Zimbabwe vs Ireland IRE in ZIM, One-Off Test, 2025, Full Score Card
One-off Test, Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, 06 Feb, 2025
Ireland
IRE
260/10
&
298/10
(93.3) ov
Zimbabwe
ZIM
267/10
&
228/10
(86.4) ov
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 63 runs
Player Of The Match
Andy McBrine,
Ireland
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T Kaitano b M Adair |
14 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 70 |
B Curran c L Tucker b B McCarthy |
4 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
N Welch lbw b M Humphreys |
5 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
B Bennett c L Tucker b M Humphreys |
45 | 72 | 3 | 0 | 62.50 |
T Gwandu b B McCarthy |
2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 11.11 |
W Madhevere b M Humphreys |
84 | 195 | 8 | 0 | 43.07 |
J Campbell c & b M Humphreys |
33 | 62 | 3 | 0 | 53.22 |
N Mayavo c P Stirling b M Humphreys |
8 | 30 | 2 | 0 | 26.66 |
N Nyamhuri lbw b M Humphreys |
8 | 34 | 0 | 0 | 23.52 |
R Ngarava b A McBrine |
14 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 35 |
B Muzarabani not out | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 11.11 |
|
Extras
(b 4,lb 6,w 0,nb 0,Penalty 0) |
10 | ||||
|
Total
86.4 (RR: 2.63)
|
228/10 |
Did not bat:
Fall of wickets:
(B Curran, 5.4 ov) (T Kaitano, 7 ov) (N Welch, 11.4 ov) (T Gwandu, 16 ov) (B Bennett, 35.5 ov) (J Campbell, 53.1 ov) (N Mayavo, 61.5 ov) (N Nyamhuri, 73.1 ov) (W Madhevere, 83.1 ov) (R Ngarava, 86.4 ov)| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M Adair |
19 | 3 | 47 | 1 | 2.47 |
B McCarthy |
8 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 2.75 |
M Humphreys |
28 | 7 | 57 | 6 | 2.03 |
A McBrine |
23.4 | 4 | 69 | 1 | 2.91 |
C Young |
7 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 2.85 |
C Campher |
1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3.00 |
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P Moor c N Mayavo b R Ngarava |
30 | 33 | 5 | 0 | 90.90 |
A Balbirnie lbw b W Madhevere |
66 | 160 | 2 | 0 | 41.25 |
C Campher c N Mayavo b T Gwandu |
39 | 99 | 6 | 0 | 39.39 |
H Tector lbw b J Campbell |
17 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 39.53 |
P Stirling c N Mayavo b B Muzarabani |
21 | 29 | 1 | 2 | 72.41 |
L Tucker c J Campbell b R Ngarava |
58 | 95 | 6 | 1 | 61.05 |
A McBrine c N Welch b W Madhevere |
16 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 45.71 |
M Adair c T Kaitano b R Ngarava |
15 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 57.69 |
B McCarthy b R Ngarava |
11 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 35.48 |
C Young b T Gwandu |
2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 40 |
M Humphreys not out | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 12.50 |
|
Extras
(b 5,lb 13,w 1,nb 3,Penalty 0) |
22 | ||||
|
Total
93.3 (RR: 3.19)
|
298/10 |
Did not bat:
Fall of wickets:
(P Moor, 8 ov) (C Campher, 36.2 ov) (H Tector, 52.2 ov) (A Balbirnie, 57.3 ov) (P Stirling, 62.5 ov) (A McBrine, 74.3 ov) (M Adair, 83.1 ov) (B McCarthy, 89.2 ov) (C Young, 90.2 ov) (L Tucker, 93.3 ov)| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B Muzarabani |
20 | 0 | 70 | 1 | 3.50 |
R Ngarava |
17.3 | 4 | 55 | 4 | 3.14 |
T Gwandu |
11 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 2.54 |
N Nyamhuri |
8 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 2.62 |
B Bennett |
5 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 2.20 |
W Madhevere |
18 | 1 | 48 | 2 | 2.66 |
J Campbell |
14 | 1 | 47 | 1 | 3.35 |
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T Kaitano lbw b B McCarthy |
26 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 39.39 |
B Curran c L Tucker b B McCarthy |
12 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 85.71 |
N Welch c H Tector b M Adair |
90 | 173 | 9 | 1 | 52.02 |
B Bennett b B McCarthy |
7 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 38.88 |
W Madhevere c L Tucker b A McBrine |
26 | 31 | 2 | 1 | 83.87 |
J Campbell c H Tector b A McBrine |
4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
N Mayavo lbw b A McBrine |
18 | 23 | 2 | 1 | 78.26 |
N Nyamhuri c A Balbirnie b B McCarthy |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
R Ngarava c P Moor b M Adair |
15 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 36.58 |
B Muzarabani b M Humphreys |
47 | 68 | 6 | 0 | 69.11 |
T Gwandu not out | 18 | 79 | 1 | 0 | 22.78 |
|
Extras
(b 0,lb 3,w 1,nb 0,Penalty 0) |
4 | ||||
|
Total
86.1 (RR: 3.10)
|
267/10 |
Did not bat:
Fall of wickets:
(B Curran, 5.5 ov) (T Kaitano, 23.2 ov) (B Bennett, 30 ov) (W Madhevere, 41.1 ov) (J Campbell, 41.4 ov) (N Mayavo, 50 ov) (N Nyamhuri, 50.4 ov) (R Ngarava, 60.3 ov) (N Welch, 62.2 ov) (B Muzarabani, 86.1 ov)| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M Adair |
18 | 4 | 56 | 2 | 3.11 |
B McCarthy |
22 | 2 | 75 | 4 | 3.40 |
C Young |
10 | 1 | 36 | 0 | 3.60 |
M Humphreys |
15.1 | 1 | 38 | 1 | 2.50 |
A McBrine |
21 | 5 | 59 | 3 | 2.80 |
| Batter | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P Moor c B Curran b B Muzarabani |
4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 66.66 |
A Balbirnie c sub J Gumbie b B Muzarabani |
9 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 81.81 |
C Campher b R Ngarava |
6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 66.66 |
H Tector c T Kaitano b B Muzarabani |
0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
P Stirling c B Bennett b B Muzarabani |
10 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 55.55 |
L Tucker b T Gwandu |
33 | 28 | 7 | 0 | 117.85 |
A McBrine not out | 90 | 132 | 12 | 0 | 68.18 |
M Adair c N Mayavo b B Muzarabani |
78 | 91 | 13 | 0 | 85.71 |
B McCarthy c W Madhevere b B Muzarabani |
0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
C Young c B Bennett b B Muzarabani |
5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 38.46 |
M Humphreys c B Bennett b R Ngarava |
8 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 33.33 |
|
Extras
(b 6,lb 3,w 1,nb 7,Penalty 0) |
17 | ||||
|
Total
56.4 (RR: 4.59)
|
260/10 |
Did not bat:
Fall of wickets:
(P Moor, 1 ov) (C Campher, 3.5 ov) (A Balbirnie, 4.3 ov) (H Tector, 6.5 ov) (P Stirling, 8.5 ov) (L Tucker, 15.4 ov) (M Adair, 45 ov) (B McCarthy, 46.4 ov) (C Young, 50.4 ov) (M Humphreys, 56.4 ov)| Bowler | O | M | R | W | ER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B Muzarabani |
18 | 1 | 58 | 7 | 3.22 |
R Ngarava |
13.4 | 1 | 65 | 2 | 4.75 |
N Nyamhuri |
7 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 6.00 |
T Gwandu |
6 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 8.83 |
B Bennett |
12 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 2.75 |
Zimbabwe • 228/10 (86.4 overs)
W Madhevere 84 (195)
B Bennett 45 (72)
M Humphreys 6/57 (28)
B McCarthy 2/22 (8)
Ireland • 298/10 (93.3 overs)
A Balbirnie 66 (160)
L Tucker 58 (95)
R Ngarava 4/55 (17.3)
T Gwandu 2/28 (11)
Zimbabwe • 267/10 (86.1 overs)
N Welch 90 (173)
B Muzarabani 47 (68)
B McCarthy 4/75 (22)
A McBrine 3/59 (21)
Ireland • 260/10 (56.4 overs)
A McBrine 90 (132)
M Adair 78 (91)
B Muzarabani 7/58 (18)
R Ngarava 2/65 (13.4)
Commentary
Back for the chase.
...THE CHASE...
Zimbabwe bowled well and used the new ball very effectively. Their bowlers toiled hard to pick 10 wickets. Richard Ngarava was the pick of the lot as he finished with four wickets while Trevor Gwandu and Wessly Madhevere ended with two each. Now, Zimbabwe need a good start. Their first aim will be to end the day without losing any wickets but Ireland will be pumped up to make early inroads. Chase coming up next.
So, Zimbabwe need 292 runs to win. That would take some effort as the pitch is assisting the bowlers here. Ireland will be happy with how they played. All of their batters got off to a start and made handy contributions. Andy Balbirnie was key to get things going for Ireland. They lost a couple of wickets in heaps, but Lorcan Tucker's fifty made sure they got a score close to 300.
OUT! GONE! Richard Ngarava ends with four! Length ball, outside off, Tucker looks to go big but toe ends his shot to cover where Johnathan Campbell track backs and takes it well.
Full and on off, Tucker pushes it to cover.
Outside off, this is dabbed to third man.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 93 overs : 298/9
M Humphreys1 (8)
L Tucker58 (92)
T Gwandu11-0-28-2
Full and on middle, this is solidly defended.
A low dipping full ball outside off. Humphreys looks to drive but misses.
Length and outside off, Humphreys looks to cut but bottom edges it on the deck.
On middle, Tucker works it to mid-wicket for a single.
Full and outside off, Tucker looks to paddle it but misses.
Length and outside off, this is hit to long off for no run.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 92 overs : 297/9
M Humphreys1 (5)
L Tucker57 (89)
R Ngarava17-4-55-3
Tad short and on middle, Humphreys ducks under it.
Down the leg side, it is left alone.
On a length and on middle, Tucker mistimes his flick to third man for a single.
FOUR! Good shot! Crucial runs! Full and outside off, Tucker drives it through covers for a boundary.
Length ball, outside off, Tucker skips down and swings but misses.
SIX! BANG! Fifty for Tucker! Shorter and on middle, Tucker pulls it over square leg for a biggie.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 91 overs : 286/9
M Humphreys1 (3)
L Tucker46 (85)
T Gwandu10-0-27-2
Outside off, Humphreys punches it to point.
On middle, this is defended out.
On middle, Tucker skips down to defend but bottom edges it on the leg side for one.
Full and on off, Humphreys pushes it to cover for one.
Matthew Humphreys is the last man in.
OUT! GONE! Ireland 9 down! On a good length and shaping on top of off. Young brings a straight bat down to defend but it stays slightly low and crashes the stumps.
Short and on middle, Tucker pulls it to square leg for one.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 90 overs : 283/8
C Young2 (4)
L Tucker44 (83)
R Ngarava16-4-44-3
A full toss, outside off, Young looks to drive but edges it to second slip on a bounce.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Angling on middle, Young turns it to square leg.
Full and way outside off, Young looks to drive but toe ends his shot over cover for a couple.
Commentary
The visitors were brilliant for most parts! Andy McBrine and Barry McCarthy were absolutely brilliant and took their side on top but they have let the advantage slip away big time due to the last wicket stand. They'll now have to bat really well, their first aim will be to get past the new ball without much damage. Zimbabwe on the other hand, would want early wickets and put the Irish under pressure.
Ireland didn't take long to get the last wicket in this session but Zimbabwe have managed to take the lead! Remarkable effort, they were down and out at one stage. Except for Welch, wickets kept falling. He held fort at one end but kept losing partners. When he fell, his side still trailed by over 50, the last pair though batted brilliantly and have taken their side into the lead.
OUT! There is the end of the innings! On middle. Blessing looks to swing across the line but misses and this hits the stumps.
Runs Scored 9 Runs
Score after 86 overs : 267/9
T Gwandu18 (79)
B Muzarabani47 (67)
C Young10-1-36-0
FOUR! Finds the gap! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed over point and this finds the fence too.
On middle. Kept out.
Beaten! Length and outside off. Gwandu looks to drive but is beaten.
Angled into the pads. This is tucked to mid-wicket.
FOUR! Zimbabwe in the lead! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 85 overs : 258/9
T Gwandu14 (76)
B Muzarabani42 (64)
M Humphreys15-1-38-0
On off. Gwandu pushes it to cover again.
On the stumps. Gwandu blocks.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover again.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...
Ireland will be very frustrated! They were in a very strong position but now have given away the advantage. They'll be wanting to take this wicket as quickly as possible and helpfully before the opposition get into the lead. Another exciting session awaits. Stay tuned.
What a fightback that was from the last pair! Zimbabwe will be absolutely thrilled and they now have a chance of taking the lead. An hour ago, they probably looked down and out. They kept losing wickets after the break and were nine down for 200 but the last pair have batted brilliantly and added over 50 to take them close to the visitors' total. They'll be hoping they can get some sort of a lead.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 84 overs : 257/9
T Gwandu14 (72)
B Muzarabani41 (62)
B McCarthy22-2-75-4
Two! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Fuller and outside off. Blessing looks to drive but is beaten all ends up.
On the stumps. Kept out again.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 83 overs : 254/9
B Muzarabani40 (58)
T Gwandu12 (70)
M Adair18-4-56-2
On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicked for one.
Two more! Outside off. Blessing slaps it past cover for two.
FOUR! Two in a row! They trail below 10 now. On middle. Fuller. This is lofted down the ground and to the long on fence.
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled past square leg and this races away.
On the stumps. Kept out.
A bumper now, ducked under.
Commentary
We are back.
..SECOND INNINGS...
Zimbabwe won't be much disappointed though. They bowled well, Blessing Muzarabani in particular who scalped 7 wickets and rattled through the Irish line up. He was well supported by the others. Just the could of big partnership has taken a bit of game away from them. They would have loved to tumble the opposition for a much lower total and they were ein a good position to do the job as well but credit to McBrine and Adair. Now, Zimbabwe more than hour to play with the bat, they'll hope to end the day without losing any wickets. Can they? Let's find out.
So, McBrine is stranded on 90 as he loses all his partners. He has single handedly taken his team over 250. McBrine walked in when Zimbabwe were in a nervous position. They were 82/6 at one stage and asking for a partnership. Lorcan Tucker played a handy attacking innings but fell but then came the big much needed stand between Adair and McBrine. The duo added 120 odd runs to take Ireland to a competitive total. Adair fell after a well made 78 but McBrine along with the tail played brilliantly, he would have loved a ton but more importantly has helped Ireland in a big way.
OUT! GONE! A good length ball on middle, Matthew Humphreys flicks it straight in the hands of Brian Bennett ar short mid-wicket. Job done by Zimbabwe!
A bouncer on leg, Matthew Humphreys looks to pull it but misses.
FOUR! A gentle length ball on middle, Matthew Humphreys pulls it through mid-wicket and it races away.
Leg bye! A full toss on the pads, McBrine fails to flick and it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 56 overs : 255/9
M Humphreys4 (21)
A McBrine90 (131)
N Nyamhuri7-0-42-0
Well down the leg side, it is left alone.
On middle, this is punched to mid on.
A length ball on middle. Matthew Humphreys goes back to defend it on the leg side.
Serves a yorker outside off, Matthew Humphreys looks to push but misses.
Outside off, this is cut to point for a single.
FOUR! Helped away! Short and down leg, McBrine pulls it to fine leg for a boundary.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 55 overs : 250/9
M Humphreys4 (17)
A McBrine85 (129)
R Ngarava13-1-61-1
Shorter and on middle, Matthew Humphreys steps across to pull but misses.
No ball! Catch taken but that's a huge no ball! Hard length ball on off, Matthew Humphreys looks to defend but balloons it to gully where the fielder takes it. Huge front foot no ball from Richard Ngarava.
On middle, this is punched to cover.
Well outside off, Matthew Humphreys leaves.
Outside off, shapes away. Matthew Humphreys steps forward to push but misses.
Good length ball outside off, Matthew Humphreys looks to defend but misses.
Short and wide of off. McBrine ramps it off the toe end and well in front of third man for one.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 54 overs : 248/9
M Humphreys4 (11)
A McBrine84 (128)
B Bennett12-1-33-0
On off, this is punched to cover.
Very full and outside off, Matthew Humphreys pushes it to cover.
Flat and around off, MH goes back and blocks.
Too full and on middle, Matthew Humphreys leans and blocks.
Outside off, McBrine works it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Full and outside off, this is swept to fine leg for a single.
Runs Scored 10 Runs
Score after 53 overs : 246/9
A McBrine83 (127)
M Humphreys3 (6)
B Muzarabani18-1-58-7
FOUR! 10 off the over. Short and on middle, McBrine pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
A single as this is hit to mid-wicket.
On the pads, McBrine works it to square leg for a single.
Commentary
That is all from this lone Test. Andy Balbirnie has been handed over the trophy. His teammates join him for the cameras. Time for the ODIs to kick off and the series starts on the 14th of this month. Join us at 7.30 am GMT and earlier for the build up. Goodbye and cheers!
Andy Balbirnie says Test cricket is tough but rewarding, they worked hard in the recent past and got the results. Feels the bowlers kept them in the game. Andy McBrine, Mark Adair and others bowled well. Mentions it's an amazing achievement to win three matches in a row and want to keep getting better. Credits the players, they prepared hard for the game.
Johnathan Campbell says there didn't bat well enough in the first innings. Tells the bowlers kept them in the game, there were a couple of individual performances with the bat but needed a big partnership. Mentions they will reflect on this game. Appreciates the effort of Blessing Muzarabani and Wessly Madhevere in the game. Feels they are not far away from putting a strong performance.
Andy McBrine wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says he just tried to make most of the conditions and keep it simple.. Tells it was a good wicket to play on. Blessing Muzarabani was outstanding in the first innings. Feels few partnerships worked out in the game.
...Presentation...
Matthew Humphreys was the star with the ball for the visitors. Wessly Madhevere fought hard with the bat. He played a very gutsy innings but needed support from the other end which didn’t come. In the end, it is the visitors who get a really good win. The win was always on the cards for Ireland, it was a matter of when rather than if. Matthew Humphreys leads the team as he finishes with a six fer.
Ireland batted brilliantly in their second essay, contributions from most of their batters saw them set a target of close to 300 which was always going to be difficult to chase and Zimbabwe couldn’t. Andy Balbirnie started well but it was Lorcan Tucker's fifty which proved to be the pivotal point.
Zimbabwe in reply began well, thanks to Welch. However, he was fighting a lone battle and kept losing partners at the other end. At one stage, it seemed like the hosts would fall well short of the Irish score but the last wicket stand added over 50 to give them a 7 run lead. Blessing Muzarabani played a vital innings there.
