Yes!! Yes!! Yes!! Continue the Yes!! Chant but not for WWE’s Brian Danielson, but for Ireland’s evergreen Kevin O’Brien, who showed everyone around the world why Test Cricket will forever remain the benchmark of a players skill and capability, as he soaked in everything Pakistan bowlers hurled at him on Day 4 of Ireland’s debut men’s test to become the country’s first ever Test Centurion.
Coming in at 95/4 in Ireland’s second innings, facing a deficit of 180 runs from the first innings, O’Brien walked in not knowing how the rest of the day would pan out. Tell him that by the end of the day he would be unbeaten heading into day 5 of the test match, and he would have taken that any given day. So would Ireland. And so they did. Beauty of Test Cricket at it’s best.
💯 HISTORY MAKER! 💯@KevinOBrien113 has our first ever Test century! 👏
Take a bow! 🙌 #IREvPAK #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/fmB4AK6Lp0
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) May 14, 2018
In achieving the fear and remaining unbeaten on 118, Kevin O’Brien became the 4th ever player in Men’s Test Cricket history to score a century in their Country’s debut men’s test match. The list is short but illustrious and rarely will it see players joining the list. Afghanistan batsmen have the opportunity next month when they take the field against India at Bengaluru.
The 114-run stand with Stuart Thompson (53) for the 7th wicket was the highlight of the day as it not only helped Ireland wipe out the deficit but also build their own lead which will very well become Pakistan’s awkward chase on the final day at Malahide. Ireland lead by 139 runs going into the final day with three wickets remaining in the second innings and if Kevin can survive along with the tail for more than an hour in the first session, Pakistan will be up for a tricky challenge to either go for the win or try and save face.
Ireland officially have a Test Match honours board and Kevin O'Brien becomes the first name to grace it here at Malahide Cricket Club pic.twitter.com/Ry0lvoZ0cy
— Irish Cricketers (@IrishCricketers) May 14, 2018
In Kevin’s own words, his epic 50-ball century against England in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup will forever remain his greatest knock for Ireland but this one right here, is equal to that feat if not better, in our view.
Test Centurions in their Country’s debut Men’s Test Match:
1) Charles Bannerman (Australia) – 165 n.o vs England in 1877
2) Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe) – 121 vs India in 1992
3) Aminul Islam (Bangladesh) – 145 vs India in 2001
4) Kevin O’Brien (Ireland) – 118 n.o (to continue) vs Pakistan in 2018
