Again Ireland have shown themselves to be no mugs. They have scored 183-8 off a 48 over innings, which, due to the mysteries of the D/L method, will leave the West Indies with a target of 190 off the same number of overs. Please don't ask me how that comes about! It's surely a competitive total.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

This is what the BBC is currently reporting:

Incredible how the Windies can win without batting isn't it?!

The target is higher for the West Indies as they know how many overs they have available to them, i.e. 48 overs. Ireland had fewer than they were expecting, and so were pacing themselves for a 50 over innings. That's the best explaination I can come up with.

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"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."
- Ayrton Senna

Yes, I know that's the logic, Adam. And actually I am quite a fan of D/L, even though it can be pretty opaque at times.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

Yes, so am I... sorry if I came across a bit know-all there.

Anyway, I hate to say this but I have my doubts as to how Ireland will be able to defend such a target, I just feel that the West Indies should chase down a target of 190 with comparitive ease.

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"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."
- Ayrton Senna

Sorry, Adam - that's not at all what I intended to convey! You're right of course: the Windies will get there easily enough - especially if they carry on with 17 run overs as in the tenth. But I still think Ireland have acquitted themselves very well. Other debutants have folded; Ireland not only got through the innings again, but put something credible on the board. And they will be there in the Super Eights, which is looking pretty unlikely at the moment for India, who now need 119 more runs of 15 overs with only three wickets remaining**. (Their progress is dependent on the Bangladesh v Bermuda game, but Bangladesh should take that with ease to dislodge India and progress with Sri Lanka from Group B.)

This World Cup is going to be remembered sadly for events off the field. But in fact I see in Ireland's performance some justification for the ICC's persistence (and Heaven knows I'm not always one of their great defenders) in admitting associate nations to this showpiece event of the one-day game. To that extent, it is big news. And let's not forget that Kenya are still in with a chance tomorrow as well. Who would have thought it? Ireland, Bangladesh and maybe Kenya instead of Pakistan, India and maybe England? It's got to be great news for cricket, albeit bad news for those top flight teams making way.

** Update: Sri Lanka beat India by 69 runs.

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Money won't buy you friends. But it gets you a better class of enemy.
Spike Milligan

Quite true. Okay, so the Bermudan's and Scot's haven't done much at all, what could be expected of them in such difficult groups. Ireland, on the other hand, have shown that they have what it takes to make a decent fist of their games in a less than certain group to predict. I've always thought that Ireland were unlucky not to win the ICC Trophy (the qualifiers for this WC), as they've often shown they have the most promise.

And that promise will be shown again, I'm sure, during the Super Eights.

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"Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose."
- Ayrton Senna

Sadley i think the upsets are over, only because the element of suprise has gone, irelands organisation an bangaldesh young sprit will be fased out by talent though maybe england may slip up, i think thats always on the card but for the rest it would take a mass batting callopse to worry them and even then against ireland you would feel comfrotabel defending 210 an 250 against the tigers, but it qouldnt ssuprise me if kenya beat england tomorow under tikolo's leadership, and englands regular callopses, if england win the toss they must bowl, but being english we never get our own way

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Finally England have risen from the ashes.

wouldnt mind to see it happen lol, but doubt it would. even with Englands collapses, doubt they can throw this away vs the Kenyans, and i still dont think they are the team of 4 years ago, despite recent good form, just don't see it, and think England should be comfertable enough in the game.

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Hoggy Hoggy Hoggy...OI OI OI!!!