The world champion in cricket is yet to be decided but the biggest winner of the World Cup 2007 has already been decided; and it’s neither Australia nor Sri Lanka, New Zealand or South Africa. One among these four will take the coveted trophy home, but for me and many, the biggest winner of the Caribbean festival is Ireland.
Photo via CricInfo.com
Following its 74-run victory over Bangladesh in the Super Eights round, Ireland earned the right to take its place in the ICC One-Day International Championship table. After the conclusion of its final game against Sri Lanka, it will appear in the rankings.
Ireland fought hard to earn this which means that it is now a step ahead of other associate nations in the race of becoming the next full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Currently the main ODI table is made up of 10 Test nations and Kenya. Ireland is the twelfth nation to feature in the table.
Ireland is one among the six associate members which will enjoy the ODI status until 2009. Others are Kenya, Scotland, the Netherlands, Canada and Bermuda. But its two wins against full members in the World Cup 2007  the first being a three-wicket victory against mighty Pakistan on March 17  has put it a step further.
According to the rule of ICC, once an associate member has played at least 10 ODIs in total, it has the opportunity to be promoted to the main table. To gain this promotion, it must either achieve two wins against full members or achieve one win against a full Member and also have won more than 60 per cent of its matches against other associate nations.
Ireland’s campaign in this World Cup has been incredible. It defeated Pakistan and tied with Zimbabwe to reach the Super Eights stage that India and Pakistan failed to do, then brought down Bangladesh, the dark-horse of the event that was flying high with its wins against India and South Africa.
To achieve something when it matters most is not easy. And considering the achievement of Ireland, I feel it is a bigger feat for it than it will be for the Australians if they complete hat trick of the World Cup. Kudos to the team and the management behind it.