The teams that did not make it – Part 13 – ICC World Cup 2011
After having lost three of their four games, Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals were hanging by a thread. There was a growing sense of desperation, as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757.
The two sides met at Eden Gardens in Kolkata with both in search of a crucial win. After winning the toss, Ireland decided to send the South Africans in to bat. In what can be termed a team effort, five Irish bowlers took a wicket each. With two run outs
and the loss of seven wickets the South African side had put up a formidable total of 272 runs in the allotted 50 overs.
The Irish team knew they had the ability to chase the total, but recent performances had let them down. It was to be more of the same, as apart from a hard fought 31 runs by Gary http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wilson-c98046, the Irish had little to cheer about.
The Irish squad lasted just over two and half hours for a lowly 141 run total, and with it, any chance of reaching the quarter-finals died. It had been an opportunity to write history for the Irish team, but they just could not make it count.
Their next match against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753 was an exhibition match of sorts with nothing but pride on the line, as it was to be the last match of the ICC World Cup 2011 campaign for both sides, with neither able to qualify for the knock-out stages.
For a match that offered so little and supposedly had nothing on the line, it was a spectacle to behold at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Both sides gave it their all in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament.
Paul Stirling and John Mooney took two wickets each, but could do little to halt an inspired Dutch batting performance. The Irish bowlers found themselves on the receiving end of a Dutch blitz, as they were hit all over the ground, with the carnage coming
to an end when the final score read 306 runs at the end of 50 overs.
The Irish team needed a repeat of their heroics against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013, a performance which so far had brought them the only win in their campaign thus far. William Porterfield and Paul Stirling got them off to a perfect start with a 177 run opening partnership.
Porterfield eventually fell for 68 runs and Stirling followed soon after for his ferocious 101 run knock coming from just 72 balls.
The openers had done their job for the Irish, but their lack of depth that had been their Achilles heel so far this tournament was soon to be tested. This time around, however, it did pass the test, as an unbeaten 57 run innings by Niall O’Brien along with
15 runs by his brother Kevin O’Brien led the Irish to another thrilling win.
Ireland had won their final game by a margin of six wickets in a match no Irish fan will soon forget. Though they did not make it to the last eight of the competition, the Irish team had done plenty to please the fans. Their win against England was the highlight
of their tournament and something the Irish will constantly be reminding their English neighbours for years to come.
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