World Cup- England V Ireland- 2nd March 2011

At 111/5 , chasing a distant 328 runs for a win, it would have crossed many minds that ICC was right in restricting the number of teams in 2015 World Cup to 10. The same thought however, did not seem to cross the Irish minds as they unleashed 120 minutes of authentic derring do. They rode on Kevin O’Brien’s mesmeric innings to win the match by three wickets

It wasn’t however all magical for Ireland in the early stages of the game as they ran into Pietersen, Bell and Trott in good form. It was Pietersen who set the stage for a big score with his innovative batting. He would take a few steps towards the off stump and come down the track to put the fielders on the leg side under tremendous pressure. Although Ireland found a way to off-set this- getting the keeper to stand up to the stumps- it did not however aid them in finding a way into the wickets column

Strauss and Pietersen contrived to lose their wickets to silly shots as Strauss played all over a Dockrell delivery and Pietersen fell to reverse sweep. He would not have known at that stage that it would become as popular, if not more shot as Gatting’s

Bell and Trott then settled into the groove that got them so many runs in the winter. It finally took a superb diving effort at midwicket to bring an end to another elegant Bell innings. Trott, whose efforts seem more grafting than elegant, set about his task in a workman like manner and seemingly played a match-winning and Man of the match innings. After his dismissal, a collapse ensued, not that anyone was surprised as it has become a sight too often seen

However because of the top-order’s efforts England ended up at 327/7 and it seemed enough at that point of time. For the second time in a row, the crowd at the Chinnaswamy stadium were dumb-founded at the bravado of the chasing team

When Anderson struck timber of the first ball, there were no indications of the storm to follow and it was thought that Ireland batting order was there to be wrapped up. Young Stirling had different ideas though as he went about belting the bowlers with pure hitting. However he chanced his arms once too often as he slogged a ball straight into the hands of Pietersen at deep midwicket. When Niall O’Brien and Ed Joyce departed in quick succession – having been undone by Swann. Especially Joyce was a classical spinners dismissal. He lured him out with the flight and beat him with the turn, thus having him stumped. When Wilson was dismissed, it was felt that England would have an early day off

They did not certainly reckon with Kevin O’Brien as he went about the target in a kamikaze fashion. He served notice of his power when he slogged Swann for two sixes

He went berserk when Ireland called for the batting powerplay as he combined his good luck and hitting power to fetch 16 runs off an Yardy over and then sent the bowlers on a leather hunt as he went through covers, made room and pulled, stood and lofted the longest six of the tournament and drove to the extra-cover boundary. All the while, Cusack was doing the job of rotating the strike to perfection. Just when it seemed that pair would see Ireland to the post, a miscommunication led to Cusack sacrificing his wicket. It came about in the only way it seemed possible- run out

If Cusack was good at giving the strike to O’Brien, then Mooney who came in next was very good at relieving the pressure on O’Brien. With the target being ever so close O’Brien concentrated on the singles and Mooney, more than once nipped the ballooning pressure by getting a boundary of the final ball of the over

However there was to be a final twist to the tale as a tired O’Brien was run-out going for a second run. Johnston then drove the first ball he faced, a full-toss to extra-cover for a boundary and took a couple to ease the pressure off. Victory was finally achieved by a flicked boundary to midwicket

Although it was such a huge achievement for them, the players said they would celebrate by having a round of quiet beers at the hotel

Netherlands and Ireland’s performance would certainly provide a fillip to the Associate countries and ICC would do well to think twice about the decisions they have taken on 2015 World Cup

Pakistan, Bangladesh, England.... Who would be the next addition to the list? Well, India play them next on the same ground

Ireland not only pulled off the biggest chase in World Cup history but also saw one of their players playing the greatest knock in World Cup given the circumstances