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Cricket Fans Hail Ireland For Beating 'Fake World Champions' England In A Pulsating Clash


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Whether there is an outbreak of a pandemic like Coronavirus (COVID-19) or not, a match between a cricketing powerhouse and a minnow is never really looked upon as a contest. More often than not, cricket fans avoid such contests wherein a supposedly one-sided affair isn't just good enough to attract viewership.

While the 'David vs Goliath' story is surely an inspiring tale, it means nothing and holds little value until we see the underdog outshining the champion in reality. That was probably the case when Ireland geared up to take on England in the three-match ODI series recently. A country which is still finding its feet in international cricket was probably expected to be the punching bag, or sparring partners at best, for a much-superior England side.

Staying true to the popular notion, Ireland did resemble a punching bag in the first two ODIs where they lost by quite some margin. The first match saw them getting bundled out for 172 runs during their six-wicket loss and the second tie witnessed the Irish posting a total of just 213 runs which was eventually chased down by England in under 33 overs, with four wickets to spare.

Cricket Fans Hail Ireland For Beating © Reuters

Owing to their performance, when a 106-run knock by captain Eoin Morgan saw England romping their way to a mammoth total of 328 runs in the third ODI, an inferior side like Ireland was never looked upon as the one that'll pose a challenge to the hosts, let alone win the contest. But, playing behind closed doors, sans much fanfare, Ireland filled The Rose Bowl with sounds of cracking shots which paved the way for one of their most memorable wins.

Chasing the mammoth total, Ireland pulled off a sensational seven wicket win with a delivery to spare against the world champions. Paul Stirling (142) and Andy Balbirnie (113) undeniably played one of the best innings of their respective careers to help their team record a new chapter in the history of Ireland cricket.

Cricket Fans Hail Ireland For Beating © Reuters

It was Ireland's second win against England and also their first ODI triumph against major opposition since the 2015 World Cup. The victory also helped them in securing 10 points against their name in the ICC World Cup Super League - a new competition that will determine the qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

On the other hand, Ireland also shattered Team India's 18-year-old record for the highest successful run-chase against England in their own backyard. The Indian team, led by then captain Sourav Ganguly, had achieved the feat in the famous 2002 NatWest Trophy final at Lord's. While it was Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh for India back then, Ireland found their heroes in Stirling and Balbirnie who stitched a 214-run partnership to lay the foundation for their run-chase.

Cricket Fans Hail Ireland For Beating © Reuters

While it would have been great to the scenes on live television or with fans cheering from the stands, but their sensational triumph, despite being overshadowed by the situation at hand, over England is bound to echo at the mention of glorious moments for Ireland cricket for ages to come.

The fake WC champions get beat by Ireland

— Chris (@Chris59778879) August 4, 2020

What an inning played by two senior batsman.well done and congrats

— Ajit Keshari (@AjitKeshari14) August 4, 2020

Funny that the 3 centurions in the match were all Irish.

— Whits B (@whits106) August 4, 2020

Extraordinary run chase

— kVeNK (@BadboyEmpire6) August 5, 2020

Morgan: yay.... Oh wait

— stillface87 (@stillface87) August 5, 2020

And the best player for the English team is Irish ☘️

— Jeff D5 (@JD69486354) August 4, 2020

That'll do Ireland. That'll do.

— Nugget48 🇳🇱🇪🇺🇬🇧 (@Nugget48) August 4, 2020

Epic!!

— Ishmeet singh (@ishmeetsingh008) August 4, 2020

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