Divine intervention
Kingston - I鈥檝e just had an audience with St Patrick and he convinced me Ireland would follow up Thursday鈥檚 remarkable tie with Zimbabwe by sweeping aside Pakistan.
鈥淪t Patrick鈥檚 going to perform his greatest miracle yet today,鈥 he said, with a thronging mass cheering his every word and an RTE crew relaying his message back home.
"We killed off all the snakes in Ireland and now we鈥檙e going to win our first World Cup game.鈥
鈥淯nfortunately, the Jamaican police were not believers鈥 in the art of fun and decided to pull the divine one aside for a quick chat. It was one of those Santa Claus having his beard ripped off moments as St Patrick, aka Dave O鈥機onnor from County Dublin, disconsolately handed over his staff for safekeeping.
You need permission for everything at this tournament and there was no way Dave was getting his instrument through to the Party Stand. Talking of which, it鈥檚 already packed as I write 鈥 now we鈥檙e getting close to the estimates of 1,500 that had been optimistically suggested for the Zimbabwe game.
The Pakistan fans, clearly outnumbered were also in great voice too - and far more alert than one of their players, who could not be identified, who walked on to the Irish team bus by mistake this morning.
After the game the Ireland fans, and the players and families are all heading to the resort of Ocho Rios for the mother of all parties.
I think it鈥檚 already started.
Please note this happened in Jamaica - not St Lucia as reported by 主播大秀
Complain about this postPaul (message 1) - Paresh knows where he is; I obviously don't. Mistake now corrected.
Complain about this postWHAT IS THE WORLD COMING TO WHEN THE LITTLE COUNTRY OF IRELAND BEAT ONE OF THE SO CALLED BIG BOYS IN THE CRICKET WORLD.
Complain about this postCOME ON IRELAND
What a fantastic performnce by the bowlers and fielders. Just hope the excessive number of extras doesn't forever haunt us.
Complain about this postmy fav Pakistan, at it again , wow u guys are just below average for this tournament . Its simple the team is not doing its job which they are paid for,
end of cricket for pakistanis , if they lose today ,
Thank you Pakistani cricket team , we only bloddy wait 4 years for the world cup,
hope u guys rot with your rotten performance
Complain about this postI've just read that out to my Irish wife, as I sit listening to TMS cover the remarkable India v Balgladesh game through a headphone. A remarkable game no doubt, but not nearly as remarkable as the Ireland v Pakistan game (currently Ireland are on 32-2 in reply to 132)
My wife who puts up with my obsession of England and cricket in general is pleased as am I with the way this game is going.
The luck of the Irish? Let's see!
Matt
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Complain about this postYes one needs permission for everything with this tournament. Good ting too because we in the Caribbean want you to know that in having a good time at the games, you should do so feeling safe and secure. We love having you here
Come on Ireland, we're almost there. It is pathetic to listen to Michael Holding. He cannot say a good thing about us. Jerling has certainly done us no favours. Jeremy's decision was pretty poor, but Andre's must be one of the all time worst.
Complain about this postIt's agreat day for singing
Complain about this postWhen Irish eyes are smiling
I'm rather tired of all of this "minnows" and "leprechauns" stuff. Is there any chance that coverage of this sports event will focus on the feats or non-feats of the teams involved rather than giving out such a patronising vibe?
Please do us this favour.
Complain about this postI wonder if Messrs Holding and Atherton believe India and Pakistan should be taking part in this tournament. Pakistan's top run-scorer was the previously unsung "Extras".
Complain about this postHi Paresh..made sensible reading; after all the work in the factory, we a group of steel workers kept following India's cruel deflowering by bangladesh: Who is Minnow & Who is Test power in cricket...and already Pakistan is on the mat...and hopefully they can confirm their return tickets pretty early...india too...aussies were making all the wrong noises.. perhaps would be found want of excuses after S.Africa thrash them.............Huv about a Final: Craker Ireland..Vs. Brave Scottish hearts..........yeah man, i will keep joining you...luv U all there
Complain about this postOh My God.. Pakistan Teams Not The old team.. How could ny former world champions loose against a ameture team called ireland ... Honestly i havent every dreamt this in my whole life... Anditz a shame that pakistan have to be the 1st 1 to be eliminated i am absouluteli appaled with this result and hope Pakistani players learn a Good lesson nt to under estimate a low team.. All credit goes to Ireland.
Complain about this postMr Atherton has gone very quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lets hear your explanation for the performances of India and Pakistan today.
Well done Ireland and Bangladesh
Complain about this postRugby? What rubgy? There is only one sport worth mentioning today. What a result for Ireland cricket !!
No matter what the final outcome Ireland have done themselves and all their fans proud.
Well done lads! Best St Paddy's Day ever :-)
Complain about this postWhat a fantastic performance! Lost out today in rugby in the final seconds, now defeat Pakistan. St Patrick is some operator!!!
Complain about this postWhat would happen if more actually played the game in Ireland? What a display by O'Brien?
Roll on the West Indies.
Hang Pakistani team all of them! Hopeless, Shameless and pathetic.
Complain about this postUnbelievable! Got them to put on the cricket in Fagan's bar in drumcondra, dublin, normally a GAA stronghold. There was some initial talk of the "anglo irish" being in the pub but by the end the majority were cheering Ireland on. In the words of one of the bar staff, "this is like Jamaica beating Brazil in the football, right?". Correct!
Complain about this postMiracle delivered as requested
Complain about this postCongrats to Team Ireland and the excellent fan support...one of the greatest victories in cricket history! When the Irish defeat the West Indies next week, lets hope the police protect all the leprechauns in the stands! Go Ireland
Complain about this postWe were there lads, never mind the shenannigans surrounding the game, the pakistani boys were showed just what team spirit and determination means.
