Ireland vs England: Kevin O’Brien’s 50-Ball Hundred, 2011 World Cup
England made 327 and had Ireland at 111 for 5. Then Kevin O’Brien, with his bright pink hair, played one of the most remarkable innings in World Cup history.
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Match facts
| Competition | ICC Cricket World Cup |
|---|---|
| Date | 2 March 2011 |
| Venue | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Result | Ireland won by 3 wickets |
The story of the match
Jonathan Trott made 92 and Ian Bell 81 as England posted a big total. Ireland lost wickets steadily and looked well beaten.
O’Brien reached his hundred in 50 balls, at the time the fastest in World Cup history, and added 162 with Alex Cusack. He was run out for 113 near the end, but John Mooney finished the job with five balls to spare.
Key moments to watch for
- Trott and Bell build England’s 327
- Ireland at 111 for 5
- O’Brien’s 50-ball hundred
- The 162-run stand with Cusack
- Mooney hits the winning runs
Why it’s one of the greatest cricket matches ever
At the time it was the highest successful chase in World Cup history, and it remains one of the tournament’s greatest upsets. It played a big part in Ireland later earning Test status.
More classic cricket matches
- Kusal Perera 153*: Sri Lanka’s One-Wicket Win in Durban, 2019
- India vs West Indies: Simmons Stuns Mumbai, 2016 World T20 Semi-Final
- England vs New Zealand: The Tied 2019 World Cup Final
See all 40 on our list of the greatest matches ever, or catch up on this season on the latest highlights page.
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