Cricket World Cup 2015 Notepad: Top Shot, Delivery, Catch and More from Day 3

Day 3 at the World Cup and a first upset. However, no one, least of all Ireland captain William Porterfield, seemed that surprised by the result.

Ireland—the nation that knocked out Pakistan in 2007 and then toppled England in a group fixture four years later—again showed their love for the big stage, beating West Indies in Nelson.

A century from Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy’s 89 seemed to have got the men from the Caribbean out of trouble after they had slipped to 87-5 in their innings.

However, their final total of 304-7 still wasn’t enough.

Led by Paul Stirling’s 92 at the top of the order and guided home by Niall O’Brien’s unbeaten 79, Ireland managed to record a four-wicket triumph.

Despite a late clatter of wickets with the finishing line in sight, they still coasted to their target at the Saxton Oval with 25 deliveries to spare.

Shot of the day 

The last of Chris Gayle’s 21 ODI centuries came back in June of 2013. Since then, he has reached 50 just once in his last 18 knocks.

He patiently worked his way to 36 on Monday, suggesting he was determined to get himself back into some sort of form at the start of the tournament.

But, having barely cut loose during the initial power play, he gave his wicket away far too easily, pulling a short delivery straight out to the fielder on the boundary.

There was, though, one moment to remind us of what Gayle can do; he came down the wicket to launch George Dockrell straight down the ground for a huge six.

You realise it’s a big blow when the cameraman pans so far around that he’s looking at an area no longer inside the ground.

But enough about a six from a player that ended up on the losing side. Here, instead, are more Irish fans celebrating:

"

Victory song from the Ireland supporters in Nelson! https://t.co/oe6boVvfFx #BestFansInTheWorld #BackingGreen

— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) February 16, 2015"

Delivery of the day 

It was not a particularly good day for the bowlers. The game produced more than 600 runs, and the two teams combined to hit 18 sixes.

Yet Ireland could have been chasing an even bigger target had it not been for the efforts of their two front-line spinners, Andy McBrine and Dockrell.

Right-armer McBrine—playing in only his fourth ODI—gave up just 26 runs from his 10 overs.

While Dockrell was more expensive than his fellow slow bowler, the left-arm off-spinner picked up three crucial wickets to leave West Indies in a spot of bother.

He sent back Gayle and Marlon Samuels in the same over, getting the latter out with a lovely delivery that caught the batsman on the crease, leading to him being trapped lbw for 21.

Dockrell also went on to dismiss Denesh Ramdin, who was out lbw, in his next over. 

Catch of the day

There were few outstanding candidates to take the award. While plenty of catches were taken, few will live long in the memory.

The best of the lot came towards the end of the first innings; Dockrell—stationed out at deep cover—came in off the boundary rope to dismiss Simmons off the penultimate ball of the final over.

A lofted drive had plenty of air, giving the fielder enough time to judge the flight of the ball. He took the chance falling forwards to the ground.

As for the catching efforts in the crowd, one word can be used to sum them up: dismal.

It seems the pressure of knowing there is money available for a one-handed grab is starting to get to some spectators, along with whatever they are choosing to rehydrate themselves with during proceedings.

Ross Setford/Associated Press

When is an upset not an upset?

Ireland—an associate member of the ICC—beating a team with full Test status is an upset, right?

Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Not according to their captain, Porterfield. “I don't see this result as an upset,” he said in his post-match interview, per Sky Sports.

In an audio interview with BBC Sport, he also pushed the need for his team to get more chances at the top table: “We have so few games against top calibre opposition, so it's nice to show what we can do when we do get the opportunity to play a top-eight nation.”

Porterfield has a strong case to suggest as much: Ireland made the Super Eight stage in 2007 ahead of Pakistan and Zimbabwe, and—as already mentioned—defeated England four years ago in a Group B fixture.

Their latest World Cup win has put them firmly in contention for a place in the quarter-finals.

What to make of West Indies

Champions in the first two editions of the World Cup, West Indies cricket seems to be in a sorry state these days. 

The fact few were surprised by the result against Ireland speaks volumes about the current squad, one that does not include former captain Dwayne Bravo and fellow all-rounder Kieron Pollard.

Twitter, though, showed little sympathy to their plight: 

Defeat hurt Darren Sammy, though it seemed some news from the IPL auction helped lift his spirits a little:

Tuesday at the World Cup

Scotland begin their campaign against New Zealand in Dunedin. If they do beat the co-hosts, then that result can definitely be termed an upset.

The Black Caps, though, were extremely impressive in their opening fixture, crushing Sri Lanka by 98 runs.