Bravo's diamond duck
Plays of the Day from the World Cup match between Ireland and West Indies in Nelson
Andrew McGlashan in Nelson
16-Feb-2015
George Dockrell removed Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels in an over • Getty Images
The direct hit
Ireland pride themselves on their fielding. It was not faultless in this match, but there was an early stand-out effort from Andy McBrine, the offspinner, who had been a surprise selection ahead of another pace-bowling option. Chris Gayle got a leading edge towards point and Darren Bravo was stood on his heels at the non-striker's. McBrine swooped and produced a direct hit to find Bravo well short and send him back with the first diamond duck of the World Cup.
Ireland pride themselves on their fielding. It was not faultless in this match, but there was an early stand-out effort from Andy McBrine, the offspinner, who had been a surprise selection ahead of another pace-bowling option. Chris Gayle got a leading edge towards point and Darren Bravo was stood on his heels at the non-striker's. McBrine swooped and produced a direct hit to find Bravo well short and send him back with the first diamond duck of the World Cup.
The cheek
Very few wicketkeepers stand up to the stumps without a helmet these days - Mark Boucher's career-ending injury was the final persuasion for most that the risk wasn't worth it, whatever the comfort issues. However, Gary Wilson was content to wear his cap when McBrine was introduced as the first spinner of the innings. He may have had second thoughts when Gayle went for a cut; the ball was bottom edged into the crease and bounced up into Wilson's cheek. But he just gave his mouthguard a quick check and carried on.
Very few wicketkeepers stand up to the stumps without a helmet these days - Mark Boucher's career-ending injury was the final persuasion for most that the risk wasn't worth it, whatever the comfort issues. However, Gary Wilson was content to wear his cap when McBrine was introduced as the first spinner of the innings. He may have had second thoughts when Gayle went for a cut; the ball was bottom edged into the crease and bounced up into Wilson's cheek. But he just gave his mouthguard a quick check and carried on.
The over
West Indies' innings made a quiet start, but Gayle loomed and Marlon Samuels had been the stand-out player in South Africa. In the blink of an eye they were gone, in an over George Dockrell will remember for a long while. Firstly, Gayle, who had deposited one six off Dockrell, pulled a short delivery down the throat of long-on. Then, two balls later, Samuels was trapped by one that skidded on. Samuels wasted a review, Dockrell savoured the moment.
West Indies' innings made a quiet start, but Gayle loomed and Marlon Samuels had been the stand-out player in South Africa. In the blink of an eye they were gone, in an over George Dockrell will remember for a long while. Firstly, Gayle, who had deposited one six off Dockrell, pulled a short delivery down the throat of long-on. Then, two balls later, Samuels was trapped by one that skidded on. Samuels wasted a review, Dockrell savoured the moment.
The limping
Darren Sammy's back has been giving him problems (although some of his strokeplay didn't suggest it) and towards the end of Ireland's stint in the field John Mooney began to struggle with his calf. When the two faced up against each other, it was invalid verses invalid with Sammy's grimace when he played the ball followed by Mooney flexing his leg in the follow through.
Darren Sammy's back has been giving him problems (although some of his strokeplay didn't suggest it) and towards the end of Ireland's stint in the field John Mooney began to struggle with his calf. When the two faced up against each other, it was invalid verses invalid with Sammy's grimace when he played the ball followed by Mooney flexing his leg in the follow through.
The clonk (and response)
Jerome Taylor began with some serious pace and struck Paul Stirling flush on the helmet as the batsman went to pull a short ball. The helmet - and, importantly, the batsman - were both checked and Stirling was good to resume after a few minutes. His response to being struck was impressive as, two balls later, he hooked another short delivery over fine leg for a six.
Jerome Taylor began with some serious pace and struck Paul Stirling flush on the helmet as the batsman went to pull a short ball. The helmet - and, importantly, the batsman - were both checked and Stirling was good to resume after a few minutes. His response to being struck was impressive as, two balls later, he hooked another short delivery over fine leg for a six.
The rarity
Sulieman Benn's troublesome back and the decision not to play Nikita Miller left West Indies scrabbling for spin options having watched Ireland's tweakers impress. They turned to Gayle in the 12th over for just the seventh time in ODIs since the start of 2012. In that period he has just two wickets to his name - both against Bangladesh - but it took him only nine balls to add to the tally when William Porterfield edged an expansive drive.
Sulieman Benn's troublesome back and the decision not to play Nikita Miller left West Indies scrabbling for spin options having watched Ireland's tweakers impress. They turned to Gayle in the 12th over for just the seventh time in ODIs since the start of 2012. In that period he has just two wickets to his name - both against Bangladesh - but it took him only nine balls to add to the tally when William Porterfield edged an expansive drive.
The white flag
The game was virtually gone for West Indies, but when Niall O'Brien, on 38, top-edged towards midwicket, Jason Holder, a man with much on his plate, had the chance to take a catch that may just have caused a flutter. Instead, after back-tracking and seemingly getting in position the ball fell through his hands. Heads were already down, they stayed down.
The game was virtually gone for West Indies, but when Niall O'Brien, on 38, top-edged towards midwicket, Jason Holder, a man with much on his plate, had the chance to take a catch that may just have caused a flutter. Instead, after back-tracking and seemingly getting in position the ball fell through his hands. Heads were already down, they stayed down.
Andrew McGlashan is a senior assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo