Cricket - World Cup qualifying: Ireland's very own 'Master Blaster', Kevin O'Brien, hit an unbeaten 101 off 91 balls to help his side post a daunting 285 for four against Oman at the World Cup qualifying tournament in Krugersdorp, South Africa this morning.
The 25-year-old from the Railway Union club in Dublin hit five sixes and six fours in his knock and shared in an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 174 with Andrew White, who finished on 71 not out.
The pair were particularly destructive in the last 10 overs, slamming the Oman attack for 107, with O’Brien moving from 50 to his century in just 23 deliveries.
Earlier, skipper William Porterfield had won his second straight toss and elected to bat. The Gloucestershire player failed to repeat his century-making heroics from yesterday’s victory over Scotland, falling for 32 after a first-wicket partnership of 65 with Gary Wilson.
Eoin Morgan also missed out this time, making just one, while Wilson fell just four short of a half-century. Niall O‘Brien chipped in with 20, but it was younger brother Kevin who took the plaudits with his third international century.
Ireland will be hopeful of making short work of an Oman batting line-up that lost their first five wickets for just nine runs in yesterday’s loss to Canada.
Scoreboard
Ireland 285-4 (50 ovs) (K O’Brien 101no, A White 71no, G Wilson 46, W Porterfield 32).
