Cricket: All-rounder Kevin O'Brien steered Ireland to a four wicket victory in the ICC qualifier semi-final against Kenya in Belfast today. In doing so Phil Simmons' team booked their place at next year's Twenty20 World Cup in England.
With the victor guaranteed a place at the 2009 showpiece, the 24-year-old O'Brien held his nerve, smashing an unbeaten 17 just hours after bowling Ireland to victory against Bermuda at the same Stormont venue.
Andre Botha starred with both bat and ball by taking three for 20 as Ireland skittled out Steve Tikolo's Kenyans for 67 inside 18 overs. The 32-year-old scored a vital 22 off 37 balls
O'Brien then hit the winning runs with a six off Tony Suji with five balls to spare.
Kenyan opener Maurice Ouma started positively by taking six off the first five balls, but soon fell after he top-edged Peter Connell to Alex Cusack at third man.
Fellow seamer O'Brien struck six balls later, trapping Nehemiah Odhiambo leg before for one, before dismissing Kennedy Otieno (seven) in his next over as Kenya slumped to 15 for three.
Skipper Tikolo pulled Connell for four shortly afterwards but was let down when Alex Obanda went for a wild swing and was caught by Kyle McCallan on nought.
Tikolo's 13-run innings was short-lived as the Kenyans slumped to 39 for five - Botha pinning the 37-year-old lbw before Cusack struck twice in his first over.
The 27-year-old removed Ragheb Aga's off-stump for five and repeated the trick to dismiss Jimmy Kamande for a duck to leave Kenya reeling at 48 for seven.
Thomas Odoyo was the next to go for 10, bowled by Botha before incoming batsmen Peter Ongondo followed suit a ball later.
Skipper William Porterfield wrapped up the innings with a smart run out of Suji (seven) as Kenya posted a dismal 67 off just 17.2 overs.
Ireland's chase got off to the worst possible start when Porterfield and Surrey keeper Gary Wilson both fell to Odoyo without scoring.
Niall O'Brien and Botha steadied the ship with a partnership of 38 before the latter was cleaned up by off-spinner Kamande in the 12th over.
Ireland wobbled when Aga dismissed Andrew White and Cusack for one and two respectively, and Niall O'Brien holed out to Tikolo off Kamande for 11 to leave
Ireland 49 for six.
But that only paved the way for O'Brien and 2007 World Cup hero Trent Johnston
(eight) to steer Ireland home.