Birthday boy O'Brien just taking it all in

CRICKET: KEVIN O'BRIEN was pulled and dragged around yesterday just as much as the England bowling attack he decimated in Wednesday night's heroic, three-wicket victory at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here in southern India, writes EMMET RIORDANin Bangalore.

TV reporters and newspaper reporters lined up to talk to the Dubliner after he blasted a 50-ball century that set a new World Cup record.

CNN India ran it as their top news story through the night, ahead of the 18,000 Indians trying to escape Libya. Surreal doesn’t do it justice. But this is India and to many cricket is all that matters.

For O’Brien, who celebrates his 27th birthday today, the scale of his achievements was only starting to hit home.

“It’s sunk in a little bit, it brings a tear to my eye when I read all the quotes that have been left on my Facebook page.”

O’Brien took time out from his raft of media assignments to take a call from President McAleese, his parting refrain of “speak to you soon” possibly giving a hint that we haven’t heard the last from Ireland’s master blaster in this tournament.

Group A: Pakistan bt Canada by 46 runs.

Group B: S Africa bt Netherlands by 231 runs