Cricket World Cup: Kevin O'Brien blasts his way to history

Ireland man of the match Kevin O’Brien was on such a high after his record-breaking innings against England that he said anyone was going to struggle to beat it.

O’Brien hit the fastest century in World Cup history — from just 50 balls, it was also the sixth quickest in any one-day international — as Ireland chased down England’s 328 to win their only their third ever game at a World Cup.

“That's a long way the best innings I've played, even as kids when I was playing in the back garden with (brother) Niall,” he said.

“I think anyone is going to struggle to beat that. I'll say that all night, 100 off 50 balls in a World Cup in front of a billion people under lights against England, it doesn't get any better.”

O’Brien believed the impossible was possible about 12 overs out.

“Myself and Cusi (Alex Cusack) took the powerplay at 31 overs and it came off (they scored 62 in five overs) and that set us up,” he said.

Cricket World Cup: Even at Lord’s it was time for a Guinness

At Lord's Cricket Ground, we didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

After watching England's batsmen amass 327 and then seeing Andrew Strauss's experienced bowlers steadily working their way through Ireland's largely green batting, the focus of the workforce at the “Home of Cricket” began to return to their in-trays.

But then, a first win over England appearing nothing more than a forlorn dream, and with his side reduced to 111-5, Kevin O'Brien strode to the crease and decided to have a go.

And boy did he have a go. Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Ricky Ponting have all attempted to bat with such grace and brutality in cricket's premier tournament, but none has come close to a century in 50 balls. The name O'Brien is now attached to the record for the fastest ton in World Cup history.

Australian paceman Doug Bollinger's World Cup dream ended by ankle injury

Australia bowler Doug Bollinger has been ruled out of the World Cup through injury.

The 29-year-old paceman did not play in the opening win over Zimbabwe or today's match against New Zealand and is set to return home for treatment because of what team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris says is 'increasing left ankle pain.'

Kountouris added: 'The pain is now significantly affecting his ability to bowl.'

Australia sweep aside New Zealand by seven wickets to claim second victory

Half-centuries from Shane Watson and Brad Haddin powered Australia to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over New Zealand in their World Cup Group A encounter in Nagpur today.

Openers Watson (61) and Haddin (55) put on 131 from just 109 balls to back up a fine effort with the ball by pace duo Mitchell Johnson (four for 33) and Shaun Tait (three for 35), who ensured the Kiwis folded for 206 inside 46 overs.

Only Nathan McCullum (52) and Daniel Vettori (44) looked likely to swell the total after their side were reduced to 73 for six, but the moderate target was overhauled by their trans-Tasman rivals with more than 16 overs to spare.

Sri Lanka have no answer to Afridi's four-star display in 11-run Pakistan victory

Shahid Afridi picked up four wickets as Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 11 runs in their World Cup Group A match against Sri Lanka in Colombo. 

The skipper's magical spell of three for 34 came on the back of fine batting efforts by Misbah-ul-Haq (83 not out off 81 balls) and Younus Khan (72 off 76 balls), who helped Pakistan to 277 for seven in 50 overs.

Chamara Silva (57 off 79 balls) and Kumar Sangakkara (49 off 61 balls) raised hopes of a successful chase, but were undone by four quick wickets midway through the innings as Sri Lanka eventually ended on 266 for nine.

Brilliant Strauss ties it up with India after a career-best one-day

Andrew Strauss hit a career-best ODI score of 158 against India yesterday as England tied an extraordinary World Cup game here.

India had set a huge target of 339 runs after Sachin Tendulkar's pulsating 120 made him the first batsman to score five centuries in the tournament.

But captain Strauss put England in command with a 170-run third-wicket stand with Ian Bell before they fell to successive deliveries from Zaheer Khan.

Late drama and fantastic hitting from the lower order saw them fall one run short of a win.

Tendulkar celebrates reaching his century in Bangalore

Tendulkar celebrates reaching his century in Bangalore