Cricket World Cup In Game

Ireland were matched at 400 in-play with Betfair before eventually going on to win an astonishing World Cup game against England in Bangalore.

The Irish were chasing an improbable victory target of 328 and when they slumped to 111-5, England traded at 1.01 for £2.7 million, 1.02 for £2.18 million and plenty of other huge sums at prohibitively short prices.

At this point Ireland drifted to 100/1 at Victor Chandler and Sky Bet offered just 1/2000 on an England victory having previously offered 1/100 after Andrew Strauss' men racked up 327-8 thanks to solid contributions from Jonathan Trott (92) and Ian Bell (81).

But all-rounder Kevin O'Brien - who is now 10/1 with William Hill to play for England in the next Ashes series - then smashed the fastest century in World Cup history from just 50 balls to give Ireland a chance although it was only really in the last fifth of the innings that the massive underdogs became favourites when needing just over a run a ball.

When O'Brien was run out for 113 - scored off just 63 balls - with Ireland still needing 12, their price went out to 1.46. But two late boundaries saw them claim a stunning victory by three wickets with five balls remaining.

With the defeat leaving England's hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages in the balance, Coral pushed Andrew Strauss' side out to 12s from 7/1 to win the tournament.

Stan James have eased England to 8/1 from 7/2 to win Group B, while Blue Square and Sky Bet offer just 5/2 they fail to reach the quarter-finals.

Bet365 offer 8/1 that O'Brien's fastest World Cup century record is beaten in this tournament after he bettered Matt Hayden's previous mark by a massive 16 balls.

Spokesman Steve Freeth said: "O'Brien didn't just beat it, he smashed the previous record to bits and it would take a monster effort to see it bettered during this World Cup