Kevin O'Brien (113, 63b, 13x4, 6x6) scored the fastest World Cup century to help minnows Ireland defeat England by three wickets in a Group ‘B' contest at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday. Batting first, England made 327 for eight, which Ireland overhauled in the final over, with three wickets remaining.
O'Brien brought up his century in just 50 balls, bettering Matthew Hayden's effort of a hundred in 66 balls against South Africa at St. Kitts, West Indies in 2007.
Ireland slumped to 111 for five in the 25th over, but a hurricane partnership of 162 runs off 103 balls (including 62 runs off the batting powerplay) for the sixth wicket between O'Brien and Alex Cusack (47) turned things around. O'Brien added another 44 runs for the seventh wicket with John Mooney (33 n.o.) before being run out in the penultimate over. Mooney saw out the win in the company of Trent Jhonston with five balls to spare.
Ireland claimed its first win and sits on two points while the loss leaves England with just three points (a win against Netherlands and a tie against India) after three matches. England faces South Africa next on March 6 in Chennai.