A fine, fine win for the visitors! They were in massive trouble after electing to bat on Day 1. Their top order was blown away by Blessing Muzarabani and were reeling at 31 for 5. The lower order though came to the fore. The likes of McBrine and Adair took them to over 250 which looked impossible at one stage.
OUT! BOWLED! Andy McBrine ends with a wicket! Floats it full on middle and it spins away. Ngarava swings across the line but misses and it crashes the stumps. Job done! Ireland win by 63 runs.
Flat and on off, Ngarava blocks it out.
Floated on off, Ngarava slices his lofted shot to point and it lands safely. Two.
Too full and on off, Ngarava blocks.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 86 overs : 226/9
B Muzarabani1 (9)
R Ngarava12 (36)
M Humphreys28-7-57-6
Flat and on middle, Muzarabani defends.
A single as this is punched to cover.
FOUR BYES! Flighted on leg, and spins in. Richard Ngarava swings and misses and it rolls through and to the fine leg fence. Past everyone.
Bowls it well outside off, Richard Ngarava looks to push but misses.
Too full and on middle, Richard Ngarava plays it to silly mid on.
On off and it spins back in. Richard Ngarava dead bats it.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 85 overs : 221/9
R Ngarava11 (31)
B Muzarabani1 (8)
A McBrine23-4-67-0
Flat and outside off, this is knocked to point for one more.
Full and outside off, Muzarabani drives it to cover for a single.
Too full and on middle, defended out.
Floated on middle, Muzarabani blocks.
Full and outside off, Richard Ngarava drives it to long off for a single.
Tossed up on off, this is played back to the bowler.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 84 overs : 218/9
B Muzarabani0 (5)
R Ngarava9 (28)
M Humphreys27-7-56-6
Too full and on off, Muzarabani defends it well.
Slanting on middle, Muzarabani defends it out.
Tossed up on off, Muzarabani blocks.
On middle, Muzarabani defends it out.
Quicker one on middle, Blessing Muzarabani leans to defend but misses as it spins away.
OUT! BOWLED! Wessly Madhevere is in disbelief! He just doesn't want to walk away! He knows the match is gone! Flat and shaping on off, it holds its line. Wessly Madhevere presses forward to defend but does so inside the line, gets beaten on the outside edge and it crashes the top of off.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 83 overs : 218/8
R Ngarava9 (28)
W Madhevere84 (194)
A McBrine22-4-64-0
On middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Flatter and outside off. Wessly looks to cut but misses.
Angled into middle. This is defended solidly.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 82 overs : 217/8
W Madhevere83 (190)
R Ngarava9 (26)
M Humphreys26-6-56-5
Shorter and on middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
Angled into the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Defended.
Tossed up on off. Wessly looks to go over cover but this goes off the outer half past point for two.
Shortish and on off. This is punched to cover.
Flatter and on the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 81 overs : 214/8
R Ngarava9 (26)
W Madhevere80 (184)
A McBrine21-4-63-0
Slower and outside off again. Not played at.
Outside off. Left alone.
A single as this is pushed down to long on.
On middle. This is flicked to mid-wicket.
Flatter and on off. Kept out.
On the stumps. This is blocked.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 80 overs : 213/8
R Ngarava9 (24)
W Madhevere79 (180)
M Humphreys25-6-53-5
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
Guller and on off. This is hit down to long off for one more.
On off. Fuller. This is hit down to long off for one.
Tossed up on off. This is pushed back to the bowler.
On the pads. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 79 overs : 210/8
R Ngarava8 (20)
W Madhevere77 (178)
A McBrine20-4-62-0
On the stumps. Blocked.
On the pads. Wessly works it through mid-wicket for one.
Outside off. Ngarava looks to defend but this goes off the inner half, down towards fine leg for three.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On middle. Defended.
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 78 overs : 205/8
R Ngarava5 (16)
W Madhevere75 (176)
M Humphreys24-6-50-5
Flighted full on off, Ngarava defends it out.
On middle, Wessly Madhevere plays it to mid off for one.
Tossed up on middle, blocked again.
This is full and on off, Wessly Madhevere reverse sweeps but to point.
Outside off, this is dabbed to point.
Tossed up on off, Wessly Madhevere prods and blocks.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 77 overs : 204/8
R Ngarava5 (15)
W Madhevere74 (171)
A McBrine19-4-57-0
Flat and on off, Ngarava leans to defend.
On middle, this is blocked out.
FOUR! Too full and on middle, Ngarava drives it down the ground and it races away.
CHANCE AGAIN! Ngarava survives! Flat and on off, Ngarava punches it to the right of Andy McBrine who dives forward but fails to hold on. Ngarava has the lady luck.
CHANCE! Flat and on off, turns away. Ngarava looks to punch but edges it to the keeper who fails to hold on.
200 up! 92 more needed. Outside off, this is driven to covers for one.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 76 overs : 199/8
R Ngarava1 (10)
W Madhevere73 (170)
M Humphreys23-6-49-5
Goes full and quicker on off. Ngarava looks to push but inside edges it onto the pads.
Flighted outside off. Ngarava looks to heave it but mistimes and it rolls on the leg side.
A single as this is punched to covers.
On middle, Ngarava hits it to long on for one more.
Tossed up on middle, Ngarava prods and blocks.
THREE! Slides it full and on the pads, Wessly Madhevere sweeps it down to fine leg for three. Ngarava on strike.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 75 overs : 194/8
R Ngarava0 (6)
W Madhevere69 (168)
A McBrine18-4-52-0
Too full and on middle, this is played back to the bowler.
On middle, this is nudged to square leg for a single.
Flat and on middle, Wessly Madhevere defends.
On middle, Wessly Madhevere rocks back and defends.
FOUR! JUST OVER! Pitched up, outside off, Wessly Madhevere makes room and lofts it over the man at mid off for four runs.
Too full and on middle, Wessly Madhevere blocks.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 74 overs : 189/8
R Ngarava0 (5)
W Madhevere64 (163)
M Humphreys22-6-44-5
This is full and on middle, Ngarava defends it out.
This one stays low, on off. Ngarava looks to defend but inside edges it onto the pads.
On middle, Ngarava rocks back and blocks it out.
Flatter and on middle, Ngarava blocks it out.
Tossed up on off, spins in. Ngarava blocks.
Richard Ngarava walks in.
OUT! LBW! GONE! Ireland are 2 wickets away! Angles in a full ball on middle and it straightens off. Newman Nyamhuri looks to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal and up goes the finger.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 73 overs : 189/7
N Nyamhuri8 (33)
W Madhevere64 (163)
M Adair19-3-47-1
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Another one on a length and around off. Blocked.
Around off. Newman guides it to point.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Outside off. Left. Left alone.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 72 overs : 188/7
W Madhevere64 (163)
N Nyamhuri7 (27)
M Humphreys21-5-44-4
Flatter and on the stumps. This is punched to cover.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On off. Newman pushes it past cover for one.
On middle again. Kept out.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Flatter and on the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 71 overs : 187/7
W Madhevere64 (161)
N Nyamhuri6 (23)
M Adair18-3-46-1
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.!
Angled into the pads. This is worked to mid-wicket.
On middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.!
Angled into the pads. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 70 overs : 185/7
N Nyamhuri6 (23)
W Madhevere62 (155)
M Humphreys20-5-43-4
On the stumps. Kept out.
On off. This is pushed to cover for one.
On off. Flatter. Kept out.
Chance! On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket and they go for one. The fielder gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but just misses.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Length and on off. The batter looks to push but this lands and moves away. The batter is beaten.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 69 overs : 183/7
W Madhevere61 (153)
N Nyamhuri5 (19)
M Adair17-3-44-1
A maiden to begin! Length and on off. Blocked.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Angled into middle. Kept out nicely.
Fuller and on off. This is driven but to cover.
Length again and on the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Right on the money! Length and on middle. This is pushed to mid on.
Wessly Madhevere must have had a hard night's sleep as the hopes rest on his shoulders as Zimbabwe look for another 109 runs to win the match. They though have three wickets in hand and the onus is on Ireland to wrap things up with overcast conditions. Wessly Madhevere showed a lot of fight on Day 4 with all the rain around. Wickets started to tumble in a small period of play we had but Wessly Madhevere didn't give up easily. He single handedly showed a lot of fight and if he can somehow with the tail chase the target down, his name will be remembered for ages however, it looks close to impossible as Ireland have the tails up. The first session could be the last if the rain permits. Stay tuned.
...Day 5, Session 1...
The light is not good enough and that will be the end of play! What a session of cricket. After most of the day being dominated by rain, we had around one session. Zimbabwe started well with a couple of good stands but the Irish bowlers came back strongly. They need just the three wickets to win now. Zimbabwe on the other hand, need over 100 to win this. They'll need their tail to wag. Ireland on the other hand will hope to take these three wickets quickly. Do join us for the coverage of the last day 30 minutes early that is at 7.30 am GMT. Till then, goodbye and take care!
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 68 overs : 183/7
N Nyamhuri5 (19)
W Madhevere61 (147)
M Humphreys19-5-41-4
Angled into middle. Blocked.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.!
On the stumps. Blocked.!
Quicker and on middle. Kept out.
On middle. Defended again.
Length and on middle. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 67 overs : 183/7
N Nyamhuri5 (13)
W Madhevere61 (147)
A McBrine17-4-47-0
Fuller and on off. This is pushed down to long on for one.
Flatter and on the pads. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Angled into the stumps. Blocked again.
Shorter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Defended again.!
On middle. Kept out again.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 66 overs : 180/7
W Madhevere60 (145)
N Nyamhuri3 (9)
M Humphreys18-4-41-4
Angled into middle. Defended.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed over point and this races away to the fence.
On the stumps. Wessly pushes it to cover.
On middle. Kept out again.
Angles into middle again. Kept out again.
Flatter and on middle. This is defended.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 65 overs : 176/7
N Nyamhuri3 (9)
W Madhevere56 (139)
A McBrine16-4-44-0
Quicker and on the stumps. This is pushed back to the bowler.
On middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. Blocked again.
On middle. Kept out.
Fullish and on off. This is driven but to cover.
Around off. The batter leans forward and defends.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 64 overs : 176/7
W Madhevere56 (139)
N Nyamhuri3 (3)
M Humphreys17-4-37-4
Flatter and on off. This is guided to point again.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Another one on the stumps. Blocked.
On middle. Blocked.
Tossed up on off. This is cut past point for three.
On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 63 overs : 173/7
W Madhevere56 (135)
N Nyamhuri0 (1)
A McBrine15-3-44-0
Around off. Defended again.
On the stumps. Defended.
Angled into middle. Defended back to the bowler.
On middle. Defended well.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 62 overs : 173/7
N Nyamhuri0 (1)
W Madhevere56 (129)
M Humphreys16-4-34-4
On the stumps. Blocked.
OUT! TAKEN! Number 7 down! On a length and around off. Mayavo looks to defend but this goes off the outside edge and it is taken at second slip.!
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On the pads. This is clipped through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 61 overs : 172/6
N Mayavo8 (26)
W Madhevere55 (128)
A McBrine14-2-44-0
Outside off. Left alone.!
On off. Defended.
On the stumps. This is blocked.
On middle. Kept out.
FOUR! Finds the gap! Outside off. This is slapped past cover and this races away.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 60 overs : 168/6
W Madhevere55 (128)
N Mayavo4 (20)
M Humphreys15-4-33-3
Outside off. Shortish. Wessly looks to cut but no connection.
Around off. This is guided to point.
Angled into middle. Wessly pushes it to cover.
On the stumps. This is punched to cover.
Another one on the stumps. Blocked.
Two! Outside off. This is pushed past cover for two.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 59 overs : 166/6
N Mayavo4 (20)
W Madhevere53 (122)
A McBrine13-2-40-0
Angled into middle. This is kept out.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Defended well again.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. This is punched to cover.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 58 overs : 166/6
W Madhevere53 (122)
N Mayavo4 (14)
M Humphreys14-4-31-3
On middle. Defended.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Flatter and on off. This is punched to cover again.
Angled into the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 57 overs : 166/6
N Mayavo4 (14)
W Madhevere53 (116)
M Adair16-2-44-1
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out again.
Length and on middle. Kept out again.!
On the stumps. Blocked.
FOUR! Nicely played! On middle. Shorter. This is pulled through mid-wicket and this races away to the fence.
On middle. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 56 overs : 162/6
W Madhevere53 (116)
N Mayavo0 (8)
M Humphreys13-3-31-3
On the stumps. Kept out well again.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Kept out again.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out.
Flatter and on off. This lands and spins away. The batter is beaten as he looks to defend.!
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 55 overs : 162/6
N Mayavo0 (8)
W Madhevere53 (110)
M Adair15-2-40-1
Fuller and on off. Mayavo defends it solidly.
Length and on middle, this is defended out.
Well outside off. Mayavo leaves it alone.
A single as this is pushed to cover.
Shorter and outside off. Wessly Madhevere looks to slash at it but misses.
Shorter and on middle. This is pulled to square leg.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 54 overs : 161/6
N Mayavo0 (5)
W Madhevere52 (107)
M Humphreys12-2-31-3
Good length ball on middle. Mayavo leans to defend.
Length and on off. Mayavo prods and defends it out.
On middle, this is blocked out.
This is full and outside off. Mayavo looks to push at it but misses.
Length and on middle, this is blocked.
OUT! TAKEN! There is number 6! Floats it up on middle. This lands and spins away. Campbell looks to flick. He closes the face of the bat early. It goes off a soft leading edge back to the bowler who makes no mistake.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 53 overs : 161/5
W Madhevere52 (107)
J Campbell33 (61)
M Adair14-2-39-1
Outside off. This is guided to point.
Length and on off. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out.
Two! On middle. This is pulled through square leg. Two taken.
Good length and on off. This lands and moves away. The batter looks to push at it but misses.
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 52 overs : 158/5
J Campbell32 (60)
W Madhevere50 (102)
M Humphreys11-1-31-2
Fuller and on middle. This is driven down to long on for one.
Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for one.
On off. This is pushed past cover for one.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for one.!
Fuller and on off. This is pushed through covers for one.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 51 overs : 154/5
J Campbell30 (58)
W Madhevere48 (98)
A McBrine12-1-40-0
On middle. Kept out.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
FOUR! Nicely played! Fullish and on off. This is driven past cover and this races away to the fence.!
On off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.
Oj middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 50 overs : 148/5
W Madhevere48 (98)
J Campbell24 (52)
M Humphreys10-1-27-2
On middle. Blocked.!
Shortish and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
Flatter and outside off. Campbell looks to cut but is beaten.
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one more.
On middle. This is punched to cover again.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 49 overs : 146/5
J Campbell23 (49)
W Madhevere47 (95)
A McBrine11-1-34-0
Two! Outside off. This is pushed past cover for two.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
The rain is back! The covers are back on and the players go off again.
Two! Fuller and on off. This is pushed down to long off for two.
On middle. Kept out.
FOUR! Tossed up outside off. This is lofted over cover for a boundary.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 48 overs : 138/5
W Madhevere47 (95)
J Campbell15 (43)
M Humphreys9-1-25-2
On middle. Blocked.
Three! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for three.
On middle. Blocked.
On off. This is pushed to cover again.
Two more! Outside off. This is pushed past cover for two.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 47 overs : 133/5
J Campbell10 (38)
W Madhevere47 (94)
A McBrine10-1-26-0
Three! Around off. This is punched past cover for three.
Angled into middle. Campbell pushes it to cover.
Quicker and on middle. Kept out.
Flatter and on the stumps. Blocked.!
On middle. This is punched to cover.
Length again and on the stumps. This is punched to cover.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 46 overs : 130/5
J Campbell7 (32)
W Madhevere47 (94)
M Humphreys8-1-20-2
Fullish and on off. Jonathan pushes it past cover and takes one.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed past cover for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Angled into the middle pole. Defended.
Angled into middle. This is punched to cover.
On the stumps. Blocked again.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 45 overs : 128/5
W Madhevere46 (89)
J Campbell6 (31)
A McBrine9-1-23-0
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
FOUR! The innovation pays off. This is tossed up on off. The reverse sweep comes out. It is hit past point and this gets to the fence.
On middle. Defended again.
On the shorter side. This is pushed to cover.
Flatter and on middle. Blocked.!
On middle. Kept out well.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 44 overs : 123/5
J Campbell6 (31)
W Madhevere41 (83)
M Humphreys7-1-18-2
Shortish and on off. Campbell pushes it to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. Campbell gets right behind the line and plays it to cover.
On the stumps. Blocked.!
On middle. Kept out.
Fuller and on middle. This is worked down to long on for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 43 overs : 122/5
J Campbell6 (26)
W Madhevere40 (82)
A McBrine8-1-18-0
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Blocked.!
Outside off. Left alone.
On the pads. Wessly looks to flick but misses. This hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.
Ok the stumps. Defended.!
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 42 overs : 121/5
J Campbell6 (23)
W Madhevere40 (79)
M Humphreys6-1-17-2
Angled into middle. This is punched to cover again.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Angled into middle. Kept out.!
On middle. Blocked.!
On middle. Kept out.
Beaten! Flatter and outside off. Campbell looks to cut but misses.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 41 overs : 121/5
J Campbell6 (17)
W Madhevere40 (79)
A McBrine7-0-18-0
On off again. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. This is defended.
On middle. Blocked.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.!
On middle. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 40 overs : 120/5
W Madhevere40 (79)
J Campbell5 (11)
M Humphreys5-0-17-2
Tossed up on off. Blocked well.
On middle. Defended.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked again.
FOUR! Off the inside edge! Shorter and outside off. Wessly looks to cut. It goes off the inside edge and down the fine leg fence.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 39 overs : 116/5
J Campbell5 (11)
W Madhevere36 (73)
A McBrine6-0-17-0
On middle. Defended.
On the stumps. Blocked again.
On off. This is pushed to cover.!
Around off. Kept out.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. This is worked down to long on for one.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 38 overs : 115/5
J Campbell5 (6)
W Madhevere35 (72)
M Humphreys4-0-13-2
On middle. Kept out.
FOUR! Nicely played! Steps out. Gets to the pitch of it and lofts it over cover. This gets to the fence.
On middle. Blocked.
On the pads. Wessly looks to flick but misses. This hits the pads and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.
Slower and on off. This lands and spins away. Wessly looks to defend but is beaten by the turn.
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for two.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 37 overs : 108/5
W Madhevere33 (69)
J Campbell1 (3)
A McBrine5-0-16-0
Angled into the pads. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Angled into the pads. This is clipped through mid-wicket for one.
On middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. Madhevere lunges and defends.
On middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 36 overs : 105/5
J Campbell0 (1)
W Madhevere31 (65)
M Humphreys3-0-7-2
On middle. Good length. Kept out.
OUT! TAKEN! Number 5 down! There is the wicket his side desperately wanted. It's the spinner who does the trick. Flatter and outside off. Bennett looks to cut but this goes off the outside edge and it is taken by the keeper. Too close to cut that and there is the breakthrough.
