O’Brien: level of media attention hit Kevin for six

IRELAND wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien believes his brother Kevin must learn to manage the expectation that comes with his new role as a fans favourite.

Kevin O’Brien soared into the record books with 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 the younger O’Brien thrust into the full glare of the media spotlight.

Ireland’s next match pitted them against co-hosts India in Bangalore but he managed just nine this time before offering a return catch to Yuvraj Singh.

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 said ahead of tonight’s clash with the West Indies in Chandigargh (4am, live on Sky Sports).

“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 O’Brien himself has a slight case of tendonitis in his knee but is expected to be fit for the remainder of the World Cup.

West Indies bowlers Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn will be out to cause some damage to the Irish batting line-up.

“We will put our best foot forward when we play against Ireland later this week,” Roach, fourth on the wicket-taker's list with 10 victims, said.

“They are a good team and they are playing good cricket, so we are not taking things for granted and will play our best game against them.”

Meanwhile Dubliner Eoin Morgan, who has replaced Kevin Pietersen in the England squad is confident too that, despite having played no cricket since a broken finger forced him out of the final match of seven against Australia, is ready for World Cup action, as England face Bangladesh tomorrow. Morgan is back in the reckoning after England needed a batsman to replace Pietersen, whose hernia problem hasn’t properly healed.

England have since endured further injury disruption, and yesterday called up Chris Tremlett as the like-for-like replacement for injured Stuart Broad.

Yesterday India became the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals with a five-wicket win over Holland.

In today’s action, Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe at Kandy.