IRELAND face the stiffest test of their World Cup tomorrow when they South Africa in Canberra.
The 162 off 66 balls by AB de Villiers - including the fastest 150 ever made - had crystallised just how big a task they face in the Australian capital.
Phil Simmons admits Ireland's death bowling has been “terrible” in this tournament.
"We have to be better, there's no question about it”, said the coach. “We've been terrible in the last 15 overs, so we have to make sure we improve."
One of the men who will be expected to step up is Kevin O'Brien, for so long the baby of the Irish side but who will make his 232nd appearance tomorrow, a new Irish record.
He passes Andrew White who recently retired on 231, and Sky Sports commentator Kyle McCallan, who won 226.
“It's been a great journey, an exciting time since I started”, O'Brien told the Irish Daily Star yesterday in Canberra. “Hopefully there's a few more games yet.
“2006, Sussex at home in Clontarf seems a long time ago now.
“I've kept relatively fit and have had no major injuries, touch wood.”
O'Brien joined a team that had just qualified for its first World Cup. He's seen a lot of changes down the years.
“The team dynamic has changed a lot - I was one of the young guys in a dressing room with Trent Johnston, Kyle McCallan, Paul Mooney, stalwarts of Irish cricket.
“Now there's four or five guys under 23 which is great to see -I'm one of the old guys now.”
Still only 30, his next birthday comes on Wednesday, when he hopes to be nursing a hangover after beating South Africa.
In a week of notable anniversaries, today marks four years since O'Brien's greatest ever innings against England in Bangalore.
While Kevin now has 232 caps, his brother Niall has also amassed 158. And you can add to that the 52 caps earned by father Ginger, and the 156 won at hockey by their sister Ciara.
There can surely be no family in Ireland - or anywhere? - that has represented their country more often than the O'Briens of Railway Union.
It all adds up to 596 caps, which means an awful lot of dusting back home in Sandymount.
Kevin has no intention of stopping just yet, and has his sights on an unbelievable 300 caps.
“I'll take one game at a time but if the body's willing I'd love to get to the triple century but that's a long way away.”
IRELAND ODIs v SOUTH AFRICA
2007 lost by 7 wickets in Guyana
2007 lost by 42 runs in Belfast
2011 lost by 131 runs in Kolkata
AB de VILLIERS versus Ireland
2007 (F) b Langford-Smith 5
2007 (WC) c Porterfield b Rankin 0
2007 (F) c Cusack b Whelan 40