Around middle. Blocked again.
On the pads. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Angled into middle. Kept out.!
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 35 overs : 102/4
B Bennett44 (69)
W Madhevere29 (63)
A McBrine4-0-13-0
FOUR! Flicked away! On the pads. Brian waits and then works it fine on the leg side and this races away to the fence.
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On the stumps. This is clipped past mid-wicket for one.!
On middle. Blocked.
Two! Around off. This is pushed past cover. Two taken.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 34 overs : 95/4
B Bennett40 (66)
W Madhevere26 (60)
C Young7-0-20-0
Outside off. Length. Left alone.
On middle. This is driven down to long off for one.
Angled into the pads. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Outside off. Good length. Bennett looks to push at it again but is beaten again.
Beaten! Length and just outside off. Bennett is beaten as he looks to push at it.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 33 overs : 93/4
W Madhevere25 (59)
B Bennett39 (61)
A McBrine3-0-6-0
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Angled into middle. Wessly keeps it out.!
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Defended.
Another one outside off. Not played at.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 32 overs : 92/4
W Madhevere25 (55)
B Bennett38 (59)
C Young6-0-18-0
Shorter and outside off. This is pushed to cover.
On the pads. Wessly looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and goes fine on the leg side. It gets to the fence.
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. This is clipped through mid-wicket for one.
Angled into the pads. This is tucked around the corner for one.
On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 31 overs : 85/4
W Madhevere24 (51)
B Bennett36 (57)
M Adair13-2-36-1
Shorter and on middle. Defended.
On the stumps. Blocked.
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle. Wessly rocks back and hammers it through mid-wicket and it races away.
Back of a length and on off. Blocked.
Around off. This is punched to cover.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 30 overs : 81/4
B Bennett36 (57)
W Madhevere20 (45)
C Young5-0-15-0
Around off. Blocked.!
On middle. Kept out.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Shortish and on off. Wessly stays back and defends.
Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 29 overs : 79/4
W Madhevere19 (42)
B Bennett35 (54)
M Adair12-2-32-1
Well wide outside off. Left alone.
Shorter and outside off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Length and on off. Bennett pushes it to cover.
Outside off. Good length. Left alone.
On middle. Blocked.
Length and just outside off. Bennett pushes at it but is beaten.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 28 overs : 78/4
W Madhevere19 (41)
B Bennett34 (49)
C Young4-0-13-0
EDGED AND DROPPED! FOUR! Length and outside off. Madhevere throws his hands at it, this flies off the outer half towards gully who spills it and it goes behind to the third man fence. That flew to the fielder. He couldn't react in time.
Length and on off. Blocked.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off again. This is punched past cover for two more.
On off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Around off. Length. Defended.
The covers are completely off now and the players are out too rolling their arms over! We might finally get some play. WE HAVE BETTER NEWS, PLAY TO BEGIN IMMEDITAELY!
Well, the good news didn't last for long, the RAIN IS BACK AND THE COVERS ARE BACK ON TOO!
FINALLY SOME GOOD NEWS! The covers are coming off! The rain has stopped completely, it is still quite overcast but no rain for now. The umpires are out too to have a look.
It is pelting down at the moment and there are puddles being formed. Difficult to see any play on Day 4 as the drainage here isn't the best. Fingers crossed though.
Nothing new to update! The rain continues to fall, the covers are still on and the wait continues.
Well, the covers are called on! The ground staff who were having some tea have had to rush to the covers and drag them on. The rain has gotten harder and we are in for another delay.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 27 overs : 71/4
W Madhevere13 (37)
B Bennett33 (47)
C Campher1-0-3-0
Outside off. Left alone.
Back of a length and on middle. Blocked.!
Two! On middle. This is worked through square leg for two.
On middle. Blocked.
Length and on off. This is pushed to cover for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 26 overs : 68/4
W Madhevere11 (33)
B Bennett32 (45)
C Young3-0-6-0
FOUR! Cut away! On the shorter side and outside off. This is flayed past point and it races away to the fence.
A bumper. Evaded.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 25 overs : 64/4
W Madhevere7 (27)
B Bennett32 (45)
M Adair11-2-31-1
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.
Down the leg side. Wessly looks to flick but misses. This hits the pad and goes to the keeper.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
Length and outside off. This is guided past point for two.
On middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 24 overs : 60/4
W Madhevere6 (24)
B Bennett29 (42)
C Young2-0-2-0
Outside off yet again. Left alone.
Fullish and on off. This is driven to covers.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed through covers for one.
Around off. Blocked.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 23 overs : 59/4
W Madhevere6 (22)
B Bennett28 (38)
M Adair10-2-27-1
On off. Blocked.
Around off. Defended solidly.
Another one on a length and around off. Defended.
Yet another one outside off. Not played at.
On the off pole. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 22 overs : 58/4
W Madhevere6 (18)
B Bennett27 (36)
C Young1-0-1-0
Outside off. Left alone.
On the stumps. Defended.
Angled into the pads. Wessly plays it to mid-wicket.!
On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Shortish and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 21 overs : 57/4
W Madhevere6 (13)
B Bennett26 (35)
M Adair9-2-26-1
Outside off. Left alone.
On. Middle. Bennett works it to mid-wicke for one.
Outside off. Left alone.
FOUR! Nicely played! Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover and it races away to the fence.
Around off. Blocked.
Around off. Bennett is solid in defense.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 20 overs : 52/4
W Madhevere6 (12)
B Bennett21 (30)
B McCarthy8-0-22-2
Outside off. Left alone.
Two! Outside off. Wessly pushes it past cover for two.
Outside off. Left alone.
On off. Length. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked again.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 19 overs : 50/4
B Bennett21 (30)
W Madhevere4 (6)
M Adair8-2-21-1
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Good length again and on off. Bennett pushes it to cover.
On the stumps. Bennett gets right behind the line and defends.
Length and on off. Kept out.
Angled into the pads. Bennett looks to flick. This goes off a soft leading edge just wide of the bowler and through mid off for two.
Angled into middle. Bennett defends.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 18 overs : 48/4
W Madhevere4 (6)
B Bennett19 (24)
B McCarthy7-0-20-2
Around off. Blocked.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On the off pole. Kept out.
FOUR! Pulled away! On the shorter side. This is pulled through mid-wicket and this races away.
On the off pole. Defended.
On middle. Wesley flicks it but to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 17 overs : 44/4
B Bennett19 (24)
W Madhevere0 (0)
M Adair7-2-19-1
On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket. Two again.
Outside off. This is guided past point for two.
Just outside off. Left alone.
Angled into the stumps. Kept out.
On the stumps. Kept out again.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 16 overs : 40/4
T Gwandu2 (18)
B Bennett15 (18)
B McCarthy6-0-16-2
OUT! TIMBER! Cleans him up. That's a beauty! This is fuller and on middle. Gwandu looks to drive but misses as this lands and moves away. The off pole goes for a walk. Early wicket for the visitors. Zimbabwe now 4 down.
Angled into the pads. Gwandu works it through square leg but for no runs.
Angled into the off pole. Gwandu blocks.
Nicely timed but to the fielder! On off. Length. This is driven nicely but to cover.
Two! First runs of the day! Angled into the pads. Gwandu works it through square leg for two.
Fuller but down the leg side. Gwandu looks to flick but misses.
We're all set to begin now! The players walk out to the middle.
All the covers are coming off! The Irish players are out on the ground and eager to get going. The umpires too are out in the middle now. We should be far away from the start of play.
We should have begun by now but the outfield is quite not ready! Not sure about the actual reason so there will be a slight delay.
The pivotal point of the game was the wicket of Welch. He was the star for the hosts in the first innings and Ireland have managed to get him out cheaply. Still plenty of batting left but the hosts are inexperienced on that side. A lot will be answered in the first session itself. Stay tuned with us.
The equation is simple - Ireland need 7 wickets while the hosts need 254 runs to win. The final session of Day 3 was massive in the context of the game. Tucker with the tail pushed for a score around 300 and thanks to his fifty, Ireland and in a commanding position to win. Zimbabwe on the other hand who had to bat for a nervy period negotiated the seamers well but only for a while as Barry McCarthy and Adair stuck to get rid of the openers.
Day 4, Seesion 1...
The hosts were decent with the ball. Johnathan Campbell inspired a small comeback as he took the wicket of Tector right at the start of second session and that started the downfall. Wickets started to fall over but not in heaps as Ireland kept the scoreboard ticking. Zimbabwe had to chase a mammoth total of close to 300 which is never easy and in the process, the hosts lost both the openers but it's Welch's wicket which hurt them the most. Day 4 promises to be an exciting one and could be the final day as well in the game. Both teams still in the game but Ireland are the favourites. Do join us for action. Until then, goodbye and take care!
An engaging Day 3 comes to an end and it's the visitors who end the day as the favourites. Three wickets including the big one of Welch have motivated them a lot and will be itching to finish off this game. Day 3 started with the hosts playing over with little to no lead in their hands. The skipper played his part with a fine fifty and so did a couple of batters who got a start but failed to capitalize into a big one. Tucker once again stepped up and scored a crucial fifty to get Ireland to 298.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 15 overs : 38/3
B Bennett15 (18)
T Gwandu0 (12)
A McBrine2-0-5-0
Too full and on middle, Brian Bennett solidly blocks it. That will be STUMPS!
FOUR! Good shot! Slightly short and on middle, Brian Bennett goes back and whacks it over mid-wicket for four.
Flat and wide of off, Brian Bennett goes back to cut but misses.
On middle, fuller and Brian Bennett prods and to block.
Fuller and on off, Bennett defends it on the deck.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 14 overs : 34/3
T Gwandu0 (12)
B Bennett11 (12)
M Humphreys2-0-4-1
A dot to end the over as Gwandu leaves this alone outside off.
On middle, and it spins down leg. Gwandu hangs back and keeps it out.
Full and on off, Gwandu pushes it to mid off.
On middle, this is defended out.
Flat and on middle, Gwandu blocks.
Full and on middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 13 overs : 33/3
T Gwandu0 (7)
B Bennett10 (11)
A McBrine1-0-1-0
Flat and on middle, Gwandu blocks it on the deck.
A bit short and on middle, Gwandu goes back to defend.
Spins this one down leg. Left alone.
Floats it full on middle, Gwandu solidly defends it.
Full and angling on the pads. Gwandu leans to defend.
Brian Bennett takes one! On middle, this is flicked to square leg for a single.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 12 overs : 32/3
T Gwandu0 (2)
B Bennett9 (10)
M Humphreys1-0-3-1
Gwandu survives! Tossed up outside off, skids a bit. Gwandu looks to defend but misses.
Flat and quick outside off, Trevor Gwandu looks to defend but misses.
OUT! LBW! The man who scored the highest runs for Zimbabwe in first innings goes! This one comes with the arm, full and on middle, stays low. Welch goes back to flick but misses and it is dead in front. Up goes the finger.
Fuller delivery around off, Welch punches it to cover.
Flat and on middle, Welch blocks it out.
Matthew Humphreys serves it full and on off, Bennett drives it to long off for three runs.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 11 overs : 29/2
N Welch5 (17)
B Bennett6 (9)
M Adair6-2-15-1
On middle, this is defended out.
Outside off, Bennett dabs it to third man for one more.
Full and on off, Bennett blocks it out.
FOUR RUNS! Unnecessary from Adair! Full and on middle, Bennett plays it back to Adair who picks up and has a go at the batter but misses and throws it past the keeper to fine leg.
Full and on off, Bennett blocks it out.
Good length ball on off and it nips in. Bennett solidly blocks it out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 10 overs : 24/2
N Welch5 (16)
B Bennett1 (4)
B McCarthy5-0-14-1
Well outside off, Welch leaves it alone.
Tad short and outside off, Welch blocks.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Full and on off, Welch defends it out.
On a length and on middle, Bennett looks to defend but inside edges it to fine leg for one.
Good length and outside off, Bennett has a poke at it but misses.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 9 overs : 23/2
N Welch5 (12)
B Bennett0 (2)
M Adair5-2-10-1
Full and on off, this is pushed to cover.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Length ball, outside off. Welch looks to defend but misses. Close enough.
On a length and on middle, Welch turns it to square leg.
Adair bowls it outside off, Welch leaves it alone.
This is full and on off, Welch punches it to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 8 overs : 23/2
B Bennett0 (2)
N Welch5 (6)
B McCarthy4-0-13-1
On middle, Bennett keeps it out on the off side.
Full and on off, Bennett pushes it to cover.
On middle, Welch works it to square leg for a single.
Length and on middle, Welch blocks it out.
Full and on off, Welch pushes it to cover.
This is full and on off, Welch punches it to cover.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 7 overs : 22/2
T Kaitano14 (20)
N Welch4 (2)
M Adair4-1-10-1
OUT! BOWLED! Through the gates! The other opener goes! A good length delivery on middle and off. Kaitano presses forward to defend but misses and gets beaten on the inside edge, it crashes the stumps.
Length ball on middle, Kaitano blocks well.
Full and way outside of, Kaitano shoulders arms to it.
Well outside off, Kaitano lets it go.
On middle, this is played back to the bowler.
Good length ball on middle, Kaitano blocks.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 6 overs : 22/1
N Welch4 (2)
T Kaitano14 (14)
B McCarthy3-0-12-1
Too full and on middle, Welch nudges it to mid-wicket for a brace. He is full of confidence.
Too full and outside off, Welch drives it through covers for a couple of runs.
Nick Welch walks in.
OUT! GONE! Barry McCarthy gets Curran again! A good length ball, around off, shapes away. Curran looks to defend with an angled bat but outside edges it to the keeper who makes no mistake.
Tad fuller and around off, Curran prods and defends.
Length ball on middle, Curran solidly defends it to cover.
Well outside off, Curran lets it go.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 5 overs : 18/0
T Kaitano14 (14)
B Curran4 (16)
M Adair3-0-10-0
FOUR! Lovely shot! Full and outside off, Kaitano strokes it through covers for a boundary.
Good length ball on middle, Kaitano defends it out.
FOUR! EDGED! Good length ball, outside off. Kaitano looks to defend but outside edges it to third man for a boundary.
Full and outside off, Kaitano leaves it alone.
Serves it full and outside off, Kaitano looks to push at it but misses.
Good length delivery on middle, Kaitano tucks it to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 4 overs : 10/0
B Curran4 (16)
T Kaitano6 (8)
B McCarthy2-0-8-0
Full and on the pads, this is flicked to square leg.
Well outside off. Curran lets it go.
Very full and wide of off, Curran strokes it through covers for a couple.
A good length ball on middle, Ben Curran blocks it on the off side.
On off, Curran defends it out.
Full and on middle, Curran nudges it to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 3 overs : 8/0
T Kaitano6 (8)
B Curran2 (10)
M Adair2-0-2-0
BEATEN! On a length and outside off. Kaitano has a feel for it and fails to connect.
TAP AND RUN! Length and on off, Curran drops it to cover for a single.
On middle, this is defended out.
Fuller ball on middle, Curran solidly defends it out.
Length and on off, Curran leans to block.
A good length and on off, Curran blocks it back to Adair.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 2 overs : 7/0
T Kaitano6 (7)
B Curran1 (5)
B McCarthy1-0-6-0
Full and on middle, this is defended again.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Well outside off, Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves.
Full and on the pads, Curran nudges it to square leg for a single.
Length and on off, Kaitano punches it to cover for one.
FOUR! Full and shaping on middle and leg. Kaitano flicks it aerially and to square leg for four runs.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 1 overs : 1/0
B Curran0 (4)
T Kaitano1 (2)
M Adair1-0-1-0
Well down the leg side, Curran leaves it.
Length and on off, Curran taps it to point.
On a good length and on off, Curran defends it well.
Very full and shaping on middle, Curran turns it to square leg.
Zimbabwe are underway! Full and on the pads, Kaitano flicks it through mid-wicket for one.
Length and on middle, Takudzwanashe Kaitano blocks.
Commentary
Back for the chase.
...THE CHASE...
Zimbabwe bowled well and used the new ball very effectively. Their bowlers toiled hard to pick 10 wickets. Richard Ngarava was the pick of the lot as he finished with four wickets while Trevor Gwandu and Wessly Madhevere ended with two each. Now, Zimbabwe need a good start. Their first aim will be to end the day without losing any wickets but Ireland will be pumped up to make early inroads. Chase coming up next.
So, Zimbabwe need 292 runs to win. That would take some effort as the pitch is assisting the bowlers here. Ireland will be happy with how they played. All of their batters got off to a start and made handy contributions. Andy Balbirnie was key to get things going for Ireland. They lost a couple of wickets in heaps, but Lorcan Tucker's fifty made sure they got a score close to 300.
OUT! GONE! Richard Ngarava ends with four! Length ball, outside off, Tucker looks to go big but toe ends his shot to cover where Johnathan Campbell track backs and takes it well.
Full and on off, Tucker pushes it to cover.
Outside off, this is dabbed to third man.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 93 overs : 298/9
M Humphreys1 (8)
L Tucker58 (92)
T Gwandu11-0-28-2
Full and on middle, this is solidly defended.
A low dipping full ball outside off. Humphreys looks to drive but misses.
Length and outside off, Humphreys looks to cut but bottom edges it on the deck.
On middle, Tucker works it to mid-wicket for a single.
Full and outside off, Tucker looks to paddle it but misses.
Length and outside off, this is hit to long off for no run.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 92 overs : 297/9
M Humphreys1 (5)
L Tucker57 (89)
R Ngarava17-4-55-3
Tad short and on middle, Humphreys ducks under it.
Down the leg side, it is left alone.
On a length and on middle, Tucker mistimes his flick to third man for a single.
FOUR! Good shot! Crucial runs! Full and outside off, Tucker drives it through covers for a boundary.
Length ball, outside off, Tucker skips down and swings but misses.
SIX! BANG! Fifty for Tucker! Shorter and on middle, Tucker pulls it over square leg for a biggie.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 91 overs : 286/9
M Humphreys1 (3)
L Tucker46 (85)
T Gwandu10-0-27-2
Outside off, Humphreys punches it to point.
On middle, this is defended out.
On middle, Tucker skips down to defend but bottom edges it on the leg side for one.
Full and on off, Humphreys pushes it to cover for one.
Matthew Humphreys is the last man in.
OUT! GONE! Ireland 9 down! On a good length and shaping on top of off. Young brings a straight bat down to defend but it stays slightly low and crashes the stumps.
Short and on middle, Tucker pulls it to square leg for one.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 90 overs : 283/8
C Young2 (4)
L Tucker44 (83)
R Ngarava16-4-44-3
A full toss, outside off, Young looks to drive but edges it to second slip on a bounce.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Angling on middle, Young turns it to square leg.
Full and way outside off, Young looks to drive but toe ends his shot over cover for a couple.
