport provides that amount of excitement. I've been trying to tell them for years but you showed them perfectly!
Complain about this postireland hv played really well to beat pak and all that...and no doubt i salute them for their rare feat...but still it would hv been better if pak had won...not only for themselves but for cricket in general...after so many years..we will not see an indo-pak clash in a world cup tournament...and also the fact that the super 8s will be less competitive...because all in all...upsets dont occur regularly...still ...well played ireland..tough luck pak..and good luck to TEAM INDIA...
Complain about this postREBECCA LOVE S YOU ANDREW
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