#CWC15 day 3: #WIvIre

Day 3 brought first upset in this world cup. It was match between West Indies and Ireland. Ireland is such an associate nation which has shown lot of potential in every world cup and has given some memorable moments to all the cricket lovers. This blog is tribute to another Ireland win.

Game 5: West Indies vs Ireland

Ireland won the toss and chose to field first. That decision surprised me as so far all the matches have been won by the team batting first. There was assistance for the bowlers in the pitch early on and that forced Poterfield to take that decision. Irish bowlers made most of the pitch. West Indies were 87/5 after almost 24 overs. At that time I thought it is going to be low scoring game abd Ireland is going to win it comfortably. Simmons had sone other plans though. Simmons and Sammy started building a partnership. It was a fun to watch that partnership as none of the two became defensive at any point of time. They weren't only dealing ones and twos but were also hitting big ones at regular intervals.

On the other hand irish spinners were very impressive. McBrine gave only 26 runs of his 10 overs which is very rare figures to see these days. Dockrell picked up 3 crucial wickets and gave pretty hard time to West Indian batsmen. Sadly ECB will be keeping a watch on them and will try to fetch them. I salute to those players who reject ECB's offers as they never value their players. Its best example is Ed Joyce. Ed Joyce was been kicked out of English side but he is still valued back home.

Sammy and Simmons made the partnership of 154 and brought West Indies closer to 300 run mark. Sammy got out after well made half century then Russell's cameo and Simmons superb 100 took West Indies past 300. West Indies ended up at 304 of their 50 overs which was very good total compared to kind of start they got. The game went into West Indies' court after reaching that total. Ireland had to work really hard and smart to get that total.

Poterfield and Stirling started for Ireland. I am huge fan of Stirling he is the one who knows how ti use his extra kilos of weight while batting. Poterfield and Stirling started bit cautiously but once they were set started playing big shots. Their partnership lasted for 71 runs only. Stirling was set on one side and Joyce came and started supporting him well. Soon Ireland started playing at the rate of 6 runs an over. Stirling played superbly well till his 92 but then unfortunately got out. Joyce took the responsibility of maintaining the rate of scoring. Niall O'Brein was bit shaky at the start and he got some chances as well but he also started scoring at a fairly good rate.

As a result required rate came down to 4 an over. At that moment win for Ireland was assured but with there was a bit drama. Joyce got out and Kevin O'Brein followed him but by that time only few runs were required which Niall O'Brein completed and created history. Ireland chased down the score of 305 under 46 overs and became the first team to chase down 300 plus totals three times in the history of world cup. Ireland made West Indies look like an associate nation in that game. I don't think associate nations have much records and this is one hell of the record. Ireland desrves to be the regular member of ICC not an associate member.

In five games of this world cup all the teams batting first have touched the score of 300 and it was chased by Ireland first. It is a perfect start to the world cup. Hopefully it will go on in this manner till the end.

#CWC15 day 4