Calum Trenaman remembers his favourite Men’s Cricket World Cup match: Ireland’s incredible upset over England in 2011.
The year 2011 was one of global turmoil. The Arab Spring was in full force. Egypt, Libya and Tunisia deposed their leaders. Riots erupted in cities around the UK. North Korea announced the death of its leader Kim Jong-il. In Pakistan, Osama bin Laden was finally found by US Navy Seals.
The cricketing world didn’t see the same level of upheaval, but for England supporters like me, the year began with some disruption to the natural order, as England sealed an incredible Ashes victory in Australia.
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Despite my team’s humiliation, I wasn’t experiencing the anger or sadness that inevitably follows a loss like this. The sight of my heroes of that winter – Jimmy, Broady, Swanny – being dispatched for six after six with no respect by this pink-haired village cricketer from across the sea should have inflicted lifelong sporting scarring on me.
But no. All I could do was smile, bask in the joy of the Irish celebrations, and enjoy the humour of the moment. It is an underdog story that will remain cricketing lore long after any of these players have retired. How fortune changes so quickly in this sport of ours. And what an excellent sport it is.
