We don’t like cricket, we love it
It is hard to believe it is four years since the 2011 World Cup in India, where Ireland beat England in a thriller and the country finally fell for the charms of One-Day Cricket.
Since then Ireland have made huge strides in the sport, and they were recently granted ‘first-class’ status in the 50 over format of the game. However, when the new tournament kicks off in Australia and New Zealand this weekend, it will probably be the first cricket many folks have seen since that famous game in Bangalore.
So, brace yourself for hearing some, or all of the below in the pub or sitting room over the next few weeks.
‘Sure it’s just like rounders’
No, no it is not, but you will hear this without fail. Don’t rise to it, they are only trying to annoy you.
‘Why do they play in pyjamas?’
True, the outfits may be a little garish but with games on all through the night, the wildly coloured outfits will help keep you awake and we were always suckers for India’s powder blue numbers anyway. Beautiful.
‘It is a bit slow, isn’t it?’
Thanks to the advent of Twenty20, the 50 over game has gone from the anarchic brother of Test cricket to the middle aged chum. For our money, the one-day format allows for just the right blend of batsmen going for it and bowlers working their men over. Also, what else are you going to be watching in the pub at 10pm on a Thursday night. Relax, enjoy until some one says…
‘Put on the golf’
The only response to this is no, unless one of the Irish lads is in contention, then you can switch over in between overs.
‘Is he Irish now?’
Irish folk may not watch one game of cricket for four years but they’ll remember Ed Joyce (below), who now proudly lines out for Ireland after representing England from 2006 to 2010. Joyce did play for Ireland at the last World Cup, but punters don’t let stuff like that go too easily.
‘Is he English now?’
Yes, Eoin Morgan, who will captain the England team in the 2015 World Cup, did play for Ireland in the 2007 edition. Despite togging out for England since 2009, his decision to leave Ireland behind is puzzling to those who do not know the game intimately. Forgive them, they know not what they do.
‘Are Ireland any good?’
Yes, normally, though the run-up to the tournament has been uneven, with Scotland giving us a serious beating earlier this week. The team recovered by beating Bangladesh in their final warm up match on Thursday morning.
Getting a win over the West Indies in their opening game on Sunday is crucial, as the Windies will most likely be the team we battle, along with Zimbabwe, for the last quarter-final spot out of our group behind South Africa, India and Pakistan.
‘He’d be some hurler’
The aforementioned Morgan has spoken before about the influence hurling had on his game and we reckon a whole host of cricketers would be more than handy if they swapped willow for ash. West Indies skipper Chris Gayle, for example, though far too chilled out for hurling, would hold his own in a poc fada,
If you hear this comment, nod sagely, agree, and then say ‘how would they handle a strong shoulder though, eh?’ Bar stool friendship for life assured.
‘Will we win it?’
In all honesty, no. The bookies have us at 1000/1 but to get out of the group is a healthy 9/2. Worth a punt we reckon. As for who will win it, probably one of the hosts, Australia or New Zealand, though we will keep an eye on India, winners in 2011. A couple of euros on David Warner to be leading run scorer should keep you interested until the latter stages.
