What is the similarity between the Ireland cricketer, Kevin O’Brien, and Irish youngsters’ participation in that game? Both are connected to ‘100’.

While the former scored a fastest century in a World Cup match, the youngsters’ number saw more than 100 per cent growth in a year.

In the 2011 World Cup match in Bangalore, Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest century (113 from 63 balls) in a World Cup match.

Cricket Ireland says that 24,654 youngsters are now playing the game in Ireland as against 11,955 in 2011, recording a growth of more than 100 per cent.

Unveiling the strategic plan last year, the Cricket Ireland CEO had set the goal of increasing the number of participants to 50,000 by 2015.

Ireland has made its presence in two cricket World Cups and three T20 World Cups.

Cricket Ireland attributes the initiatives by RSA to popularise cricket at grass roots level as one of the reasons for the growth. RSA, which is in general insurance business in Ireland, has been sponsoring cricket in Ireland for the past four years.

Ireland now aims to become a Test-playing nation by 2020.

Now here is a bit of information about Ireland's win in Bangalore. Kevin O’Brien scored the fastest century in that match, Trent Johnston took 50th one-day international wicket to become the first Irish bowler to do so, and John Mooney got the winning runs in Ireland’s win against England.

A day after that some of the local dailies in Ireland carried an advertisement. It said: “England get toasted by Johnston, Mooney & O’Brien”. Johnston Mooney & O’Brien is also the name of a baker in Ireland.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in