OUT! BOWLED! Beauty from Richard Ngarava! A yorker shaping in on middle, McCarthy looks to defend but does so inside the line and it crashes the stumps. Zimbabwe two wickets away.
Pushes it full and wide of off. McCarthy looks to drive but misses.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 89 overs : 281/7
B McCarthy11 (29)
L Tucker44 (83)
B Muzarabani20-0-70-1
Short and on middle, pulled to square leg for a single.
Outside off, McCarthy knocks it to point where the fielder makes a sharp stop.
On middle, this is blocked out.
On off, this is pushed to cover for a single.
Full and outside off, McCarthy pushes it to point for a single.
Length and on middle, McCarthy blocks.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 88 overs : 278/7
B McCarthy9 (24)
L Tucker43 (82)
R Ngarava15-4-42-2
Wonderful shot! On a length and on middle, McCarthy punches it down the ground for three runs.
This is way outside off, McCarthy leaves it alone.
Length ball on middle, McCarthy looks to defend but inside edges it to fine leg for two.
Good length ball on off, nips away. McCarthy defends inside the line but misses.
Bowls it full and wide of off. McCarthy chases this one but misses.
Fuller ball, outside off, McCarthy offers no shot.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 87 overs : 273/7
L Tucker43 (82)
B McCarthy4 (18)
B Muzarabani19-0-67-1
Full and outside off, Tucker lets it go.
Length and on off, this is blocked out.
FOUR! Short again on middle, Tucker pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Shorter and on middle, McCarthy pulls it to square leg for a single.
Length and on off, McCarthy defends on the off side.
Outside off, this is dropped to third man for a single.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 86 overs : 267/7
B McCarthy3 (16)
L Tucker38 (78)
R Ngarava14-4-37-2
BEATEN! Keeps it full and outside off. McCarthy looks to defend it but misses.
On a length and on middle, McCarthy blocks.
Outside off again, McCarthy lets it go.
Full and outside off, McCarthy shoulders arms.
This is full and on middle, McCarthy blocks it out.
Full and outside off, angled away.McCarthy leaves.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 85 overs : 267/7
B McCarthy3 (10)
L Tucker38 (78)
B Muzarabani18-0-61-1
Angling on the pads, McCarthy nudges it to mid-wicket for one.
Well outside of, McCarthy leaves it.
Length ball, outside off, McCarthy prods to defend but is beaten on the outside edge.
Full and on off, McCarthy defends it out.
On middle, McCarthy bocks.
THREE LEG BYES! Angling on the pads. Tucker turns it to fine leg for three runs.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 84 overs : 263/7
B McCarthy2 (5)
L Tucker38 (77)
R Ngarava13-3-37-2
Outside off, McCarthy drives it through point for a couple of runs.
Serves it full and on middle, McCarthy prods and blocks.
Short in length and on middle, McCarthy pulls it to square leg.
Full and on off, McCarthy again blocks it out.
This is full and on middle, McCarthy blocks it out.
Back for the final session.
...Day 3, Session 3...
TEA! A much better performance from Zimbabwe in this session and they believe they can clean up Ireland today itself. It wasn't the cast at the start of the session as Harry Tector and Andy Balbirnie looked solid for while but the spinners bowled it accurately to get rid of both of them in quick succession. Paul Stirling and Andy McBrine got off to a start but fell later. Adair, who played so well in the first innings edged one straight to first slip. His wicket was very crucial for Zimbabwe and they now have to just manage to get the wicket of Tucker. His wicket could be the pivotal point in this match. Can Zimbabwe get him straight after the break? Stay tuned to find out.
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Adair goes at the stroke of Tea! Full and in the driving length, outside off, Adair looks to drive away from the body but edges it to first slip where Takudzwanashe Kaitano holds onto it.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 83 overs : 261/6
L Tucker38 (77)
M Adair15 (25)
B Muzarabani17-0-60-1
Length and on off, Tucker blocks.
This is full and outside off, Adair splices his shot to third man for one.
Outside off, this is cut to point.
On a length and on middle, Adair defends it out.
Shorter and outside off, Tucker cuts it to point for a single.
Good length ball, outside off, Adair knocks it to point for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 82 overs : 258/6
L Tucker37 (75)
M Adair13 (21)
R Ngarava12-3-35-1
Full and shaping on middle, Tucker leans and defends it out.
Length ball on middle, Tucker prods and blocks.
The second new ball has been taken! Well outside off, Tucker lets it go.
On middle, Tucker blocks it out.
Length and on off, Adair pushes it to cover for a single.
Richard Ngarava bowls it full and outside off, Adair leaves.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 81 overs : 257/6
M Adair12 (19)
L Tucker37 (71)
J Campbell14-1-47-1
A full toss on middle, Adair plays it to long on for a single.
Full and outside off, Tucker knocks it to cover for a single.
Flighted outside off, Tucker shoulders arms.
Well outside off, Adair guides it to deep cover for a single.
Flat and outside off, Adair slaps it to cover.
Floated full on middle, Adair prods and defends it out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 80 overs : 254/6
L Tucker36 (69)
M Adair10 (15)
B Bennett5-0-11-0
Slower in the air on middle, Tucker goes back and blocks.
Very full and on middle, Tucker plays it back to the bowler.
Quicker one on middle, Tucker leans and defends it out.
Tossed up on off, Tucker blocks it out.
On middle, Tucker punches it to mid on.
Slanting on the pads, Adair skips down and whips it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 79 overs : 253/6
M Adair9 (14)
L Tucker36 (64)
W Madhevere18-1-48-2
On middle, Adair punches it to long on for a single.
Tossed up on middle, Tucker flicks it to square leg for a single.
This is well outside off, Tucker shoulders arms.
Angling on middle, Tucker eases it to mid on.
Too full and on off, Tucker blocks.
Angling on the pads. Tucker tickles it behind square leg for two more.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 78 overs : 249/6
M Adair8 (13)
L Tucker33 (59)
B Bennett4-0-10-0
A dot to end the over as Adair blocks it out.
Fuller ball on middle, Adair rocks back and blocks.
Tossed up on middle, Adair defends.
Outside off, this is guided to point for a single.
Too full and outside off, Tucker plays it to point.
On middle, this is played back to the bowler.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 77 overs : 248/6
M Adair8 (10)
L Tucker32 (56)
W Madhevere17-1-44-2
Tossed up full on middle, spins in. Adair solidly blocks it out.
Spins down the leg side, Adair misses his flick.
Too full and outside off. Adair plays it back to the bowler.
Flat and on leg, Adair turns it to square leg.
SIX! HIT HARD! Flighted full and on middle, Adair heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Tossed up on middle, Adair skips down and blocks it out.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 76 overs : 242/6
L Tucker32 (56)
M Adair2 (4)
B Bennett3-0-9-0
On the pads, this is flicked to mid-wicket.
Tossed up on middle, Tucker blocks it out.
CHANCE! Very full and quicker on off, Tucker looks to defend but gets an outside edge, low to first slip, the fielder gets low but gets hit on the toes and it rolls away.
Flat and on middle, Tucker blocks it out.
On the pads, Adair nudges it to square leg for a single.
Too full and outside off, Adair blocks it out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 75 overs : 239/6
L Tucker30 (52)
M Adair1 (2)
W Madhevere16-1-38-2
On middle, spins back in sharply. Tucker blocks it out.
Adair skips down and takes it on the full, this is hit to mid on for one.
Full and on middle, Adair turns it to mid-wicket.
OUT! TAKEN! Big wicket as McBrine goes! Flighted full and outside off, spins away. McBrine looks to drive but edges it to first slip where the fielder takes a low catch. Excellent catch. Zimbabwe on top!
Flighted full on off, McBrine knocks it to cover.
Flat and around off, McBrine blocks it out.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 74 overs : 238/5
A McBrine16 (32)
L Tucker30 (51)
B Bennett2-0-6-0
Tossed up on middle, McBrine nudges it to square leg for one.
Too full and on off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
Angling on middle, McBrine turns it down to fine leg for a brace.
Very full and on middle, McBrine blocks.
Too full and around off, McBrine toe ends his shot to mid-wicket.
An arm ball on middle, McBrine defends it out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 73 overs : 235/5
L Tucker30 (51)
A McBrine13 (26)
W Madhevere15-1-37-1
Flat and off, turns in, defended out.
Tossed up on middle, Tucker tucks it to square leg.
On middle, Tucker drills it to long on for a couple of runs.
Flighted on middle, blocked out.
Too full and on middle, Lorcan Tucker defends on the deck.
Flat and on middle, Tucker blocks.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 72 overs : 233/5
L Tucker28 (45)
A McBrine13 (26)
J Campbell13-1-44-1
Flighted on middle, Tucker turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
THREE! Well outside off, McBrine cuts it through point. Blessing Muzarabani slides and stops for three.
Flighted on middle, McBrine leans and blocks.
Too full and outside off, Tucker pushes it to point for one.
Tossed up on middle, Lorcan Tucker defends it to mid on.
Outside off, Tucker leaves it alone.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 71 overs : 228/5
A McBrine10 (24)
L Tucker26 (41)
W Madhevere14-1-35-1
Too full and on off, McBrine defends on the deck.
On middle, McBrine blocks.
FOUR BYES! Flighted outside off, spins away. McBrine looks to drive but misses and it goes to the right of first slip for four runs.
Very full and on middle, McBrine defends.
On the pads, this is nudged to square leg for a single.
Tossed up on off, Tucker prods and blocks it out.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 70 overs : 223/5
L Tucker25 (39)
A McBrine10 (20)
J Campbell12-1-39-1
On middle, fuller and Tucker turns it to mid on for a single.
Flighted on off, Tucker solidly defends it out.
Well outside off, Tucker leaves it.
On middle, McBrine nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.
Floated full on middle, McBrine blocks.
Bowls it full and down leg. McBrine tickles it to fine leg for a couple.
Length and on off, Tucker pushes it to cover for a single.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 69 overs : 217/5
L Tucker23 (36)
A McBrine7 (17)
B Muzarabani16-0-57-1
Too full on leg, Tucker turns it to square leg for a single.
Length ball on middle, Tucker blocks it out.
Full and shaping on middle, Tucker defends.
FOUR! Shorter and on leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it to square leg for a boundary.
Good length ball on off, Lorcan Tucker leans and blocks.
On middle, Lorcan Tucker defends it out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 68 overs : 212/5
A McBrine7 (17)
L Tucker18 (30)
J Campbell11-1-33-1
Too full and on middle, McBrine blocks it out.
Fuller delivery on off, McBrine prods and blocks.
Floated on middle, Tucker sweeps it to square leg for a single.
Tossed up on off, defended out.
On the pads, McBrine flicks it to square leg for one.
On middle, McBrine rocks back and turns it to square leg.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 67 overs : 210/5
L Tucker17 (28)
A McBrine6 (13)
B Muzarabani15-0-52-1
Length and outside off, Lorcan Tucker looks to push at it but misses.
Short in length and on middle, Lorcan Tucker fails to defend and gets hit high on the pads.
Good length ball on middle, Tucker blocks.
Short in length and on middle, blocked out.
Outside off, this is guided to point for a single.
Fuller and around off, McBrine prods and blocks.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 66 overs : 209/5
A McBrine5 (11)
L Tucker17 (24)
J Campbell10-1-31-1
Spinning on the pads. McBrine tickles it to fine leg for one.
On middle, Lorcan Tucker turns it to mid-wicket for a single.
Full and on off, spins away. Lorcan Tucker leans to defend but misses.
Full and outside off, McBrine pushes it to point for a single.
Very full and on middle, McBrine blocks.
Floated full and on off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 65 overs : 206/5
L Tucker16 (22)
A McBrine3 (7)
B Muzarabani14-0-51-1
On middle, this is tucked to mid-wicket.
BEAUTY! Good length ball, outside off. Tucker looks to defend but misses.
FOUR! Well played! Short in length and outside off. Lorcan Tucker pulls it to long on for a boundary.
On middle, nips back in. Lorcan Tucker defends.
Length ball, around off. Lorcan Tucker chops it to the keeper.
Shorter and on the hips, Tucker turns it to square leg.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 64 overs : 202/5
A McBrine3 (7)
L Tucker12 (16)
J Campbell9-1-28-1
On middle, McBrine goes back and blocks.
Too full and on middle, McBrine defends.
Flat and bowls it down leg. McBrine fails to flick it away.
Tossed up on middle, McBrine blocks.
On the pads, McBrine helps it to fine leg for a couple.
Flighted on middle, McBrine prods and blocks.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 63 overs : 200/5
A McBrine1 (1)
L Tucker12 (16)
B Muzarabani13-0-47-1
Too full and outside off, McBrine pushes it to point for one.
OUT! GONE! Poor from Stirling! Shorter and down the leg side, could have been left but Stirling was pumping with adrenaline and goes for the pull, gets an edge to the keeper who takes it well.
Shorter and outside off, Stirling ducks it.
Length and on middle, Stirling blocks.
FOUR LEG BYES! Length ball down the leg side. Stirling misses his flick and it rolls to long leg for four.
This is full and on middle, Stirling defends it well.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 62 overs : 195/4
L Tucker12 (16)
P Stirling21 (24)
J Campbell8-1-26-1
Flighted on middle, Tucker defends.
Tossed up on middle, Stirling chips it to long on for one.
Flighted on off, Stirling leans and blocks.
On middle, fuller and Stirling pushes it to cover.
FOUR! Long on was in! On middle, Stirling comes down and heaves wide of the fielder for four runs.
Flat and on middle, this is eased to long on for one.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 61 overs : 189/4
L Tucker11 (14)
P Stirling16 (20)
B Muzarabani12-0-46-0
Full and outside off, Lorcan Tucker knocks it to point for one.
On middle, this is defended out.
Fuller and on middle, Tucker blocks.
Bowls it down the leg side, Lorcan Tucker fails to flick.
Angling on the pads. Stirling turns it to square leg for one more.
Length and on off, this is pushed to cover for a single.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 60 overs : 186/4
P Stirling15 (19)
L Tucker9 (9)
W Madhevere13-1-34-1
On middle, this is blocked out.
SIX! BANG! Flighted full on middle, Stirling kneels and slogs it over square leg for a six.
Tossed up on middle, Stirling defends it out.
On middle, Stirling solidly blocks.
Fuller delivery on off, played back to the bowler.
Tossed up on middle, Stirling blocks.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 59 overs : 180/4
L Tucker9 (9)
P Stirling9 (13)
J Campbell7-1-20-1
FOUR! Good shot! Flighted on middle, Lorcan Tucker slog-sweeps over mid-wicket for four more.
Very full and on off, blocked out.
Tossed up on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks.
FOUR! Flighted on middle, Lorcan Tucker slog-sweeps it to deep square leg for four runs.
Outside off, spins away. Lorcan Tucker shoulders arms.
Tossed up on off, this is punched to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 58 overs : 172/4
L Tucker1 (3)
P Stirling9 (13)
W Madhevere12-1-28-1
Flat and outside off, Lorcan Tucker taps it to cover for one.
Spins down the leg side, this is left alone.
Flighted too full on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks.
Lorcan Tucker walks in.
OUT! LBW! It's the big wicket of Balbirnie! Tossed up full and on middle, spins a bit. Balbirnie prods to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. The umpire took his time but did raise his finger. Top start by Zimbabwe.
On middle, spins back in. Balbirnie goes back and blocks.
Tossed up on off, Balbirnie dead bats it.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 57 overs : 171/3
P Stirling9 (13)
A Balbirnie66 (157)
J Campbell6-1-12-1
On middle, Paul Stirling defends it out.
On middle, Balbirnie turns it to mid-wicket.
Fighted outside off. Stirling drives it through covers for a single.
Outside off, Balbirnie cuts it to point for a single.
Too full and on off, Balbirnie pushes it to cover.
Flat and on middle, Balbirnie blocks.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 56 overs : 168/3
P Stirling8 (11)
A Balbirnie64 (153)
W Madhevere11-1-27-0
Very full and on off, Stirling defends it out.
Tossed up on off, Paul Stirling blocks.
Too full and on off, Paul Stirling skips down and swings but toe ends his shot to cover.
Angling on the pads. Stirling goes back and blocks.
Very full and on middle, Stirling defends it out.
THREE! Short and outside off. Balbirnie cuts it past point in the gap for three runs.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 55 overs : 165/3
A Balbirnie61 (152)
P Stirling8 (6)
J Campbell5-1-9-1
A single to end the over as Balbirnie plays it to cover.
Well outside off, Balbirnie shoulders arms it to.
Outside off, this is hit to covers for a single.
A full toss on off, Stirling drives it to mid off.
Fuller ball, outside off, Balbirnie knocks it to point for a single.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 54 overs : 162/3
P Stirling7 (4)
A Balbirnie59 (148)
W Madhevere10-1-24-0
SIX! This is how he plays! Flighted on middle, Stirling slogs it over square leg for a biggie.
Too full and on off, Stirling leans and defends.
Outside off, Balbirnie guides it to point for a single.
Flat and outside off, Balbirnie pushes it to cover.
Very full and on off, Balbirnie prods and defends.
Too full and on middle, Balbirnie blocks.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 53 overs : 155/3
P Stirling1 (2)
A Balbirnie58 (144)
J Campbell4-1-6-1
Outside off, Stirling drives it to cover.
Flighted on off, Balbirnie pushes it to cover who dives to his right and parries it away.
Well outside off, Balbirnie shoulders arms.
On middle, this is nudged to square leg for a single.
Paul Stirling walks in.
OUT! LBW! Johnathan Campbell does the trick! The skipper steps up! Floats it full and on middle, Harry Tector looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. Was straight enough and up goes the finger.
Flat and on middle, Balbirnie turns it to square leg for one.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 52 overs : 152/2
H Tector17 (42)
A Balbirnie56 (141)
W Madhevere9-1-17-0
Too full and on leg, this is defended on the leg side.
Flighted full and on middle, Harry Tector blocks.
Flat and outside off, Balbirnie punches it to cover for a single.
Serves it on the pads. Balbirnie tickles it down to fine leg for a couple.
Bowls it full and around off, Balbirnie leans and defends.
Tossed up on middle, Balbirnie prods and blocks.
We are back.
...Day 3, Session 2...
A hard fought session comes to an end! Zimbabwe were good with the ball. They just took the one wicket but didn't let the visitors score freely. They kept a hold on the scoring rate but Ireland won't be too disappointed with that. They have stretched their lead close to 150 and still have 8 wickets in hand. They'll hope they can continue the good work with the bat in the second session. Zimbabwe on the other hand, will hope the pressure buoy can get them some wickets. An interesting second session to follow.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 51 overs : 149/2
H Tector17 (40)
A Balbirnie53 (137)
J Campbell3-1-3-0
On middle. Blocked.
Quicker and on off. This is pushed past cover for one.
On the stumps. Andy lunges and is solid in defense.
