On this day March 2, 2011: Kevin O’Brien smashes the fastest World Cup century as Ireland beat England. It was a memorable day for the Irish fans as Ireland beat England in a high scoring thriller at the Chinnaswamy stadium in the 2011 World Cup. England were batting first and started off with a strong opening partnership of 91 runs. Kevin Pietersen smashed a half century before getting dismissed. Ian Bell stitched up an excellent partnership with Jonathan Trott as England got a good platform out in the middle. Both batters went past their half centuries and England were in the driver seat.
However both batters got out without reaching their hundred as Bell departed for 81 while Jonathan Trott scored 92. Ireland bowlers did well in the death overs and kept England quiet. England still managed to get a significant total on the board as they put up 327 at the end of the first innings. John Mooney picked up four wickets and was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland.
It was an above par total and at the halfway mark an England win looked very likely. Ireland were off to a poor start as their captain Will Porterfield was dismissed for a duck in the first ball of the innings and it looked an uphill task from there. Paul Stirling went at a good rate and played a good knock of 32 before getting dismissed. It was England all the way from there as Ireland were reduced to 111/5 and a win looked highly impossible.
Until a certain Kevin O’Brien came into bat and smashed the bowlers all around the stadium as he smashed the fastest century in the history of World Cup and led Ireland to a famous win almost single handedly. Kevin O’Brien finished with 113 runs of 63 balls and the lower order contributed a bit which led to a massive win for Ireland in this fixture and it was a huge upset considering the situation they were in and to win from there showed terrific character.
