England may have ended the year as kings of Test cricket, but their schizophrenic performances in the 50 over format continued: a 6-1 reverse in the tortuous seven match series with Australia followed swiftly on from the Ashes triumph (as it had in 2009) led on to a dismal World Cup before impressive home series wins over Sri Lanka and India were quickly forgotten with a predictable 5-0 whitewash in India.
But nothing quite matched the utter shock of defeat to Ireland in the World Cup.
England appeared to be coasting after reducing the underdogs to 106/4 in their pursuit of an imposing 328. Enter the unheralded Kevin O’Brien to wreak a completely unexpected carnage on England’s bowlers.
As the first couple of sixes went into the stands, we chuckled in admiration of O’Brien’s pluck and thought (as O’Brien perhaps did himself) that he may as well enjoy himself before the inevitable last rites on Ireland’s innings were read.
But as six followed six realisation soon dawned that something quite spectacular was unfolding before our eyes. By the time O’Brien had reached three figures and recorded the fastest World Cup ton, Ireland’s day in the sun was almost complete.
England’s bemusing World Cup, which had already seen a narrow win over the Netherlands and a thrilling tie with India (featuring a monumental hundred from Andrew Strauss) continued.
South Africa were sent choking on their way, before Bangladesh handed out a further embarrassing defeat, which meant that England had to beat West Indies in their final match to get out of the group. This they managed by the skin of their teeth before succumbing by 10 wickets to Sri Lanka in the quarter-final.
But even if England had somehow managed to lift the World Cup, the abiding memory of their tournament still would have been the sight of the portly pink-haired O’Brien and his team-mates celebrating a quite remarkable victory.
Where next?
Three reasons why (even as England fans) we’re pleased that Ireland beat England in the World Cup
An XI of unlikely World Cup heroes and a not so heroic 12th man
Kevin O'Brien milks it for all it's worth
Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes
If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep
Ould - Karenina is THE history of any bothered women, able to hand out every little thing with regard to real love. [url=http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/]ゲラルディーニ バッグ[/url] http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/ ゲラルディーニ アウトレット It is the Holy bible of ladies with like and it also ought to have recently been dealt with being a mother or father might deal with his very own little ones: along with kindness, enjoy, along with gratitude. [url=http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/]ゲラルディーニ アウトレット[/url] http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/ ゲラルディーニ バッグ 新作 2013 His passion is definitely lacking. It's lacking from the tale as a style but it really is not really linked to putting together a solid over emotional main. [url=http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/]ゲラルディーニ[/url] http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/ ゲラルディーニ 新作 The actual movie thinks so chilly in addition to stagnates inside our paper hearts which we are going to merely playing admiration with regard to routines, new music and techie style and design. [url=http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/]ゲラルディーニ バッグ 新作 2013[/url] http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/ ゲラルディーニ バッグ 新作 2013 Situation isn't going to struck, will not impress, will not change, as well as this guaranteed does not trigger. It doesn't generate a great atmosphere and it also gets lost as soon as the baseball picture. I use considerably compassion for any golf ball scene because it does not take switch with regard to exactly what occurs afterwards and yes it surely feels like Wright set lots of focus on this element. [url=http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/]ゲラルディーニ 新作[/url] http://www.gherardinibaggu.com/ ゲラルディーニ バッグ 新作 2013 I love the way he plays having closeness and this individual provides it with its own of an every time something romantic transpires on display. I prefer often the feeling he or she presents with each character the actual very well which presents typically the actors' activities. It is possible to instantaneously reason goofiness, often the stoicisim, the particular conceit, the eagerness, as well as diffidence with each one persona before getting to meet up with them to check out how they respond.
Posted by: epillaJap | Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 20:54