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Kevin O'Brien
'I have no desire to play for England'
Nor does Kevin O'Brien wish to auction the bat with which he scored the fastest World Cup century, a feat that got him an award nomination and a book
Interview by Nagraj Gollapudi
August 6, 2012
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So what has being the fastest World Cup centurion earned you?
It is hard to say, really. It has given me chances to play in T20 matches in England - last year I played for Gloucestershire and this season I am at Somerset. It has given me the chance to prove that I am a good enough player at all levels. Off the field I was nominated for the Sportsperson of the Year award last year in Ireland, something I would have never imagined. I was up against Rory McIlroy (golf), Robby Keane (football) and Katy Taylor (Olympic women's boxing). It was an honour just to be in that shortlist.
Are you planning to auction the bat with which you scored that century?
No. That bat is currently parked in a corner of my room back home in Dublin.
Who is the best Irish sportsperson of all time?
Roy Keane. His desire to win at all costs. He was a fierce competitor both for Ireland and Manchester United, so he was a good role model to have. He never gave up. He never let the opposition have it easy. He would always fight to the very end.
How come you're not playing for England?
Pretty simple: I'm Irish. I have no desire to play for England. I am happy to play for Ireland. There is nothing wrong with pulling on your country's national jersey in any sport.
Name an allrounder you have always followed.
As a youngster I enjoyed watching Kapil Dev. Later on it was Andrew Flintoff.
What is it with your colourful hair? You have been blond, pink, and green in the past three years.
It is for a charity, the "Shave or Dye" campaign to help the Irish Cancer Society raise money. A few more of the Irish squad have done the same. The more outrageous the colour, the more publicity it gets, and that's good for the cause. I haven't yet thought about the next colour, though.
Tell us more about your book Six after Six.
It is an autobiography, co-authored by Ger Siggins, a cricket journalist from Ireland. He came to me at the end of the 2011 World Cup and checked if I was keen. It is a pretty light-hearted read, only about 150 pages. It mainly focuses on the World Cup and where I came from and where I've got to today. It is good to have your own book, something I never thought I would have.
Tell us a secret about yourself.
I am a keen cook. Recently I made chicken and chorizo stew and it came out quite nice. I like to experiment.
What is the one thing a tourist should never do in Ireland?
You should certainly not go to the Guinness factory because you'll have more than a couple of pints and get knocked out.
What is the most you have sunk yourself at one go?
When I was in college I used to drink into the high teens.
Is there a game from history in which you'd want to be the player who turned the match on its head?
The first tied Test. I have never watched it, but it was one of the most historic Test matches, and it would have been nice to be around.
And a record you would like break?
I would not mind getting the most wickets in an over in an ODI. Probably four in four balls.
Nagraj Gollapudi is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
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© ESPN EMEA Ltd.
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@Front_Foot_Lunge - That one hit wonder was the 'rarest of rarest' and was done in a chase. Moreover, he played a key role for Ireland to qualify for the T20 WC 2012 with his all-round performance.
Anyway, I hope to see more Blitz from him.
Posted by clarke501 on (August 7, 2012, 11:42 GMT)@Balhadinho II - England do not poach players. As this article illustrates, where a player has a choice it is his to make. Based on the criteria you outline for national selection, I'd say that all the players currently representing England probably qualify so what is the problem?
Posted by clarke501 on (August 7, 2012, 11:17 GMT)@Last_ride - O'Brien's record in English domestic cricket is indifferent. His overall ODI record is nothing special either. All this suggests that the innings to which you refer was a one off. No one is likely to be selected to represent any major test nation on the basis of a single innings. I'd say that anyone suggesting that he is not an obvious candidate for England selection is making a legitimate point and that it is your comment which is the lame one.
Posted by jmcilhinney on (August 7, 2012, 6:25 GMT)@Haleos on (August 06 2012, 10:26 AM GMT), given Bangladesh's results in the Asia Cup, I'm not so sure that you're evaluation is accurate. Regardless, Test cricket is a very different game and the ICC are not going to make the same mistake again. Ireland themselves are aiming for Test status in 2020 I believe. Do you expect O'Brien to still be playing at a high enough level then?
Posted by Last_ride on (August 7, 2012, 1:20 GMT)Comments from English fans very very lame. Good that he has no desire to play for an ordinary team like England.@Njr1330 if he is not good enough how did he pound you in that World cup game.
Posted byThis needs to be STOPPED! England should not be allowed to POACH talent from other nations anymore. Its INTERNATIONAL sport, 1 should be representing their country of birth, or the parents/grand-parents lineage, or their wife's nation. THATS IT
Posted by Breaking_Point on (August 6, 2012, 20:31 GMT)Hm. . .yah!indeed a lame comment! IRELAND JUST LOST 3-0 & here some Anti-BAN fans r saying Ire is better? If u don't want to believe in stats & facts then i guess your comment is invalid & a lame question was asked by the writer ! I mean what kinda question is that??& most importantly will he even get chance on regular basis?? & C'mon,they can't even manage a broadcaster for t20's & let alone TESTS?? I'm sorry but it's not gonna happen in recent tym. . . . .
Posted byGoodness me, just watch all the sour grapes English men on here. too bad theres one foreigner who doesnt want to play for England. because England might have to set up a team made from English people.
Posted by Imsrk on (August 6, 2012, 18:21 GMT)Without imported players eng can't even compete with BD and zim
Posted bySome pretty lame comments here from the likes of jmcilhinney, Lord_Dravid, Mark Chappell etc. Ireland needs these players to take the national team ahead. England also needs such players and so they import them. And the truth is Kevin kicked England in the teeth in that record match, and has done so again with this interview, and will well do it again and again. And somebody said Bangladesh are better than Ireland. I'm sorry, it's the other way round.