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SYDNEY. — Minnows Ireland pulled off a huge upset yesterday, stunning world No. 2 England by five runs with a fine bowling display in a rain-affected match to throw the ICC Men’s Twenty20 Cricket World Cup wide open.
After being sent in to bat, Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie (62) led his team to 92 for one off 10 overs before a mid-order collapse saw them all out for 157 with four balls remaining
But England slumped to 29 for three with just one boundary in the first five overs as the Irish bowlers found pace and movement, and they struggled to get any momentum.
Eighteen minutes were lost to rain at the beginning of the game and the players were taken off again with England on 105 for five off 14.3 overs just as Moeen Ali was getting into his stride.
England were five runs behind on the DLS scoring method, giving Ireland a famous victory when the game was called off a few minutes later.
“It’s amazing, kind of emotional,” said man-of-the-match Balbirnie.
“Our message was to just create chances and we know how this England team like to play, if we take every chance then we would be in with a shot.
“This will do a lot to grow the game back home.”
It was Ireland’s second massive upset of the tournament after they beat West Indies in the first round to send the two-time champions home.
England were among the title favourites and heavily fancied to beat Ireland after opening their tournament with a five-wicket win over Afghanistan at the weekend.
Instead the shock defeat has thrown Group 1 wide open with Australia, Sri Lanka, Ireland and England all now with one win and one loss. Unbeaten New Zealand and Afghanistan played later yesterday.
“We were not consistent enough, let them score on both sides,” said England captain Jos Buttler.
“There were some favourable conditions for bowling, we had everything in our favour, winning the toss and electing to field knowing the weather. We didn’t take advantage of that.
“They outplayed us in all three facets of the game and the better team won. We know we have made a mistake here and have put more pressure on us.” Morning drizzle cleared for the toss at an eerily quiet MCG compared to the electric atmosphere when 90 000 packed the venue on Sunday for India’s incredible last-ball win over Pakistan.
England skipper Jos Buttler sent Ireland in and Mark Wood accounted for dangerous opener Paul Stirling, caught for 14 by Sam Curran at the ropes.
Wood was bowling at an explosive 154kph (96mph), the fastest of the tournament so far. He caught Balbirnie on the finger, with treatment needed, but the Irish captain soldiered on, with both he and Lorcan Tucker regularly finding the boundary. — AFP
Online Reporter