Cricket:Ireland wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien believes his brother Kevin struggled to stay focused after his record-breaking innings against England attracted global attention. The 27-year-old knocked the fastest World Cup century in history when he brought up his hundred in 50 balls in the dramatic defeat of England in their Group B encounter.
His innings of 113 contained 13 boundaries and six big sixes as the Irish scored one of the biggest upsets ever seen in the competition. That display of power hitting brought him to the attention of the wider cricketing world and saw him thrust into the full glare of the media spotlight.
Ireland’s next match pitted them against co-hosts India in Bangalore where the focus on the centurion was huge. He managed just nine this time before offering a return catch to Yuvraj Singh and brother Niall believes his sibling will have to get used to dealing with the attention.
“What Kevin did was amazing but I think it was a bit of a struggle for him for a few days after the England game,” Niall told PA ahead of Friday’s clash with the West Indies in Chandigargh. “He’s not really used to that level of expectation and all that attention from the media and the public, who have been great to us out here.
“I think it was a little bit difficult for him against India because he came out to a huge cheer and, even though it was against India, everyone in the crowd wanted him to hit every ball for six right from the start and that’s never going to happen.
“I’m over the moon for him but it’s something he’ll have to get used to now.”
Niall knows something of what it is like to be the focus of attention after he impressed in the 2007 competition with a match-winning 72 in the famous win over Pakistan followed by 63 against England.
Despite the profile that came with that, the Northamptonshire player is happy now to let others take centre stage and allow him to get on with scoring runs.
“The attention was on me a lot of after 2007, people knew me after some big performances but it’s nice to have just settled back in a bit,” he said. “I think the coach is looking for me to lead from the front these days, when I bat and in team meetings and I’ve done alright so far, making 38, 29 and 46.”
Niall O’Brien has a slight case of tendonitis in his knee but is expected to be fit for the remainder of the World Cup.