It’s
hard to believe that Ireland would be making waves in the Cricket
World Cup. However, as can happen at major sporting tournaments,
the underdog can have their day and with Ireland sensationally
reaching the Super Eights, they’re already having their day,
with more promised.
Ireland produced one of the greatest victories in cricket’s history
by beating Pakistan on St. Patrick’s Day by three wickets. Alongside
the previous game when Ireland drew against Zimbabwe, this victory
meant that they would qualify for the final stages of the competition,
where they would take on three previous winners of the Cricket World
Cup – Australia (the reigning champions) Sri Lanka and the West
Indies.
Their victory over Pakistan was overshadowed by the shocking murder
of Bob Woolmer, leading to a number of theories as to who had carried
out the brutal killing, even posing questions over Ireland’s
victory over Pakistan with some believing that the game may have been
fixed for Ireland to win, claims which were vehemently refuted.
These claims somewhat tried to diminish the credibility of Ireland’s
performances in not only reaching the World Cup to start with, but
their display’s since the tournament began.
This has even included questioning their presence in the last eight
as some of the Irish players are originally from Australia (as opposed
to England’s Kevin Pieterson – South African born), and
all of this is set to fire up the Irish cricketers as they head into
un-chartered cricking shores.
Vice-captain Kyle McCallan mounted a passionate defence of the foreign-born
players in the squad, including Aussie skipper Trent Johnston.
“These guys are not mercenaries who have flown in for the World
Cup. They have contributed to Irish cricket over a prolonged period
and hopefully whose kids in time will contribute to Irish cricket,” said
McCallan.
“Trent is married to an Irish girl with two Irish kids; Jeremy
Bray has lived in Ireland as long as I can remember, as has Andre Botha.
People are welcome to their own opinions but in a small way it motivates
us even more, particularly the guys born and bred in Ireland to show
they can compete at this level.
“We beat Pakistan fairly and squarely. Niall O'Brien scored 72
not out and Boyd Rankin got 3-30 - two born and bred Irishmen.”
Their bubble was slightly burst when the West Indies dished out a lesson
in cricket when they defeated the Irish by eight wickets in their last
group game, but it didn’t matter, as Ireland were already through
to the Super Eights.
Ireland will now play six games in the Super Eights, with the top four
teams progressing through to the semi-finals, starting with England.
Up to 2000 Irish supporters, known as the ‘Blarney Army’,
have also won the hearts of locals in Jamaica, with more set to head
over to the Caribbean to follow the boys in green, and also to get
some sun whilst their at it.
“The noise they made was definitely a factor in our qualification.
I think it's fair to say we won over the Jamaican public and they backed
us all the way. They have come over here and given us so much support
and this has been fantastic,” said Ireland captain, Trent Johnson.
“Those games that we played in Jamaica against Zimbabwe and Pakistan
were the best I’ve been involved in and with all our fans there
supporting us and cheering on every ball in their normal vocal and
colourful way; it helped us to raise our game and to eventually qualify.
“We recognise the tremendous sacrifice many have made to support
the team, and thank them from the bottom of our hearts. It was a great
boost to have so many present, not just from Ireland, but also from
America, South Africa and Australia.”
Left-handed batsman Eoin Morgan, a Middlesex professional, said: “Coming
into the competition we recognised the talent we had in the side and
we knew we had the ability to cause a major upset.
“We did that against Pakistan and the confidence that gave us
is huge. I certainly believe we have enough good players to go out
and beat some of the teams in the Super Eight and then, who knows what
might happen.”
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