Ireland have qualified for the Super 12 phase of the T20 Cricket World Cup for only the second time ever.
Not only that but they have done so by eliminating two-time winners the West Indies in a stunning victory that will be added to the annals of great achievements Ireland have surprised with on the world stage.
The team were beaten by Zimbabwe in their opener which made the mountain steeper but a comeback win against Scotland left all four teams looking to join the serious end of the tournament on one win each. That made today’s games between Ireland and the West Indies, and Scotland and Zimbabwe effectively knock out matches.
Tradition, heritage and the bookies had the West Indies as strong favourites but nobody told the Irish team, led by Paul Stirling with 66 runs and captain Andrew Balbirnie.
A 5 AM start for viewers at home was another challenge to be overcome but a strong bowling performance set up the chase and in the end Ireland won with nine wickets to spare.
“It means everything,” said Balbirnie speaking after the game to Sky Sports.
“We had a really disappointing loss at this stage last year and did a lot of thinking, a lot of things changed back home. Different personnel, new coach, the way we wanted to play. To beat the two-time champions in a must-win game, I couldn’t be prouder. It’s a really proud day to be Irish.”
“Once you put yourselves in that situation [the Super 12s] anything can happen. We are delighted. We just want to pit ourselves against the best in the world and who knows where that can take us?”
Depending on the other result Ireland will now enter the Super 12 phase with games guaranteed against either England, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, or India, Pakistan, South Africa, the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
If it is the former, Ireland will play England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground next Wednesday, October 26th.