Complain about this postAs a fan of their cricket i was disappointed at the shocking way their batting capitualted, but as an irish fan over the moon at how grit, determination and a not to be underestimated amount of talent saw us through. The rise of the minnows is on...
I always respected Holding, but never Atherton and Walsh, having met them all. Now perhaps they'll be big enough to stand up and admit that they were wrong to run down the smaller teams. Absolute arrogance and a disgrace that so called experts, who unbelievably get paid for talking, can be above the game. Doubt if they will have the guts or good honour to do just that. 'Admit I'm wrong???'. Sad people, if they don't.
Complain about this postWhat does this result mean for the combined leadership of Inzi and Woolmer?
I'll bet the concerted cohorts of the international press are breathing a sigh of relief now that they won't have to seek instant translation from Urdu, tho' I bet a few choice phrases might have been learnt in the meantime!
Let's hope the travelling carnival that is the Blarney Army can keep on rolling and get tickets for the next stage, maybe they can also upset the rhythm of England's disco boyz!
It shows that media and player-management skills are a vital component of cricket - tight matches can be tipped by the reaction among followers and supporters of the sport - imagine if had been in front of a full house!
Complain about this postwell done Ireland, cricket lovely cricket!! Barbados awaits you for the Super 8 games, bring your wonderful supporters, our island needs you to help make this the best world cup final two weeks ever, come and enjoy yourselves.
Complain about this postWithout team blue, ICC wont see any green($). I bet if India is sent packing with Pak, and they imediately play a series, the revenues generated would eclipse world cup revenues
Complain about this postthey say ligthening doesnt strike twice, well it did! Ireland are on the verge of playing with the big boys in Super 8. Unbelieveable!!. 6 games against the best sides in the world, imagine what that will bring to irish cricket. It would never happen outside a world cup, maybe the ICC should look at what has happened in the WI and reward minor nations who do well in the world cup and include them in the bigger picture. DONT BE SCARED ICC, REWARD IRELAND WITH REGULAR MATCHES AGAINST THE MAJOR CRICKETING NATIONS AFTER THE WORLD CUP!!
Complain about this postBeing an Indian cricket fan I can say that the whole team is hyped up beyond their talents.
Complain about this postWebsites and other reports should be praising Herschelle Gibbs 6 sixes in an over rather they all choose to comment on how India are a powerful cricket team......Media hype is overly rated.
It was not good at start and end up on shame. more then team i believe it should be the managment which we should blame on, before the start of cup they were defeated which lead them disgraced end. now i believe there is time for big change we need to find good unpolitical team, above all winning capt.
Complain about this postIs it possible that we will see Ireland versus England at Cricket at Croke Park.
Complain about this postAndrew Flintoffs last ditch attempt to make the Cambribge boat crew for the up and coming Boat Race has failed in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Complain about this postStickers for discipline England, maybe they should have grounded the whole team after such a shoddy performance. I think we need to take a leaf out of the Irish book I'm sure they were all tucked up in bed by 9pm after a glass of milk.
This has been coming for a while, though I still feel Ireland can play better. We can bat down the order and are not scoring enough runs. Without the individual performances of Bray and O'Brien in the first two matches, the would not have come close to winning either game. They need more solid performances, but players like Eoin Morgan and Andre Botha are due to make a score, so I'd bet this will not be Ireland's last victory in this tournament.
Roll on the Super eights, we are not afriad of anyone and could take England this time (who were only saved by Trescothick in Belfast)
Congratulations lads, unbeaten in two games and sending one of the cricketing world's superpowers home after 5 days... rumours have it Trent Johnson's last six to finish them off is still flying through the air :-)
Complain about this postThis has been coming for a while, though I still feel Ireland can play better. We can bat down the order and are not scoring enough runs. Without the individual performances of Bray and O'Brien in the first two matches, the would not have come close to winning either game. They need more solid performances, but players like Eoin Morgan and Andre Botha are due to make a score, so I'd bet this will not be Ireland's last victory in this tournament.
Roll on the Super eights, we are not afriad of anyone and could take England this time (who were only saved by Trescothick in Belfast)
Congratulations lads, unbeaten in two games and sending one of the cricketing world's superpowers home after 5 days... rumours have it Trent Johnson's last six to finish them off is still flying through the air :-)
Complain about this postWill someone please tell me why do the ICC cricet UMPIRES wear a white hat when a white ball is being used?
Complain about this postDo they not know that it can obstruct the view with a white ball coming through the background of a white hat?
The umpires wearing white hats? That's a novel excuse :)
Complain about this postBeefy, Lamby and Gower and a Tiger Moth in Ozz,s come to mind he was't on is own as well and captains usless when he's sobber.
Complain about this postFlintoff cannot win, if England had lost,he would have let them down. Now they have won, they have done it without him. What say you!
Complain about this postWell played Australia. Whoops. Sorry. I meant Ireland.!!!!!!
Complain about this postIn all seriousness, it was nice to hear the Irish 'lilt' in post-match interviews: "Strewth mate, it's a ripper"!!
Complain about this postIf it's a real Irish lilt you are looking for Ralph you should look no further than the English opener Ed Joyce.
Complain about this postWe haven't really seen any huge crowds as yet?
Great crowds maybe, but not huge. Basically it's the Indians who make up the numbers. It's quite a distance from here and do we need multiple visas perhaps for the various island natons? We have relatives who we can stay with in England and even in S Africa.
Complain about this postWell it did happen eventually the ICC will have to learn.
In the matchSouth Africa v Sri Lanka the South
African batsmen asked the umpire to remove his white hat when Malinga was bowling as the white ball was coming out of the background of the white UMPIRE'S HAT.
Now will the auhorities learn?
Pure and simple crivcketing common sense.
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