IRISH CRICKET fans were among those to deride Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg after he suggested England’s victory in the World Cup proved “we clearly don’t need Europe to win”.
England triumphed in dramatic fashion over New Zealand claiming victory after the game when to a 'super over' after both sides scored 241 from 50 overs.
Both teams scored 15 over the extra six balls but England won by virtue of having scored more boundary fours and sixes - 26 to New Zealand's 17.
The victory prompted wild celebrations, with the Brexiteer among those to take to Twitter to congratulate the team.
Unfortunately, it wasn't a message that was all that well received.
Rees-Mogg tweeted: “A d..n close run thing, we clearly don’t need Europe to win… #CricketWorldCupFinal”.
It was a tweet that drew heavy criticism for politicising what was supposed to be a fun sporting occasion and also being painfully wide of the mark.
England’s 15-man squad actually includes five players born outside of the UK.
Jason Roy and Tom Curran are originally from South Africa. Ben Stokes was born in New Zealand. Jofra Archer was born in Barbados.
Most notably, for the Irish Post, captain Eoin Morgan was born in Dublin.
Add to that the fact that Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid are are the grandchildren of Pakistani immigrants from the Mirpuri community and Rees-Mogg’s comments couldn’t have been more ill-informed.
Thankfully, the Twitterverse was on hand to set the Conservative MP straight.
One highlighted the incredible role immigrants played in the success:
The England Cricket team:
- Captained by an immigrant
- Batting led by an immigrant
- Fastest bowler an immigrant
- Leading all-rounder an immigrant
- Main spinner son of an immigrant— Dan Lawes (@LawesDan) July 14, 2019
Another reminded Rees-Mogg of the role the EU played in the triumph too:
Except for the Freedom of Movement and Common Travel Area as underpinned by the EU which gives your Irish captain the right to live work and travel in England.#CWC19Final
(You cretinous shitgibbon) https://t.co/t5HsASnZM1— Catherine Kavanagh (@KavanaghCk) July 14, 2019
Some used the misguided tweet to celebrate the inclusivity of the success:
Suggest you read replies @Jacob_Rees_Mogg and perhaps instead of making a silly Brextremist point offer congratulations to the Irish captain, the NZ-born Man of the Match and the Barbadian bowler who got it over the line. Then STFU P.s most European countries don't play cricket https://t.co/3KIpGEmvnb
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) July 14, 2019
Some fellow politicians even chipped in - including a fellow Conservative:
Slightly misjudging the mood there, @Jacob_Rees_Mogg . But while you’re on, the English captain is Irish 😀 https://t.co/6GL7b0IdMJ
— Ed Vaizey (@edvaizey) July 14, 2019
Ireland's politicians weren't about the let Rees-Mogg's tweet slide either:
Your captain is Irish....
— Neale Richmond (@nealerichmond) July 14, 2019
Under English and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regulations, players must must be a British citizen, have been born in England or Wales, or have lived in either country for three years to qualify.
ECB regulations were changed last year, to reduce the eligibility criteria from seven years in a move that allowed Archer, England’s bowler in the decisivie super over, the chance to play.
See More: Brexit, Cricket, Eoin Morgan, Jacob Rees-Mogg