On middle. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 50 overs : 147/2
A Balbirnie52 (133)
H Tector16 (38)
W Madhevere8-1-14-0
Angled into the pads. Andy works it to mid-wicket.!
Around off. This is punched to cover.
On middle. Blocked.
On the shorter side. This is driven but to cover.
On off. Tector pushes it through covers for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 49 overs : 146/2
A Balbirnie52 (129)
H Tector15 (36)
J Campbell2-1-1-0
Shortish and on off. This is pushed back to the bowler.
Another one outside off. Andy does not fiddle with it.
Outside off. Left alone.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Beaten! Outside off. Andy looks to cut but misses.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 48 overs : 146/2
H Tector15 (36)
A Balbirnie52 (123)
W Madhevere7-1-13-0
On the stumps. This is pushed back to the bowler.
On the stumps. Tector does keep it out.
On the stumps. Kept out.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. Tector hammers it past point. Gets on top of the bounce and plays it past point.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Quicker and on middle. Tector keeps it out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 47 overs : 142/2
A Balbirnie52 (123)
H Tector11 (30)
J Campbell1-0-1-0
Shortish and on off. This is punched to cover.
On middle. Andy is solid in defense again.
On middle. Kept out.
Fuller and on middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
On the shorter side. This is guided to point.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 46 overs : 141/2
A Balbirnie52 (120)
H Tector10 (27)
W Madhevere6-1-9-0
Flatter and on off. This is guided to point.
On the stumps. Andy gets right behind the line and defends.
Around off. This is pushed to cover again.
On the stumps. Andy pushes it to cover.
On the pads. This is worked to mid-wicket.
Good length again and around off. Blocked.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 45 overs : 141/2
H Tector10 (27)
A Balbirnie52 (114)
N Nyamhuri8-0-21-0
On middle. Blocked again.
Angled into middle. This is tucked to mid-wicket.
On middle. Blocked.
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Angled into the pads. Tector works it through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 44 overs : 139/2
A Balbirnie51 (110)
H Tector9 (25)
W Madhevere5-0-9-0
On the stumps. Blocked.
Fullish and on off. This is driven to cover.
On off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Flatter and on middle. Tector keeps it out.
On the stumps. Defended.
Yet again it is outside off. Tector leaves it alone.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 43 overs : 138/2
A Balbirnie51 (108)
H Tector8 (21)
N Nyamhuri7-0-19-0
Outside off. Left alone.
Around off. This is pushed to cover, another run taken.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
On the pads. Tector works it through square leg and takes one.
Back of a length and on off. Blocked.
On middle. Tector lunges and defends.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 42 overs : 135/2
H Tector6 (17)
A Balbirnie50 (106)
W Madhevere4-0-8-0
Yet another single as this is nudged on the leg side.
Angled into the pads. Tector nudges it around the corner and takes one.
On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Angled into the pads. This is clipped past square leg for one.
Fires it on middle. Tector defends.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 41 overs : 132/2
A Balbirnie49 (104)
H Tector4 (13)
N Nyamhuri6-0-16-0
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Two! Outside off. This is guided past point for two.
On middle. Blocked.
Length and on middle. Andy stays back and defends.
On the pads. Tector tucks it around the corner for one.
Quicker and on middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 40 overs : 129/2
A Balbirnie47 (100)
H Tector3 (11)
W Madhevere3-0-5-0
Length again and on the stumps. Blocked.
Two! Shorter and on off. Andy pushes it past cover for two.
Good length and on off. Defended.
On middle. This is tucked on the leg side for one.
Flatter and on middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 39 overs : 126/2
H Tector2 (8)
A Balbirnie45 (97)
T Gwandu9-0-24-1
Shortish and around off. This is pushed to cover for one.
On off. This is driven past cover for one.
On the stumps. Andy is solid in defense.
Fuller and on middle. This is worked to the right of mid on for one.
On middle. Tector tucks it through square leg and takes one.
Fuller and on off. This is stroked past cover for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 38 overs : 122/2
H Tector0 (5)
A Balbirnie43 (94)
W Madhevere2-0-2-0
On middle. Tector lunges and blocks.
Flatter and around off. This is guided to point.
Quicker and on the stumps. Defended.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Flatter and on middle. Andy pushes it to cover.
Length and on off. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 37 overs : 121/2
H Tector0 (4)
A Balbirnie42 (89)
T Gwandu8-0-20-1
On the stumps. Defended nicely.
On middle. Blocked.
Length again and on off. Tector defends.
Outside off. Left alone.
OUT! TAKEN! There's the wicket Zimbabwe were looking for and it is Trevor Gwandu who gets it. Length and on off. This lands and moves away. Campher pushes at it with no foot movement. This goes off the outside edge and it is taken at second slip. Will this open the floodgates now?
On middle. Good length. Kept out.
Length and on off. Kept out. No ball signaled.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 36 overs : 120/1
A Balbirnie42 (89)
C Campher39 (96)
W Madhevere1-0-1-0
On the stumps. Defended well.
On off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Around off. Kept out.
On the pads. Andy looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.
This is pushed through on off. It is pushed to cover.
Flatter and on off. Blocked.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 35 overs : 118/1
C Campher38 (94)
A Balbirnie42 (85)
T Gwandu7-0-19-0
On the stumps. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Fullish and on off. Campher pushes it to cover.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. This is guided to point.
On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 34 overs : 117/1
C Campher38 (89)
A Balbirnie41 (84)
N Nyamhuri5-0-13-0
On the stumps. Defended.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On off. Balbirnie looks to defend. It goes off the inner half through square leg for one.
Two! Shorter and on off. This is pushed through covers for two.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 33 overs : 114/1
C Campher38 (86)
A Balbirnie38 (81)
T Gwandu6-0-18-0
Back of a length and on off. Blocked.
Around off. This is guided to point.
FOUR! Lovely stroke! Fuller and on middle, this is driven down the ground. Wonderfully and it gets to the long on fence.
On middle. Blocked.!
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed over point. This one gets to the fence in no time.
Angled into middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 32 overs : 106/1
A Balbirnie38 (81)
C Campher30 (80)
N Nyamhuri4-0-10-0
Back of a length and on middle. Defended.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out.
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
On the pads. Balbirnie works it through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 31 overs : 104/1
C Campher29 (79)
A Balbirnie37 (76)
B Muzarabani11-0-43-0
On middle. This is pushed to cover.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. Campher flays it over point and this races away to the fence.
Goes shorter. Campher looks to pull but it goes off the inner half to mid-wicket.
Angled into middle. Campher is solid in defense again.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On the pads. Campher tucks it to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 30 overs : 100/1
A Balbirnie37 (76)
C Campher25 (73)
R Ngarava11-3-34-1
Outside off. Left alone.
No ball signaled! Around off. Defended. It is a no ball.
Around off. This is guided through point for one.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Flattwr and on middle. This is pushed to cover.
Angled into the pads. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 29 overs : 97/1
C Campher24 (70)
A Balbirnie36 (72)
B Muzarabani10-0-39-0
On the stumps. Blocked.
Shortish and on off. This is guided to point.
Outside off. Left alone.
Shortish and on off. Defended to cover.
On middle. Andy works it through square leg for one.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 28 overs : 96/1
C Campher24 (66)
A Balbirnie35 (70)
R Ngarava10-3-31-1
Around off. Defended nicely.
On middle. Blocked.
Length and on off. Kept out.
FOUR! Cut away! A short one outside off. Campher flays it over point and this one gets to the fence in no time.
Outside off. This is guided past point for one.
Back of a length and on off. Kept out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 27 overs : 91/1
C Campher20 (62)
A Balbirnie34 (68)
B Muzarabani9-0-38-0
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Good length again and on the off pole. Kept out.
On the off pole. Camper pushes it to cover.
On the off pole. Camper defends.
On middle. This is worked towards mid on for one.
Shorter and around off. Camper guides it past point for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 26 overs : 89/1
C Campher19 (57)
A Balbirnie33 (67)
R Ngarava9-3-26-1
Fuller and on off. This is driven wide of cover for one.
Around off. Campher guides it to point.
Around off. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. Kept out.
Back of a length and on off. Campher pushes it to cover.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 25 overs : 88/1
A Balbirnie33 (67)
C Campher18 (51)
B Muzarabani8-0-36-0
Around off. On a length. Kept out.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Goes shorter and on middle. Campher pulls it through mid-wicket for two.
Length and around off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 24 overs : 85/1
A Balbirnie33 (64)
C Campher15 (48)
R Ngarava8-3-25-1
Angles it away from the off pole. Left alone.
On the stumps. Defended.
Fuller and on off. Andy drives it to cover.
Around off. Length. Blocked.
Just outside off. Left alone.
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 23 overs : 85/1
C Campher15 (48)
A Balbirnie33 (58)
B Muzarabani7-0-33-0
On the stumps. Campher is solid in defense.
Another one on a length and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. Campher guides it to point.
Just outside off. Left alone.
Tip and run! Around off. Length. This is pushed towards cover for one.
Length and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 22 overs : 83/1
A Balbirnie32 (57)
C Campher14 (43)
R Ngarava7-2-25-1
Angled into middle. Blocked.
Length and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. Good length. Blocked.
On the stumps. Defended.
Around off. Length. Kept out.
Good length and on off. Defended.
We're all set for the action to begin! The players make their way out to the middle.
Zimbabwe on the other hand, weren't at their best with the ball in the last session of Day 2, they'll be hoping to bowl a lot better, hit the right lines and lengths and try and get some early wickets to get on top in this game. An important first session awaits.
The game is quite nicely poised at the moment! Both the sides have let the advantage slip out of their hands. It was Zimbabwe in the first innings and then it was Ireland. The visitors now though are in a decent position and will hope their batters can continue the good work done so far. They'll be aiming to take their lead to over 300.
... DAY 3, SESSION 1 ...
In reply, Ireland have begun really well with the bat! Their openers got them off to a good start. Moor fell but Andy Balbirnie and Curtis Camoher have continued the good work. The lead is 76 and Ireland would be hoping for one big partnership. Zimbabwe on the other hand, will hope for quick wickets. Day 3 promises to be an exciting one. Do join us for it. Until then, goodbye and take care!
End of a very good day of cricket! Ireland in the end will be happy with their position. They could have been in a lot stronger position when they had Zimbabwe reeling for 200 for 9 but the last wicket stand added 50 plus and took them into the lead. A slender lead but a lead.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 21 overs : 83/1
C Campher14 (43)
A Balbirnie32 (51)
B Muzarabani6-0-31-0
FOUR! Nicely timed! Outside off. This is guided past point for a boundary.
Outside off. Left alone.
On the off pole. This is defended nicely.
On the stumps. Campher defends it.
On off. Kept out.
A bumper. Ducked under.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 20 overs : 79/1
A Balbirnie32 (51)
C Campher10 (37)
B Bennett1-0-3-0
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked.
Three! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for three.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 19 overs : 76/1
A Balbirnie32 (46)
C Campher7 (36)
B Muzarabani5-0-27-0
Around off. Kept out.
On the stumps. Defended.
Length and on middle. Campher blocks it out.
On middle. Defended.
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 18 overs : 75/1
C Campher6 (32)
A Balbirnie32 (44)
N Nyamhuri3-0-8-0
Around off. This is guided to point for one.
Outside off. Left alone.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Blocked.!
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 17 overs : 73/1
C Campher5 (27)
A Balbirnie31 (43)
T Gwandu5-0-10-0
Outside off. Left alone.
Around off. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to covers.
Outside off. Left alone.
Angled into middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 16 overs : 72/1
A Balbirnie30 (42)
C Campher5 (22)
N Nyamhuri2-0-6-0
Outside off. This is guided past point for one.
On middle. Kept out nicely.
On off. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
On the pads. Campher looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A leg bye taken.
Shorter and outside off. This is guided past point for one.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 15 overs : 69/1
A Balbirnie28 (37)
C Campher5 (21)
T Gwandu4-0-9-0
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Good length and on off. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
FOUR! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket and it races away.
On middle. Kept out.
A good short one. Andy evades it.
Runs Scored 9 Runs
Score after 14 overs : 64/1
C Campher5 (21)
A Balbirnie23 (31)
N Nyamhuri1-0-4-0
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed past point and it races away.
Shorter and on middle. Andy looks to pull but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side. A run taken.
On middle. Kept out.
Beaten! Flatter and outside off. Andy pushes at it but is beaten.
FOUR LEG BYES! On the pads. Andy looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and goes down to the fine leg fence.
Good length and on off. Defended.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 13 overs : 55/1
C Campher1 (20)
A Balbirnie23 (26)
T Gwandu3-0-4-0
Outside off. Left alone.
On middle. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
Outside off. Again. Not played at.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 12 overs : 54/1
C Campher1 (15)
A Balbirnie22 (25)
R Ngarava6-1-25-1
Bangs it in short. Evaded.
On the stumps. This is pushed towards cover for one.
Outside off. This is guided past point for two.
Outside off. Left alone.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed past cover for two.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 11 overs : 49/1
C Campher1 (14)
A Balbirnie17 (20)
T Gwandu2-0-3-0
Outside off. Left alone.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Defended solidly.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On off. Campher defends.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 10 overs : 48/1
C Campher1 (9)
A Balbirnie16 (19)
R Ngarava5-1-20-1
Outside off. Left alone.
Outside off. Left alone.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Defended well.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 9 overs : 48/1
A Balbirnie16 (19)
C Campher1 (3)
T Gwandu1-0-2-0
Around off. This is driven to point.
On middle. This is pushed past cover for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Outside off. Left alone.
Shorter and on off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Beaten! Outside off. Length. Andy looks to defend but is beaten.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 8 overs : 46/1
P Moor30 (33)
A Balbirnie15 (16)
R Ngarava4-0-20-1
OUT! Edged and taken! Moor falls. Length and on off. This lands and moves away. Moor pushes at it. It goes off the outside edge and it is taken.
Outside off. Left alone.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed over point and this races away to the fence.
A bumper now. Ducked under.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 7 overs : 42/0
P Moor26 (27)
A Balbirnie15 (16)
B Muzarabani4-0-26-0
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg.
On off. Blocked.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. This is tucked to mid-wicket.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Two! Outside off. This is guided past point for two.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 6 overs : 39/0
A Balbirnie15 (16)
P Moor23 (21)
R Ngarava3-0-16-0
Outside off. Left alone.
Another one in a length. Andy pushes it to cover.
On the stumps. Defended again.
Length and on off. Moor pushes it to cover for one.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Length and on off. Defended solidly.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 5 overs : 38/0
A Balbirnie15 (13)
P Moor22 (18)
B Muzarabani3-0-23-0
On the stumps. Kept out.
Two more! On middle. This is worked past square leg. Two taken.
On the stumps. Kept out.
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle. Balbirnie rocks back and hammers it over mid-wicket. This gets to the fence.
On the stumps again. Blocked.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 4 overs : 32/0
P Moor22 (18)
A Balbirnie9 (7)
R Ngarava2-0-15-0
Goes short and on middle. Evaded.
Another one on a length and around off. Moor defends.
Shortish and on middle. This is pulled to mid-wicket.
Outside off. This is guided past point for two.
Outside off. Left alone. No ball.
On middle. Kept out.
FOUR! Drilled! Fuller and outside off. This is hit past cover and this races away.
Runs Scored 13 Runs
Score after 3 overs : 24/0
P Moor20 (13)
A Balbirnie4 (5)
B Muzarabani2-0-17-0
Fuller and on middle. This is pushed down to long on for two.
FOUR! Runs flowing here! Angled into the pads. Moor works it fine and this one gets to the fence in no time.
On the shorter side. Moor punches it past cover for two.
On middle. Kept out.
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled past mid-wicket and this races away to the fence. Fine shot.
On middle. This is tucked on the leg side for one.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 2 overs : 11/0
P Moor8 (8)
A Balbirnie3 (4)
R Ngarava1-0-7-0
On the stumps. Blocked.
FOUR! This is shorter and on middle. Moor stays back and flays it past point. This one races away.
Three! Shortish and on off. This is punched on the up past cover for three.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover again.
On the middle pole. Andy stays forward and keeps it out.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 1 overs : 4/0
P Moor4 (6)
A Balbirnie0 (0)
B Muzarabani1-0-4-0
Around off. Defended.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
FOUR! Off the mark in style! Outside off. This is punched past cover and it races away to the fence.
Commentary
The visitors were brilliant for most parts! Andy McBrine and Barry McCarthy were absolutely brilliant and took their side on top but they have let the advantage slip away big time due to the last wicket stand. They'll now have to bat really well, their first aim will be to get past the new ball without much damage. Zimbabwe on the other hand, would want early wickets and put the Irish under pressure.
Ireland didn't take long to get the last wicket in this session but Zimbabwe have managed to take the lead! Remarkable effort, they were down and out at one stage. Except for Welch, wickets kept falling. He held fort at one end but kept losing partners. When he fell, his side still trailed by over 50, the last pair though batted brilliantly and have taken their side into the lead.
OUT! There is the end of the innings! On middle. Blessing looks to swing across the line but misses and this hits the stumps.
Runs Scored 9 Runs
Score after 86 overs : 267/9
T Gwandu18 (79)
B Muzarabani47 (67)
C Young10-1-36-0
FOUR! Finds the gap! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed over point and this finds the fence too.
On middle. Kept out.
Beaten! Length and outside off. Gwandu looks to drive but is beaten.
Angled into the pads. This is tucked to mid-wicket.
FOUR! Zimbabwe in the lead! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket and it races away to the fence.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 85 overs : 258/9
T Gwandu14 (76)
B Muzarabani42 (64)
M Humphreys15-1-38-0
On off. Gwandu pushes it to cover again.
On the stumps. Gwandu blocks.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover again.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
... DAY 2, SESSION 3 ...
Ireland will be very frustrated! They were in a very strong position but now have given away the advantage. They'll be wanting to take this wicket as quickly as possible and helpfully before the opposition get into the lead. Another exciting session awaits. Stay tuned.
What a fightback that was from the last pair! Zimbabwe will be absolutely thrilled and they now have a chance of taking the lead. An hour ago, they probably looked down and out. They kept losing wickets after the break and were nine down for 200 but the last pair have batted brilliantly and added over 50 to take them close to the visitors' total. They'll be hoping they can get some sort of a lead.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 84 overs : 257/9
T Gwandu14 (72)
B Muzarabani41 (62)
B McCarthy22-2-75-4
Two! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Fuller and outside off. Blessing looks to drive but is beaten all ends up.
On the stumps. Kept out again.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 83 overs : 254/9
B Muzarabani40 (58)
T Gwandu12 (70)
M Adair18-4-56-2
On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicked for one.
Two more! Outside off. Blessing slaps it past cover for two.
FOUR! Two in a row! They trail below 10 now. On middle. Fuller. This is lofted down the ground and to the long on fence.
