Kevin's Biography
Kevin O'Brien is best known for his magnificent 113 against England at Bangalore in the 2011 World Cup when he decimated England's powerful attack and set up arguably the greatest day in Irish cricket history. However as his many other fine performances indicate Kevin is much more than a "one match wonder." Having scored almost 4000 runs for Ireland with his aggressive middle order batting and taken 130 wickets at an attacking but generally economical medium pace, he deserves to be ranked among our leading all-rounders, a tag which his performances frequently justify.
Son of Camilla and Brendan - always known as Ginger - who played 51 times for Ireland. His five siblings were all talented games people. Brother Niall, Ireland's current Wicket Keeper, and sister Ciara an international Hockey player for Ireland.
From 2003 until the end of summer 2005, he was at Lord's with MCC Young Cricketers . Playing alongside Porterfield, Gary Wilson and Gary Keady . In all matches in 2005 he scored over 1000 runs and took 50 wickets. Skip forward to 2009, as a result of his Irish performances, Kevin joined Nottinghamshire at the end of May to play in the T20 competition. Kevin is now the all time leading capped player for Ireland, closing in on 300 caps.
Last (2011) summer saw Kevin with Gloucestershire where he played two T20 innings which evoked memories of Bangalore a few months before. On both occasions Middlesex were on the receiving end. At Uxbridge. He and New Zealander - Hamish Marshall destroyed their hosts' attack putting on 192 for the first wicket. Both made hundreds, a previously unknown event in T20, with Kevin striking 119 off 52 balls with 11 sixes and 7 fours.
Kevin's feats for Ireland are so numerous that it would be impossible to justice to all of them here. At the time of writing he has hit four centuries for Ireland. Pride of place must, of course, go to his wonderful 113 against England at Bangalore in the 2011 World Cup. It is worth remembering that Ireland were staring down the barrel at 106-4 when he came in and, facing an England total of 327-8, were soon 111-5. He hit 6 sixes, the biggest a 102 metre on drive off Jimmy Anderson, and 13 fours. Though he was out agonisingly close to the target, Trent Johnston and John Mooney were on hand to see Ireland home. Even Geoffrey Boycott was moved to describe the innings as "An exceptional performance."