It's official*, Ireland have become the best cricket nation in both the Western Hemisphere as well as Europe. A sport in which we have no pedigree and little history now rivals rugby, gaelic football and hurling as one in which Ireland leads (or almost leads) the world.
Here's the very serious explanation how we are Europe's best cricket team.
Europe
Ireland>England
Ireland's World Cup Record 2015 3/4 - 75%
England's World Cup Record 2015 1/5 - 20%
England have managed to win just one game from five so far and have been humiliated in two (NZ and Australia). They were widely expected to get through to the next round by beating Bangladesh today. When Bangladesh put up a low total on a good wicket, it looked even more assured. They lost.
They broke all sorts of records in their game against New Zealand for being so poor. Don't take our word for it, the BBC had this to say after that match;
England will be utterly embarrassed, that was the most one-sided one-day international between Test-playing nations that I can remember seeing. It was almost too bad to put into words. To be bowled out for 123 and then see that chased down in 12.2 overs is extremely chastening for Eoin Morgan's side." - Jonathan Agnew
Ouch.
Now you might argue they were tough games and Ireland's were a little easier. Not so, Ireland have in fact caused the biggest upset to date by beating the West Indies (9/2 for those who like a bet). The win against Zimbabwe was also a slight shock, as they are a test-playing nation, which Ireland are not. England were expected to put up a fight and qualify for the quarter finals at the very least, they've not done that. Ireland can qualify for the quarters themselves with a win over Pakistan.
Oh, and we beat them all ends the last time we played in a World Cup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VMwZJSjpBs
Ireland>Rest of Europe
Out of the rest of Europe, Scotland and The Netherland's are the only real cricketing nations. Now, Scotland did beat us well in a recent warm up. Ireland have won when it matters though, beating them twice in the World Cricket League, ensuring they wouldn't have to compete in the World Cup qualification. It's also highly likely we lost to Scotland on purpose to lure the West Indies and Zimbabwe into a false sense of security. A cunning tactic that played out nicely.
The Netherlands didn't manage to qualify for this World Cup. Papua New Guinea, Namibia and Kenya finished ahead of them, the fact none of them then managed to qualify says it all.
Western Hemisphere
Ireland>West Indies
A pretty simple one this, Ireland easily dispatched the West Indies in their opening game, some commentators have even expressed the view that Ireland went easy on the beleaguered Windies.
Ireland>Rest of Western Hemisphere
Therefore, Ireland are the greatest team in Europe and the Western Hemisphere.
*balls.ie rankings
See also: The completely unrelated 'Comprehensive History Of Irish Bandwagon Jumping'
See also: 5 Great Facts Which Put Ireland’s Sensational Win Over The West Indies Into Context