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled past square leg and this races away.
On the stumps. Kept out.
A bumper now, ducked under.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 82 overs : 243/9
T Gwandu12 (70)
B Muzarabani29 (52)
B McCarthy21-2-72-4
On middle. Kept out.
Fuller and outside off. Gwandu looks to drive but misses.
Good length and on middle. This is pushed to mid on.
Around off. Blocked again.
On middle. Kept out.
Fullish and on off. This is driven to cover.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 81 overs : 243/9
B Muzarabani29 (52)
T Gwandu12 (64)
M Adair17-4-45-2
On the stumps. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. Blessing drives but finds cover.
Beaten! Length and just outside off. Blessing looks to drive but is beaten.
On middle. Defended.
Two! On middle. Blessing works it through mid-wicket for two.
Lands it on a length and on middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 80 overs : 241/9
T Gwandu12 (64)
B Muzarabani27 (46)
M Humphreys14-1-37-0
Angled into the pads. Gwandu works it to mid-wicket.
Two! On the pads. Gwandu looks to flick. It goes fine on the leg side. Two taken.
Fuller and on off. Gwandu pushes it to cover.
Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for one.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. This is flayed over point and this gets to the fence in no time.
Around off. Blocked.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 79 overs : 234/9
T Gwandu12 (61)
B Muzarabani22 (43)
A McBrine21-5-59-3
On middle. Gwandu pushes it to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Beaten! Length and around off. This lands and moves away. Muzarabani blocks it.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 78 overs : 233/9
T Gwandu12 (58)
B Muzarabani21 (40)
M Humphreys13-1-32-0
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for one.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 77 overs : 232/9
T Gwandu12 (54)
B Muzarabani20 (38)
A McBrine20-5-58-3
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Blocked again.
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Defended.
Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for one.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 76 overs : 231/9
T Gwandu12 (49)
B Muzarabani19 (37)
M Humphreys12-1-31-0
On middle. Kept out again.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Blocked.
On middle. Gwandu pushes it to cover.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 75 overs : 231/9
B Muzarabani19 (37)
T Gwandu12 (43)
A McBrine19-5-57-3
On middle. Blocked.
On middle. Kept out again.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Good length and on middle. Defended again.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 74 overs : 231/9
T Gwandu12 (43)
B Muzarabani19 (31)
M Humphreys11-0-31-0
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Around off. Blocked.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to mid off.
On middle. Kept out.
Flatter and on middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 73 overs : 230/9
B Muzarabani18 (30)
T Gwandu12 (38)
A McBrine18-4-57-3
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover for one.
Around off. Kept out.
On middle. Defended well.
Around off. Defended.
On the pads. This is worked down to fine leg for one.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 72 overs : 228/9
B Muzarabani17 (26)
T Gwandu11 (36)
M Humphreys10-0-30-0
On middle. Blocked.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On the stumps. Defended.
Flatter and on middle. Blocked again.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 71 overs : 227/9
B Muzarabani17 (22)
T Gwandu10 (34)
A McBrine17-4-55-3
Fullish and around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Defended.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Fuller and on off. Gwandu pushes it to cover for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. This is punched to cover.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 70 overs : 226/9
T Gwandu9 (31)
B Muzarabani17 (19)
M Humphreys9-0-29-0
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. Gwandu defends it.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Around off. Blocked.
On middle. This is worked to mid-wicket to mid-wicket.
Around off. This is punched to cover for two.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 69 overs : 222/9
T Gwandu8 (27)
B Muzarabani14 (17)
A McBrine16-4-54-3
On middle. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
Fuller and on middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
Length and around off. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 68 overs : 220/9
B Muzarabani13 (16)
T Gwandu7 (22)
M Humphreys8-0-25-0
On the off pole. Blocked.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one more.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 67 overs : 218/9
T Gwandu6 (20)
B Muzarabani12 (12)
B McCarthy20-1-72-4
Around off. Defended.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. This is pushed through covers for one.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Fuller and on off. Gwandu pushes it to cover.
On the shorter side. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 66 overs : 215/9
T Gwandu5 (16)
B Muzarabani10 (10)
M Humphreys7-0-23-0
Fuller and on middle. Gwandu plays it to mid on again.
On the stumps. Gwandu pushes it to cover.
On the stumps. Blocked.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Fullish and on off. This is driven to cover.
On middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 65 overs : 214/9
T Gwandu5 (13)
B Muzarabani9 (7)
B McCarthy19-1-69-4
Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for two.
Around off. Gwandu keeps it out.
On middle. Blocked.
Around off. This is pushed to cover for one.
FOUR MORE! On the shorter side. This is hammered past mid-wicket and this races away to the fence. Fine shot.
FOUR! Pulled away! Shorter and on the body. This is pulled through mid-wicket and it races away.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 64 overs : 203/9
T Gwandu3 (10)
B Muzarabani0 (4)
M Humphreys6-0-22-0
Good length and on off. Blocked.
Outside off. Length. This is pushed to cover.
Two! On middle. This is worked through mid-wicket for two.
Around off. This is punched to cover.
On middle. Defended.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 63 overs : 201/9
T Gwandu1 (4)
B Muzarabani0 (4)
M Adair16-4-43-2
On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Outside off. Left alone.
Length and on off. Blocked.
OUT! TAKEN! Number 9 down and it is the last recognised batter, Welch. He falls after playing a lone battle. Falls 10 short of a well deserved ton. That's a superb catch. Needed something special to dismiss him and the fielder at deep mid-wicket delivers. Shorter and on middle. This is pulled towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder runs to his right. Dives and takes it brilliantly.
WIDE! Well wide outside off. Left alone.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 62 overs : 199/8
B Muzarabani0 (4)
N Welch90 (171)
M Humphreys5-0-20-0
Around off. This is punched to cover again.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. Welch pushes it to cover.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
On the pads. This is swept but to deep square leg.
SIX! Gets hold of this one. Tossed up around off. This is lofted over cover and it goes all the way.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 61 overs : 192/8
B Muzarabani0 (3)
N Welch83 (166)
M Adair15-4-41-1
A short one on middle. Ducked under.
Around off. Blocked.
Short and outside off. Left alone.
OUT! TAKEN! Mark Adair gets one. A slower one and on off. Richard looks to go down the ground. It goes off the toe end. Moor runs to his left from mid off and takes it. 8 down. Welch continues to lose partners.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 60 overs : 191/7
R Ngarava15 (39)
N Welch82 (165)
A McBrine15-4-52-3
On the stumps again. Richard is solid in defense.
On the stumps. Kept out again.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
On the stumps. Defended.
Around off. Kept out.
Two! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled down to fine leg for two.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 59 overs : 188/7
R Ngarava15 (37)
N Welch79 (161)
M Adair14-4-40-0
Flatter and on off. Blocked.
On middle. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is driven past cover for two.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Good length and on off. Defended well.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 58 overs : 186/7
N Welch79 (161)
R Ngarava13 (31)
A McBrine14-4-49-3
Tries the reverse sweep but finds the man at point.
On off. Blocked.
Shorter and around off. This is slapped but to cover.
On the stumps. Kept out.
A single as this is pushed down to long off for one.
Fuller and on middle. Richard drives but to mid on.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 57 overs : 185/7
N Welch79 (157)
R Ngarava12 (29)
B McCarthy18-1-58-4
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Two! On middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket for two.
Around off again. Ngarava pushes it to cover.
On the stumps. Richard keeps it out.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 56 overs : 182/7
R Ngarava9 (24)
N Welch79 (156)
A McBrine13-4-48-3
On middle. Kept out.
On middle. Defended.
Around off. Blocked.
FOUR! Slapped away. A little too short and offers width. This is hammered through covers. This one races away to the fence.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On the stumps. Blocked out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 55 overs : 177/7
R Ngarava4 (18)
N Welch79 (156)
B McCarthy17-1-55-4
On middle. This is tucked through square leg for one.
Two more! On middle. Richard works it through square leg and takes two.
Around off. This is guided to point.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
Angled into the pads. Welch works it through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 54 overs : 173/7
R Ngarava1 (13)
N Welch78 (155)
A McBrine12-4-43-3
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Around off. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Richard plays it to mid-wicket.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 53 overs : 173/7
N Welch78 (155)
R Ngarava1 (7)
B McCarthy16-1-51-4
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to mid off.
On middle. This is pulled down to fine leg for one.
On the stumps. Defended well.
Around off. Blocked.
On middle. Defended well.
On off. Kept out.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 52 overs : 172/7
N Welch78 (154)
R Ngarava0 (2)
A McBrine11-3-43-3
On middle. This is punched to cover.
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Blocked.
Slower and on middle. This is nudged on the leg side.
Flatter and on middle. Blocked.
On middle. Welch tucks it to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 51 overs : 172/7
R Ngarava0 (2)
N Welch78 (148)
B McCarthy15-1-50-4
Angled into middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.
On middle. Defended.
OUT! TAKEN! It is all falling apart a little too quickly for the hosts now. Barry McCarthy has 4. Shortish and on off. It lands and moves away. Newman looks to defend but this flies off the outside edge and it is taken at second slip.
On middle. Welch works it through mid-wicket for one.
Outside off. This is not played at.
Length and on off. Blocked.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 50 overs : 171/6
N Mayavo18 (23)
N Welch77 (145)
A McBrine10-2-43-3
OUT! Another one for Andy McBrine! On middle. Flatter. Mayavo looks to flick but misses. He gets hit on the pads. A loud shout and the finger is raised. Six down now are the hosts. Andy McBrine has three.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to mid off.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Shortish and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. Mayavo pushes it to cover.
On middle. Defended.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 49 overs : 171/5
N Welch77 (145)
N Mayavo18 (17)
B McCarthy14-1-49-3
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
Good length again. On off. This is pushed to cover.
Length and around off. Welch pushes it to cover.
Around off. Welch pushes it to cover.
On middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 48 overs : 171/5
N Mayavo18 (17)
N Welch77 (139)
A McBrine9-1-43-2
FOUR! Drilled away! Fuller and outside off. This is driven past cover and it races away to the fence.
Fuller and on middle. This is driven down to long on for one.
Shorter and around off. This is pushed to cover.
Around off. Defended.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Fuller and on off. This is pushed to cover.
We're back!
... SESSION 2, DAY 2 ...
Zimbabwe on the other hand, still trail by just below a 100. They'll hope this stand which has started well continues and swells. Welsh is batting brilliantly and will hope someone can hang around with him. The second session is an important one so do join us in a bit.
A very good session for the Irish! The day began with Zimbabwe slightly ahead but 4 wickets in the session has meant that it is the visitors now who are ahead. It was Barry McCarthy who shone for them as he got two early and later in the session Andy McBrine got two. The others too did well. They managed to keep it tight and built the pressure. More of the same is what the visitors will want and they'll hope to take a small lead.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 47 overs : 166/5
N Mayavo14 (16)
N Welch76 (134)
M Humphreys4-0-13-0
Around off. This is guided to point.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. Kept out.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and on the pads. This is pulled down to fine leg and this goes to the fence.
Around off. Blocked again.
On middle. Blocked.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 46 overs : 162/5
N Welch76 (134)
N Mayavo10 (10)
A McBrine8-1-38-2
Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Kept out.
Flatter and on off. Welch pushes it to covers.
On middle. Defended.
Angled into the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 45 overs : 162/5
N Mayavo10 (10)
N Welch76 (128)
M Humphreys3-0-9-0
On the stumps. Kept out.
Angled into middle. Blocked.
Angled into off. This is driven past cover for one.
FOUR! Cut away! Shorter and outside off. Welch flays at it. This goes off the outside edge down to third man for a boundary.
Quicker and on middle. Welch blocks.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 10 Runs
Score after 44 overs : 157/5
N Mayavo10 (8)
N Welch71 (124)
A McBrine7-0-38-2
Two! Around off. This is pushed past cover for two.
SIX! Into the stands! On middle. The slog sweep comes out. This sails into the mid-wicket stand.
On middle. Kept out.
Two! On middle. This is swept through square leg for two.
Flatter and on off. Kept out.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 43 overs : 147/5
N Welch71 (124)
N Mayavo0 (2)
M Adair13-4-38-0
Fuller and around off. This is driven to mid off.
Around off. This is driven to cover.
On the stumps. Blocked.
Angled into middle. Blocked.
On middle. Kept out.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 42 overs : 147/5
N Mayavo0 (2)
N Welch71 (118)
A McBrine6-0-28-2
Around off. Blocked.
On the stumps. Kept out.
OUT! Taken! One more in the over and Zimbabwe are in big trouble! This is tossed up outside off. Shorter and outside off. This comes in with the angle. Campbell looks to cut. This goes off the splice. It lobs to cover and it is taken.
FOUR! Fuller and outside off. Campbell drives it through covers and it races away.
Around off. Kept out.
OUT! TAKEN! That's a fine catch. Another one bites the dust. This is slower and on off. It lands and spins back in. Madhevere looks to defend but this goes off the inside edge, hits the pad and goes to the right of short leg. It is taken.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 41 overs : 143/3
N Welch71 (118)
W Madhevere26 (30)
M Adair12-3-38-0
On middle. Kept out.
On off. Good length again. Blocked.
Length and on off. Kept out.
FOUR! On middle. Fuller. This is worked through mid-wicket. This races away.
Angled into the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 40 overs : 138/3
W Madhevere25 (28)
N Welch67 (114)
A McBrine5-0-24-0
On middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
Another single as this is worked on the leg side.
On the stumps. This is tucked to mid-wicket.
On middle. Kept out.
Flatter and on middle. This is pushed down to long on for one.
On middle. This is swept through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 39 overs : 134/3
W Madhevere23 (26)
N Welch65 (110)
C Young9-1-27-0
Length and on off. Wessly keeps it out.
Fuller and on off. Wessly strokes it to covers.
Angled into middle. Madhevere works it to mid-wicket.
Length again and on off. This is pushed to cover.
On middle. Blocked.
FOUR! Nicely played! Shorter and outside off. Wessly gets on top of the bounce and then guides it past point. This gets to the fence in no time.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 38 overs : 130/3
W Madhevere19 (20)
N Welch65 (110)
A McBrine4-0-20-0
On the pads. This is worked through square leg for one.
On middle. Kept out.
SIX! Bang! Gets hold of that one! On middle. He plays the slog sweep and this goes over the mid-wicket fence.
Shortish and on off. Wessly pushes it to cover.
On middle. Kept out again.
Flatter and on off. This is pushed to cover.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 37 overs : 123/3
N Welch65 (110)
W Madhevere12 (14)
C Young8-1-23-0
On the stumps. Kept out.
Goes short and on middle. Welch ducks under it.
On middle. This is tucked around the corner for one.
Outside off. Wessly looks to push at it but misses.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
Two more! Outside off. This is punched past cover for two.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 36 overs : 120/3
N Welch65 (108)
W Madhevere9 (10)
A McBrine3-0-13-0
Shorter and on off. This is pushed past cover for two.
On middle. This is tucked to mid-wicket.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
On the stumps. This is pushed to cover.
Flatter and on middle. Kept out.
Outside off. This is guided through point for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 35 overs : 117/3
N Welch63 (103)
W Madhevere8 (9)
C Young7-1-20-0
Around off. Kept out.
A bumper now and on middle. Ducked under.
On middle. Blocked.
Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through mid-wicket for two.
On middle. This is worked through square leg for one.
On middle. This is tucked wide of mid-wicket for one.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 34 overs : 113/3
N Welch60 (98)
W Madhevere7 (8)
B McCarthy13-0-49-3
Three! On off. This is driven past cover. The mid off fielder runs after it and keeps it down to three.
Shorter and on off. This is driven wide of mid off for one.
Angled into the pads. This is worked down to fine leg for one.
Shortwr and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for two.
On the stumps. Kept out.
On middle. This is blocked.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 33 overs : 106/3
W Madhevere6 (7)
N Welch54 (93)
C Young6-1-16-0
On middle. This is pushed to cover.
Two! Angels it into the pads. Wesley works it through square leg for two.
Fuller and on middle. Welch pushes it to mid on.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
On off. Blocked.
A short one and on middle. Evaded.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 32 overs : 103/3
W Madhevere4 (5)
N Welch53 (89)
B McCarthy12-0-42-3
FOUR! Drilled down the ground! Fuller and on middle. This is driven on the up and this goes down to the long on fence.
On middle. Kept out.
Around off. Blocked.
Around off. Welch looks to defend. This goes off the inner half through square leg for one.
Fuller and on off. This is driven to cover.
This is angled into middle. Welch gets right behind it and blocks.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 31 overs : 98/3
W Madhevere0 (2)
N Welch52 (86)
C Young5-1-13-0
On off. This is pushed to cover.
Just outside off. Left alone.
Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for one.
Fuller and on off. Welch drives it to mid off.
Around off. Kept out.
Angled into middle. This is worked to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 30 overs : 97/3
B Bennett7 (18)
N Welch51 (82)
B McCarthy11-0-37-3
OUT! TIMBER! Barry strikes yet again. That's a big wicket as we know how good a batter Bennett is. Another beauty of a nut. This lands outside off and jags back in. Bennett looks to defend but this sneaks through the gap of bat and pad and hits the stumps. He went really wide of the crease. Really good bowling.
Angled into middle. Bennett keeps it out.
Around off. This is punched past cover for one.
On middle. This is pushed to mid on.
Length and on off. Welch keeps it out.
Angled into middle. Kept out.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 29 overs : 96/2
B Bennett7 (16)
N Welch50 (78)
M Adair11-3-33-0
Good length and around off. This is guided to point.
Two! Angled into the pads. Bennett works it through square leg. Two taken.
Angled into middle. Bennett works it to mid-wicket.
Good length and on middle. Kept out.
Fuller and around off. This is guided past point for one.
On the stumps. Kept out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 28 overs : 93/2
B Bennett5 (12)
N Welch49 (76)
B McCarthy10-0-36-2
Around off. Defended.
Angled into the pads. Welch tucks it around the corner for one.
On the off pole. Blocked.
Outside off. Left alone.
Good length and on off. Welch defends.
Just outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 27 overs : 92/2
B Bennett5 (11)
N Welch48 (71)
M Adair10-3-30-0
Around off. Kept out.
On middle. Welch tucks it around the corner for one.
Fuller and on off. Welch pushes it to cover.
FOUR! Hammered! Fuller and outside off. This is slapped past cover and this races away to the fence.
Outside off. Left alone.
Another one outside off. Welch leaves it.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 26 overs : 87/2
N Welch43 (66)
B Bennett5 (10)
B McCarthy9-0-35-2
Around off. Welch pushes it towards cover for one.
Beaten! Le fun and outside off. Welch looks to drive but is beaten.
Fullish and on off. This is driven to cover.
Shorter and around off. This is pushed past cover for one.
Nicely played! Fuller and on off. This is driven past mid off. The fielder gives it a chase and keeps it down to three.
