It is rare in the current climate to be able to enjoy live sport, rarer still at any time to witness a moment of sporting history.
We were privileged to do both yesterday at Malahide Cricket Ground, in the company of 500 others, as Ireland beat South Africa in a One day international for the first time ever.
Beating Pakistan and England in World Cups, and England at Lords were special moments in the advance of the sport in Ireland and this is another important notch on the belt.
Carried live on TV here on BT Sport and around the world to millions watching in India and Pakistan this is a result that will enhance Ireland’s standing still further in a world game that is second only to football in terms of revenue, power and influence.
That we should be one of only ten countries sitting at the top table is perhaps not recognised enough on home shores but every step forward is precisely that and this was one.
Ireland batted first and started steadily before accelerating towards the end of their allotted 50 overs, or 300 balls, to set a target of 291 runs.
South Africa set off in pursuit but strong bowling and solid fielding pinned them back so that the chase became harder and the time ticked by.
In the end, they came up 43 runs short and Ireland were able to celebrate.
The Irish team were sponsored for this series by cryptocurrency exchange Coin DCX, an Indian company targeting the audience of cricket fans in that country. two years ago ITW Consulting became Cricket Ireland’s main commercial partner and have sold the rights to the team and the matches since then, almost exclusively into the Indian market.
It’s the nature of the dynamic in international sport that the audience extends far beyond the local and if Ireland continues to perform like yesterday, their own value in those global cricket markets will continue to rise.
The remaining matches in the series against South Africa, in Dublin and Belfast are completely sold out with reduced numbers but there is hope that additional tickets may be allowed for next week.
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