O’Brien has bats stolen at Cricket World Cup

One of the stars of Ireland’s Cricket World Cup campaign, Niall O’Brien, fears that his personal cricket gear, including his bats, has been stolen.

According to the Daily Star this morning, O’Brien, who scored 46 runs in the battling defeat to India on Sunday, gave two bags of his equipment to a member of ground staff at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore after the India game.

When O’Brien returned to the hotel, one of the two bags, which included six bats including the one he used against England, was missing.

O’Brien, older brother of record maker Kevin, has informed police of the situation and is understandably extremely vexed at the matter.

“These aren’t bats you can buy in a shop,” O’Brien told The Star of his handmade bats. “I can’t understand it – the ICC security is so tight.”

Indian police are investigating the situation and are confident that they will be able to return the equipment to O’Brien.

“The case is being investigated and we hope to trace the bag soon,” Indian police told sify.com.

According to India Today, O’Brien was also the subject of another investigation by stadium authorities in Bangalore after allegedly smashing the door of the dressing room after his dismissal against India.

Stadium authorities had sought damages of around €400 from O’Brien, but the newspaper added that the dispute was “resolved amicably”.

Regardless of whether the equipment will be returned to O’Brien, he will have to do without it for Ireland’s encounter with the West Indies, as Ireland have relocated to Mohali ahead of Friday’s clash.

Should Ireland cause another upset on Friday, they will be virtually assured of qualification from Group B, providing they can also beat the Netherlands, regarded as the weakest team in the group.