Just outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 25 overs : 82/2
B Bennett4 (9)
N Welch39 (61)
M Adair9-3-25-0
A short ball. Bennett evades it.
Around off. Bennett pushes it to cover.
Shortish and outside off. This is chopped to point.
Just outside off. Left alone.
Angled into middle. Bennett pushes it to mid off.
Angled into the pads. Welch works it through square leg for one.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 24 overs : 81/2
B Bennett4 (4)
N Welch38 (60)
B McCarthy8-0-30-2
Around off. Bennett stands tall and plays it to cover.
Fuller and on off. Bennett drives but finds mid off.
FOUR! Flayed away! Bennett sees width on offer and slashes at it. This goes past point and this gets to the fence.
Outside off. Good length. Not played at.
OUT! That's stone dead! Absolutely plumb! This lands outside off and jags back in. Kaitano looks to defend but does so outside the line. He misses and this hits him on the pads. A loud shout and the finger is raised. Early wicket for Ireland this morning. Just the start they wanted.
Outside off. Left alone.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 23 overs : 77/1
N Welch38 (60)
T Kaitano26 (64)
M Adair8-3-24-0
Good length and on off. Welch pushes it to cover.
Another bumper. Welch doesn't play at it.
Drags his length back a little. Welch ducks under it.
FOUR! A shot of authority! Wow! Fuller and on off. Welch steps out and thumps it over the bowler's head. This goes to the fence.
Attacks the stumps. Around off. This is pushed to cover.
On the fuller side. Welch drives but to mid off.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 22 overs : 73/1
T Kaitano26 (64)
N Welch34 (54)
B McCarthy7-0-26-1
Length and on off. Kaitano pushes it to cover.
Length and on off. Kaitano pushes it to cover.
Outside off. Good length. Not played at.
First run of the day! Around off. Welch pushes it to mid off for one.
Back of a length and on off. Welch pushes it to cover.
Good length and around off. Defended.
We're all set for the action to begin! The players make their way out to the middle.
An outstanding spell by Blessing Muzarabani had the Irish in massive trouble earlier on. The lower order though came to the fore for the visitors as Andy McBrine and Mark Adair put up over 100 to take them to an decent score. Zimbabwe however in reply, have began well. Still though they trail by below 200 but are in a strong position to take the lead. Ireland on the other hand, will hope for some early wickets to put the pressure back onto the hosts. An important first session awaits.
... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ...
Ireland though replied brilliantly with Mark Adair, Andy McBrine and Lorcan Tucker. It was the stand between Tucker and McBrine that steadied the ship, once the former fell, Adair came in and played with the same intensity to get back into the game. The duo added more than 120 runs and got the score above 200 however, it was Andy McBrine's unbeaten 90 which helped Ireland to get over 260 which looked impossible at one stage. In reply, Zimbabwe lost Ben Curran but Kaitano and Welch looked well settled after that. They'll hope to start Day 2 similarly but Ireland will hope for a much improved performance with the ball. Join us for the action at 8 am GMT and earlier for the build up. Till then, cheers!
So, Zimbabwe end Day 1 on top. They'll be really happy with the position they are in. Zimbabwe were asked to bowl first and their pace attack made amends straightaway. The tall, right arm pacer, Blessing Muzarabani was at his best today as he ended with superb figures of 7/58. He rattled through the top order and put Ireland on the back foot. His short deliveries were unplayable and trouble the opposition dearly.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 21 overs : 72/1
T Kaitano26 (61)
N Welch33 (51)
A McBrine2-0-10-0
Flat and on middle, Kaitano uses his feet to block it out. STUMPS!
Tossed up on off, Kaitano prods and blocks.
On the pads, spins in sharply. Welch helps it to fine leg for one more.
FOUR! Full and spinning on off, Welch reverse sweeps it past point and it races to the fence.
Kaitano hangs back and plays with the turn to square leg for one.
Floated on off, Kaitano prods and blocks.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 20 overs : 66/1
T Kaitano25 (57)
N Welch28 (49)
M Humphreys2-0-4-0
Outside off, Kaitano knocks it to cover and rushes across for a quick single.
Angling on middle, Kaitano turns it to mid-wicket.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Tossed up on off, Kaitano watchfully defends it.
Flat and on middle, Kaitano blocks it.
Outside off, Kaitano punches it well but Harry Tector stops it at cover.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 19 overs : 65/1
N Welch28 (49)
T Kaitano24 (51)
A McBrine1-0-4-0
This one lands on off and spins back in sharply. Welch defends it solidly.
On middle, Welch goes back and turns it to square leg.
Tossed up on middle, Welch defends.
FOUR! Tossed up on off, Welch sweeps it hard and in the gap for a boundary.
Flat and outside off, turns in. Welch steps across and defends with his bat and pad together.
Full and on middle, Welch blocks it out.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 18 overs : 61/1
N Welch24 (43)
T Kaitano24 (51)
M Humphreys1-0-3-0
THREE RUNS! Flighted on middle, Welch looks to go downtown but miscues his shot over mid on, well over the fielder and they take three.
Full and well outside off, Welch smashes it hard but to short cover.
Angling on middle, Welch turns it to mid-wicket.
Outside off, Welch guides it to point.
This is full and on middle, Welch pushes it straight to mid off.
Flat and on off, Welch punches it to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 17 overs : 58/1
T Kaitano24 (51)
N Welch21 (37)
B McCarthy6-0-25-1
On a length and on middle, Kaitano blocks it out.
Tad fuller and around off, Kaitano softly pushes it to cover.
A good length ball on middle, Kaitano solidly blocks.
Angling on the pads. Welch tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.
Bowls it full and way outside off, Welch offers no shot.
Full and on off, Welch blocks.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 16 overs : 57/1
T Kaitano24 (48)
N Welch20 (34)
C Young4-1-12-0
Well outside off, Kaitano has nothing to do with it.
Good length ball on off, Kaitano blocks.
On the pads, Welch turns it to fine leg for a single.
This one just comes back in sharply, outside off. Welch covers his stumps and lets it go.
Closer to the off pole on the shorter side. Welch bends his back and leaves it.
This won't trouble them! Well outside off. Welch lets it go.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 15 overs : 56/1
T Kaitano24 (46)
N Welch19 (30)
B McCarthy5-0-24-1
Full and outside off, Kaitano leaves it alone.
On middle, Welch turns it to square leg for a single.
Length ball on off, Welch knocks it to cover.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Good length ball on middle, Welch hangs back and keeps it out.
Fuller ball on off, Welch defends it out.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 14 overs : 55/1
T Kaitano24 (45)
N Welch18 (25)
C Young3-1-11-0
Serves it short and outside off, Kaitano lets it go.
FOUR! A lot of width outside off, Kaitano crunches it through covers for a boundary.
Short one and it hurries onto the batter. Welch pulls it to square leg for a single.
Short again tempting Welch to go big but the batter lets it go.
Shapes in a length ball on off, Kaitano pushes it to mid off for one.
Length ball on off, Kaitano blocks it on the off side.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 13 overs : 49/1
N Welch17 (23)
T Kaitano19 (41)
M Adair7-3-20-0
Too full and on off, this is defended to cover.
Bowls it short and well outside of, Welch sways away from the line of the delivery.
Length and on off, Welch blocks it out.
FOUR! TOP EDGE! Bangs it short and on middle, Welch looks to pull but top edges it behind the keeper for a boundary.
Shorter and outside off, Welch shoulders arms to it.
FOUR! Well played! Pitched up, outside off, Welch creams it past mid off and it races to the fence.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 12 overs : 41/1
T Kaitano19 (41)
N Welch9 (17)
C Young2-1-5-0
Well outside off, this is left alone.
A single as Welch works it to point.
This is full and outside off, Welch looks to heave it away but inside edges it onto the pads.
Good length ball on middle, Welch defends it out.
Length ball around off, Welch leans and defends it out.
FOUR! Cracking shot! Tad short and on middle, Welch pulls it to deep square leg in the gap for a boundary.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 11 overs : 36/1
T Kaitano19 (40)
N Welch4 (12)
M Adair6-3-12-0
Makes it to tail back in again, this is outside off, Kaitano leaves it alone.
This one lands outside off and comes back in. Kaitano shoulders arms to it.
Similar delivery, this is on middle, Kaitano looks to defend but inside edges it onto the pads.
Good length ball on middle, Kaitano prods and blocks.
Well outside off, Kaitano shoulders arms to it.
Length and on off, Kaitano blocks it out.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 10 overs : 36/1
N Welch4 (12)
T Kaitano19 (34)
C Young1-1-0-0
Too full and around off, Welch solidly defends it out.
Tad fuller, outside off, Welch punches it to cover.
Too full and outside off, this is left alone.
A good length ball on middle, Welch gets behind the line and blocks.
Very full and on middle, Welch solidly defends it out.
Short in length and on off, Welch miscues his pull to point.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 9 overs : 36/1
T Kaitano19 (34)
N Welch4 (6)
M Adair5-2-12-0
Length and on off, Kaitano blocks.
A good length ball nipping on middle, Kaitano fails to defend. A huge appeal for LBW but maybe height was an issue.
Length and way outside off, Kaitano shoulders arms to it.
Outside off again, Kaitano has nothing to do.
Short and way outside off, Kaitano offers no shot.
Length and on middle, Kaitano blocks it out.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 8 overs : 36/1
N Welch4 (6)
T Kaitano19 (28)
B McCarthy4-0-23-1
Angling on the pads, Welch nudges it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Length and on off, Welch drops it to point.
On off, Kaitano drives it down past mid off. Harry Tector runs back dives and puts in a superb effort to save a run.
On a length and outside off, Kaitano strokes it to cover for a single.
Length ball on middle, Kaitano blocks it out.
On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 7 overs : 31/1
N Welch2 (4)
T Kaitano16 (24)
M Adair4-1-12-0
Full and on off, Welch blocks.
Adair serves a yorker shaping on middle, Welch digs it out down the ground for a brace. He is off the mark.
Very full and on middle, Welch turns it to mid-wicket.
Too full and on off, Kaitano drives it past mid off who runs after the ball and cuts it off. Three.
Length and outside off, shapes away. Kaitano leaves.
Bowls it full and on middle, Kaitano turns it to square leg.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 6 overs : 26/1
N Welch0 (1)
T Kaitano13 (21)
B McCarthy3-0-18-1
This one lands outside off and comes back in late. Welch leaves it alone.
Nick Welch is the new man in.
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Ireland get the first wicket! Barry McCarthy bowls it short and outside off, angled away. Curran chases this one and edges it to the left of the keeper who takes it well.
FOUR! More runs! Tad fuller and outside off, Curran works it to deep square leg and it races to the fence.
Full and just outside off, Curran watchfully leaves it.
Well outside off, Curran shoulders arms to it.
Fuller ball, outside off, Curran plays with soft hands to third man for a couple of runs.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 5 overs : 20/0
T Kaitano13 (21)
B Curran6 (9)
M Adair3-1-7-0
Well outside off, Kaitano offers no shot.
Too full and on middle, Kaitano prods and defends it out.
Good length ball on middle, Kaitano solidly blocks.
Leg bye! Angles it full and on the pads. Curran misses his flick and it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.
Tad short and on off, Curran pulls it to mid on.
Tad fuller and around off, Curran prods and blocks it out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 4 overs : 19/0
T Kaitano13 (18)
B Curran6 (6)
B McCarthy2-0-12-0
On middle, Kaitano turns it to square leg.
Fuller ball on off. Kaitano leans and defends.
FOUR! Good shot! Full and outside off, Kaitano knocks it through covers in the gap for four.
On middle, Kaitano blocks it out.
Well outside off, Kaitano leaves.
Length ball on middle, Kaitano solidly defends.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 3 overs : 15/0
T Kaitano9 (12)
B Curran6 (6)
M Adair2-0-7-0
Full and on middle, Kaitano tucks it to square leg for one.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Short and down leg, Kaitano shoulders arms to it.
FOUR! Well played! Pitched up outside off, Kaitano drives it to covers and it races away.
TAP AND RUN! Full and on off, this is dropped to cover for a single.
Length ball, outside off, Curran leaves it alone.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 2 overs : 9/0
T Kaitano4 (8)
B Curran5 (4)
B McCarthy1-0-8-0
Outside off again, Kaitano offers no shot.
Well outside off, Kaitano leaves it alone.
Full and outside off, Kaitano drives it through covers for a couple more.
On off, Curran pushes it to point for a single.
FOUR! Off the mark! Short and outside of, Curran plays it late and through gully and to the third man fence.
Barry McCarthy bowls it full and on off, Kaitano pushes it to cover for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 1 overs : 1/0
B Curran0 (2)
T Kaitano1 (4)
M Adair1-0-1-0
Length and down leg, Curran fails to flick it away.
Bowls it very full and outside off, Curran looks to defend it but misses.
On a length and on off, Kaitano drops it to cover for a single. Zimbabwe are underway.
Too full and on middle, Kaitano eases it to mid on.
Well outside off, Kaitano shoulders arms to it.
On a length and outside ff. Takudzwanashe Kaitano leaves it.
Commentary
We are back.
..SECOND INNINGS...
Zimbabwe won't be much disappointed though. They bowled well, Blessing Muzarabani in particular who scalped 7 wickets and rattled through the Irish line up. He was well supported by the others. Just the could of big partnership has taken a bit of game away from them. They would have loved to tumble the opposition for a much lower total and they were ein a good position to do the job as well but credit to McBrine and Adair. Now, Zimbabwe more than hour to play with the bat, they'll hope to end the day without losing any wickets. Can they? Let's find out.
So, McBrine is stranded on 90 as he loses all his partners. He has single handedly taken his team over 250. McBrine walked in when Zimbabwe were in a nervous position. They were 82/6 at one stage and asking for a partnership. Lorcan Tucker played a handy attacking innings but fell but then came the big much needed stand between Adair and McBrine. The duo added 120 odd runs to take Ireland to a competitive total. Adair fell after a well made 78 but McBrine along with the tail played brilliantly, he would have loved a ton but more importantly has helped Ireland in a big way.
OUT! GONE! A good length ball on middle, Matthew Humphreys flicks it straight in the hands of Brian Bennett ar short mid-wicket. Job done by Zimbabwe!
A bouncer on leg, Matthew Humphreys looks to pull it but misses.
FOUR! A gentle length ball on middle, Matthew Humphreys pulls it through mid-wicket and it races away.
Leg bye! A full toss on the pads, McBrine fails to flick and it rolls to square leg for a leg bye.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 56 overs : 255/9
M Humphreys4 (21)
A McBrine90 (131)
N Nyamhuri7-0-42-0
Well down the leg side, it is left alone.
On middle, this is punched to mid on.
A length ball on middle. Matthew Humphreys goes back to defend it on the leg side.
Serves a yorker outside off, Matthew Humphreys looks to push but misses.
Outside off, this is cut to point for a single.
FOUR! Helped away! Short and down leg, McBrine pulls it to fine leg for a boundary.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 55 overs : 250/9
M Humphreys4 (17)
A McBrine85 (129)
R Ngarava13-1-61-1
Shorter and on middle, Matthew Humphreys steps across to pull but misses.
No ball! Catch taken but that's a huge no ball! Hard length ball on off, Matthew Humphreys looks to defend but balloons it to gully where the fielder takes it. Huge front foot no ball from Richard Ngarava.
On middle, this is punched to cover.
Well outside off, Matthew Humphreys leaves.
Outside off, shapes away. Matthew Humphreys steps forward to push but misses.
Good length ball outside off, Matthew Humphreys looks to defend but misses.
Short and wide of off. McBrine ramps it off the toe end and well in front of third man for one.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 54 overs : 248/9
M Humphreys4 (11)
A McBrine84 (128)
B Bennett12-1-33-0
On off, this is punched to cover.
Very full and outside off, Matthew Humphreys pushes it to cover.
Flat and around off, MH goes back and blocks.
Too full and on middle, Matthew Humphreys leans and blocks.
Outside off, McBrine works it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Full and outside off, this is swept to fine leg for a single.
Runs Scored 10 Runs
Score after 53 overs : 246/9
A McBrine83 (127)
M Humphreys3 (6)
B Muzarabani18-1-58-7
FOUR! 10 off the over. Short and on middle, McBrine pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
A single as this is hit to mid-wicket.
On the pads, McBrine works it to square leg for a single.
Tad fuller and on off, McBrine defends it out.
FOUR! Well played! Shorter and outside off, McBrine ramps it over to third man for a boundary.
Full and on off, McBrine punches it to cover.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 52 overs : 236/9
M Humphreys2 (5)
A McBrine74 (122)
B Bennett11-1-31-0
On off, this is pushed to point.
Too full on middle, Matthew Humphreys paddles it to fine leg for two. Off the mark.
Full toss on middle, this is punched to cover.
Outside off, McBrine dabs it to point for a single.
Too full and on middle, McBrine prods and blocks.
Too full and outside off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 51 overs : 233/9
M Humphreys0 (2)
A McBrine73 (119)
B Muzarabani17-1-48-7
Good length ball angling on middle, Matthew Humphreys looks to defend but inside edges it onto the pads.
Very full and going down the leg side. Matthew Humphreys fails to defend as he gets pinged on the pads.
Matthew Humphreys is the last man in.
OUT! TAKEN! Blessing Muzarabani finds the seventh one! Seven heave for the tall man! Bangs it short and on middle, Young tries to pull it but instead balloons it to mid-wicket where Brian Bennett takes a sitter.
Shorter and on off, McBrine pulls it to square leg for a single.
Full and on off, McBrine looks to drive but gets an inside edge to square leg.
Length ball on middle, Young hurriedly works it to square leg for one.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 50 overs : 231/8
C Young4 (11)
A McBrine72 (117)
B Bennett10-1-28-0
Leg bye! Turning too much! On middle and it spins back in. Young looks to defend but misses and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but was doing too much.
Well outside off, McBrine slaps it to point for one.
This one turns in on middle, it is flicked to square leg for one.
Tossed up on middle, Young defends it to short leg.
Outside off, McBrine knocks it to point for one more.
Angles it on the pads, this is nudged to square leg for one.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 49 overs : 226/8
C Young2 (7)
A McBrine70 (115)
B Muzarabani16-1-46-6
On middle, this is turned to square leg for a single.
Length ball on middle, Young punches it to mid off.
On the pads, this is flicked to square leg for a single.
Length ball on off, Young cuts it to point for a single.
On middle, this is worked to mid on.
Good length delivery on middle, Young looks to defend on the leg side but misses.
Runs Scored 12 Runs
Score after 48 overs : 223/8
A McBrine69 (114)
C Young0 (2)
B Bennett9-1-24-0
On middle, McBrine sweeps it to fine leg for a couple of runs.
Floated full on off, McBrine goes back to defend but misses. A huge appeal for LBW but might be turning away.
