O'Brien blog 3 - and Ireland land priceless win

In the third of his blogs for www.leicestershireccc.co.uk, Niall O'Brien speaks about the game against South Africa and looks ahead to the challenge that Zimbabwe will present.

We face up against Zimbabwe after our tough outing against the strong South Africans. It was a disappointing evening in Canberra against one of the favourites for the World Cup but we need to refocus and regroup quickly with a huge game against our rivals for a potential quarter final berth, Zimbabwe.

Looking back at the game against the Proteas we were simply outclassed and outplayed with the bat and the ball. In the field we held our commitment and never threw in the towel which is testament to the squad’s spirit but a total in excess of 400 was always going to be out of reach against an attack containing Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel to name but two.

Steyn’s pace was unreal as he generated pace off the flat pitch under the lights. I was dismissed in unusual fashion after I slashed at a ball and when the keeper parried it I thought I had been given a life, only to find Hashim Amla catch it in his armpit. I felt excellent at the crease so was gutted to get out in that fashion. Amla was wonderful with the bat in scoring 150+ and was given a life when in his 20s which proved costly.

Zimbabwe has a talented side but we will back ourselves to outplay them over the hundred overs at Bellerive Oval on Saturday. It's my first time in Hobart and it’s a lovely little city. The weather is certainly not as warm as other parts of Australia and we will be needing our jumpers come the evening session.

Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams have been excellent with the bat for Zimbabwe and will be crucial wickets for our bowlers to take. Their bowling record is interesting over the last two years. They have the best record regarding run rate in the first 10 overs of ODIs but they have the worst for the last 10 so it's crucial we don't give them wickets up front. We need a platform for an assault in the last 20 overs.

Back with Leicestershire, it is great news that we have acquired Grant Elliott for the NatWest T20 Blast. I know that he will add value with both bat and ball and give valuable support and experience to our squad.

I must thank all of the Leicestershire supporters for their messages of support to me and the team during our campaign. It is greatly appreciated

Niall

* Ireland landed a thrilling, priceless victory against Zimbabwe by a 5-run margin to give their ICC World Cup quarter-final hopes a major boost.

Ed Joyce (112) and Andy Balbirnie (97) put on 138 for the third wicket as Ireland posted 331-8. Ireland changed the order around after that alliance and Niall O'Brien eventually came in at 7, scoring 2.

As O'Brien pointed out, Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams were the Zimbabwe dangermen and they got their side into contention after they had slipped to 75-4. Taylor (121) and Williams (96) shared 149 for the sixth wicket before Ireland hit back.

Ireland looked in the pound seats when their opponents were 306-8 with two overs to go. Zimbabwe took 19 off the penultimate over to leave seven off the last. Alex Cusack (9.3-2-32-4) held his nerve by bowling Regis Chakabva before having Tawanda Mupariwa caught by skipper Will Porterfield at long-on.

Ireland currently sit in fourth with six points and only one defeat to South Africa. They are two points clear of West Indies with a game in hand, and now face huge games against India and Pakistan.