Five memorable batting performances by batsmen from Associate Nations

Kevin O’Brien 113*(63) vs England, Bangalore, 2011

No account of Associate nation’s batsmanship is complete without mentioning this epic inning played by one of the most dashing batsmen in the cricketing world, Kevin O’Brien. It is no surprise as to which innings we are going to look back at.

At the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, in the Group B game of the World Cup 2011, England batting first had raised a total of 327/8. In reply, the green nation was tottering at 111/5 at the half-way stage. Amidst the collapse, out walked a warier with pink hair.

The towering all-rounder, who was frequently the architect of the most memorable victories for Ireland, set about making himself immortal. On the batting-friendly ground of Bangalore, Kevin O’Brien demonstrated his crisp stroke-making skills.

By the time his typhoon ended, ‘Kev’ had notched the then fastest century in the history of the World Cup as his ton came up in exactly 50 balls. As John Mooney later completed the fairy tale chase with a boundary at midwicket, Kevin O’Brien’s 113(63) with 13 fours and six sixes reserved its space in the hall of fame.