The player who turned the tables at the most surprising match recently (Ireland vs. England), Kevin O’Brien, is not the only one of his breed. His brother Niall O’Brien is also part of the same team. And these aren’t the only brother-pairs battling-in-arms for the World Cup either. More brother-pairs who are playing for the WC include the Akmal Brothers (Kamran and Umar) from Pakistan, McCullum brothers (Brendon and Nathan) for New Zealand and Obuya brothers (Collins and DO) for Kenya. The Obuya brothers have been playing for the WC since ’03, this being their third. The only instance of more kinsmen in a team was the three Hadlee brothers in New Zealand’s World Cup team against England in 1975. And to top it all come the three Ngoche brothers — James Ngoche, Shem Ngoche and Nehemiah Odhiambo who is also sometimes known as Nehemiah Ngoche — who are all in the Kenya squad at the current World Cup.
How does it make playing different? Added pressure? “There was no pressure, how can there be? We were selected and the end result was to play our best which on the day was not good enough to win the game,” said cricketer Sir Richard Hadlee in an exclusive interview. “As youngsters, we would compete in the backyard while playing cricket. Even later, when we played against each other in Club cricket and together in the Club team, or four of us together at Canterbury in first class cricket or later when Dayle and I played tests together for 5 years, we’d try to outscore each other to lift to lift each other’s performances,” he added.
And what do others think? “Collins and David Obuya are supportive to each other. There is no competition between the two and they don’t play under pressure. If the team is not performing well, whole team gets worried,” says Arjun Vidharthi, Team Manager for Kenya. “There is competition between the two, and it’s healthy competition,” insists Barry Chambers, the Media Manager for Ireland.
It certainly seems to be working on the field. What remains to be seen is which of these teams this kinship will help take the WC home. May the best kin win.
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Kevin O’Brien
(March 4, 1984)
Shot to fame with match-turning and fastest World Cup century ever, against England. Tipped to play for England in Ashes 2013, Kevin refuses to consider the suggestion saying, “Yes, the innings was a bit of a surprise to me because it’s not every day you hit 100 off 50 balls.”
Niall O’Brien (Nov. 8, 1981)
Niall, Kevin’s elder brother, is a wicket-keeper batsman who bats left-handed. As an Irishman he had to have the nickname of ‘Paddy’. Has played for Kent and Northants in the English county. Their father Brendan ‘Ginger” O’Brien was also a first class cricketer.
Kamran Akmal (Jan. 13, 1982)
A talented, if controversial, wicket-keeper batsman who is the fulcrum of the ODI team came into the World Cup under a cloud. Kept out by PCB on suspicion of fixing, he emerged with a clean enough image.
Umar Akmal (May 26, 1990)
Youngest of three Akmal brothers, Umar is considered the most exciting young batting prospect in the Pakistan team. His surname may have created doubts in the past but the 21-year-old has emerged cleanly from all the scandals surrounding Pakistan cricket.
Brendon McCullum (Sept. 27, 1981)
Shot to fame with a blistering century in the first ever IPL match in 2008 for the Kolkata Knight Riders. s a match turner for New Zealand, a team short of such players at the moment.
Nathan McCullum (Sept. 1, 1980)
The elder of the McCullums is decidedly the lesser known, at least in India. A handy bits-and-pieces all rounder in the typical New Zealand ODI tradition, his economical off breaks have been earning a reputation of late.
JamesNgoche (Jan. 29, 1988)
Considered a promising off spinner he is on a learning trip in the World Cup. He comes from the well known Kenyan cricketing family and his brothers Shem Ngoche and Nehemiah Odhiambo (half brother) are both in the World Cup squad. Two of his siblings, sisters Margaret and Mary have also played for Kenya.
Shem Ngoche (Jan. 6, 1989)
A slightly built left arm spinner, he is best known for his economy rate going into his first World Cup before which he played only five first class games.
Nehemiah Odhiambo (Aug. 7,1983)
The medium pacer is thought of as most likely to take wickets, even if at a cost. Featured in a Kenyan victory at the last World Cup in 2007 in the Caribbean in the match against Canada.
Collins Obuya (July 27, 1981)
The seasoned batsman was a star of Kenya's performers in the 2003 World Cup when his team reached the semi final where they went down to India.
David Obuya (Aug. 14, 1979)
A good wicket-keeper, he has not made a deep impact with the bat. An elder brother, Kennedy Otieno also played for Kenya.