5 best knocks by associate country batsmen

#1 Kevin O'Brien 113 vs England, Bangalore (2011)

This innings from Kevin O’ Brien will undoubtedly go down as one of the best innings by an Irish player

Very few would argue against the fact that this innings from Kevin O’ Brien is one of the best while playing for an Associate Nation. This is one game not a lot of cricket fans will forget.

England who were involved in a thrilling high-scoring tie against India a couple of days earlier racked up 327 in their 50 overs. Ireland who had lost their first game to Bangladesh had their task cut out.

Ireland were in a spot of bother at 111/5 in the 25th over and required run-rate had gone over 8.5. It seemed the game was dead and buried and it was only a matter of time before England wrapped things up.

Kevin O’Brien then took center-stage and began well as he raced his way to 34 in just 21 deliveries. He then brought up his half-century in just 30 balls (which is the fastest by an Irishman), as he started to put pressure on the England bowlers.

He then went berserk as he went after every England bowler and stroked his way through to the fastest World Cup century (in 50 balls) to keep Ireland in the hunt.

O’Brien slowed down after his ton as John Mooney did the bulk of the scoring bringing the equation down to 12 in the last 2 overs.

The former was then run out and it brought an end to one of the finest World Cup innings by an Associate nation player. Mooney and Trent Johnston scored the remaining runs to cause one of the greatest World Cup upsets.

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