Ireland's sensational World Cup victory over England left Andrew Strauss's Ashes winners battling to salvage their credibility on Thursday and sent international cricket bosses reeling.
Ireland struck a major blow for the game's second tier nations with their three-wicket win in Bangalore which saw Kevin O'Brien smash the fastest World Cup hundred and the underdogs pull off the highest successful run chase.
The victory, already regarded as the biggest shock in the history of the tournament, eclipsing even Ireland's own win over Pakistan in 2007, predictably had England's demanding media sharpening their knives.
"England were left looking like a pub side as Kevin O'Brien smashed the fastest ever World Cup century," said the tabloid Sun newspaper.
Ireland won with five balls to spare as they finished on 329 for seven after England had been cruising when they reduced their opponents to 111 for five.
But O'Brien's brutal hitting, which brought him a century off 50 balls, turned the match on its head.
"Over the years, England's national sports teams have been on the wrong end of some infamous defeats," added the Daily Telegraph.
"Until yesterday, America's 1-0 victory in the football World Cup of 1950 was probably the most notorious."
"But the extraordinary triumph of Ireland's cricketers must rank alongside any sporting upset of yore."
The 26-year-old O'Brien, who was eventually out for a whirlwind 113 off 63 balls, currently plays for humble Irish club side Railway Union, but already has his sights set on an Indian Premier League contract.
"Who wouldn't (want to play in the IPL)? A lot of people have said that Twenty20 suits me, the way I swing the bat and hit a few sixes," said O'Brien.
Ireland captain William Porterfield threw down the gauntlet to the International Cricket Council who want to exclude associate nations from future World Cups.
"The ICC have made a decision and it's out of our hands," said Porterfield, in reference to limiting the 2015 tournament to the world's top 10 teams.
"It's pretty disappointing cutting the teams to 10. I personally think there needs to be some kind of qualification."
England, who next tackle South Africa in Chennai on Sunday, were desperately trying to shrug off the setback which could cost them a quarter-final place.
"The sun has risen today. Yesterday is gone and all we have to do is put it right in the next games," said batsman Kevin Pietersen on his Twitter account.
South Africa will want to avoid suffering a similar fate to England when they tackle the Netherlands in Mohali.
The Proteas defeated the West Indies in their only match so far and another win on Thursday will put them top of Group B.
Netherlands captain Peter Borren elected to field in overcast conditions after winning the toss.
South Africa made one change from the side that played the first game, replacing off-spinner Johan Botha with Morne van Wyk.
In Colombo, Pakistan look to make it three wins in three games in Group A when they face Canada, who have suffered two heavy defeats so far and, unlike Ireland, have looked like an associate nation hopelessly out of their depth.
