Ireland Upsets West Indies…it’s not an upset

February 15^th from Nelson, world witness one of the greatest run chases of the world cup history when Ireland upsets West Indies. Even if West Indies is not the same team anymore, no one expected that Ireland will chase a mammoth total of 305 runs and with that smartness that world has witnessed. Ireland started this match with two successful 300 plus run chases in world cup games which itself is a record as no other team in the world has done it more than once.

Ireland took a bold decision by inviting West Indies to bat first on a wicket about which Great Ian Botham said “lot of runs to be scored on this wicket”. This in all the experts view was a very brave decision keeping the pitch in mind that they might have to chase a really big total if West Indies batting clicks.

West Indies started their innings decently by scoring with a rate of 4 runs per over till the 8^th over when they were struck for the first time in shape of Dwayne Smith (18). 1 run later they lost another wicket and Darren Bravo went for a Diamond Duck. Chris Gayle was not seen in his traditional flair as he scored 36 runs after facing 65 balls. Marlon Samuels (21) and Danesh Ramdin (1) were also not helpful for West Indies cause to won their first game of the campaign.

Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy saved West Indies from turmoil and added a very well fought and well paced 154 runs together. Simmons and Sammy played interesting well. They played their shots all around the wicket. Both the batsmen were scoring the runs with the strike rate of more than 100. This partnership was a typical showcase of West Indies style of batting where they demolish the bowling of the opposition. They scored 304 runs in 50 overs with Lendl Simmons (102) and Darren Sammy (89) were the standout performers. Ireland bowling looked weak but Andy McBrine bowled superbly well though he was not able to pick a wicket but bowl with an economy of 2.6 in his 10 overs which is fabulous in ODI. George Dockrell took 3 for 50 in his 10 overs.

Now let us discuss one of the most clinical run chases at a big stage as this by lesser side against the two time champions. Ireland from the very start never looked as they are in any sort of bother during this run chase. William Porterfield (c) and Paul Stirling started the chase in a very nice and calm manner. They look focused on the target and the self believe was there from the word go. I have to say this that the way they approached this target is an example for few of the teams with bigger tags.

Porterfield set the tone with Stirling before getting out after scoring 23. Stirling came up with a power pack performance. He played with the aggressive intent and hit 3 mighty sixes with 9 boundaries. He scored well made 92 the match winning innings and unfortunately misses out on his 6^th ODI century.

Ed Joyce (84) and Niall O’Brien (79) played superb innings to help the Ireland cause for this victory. Both the batsmen played aggressive cricket and never looked nervous in chasing down this huge target. Key factor of this Irish chase was their positivity. Ireland chases down the target of 305 rather very easily for the fall of 6 wickets with 4.1 overs to spare. Paul Stirling was announced the man of the match.

Every one was talking about this match as 1^st upset of the 2015 cricket world cup as Irish captain come up with a strong statement that “it’s not an upset, we knew we are going to win this match”. This victory of Ireland has made this Pool B very interesting one by opening up a debate for quarterfinals among West Indies, Ireland and Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has not even started their campaign very poorly by giving a decent enough fight in their first match against South Africa who is one of the favorites of this edition. It is just the start and we have started witnessing some thrilling contests which means this world cup has lot more stored for us so stay tuned and keep reading folks…