FOUR! Runs to begin this session. Outside off, McBrine cuts hard through point for a boundary.
FOUR! Played fine! Flighted on middle, McBrine sweeps it to fine leg and it races to the fence.
Flat and on off, McBrine punches it to cover.
Shorter and outside off, McBrine cuts it late to third man for a couple of runs.
Back with action. The players are out in the middle. Brian Bennett to start with the ball.
...DAY 1, THIRD SESSION...
A fine session for the visitors as they have scored plenty of runs but in the last 15 minutes or so lost a couple of wickets. They started the session with Andy McBrine and Mark Adair trying to steady the ship. McBrine was watchful throughout his innings but Adair played with intent and made the hosts think a lot. He scored plenty of boundaries and scored a quick fifty. He fell and Barry McCarthy followed him. Ireland still have McBrine and will hope he can push them around 250. Zimbabwe have relied on Blessing Muzarabani so far who has taken six wickets and will hope the tall right hander will clean the tail up quickly. Join us for the final session soon.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 47 overs : 211/8
C Young0 (2)
A McBrine57 (108)
B Muzarabani15-1-43-6
Short in length and on off, Craig Young ducks but the ball stays low and he gets hit on the helmet. TEA!
Craig Young comes in.
Full and on off, Young blocks.
OUT! TAKEN! Blessing Muzarabani with his sixth now! Cramps Barry McCarthy with a hard length delivery on middle, Barry McCarthy looks to defend but mistimes it high and to short leg where Wessly Madhevere takes a dolly.
On off, this is defended out.
Very full and on middle, Barry McCarthy blocks.
Length and on off, McBrine looks to defend but inside edges it to the leg side for one.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 46 overs : 210/7
B McCarthy0 (3)
A McBrine56 (107)
B Bennett8-1-12-0
Flat and around off, Barry McCarthy goes back and blocks.
Very full and on middle, this is defended out.
Floated on off, Barry McCarthy leans and defends.
On the pads, McBrine tucks it to square leg for a single.
Angles it full and on off. McBrine defends it.
Flat and on off, McBrine blocks it out.
Barry McCarthy comes in.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 45 overs : 209/7
M Adair78 (91)
A McBrine55 (104)
B Muzarabani14-1-42-5
OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Five fer for Blessing Muzarabani and he has broken the partnership! This is a freebie, could have been left alone but Adair chases this widish delivery outside off, he swings but edges it to the keeper who takes it.
Outside off, Adair punches it to cover.
Angling on the pads. McBrine helps it to fine leg for a single.
Outside off, Adair guides it to third man for a single.
Fuller ball on off, Adair blocks it out.
Slightly short on middle, McBrine pulls it to square leg for one.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 44 overs : 206/6
M Adair77 (87)
A McBrine53 (102)
B Bennett7-1-11-0
On middle, Adair blocks it out.
Flighted tossed up on middle, Adair turns it to mid-wicket.
Well outside off, McBrine drops it to point who parries it away off his ankle for one.
Floated on off, Adair lofts it down over short mid on for one.
Too full and on middle, Adair nudges it to mid on.
Tossed up on middle, Adair blocks.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 43 overs : 204/6
A McBrine52 (101)
M Adair76 (82)
B Muzarabani13-1-39-4
Length and on off, McBrine blocks it out.
Length and on off, this is played to point for a single.
Tad short and outside off. Adair shoulders arms to it.
Goes full and on off, Adair pushes it to cover.
On a length and outside off, Adair taps it to the man at gully.
Short but this is way outside off, Adair easily leaves it.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 42 overs : 203/6
A McBrine52 (100)
M Adair75 (77)
B Bennett6-1-9-0
Outside off, this is cut to point.
Slower one around off, full and McBrine defends.
Well outside off, McBrine cuts it past point for a couple of runs.
Tossed up on off, McBrine defends.
Length and on off, McBrine blocks.
This one holds into the surface, on middle, extra bounce as well. McBrine just hangs his bat out and chips it to the right of short leg.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 41 overs : 201/6
M Adair75 (77)
A McBrine50 (94)
R Ngarava12-1-59-1
Outside off, shaping in. Adair lets it go.
FOUR! Good shot! 200 up! Well outside off on a length and Adair crunches it through cover and beats the man in the deep.
Outside off, this is left alone.
Fifty for McBrine! Came in at a difficult time and has helped his team to get in a comfortable position! Bumper on middle, McBrine pulls it to fine leg for one.
On middle, this is defended out.
Very full and shaping on the pads. McBrine misses his flick. An appeal for LBW but was tailing down.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 40 overs : 196/6
A McBrine49 (91)
M Adair71 (74)
B Bennett5-1-7-0
Flat and on middle, McBrine plays it to square leg for a single.
On middle, Adair plays it to long on for a single.
Full and outside off. Adair steps across and blocks.
Very full and on off, McBrine pushes it to mid off for a quick single.
Too full and on off, McBrine leans and defends it out.
Flat and on middle, McBrine blocks it out.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 39 overs : 193/6
M Adair70 (72)
A McBrine47 (87)
R Ngarava11-1-54-1
Length ball, outside off, Adair leaves it alone.
Full and on off, Adair pushes it to cover.
Outside off,Adair shoulders arms to it.
Drags his length back, outside off, Adair looks to punch it away but misses.
Angles it full and outside off, Adair prods to defend but is beaten.
FOUR! Crunched! Width given outside off, Adair hammers it through point for a boundary.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 38 overs : 189/6
A McBrine47 (87)
M Adair66 (66)
B Bennett4-1-4-0
Tossed up on off, McBrine solidly blocks it out.
Flat and on off, McBrine leans and defends it out.
Slants it on the pads. McBrine turns it to square leg.
On off, and it comes with the arm. McBrine blocks.
On a length and on off, McBrine punches it to point.
Full and on off, Adair drives it to cover for a single.
Runs Scored 10 Runs
Score after 37 overs : 188/6
A McBrine47 (82)
M Adair65 (65)
R Ngarava10-1-50-1
Bowls it short and outside off, McBrine leaves.
A yorker outside off, this is dabbed to third man for one.
FOUR! Slashed away! Shorter and outside off, Adair hammers it over third man and it races to the fence.
Fuller ball, on off, Adair plays it back to the bowler.
No ball! Length and on off, Adair blocks it. Richard Ngarava has overstepped.
Outside off, Adair punches it late and to point.
FOUR! Adair unstoppable right now!Short and on off, Adair bends and ramps it over to third man for a boundary.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 36 overs : 178/6
A McBrine47 (81)
M Adair56 (59)
B Bennett3-1-3-0
Too full and on middle, McBrine leans and blocks it out.
Flat and turning on middle, McBrine goes back and blocks it out.
Outside off, this is cut to point.
Tad short and on off, McBrine rocks back and blocks.
Adair comes down and takes it on the full, it is hit to mid-wicket for one.
Tossed up on off, Adair defends it out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 35 overs : 177/6
A McBrine47 (77)
M Adair55 (57)
R Ngarava9-1-40-1
Full and on the pads, McBrine looks to sweep it but misses.
On the pads, this is clipped to square leg for one.
Length and outside off, Adair cuts it hard to the right of point who stops it.
Full and outside off. Adair punches it to cover.
Length ball on off, Adair taps it to point.
Well outside off, this is left alone.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 34 overs : 176/6
A McBrine47 (76)
M Adair54 (52)
B Bennett2-1-2-0
Too full and outside off, McBrine prods and defends.
Flat and on middle, Adair turns it to square leg for a single.
Full and around off, Adair leans and blocks it.
Flat and on middle, Adair blocks it out.
Oh dear! He has dropped down after all the effort. On middle, Adair skips down and heaves it to mid on. Blessing Muzarabani takes over his head but spills out behind as he lands on his foot, he quickly turns back and tries to take it again but fails to hold on. Would have been wonderful catch had to take it!
CHANCE! Slower one well outside off, McBrine steps across to cut but outside edges it to first slip where the fielder gets hit on the head. It came quickly to him. A halt in play as the physio is out.
Runs Scored 9 Runs
Score after 33 overs : 174/6
M Adair53 (48)
A McBrine46 (74)
R Ngarava8-1-39-1
FOUR! Solid shot! Fifty up for Adair! Intent right from the start! Brings up fifty in style. Outside off, Adair crunches it through covers for a boundary.
Length ball, outside off, Adar knocks it through covers for a couple.
Bye! Down the leg side, McBrine fails to flick and it rolls to fine leg for one.
Shapes away a length ball, outside off. McBrine looks to cut but hits it low to second slip.
Outside off, this is guided to point.
A yorker angling on middle, McBrine whips it behind square leg for a brace.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 32 overs : 165/6
M Adair47 (46)
A McBrine44 (70)
T Gwandu6-1-53-1
On off and it tails back in late. Adair punches it to cover.
FOUR! Heaved away! In the arc, this is outside off. Adair hammers it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Length and on middle, this is blocked out.
FOUR! Shot of the day! Too full and outside off, Adair drives with a straight down past the ground for a boundary.
Tad full and outside off, Adair knocks it past point for a couple more.
Full and on off, McBrine pushes it to covers for one.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 31 overs : 154/6
M Adair37 (41)
A McBrine43 (69)
B Muzarabani12-1-38-4
Fuller and around off, Adair leans and defends it out.
Shorter and on off, Adair dead bats it.
Touch fuller and outside off, shapes away. Adair looks to defend but is well beaten.
A bumper on middle, Adair ducks under it.
THREE! Blessing Muzarabani bowls it on a length and outside off. McBrine taps it late past gully and to third man for three runs.
FOUR! 150 up in quick time! Short in length and on off, McBrine pulls it to mid-wicket for a boundary.
Runs Scored 10 Runs
Score after 30 overs : 147/6
M Adair37 (37)
A McBrine36 (67)
T Gwandu5-1-42-1
Good length ball on off, Adair solidly blocks.
FOUR! Adair has upped the ante! Full and on middle, this is heaved to mid-wicket for a boundary.
Length and on off, Adair leans and defends.
Outside off, Adair strokes it to sweeper cover for a couple of runs.
FOUR! Streaky! This is full and outside off, Adair swings hard but outside edges it high and wide of third man for four.
Full and on off, Adair blocks it out.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 29 overs : 137/6
A McBrine36 (67)
M Adair27 (31)
B Muzarabani11-1-31-4
On a length and on off, McBrine blocks.
On a length and on off and it nips in. McBrine shoulders arms and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but height was an issue.
On a driving length outside off, McBrine looks to hit it but misses.
Bye! Squared up! A good length ball on middle, nice carry and it nips in. Adair fails to defend and it goes to the left of the keeper for a bye.
Too full and on middle, Adair defends with a straight bat.
This is full and on middle, Adair solidly defends it out.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 28 overs : 136/6
A McBrine36 (64)
M Adair27 (28)
T Gwandu4-1-32-1
On a length and on middle, McBrine blocks.
Shorter and outside off, McBrine shoulders arms to it.
Well outside off, this is left alone.
On a good length and outside off, McBrine mistimes his punch to point.
Length and on off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
Fuller ball on middle, McBrine blocks.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 27 overs : 136/6
M Adair27 (28)
A McBrine36 (58)
B Muzarabani10-0-31-4
Tad fuller and on middle, Adair chips it down the ground for a couple of runs.
Length ball outside off. Adair taps it late to the man at gully.
Full and shaping on middle, Adair eases it to mid on.
This is full and on middle, Adair leans and blocks it out.
Length ball on off, Adar defends it out.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 26 overs : 134/6
A McBrine36 (58)
M Adair25 (22)
N Nyamhuri6-0-37-0
Serves it down the leg side, McBrine fails to pull it away.
Full and on off, this is pushed to cover.
Shorter and on leg, McBrine looks to pull but misses.
Length and on off, defended out.
FOUR! Fine shot this! Length and wide of off. McBrine punches off the back foot through point for a boundary.
FOUR! Runs flowing in this session! Shorter and on middle, McBrine pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 25 overs : 126/6
M Adair25 (22)
A McBrine28 (52)
B Muzarabani9-0-29-4
A good length ball on middle and nips back in. Adair fails to defend and gets hit high on the pads.
Goes short and outside off, Adair shoulders arms to it.
Played with authority! Length and outside off, McBrine slaps it through covers for three runs.
Length ball, outside off, this is punched to cover.
A bouncer around off, McBrine shoulders arms to it.
On the pads. Adair helps it to fine leg for a single.
Runs Scored 10 Runs
Score after 24 overs : 122/6
A McBrine25 (49)
M Adair24 (19)
N Nyamhuri5-0-29-0
Outside off, McBrine shoulders arms to it.
CLOSE! A yorker angling on middle, McBrine fails to flick it away and gets hit on the pads. Going down.
Outside off, McBrine shoulders arms to it.
Short in length outside off, McBrine slashes his blade and misses.
THREE! On middle, Adair whips it through mid-wicket in the gap for three runs now.
FOUR!Cut away! Length ball, outside off, Adair hits it through point for a boundary.
No ball! Full and shaping on middle, Adair flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Newman Nyamhuri has overstepped.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 23 overs : 112/6
A McBrine25 (45)
M Adair15 (16)
B Muzarabani8-0-25-4
Full and on off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
This is full and on off, McBrine blocks.
On a good length and outside off, McBrine shoulders arms to it.
Well outside off. McBrine goes back and leaves it.
Outside off, Adair guides it to third man for a single.
Short in length and outside off, Adair looks to push at it but misses.
Back for the second session. The players are out in the middle. Blessing Muzarabani to bowl after the break.
....Day 1, Session 2...
An entertaining start to the game. Zimbabwe will be the happier side though as they have scalped six wickets with Blessing Muzarabani topping the chart with four wickets. He rattled the Irish top order and gave no breathing space. Andy McBrine and Lorcan Tucker did stitched a fine fifty runs partnership but the latter fell to Trevor Gwandu. He was looking really good for his 33 runs but perished. Ireland are now into the lower batting order. McBrine has looked solid so far but need help from others. Zimbabwe on the other hand will hope their pacers could extra bounce from the pitch and clean up the Irish batters quickly. Stay tuned for the second session.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 22 overs : 111/6
A McBrine25 (41)
M Adair14 (14)
B Bennett1-1-0-0
Flat and outside off, angling in. McBrine pads it away. LUNCH.
Outside off, full and McBrine blocks it out.
Full and on off, McBrine defends it out.
Outside off, this is guided to point.
Too full and outside off, McBrine leans across and defends.
Flat and on off, McBrine goes back and blocks.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 21 overs : 111/6
M Adair14 (14)
A McBrine25 (35)
B Muzarabani7-0-24-4
Too full and on off, Adair pushes it to point.
Length and on off, this is blocked out.
On middle, McBrine tucks it to square leg for a single.
Short and down leg, McBrine looks to pull but misses.
Serves it well outside off, McBrine shoulders arms to it.
Blessing Muzarabani comes back and bowls it full and around off, McBrine looks to defend but misses and gets hit high on the pads.
Runs Scored 15 Runs
Score after 20 overs : 110/6
M Adair14 (12)
A McBrine24 (31)
T Gwandu3-0-32-1
Full and on off, Adair pushes it to mid off.
Length and on off, this is blocked out.
FOUR! Placement! Shorter and well outside off, Adair rocks back and hits it past backward point for four. Trevor Gwandu has overstepped.
FOUR! In the gap! Length ball wide of off. Adair flashes his blade but edges it over the slip cordon for four runs.
Length and on top of off, Adair defends.
FOUR! 100 up! WIdth given outside off. Adair strokes it through covers for a boundary.
No ball! On middle, McBrine plays it behind square leg for a single.
Length ball, around off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 19 overs : 95/6
A McBrine23 (29)
M Adair2 (6)
R Ngarava7-1-31-1
On the pads, McBrine turns it to fine leg for a single.
On middle, this is blocked out.
Length ball on off, nips away. McBrine looks to defend but misses.
Outside off, this is punched to cover.
Length ball, outside off, McBrine looks to punch but splices it to point.
Too full and on middle, McBrine pushes it to mid on.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 18 overs : 94/6
A McBrine22 (23)
M Adair2 (6)
T Gwandu2-0-17-1
A single as McBrine tucks it to mid-wicket.
FOUR! Punched away! Length and on off, McBrine hits it through covers for a boundary.
Too full and on middle, McBrine knocks it to mid on.
Bowls it very full and on off, Adair mistimes his push on the leg side for one.
Fuller and on middle, this is defended out.
On off and it nips back in. Adair blocks it on the off side.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 17 overs : 88/6
A McBrine17 (20)
M Adair1 (3)
R Ngarava6-1-30-1
BEATEN! Short in length and outside off. McBrine steps across to defend but misses.
Well outside off, McBrine lets it go.
Full and on off, McBrine defends it to cover.
On the pads. Adair clips it to square leg for a single.
Good length ball on middle, McBrine nudges it to mid on for a single.
FOUR! Poor ball! Too straight on the pads. McBrine whips it through square leg for a boundary.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 16 overs : 82/6
M Adair0 (2)
A McBrine12 (15)
T Gwandu1-0-11-1
Short in length and on off, Adair slashes his blade and misses.
Outside off. Adair leaves it alone.
Mark Adair is the new man in.
OUT! CHOPPED ON! Trevor Gwandu has the last laugh! Bowls it on a skiddy length outside off, invites Tucker for a drive and he goes after it, it takes the inside edge and ricochets back onto the stumps.
FOUR! Punished! Pitched up, outside off, Tucker leans and drives it through covers for a boundary. These two have added 50 runs.
FOUR! Lovely shot! Tails in a length ball on middle, Tucker pulls it to deep square leg for a boundary.
Well outside off, Tucker leaves it alone.
No ball! Length ball on off, Tucker nudges it to square leg for a couple of runs. Trevor Gwandu has overstepped.
Runs Scored 9 Runs
Score after 15 overs : 71/5
L Tucker23 (23)
A McBrine12 (15)
R Ngarava5-1-24-1
Shorter and on leg, this is pulled to fine leg for a single.
FOUR! More runs! Bangs it short and on off, Tucker gets on top of it and pulls it through mid-wicket.
FOUR! Lorcan Tucker looks in rhythm! Full and outside off, this is creamed through covers for a boundary.
Well outside off and it tails back in late. Tucker offers no shot.
Bowls it full and outside off, Lorcan Tucker leaves.
Length and outside off, Lorcan Tucker chops it to point.
Runs Scored 11 Runs
Score after 14 overs : 62/5
A McBrine12 (15)
L Tucker14 (17)
N Nyamhuri4-0-19-0
Length and on off, McBrine blocks it out.
Length and on off, McBrine punches it past cover for a couple more.
FOUR! Slashed away! Well outside off, McBrine hammers it over point and it goes to the fence.
FOUR BYES! Wobble seam delivery, this is down leg, like a snake it changes it direction. The keeper is wrong footed but he couldn't do much there.
Bowls it on a length and on leg, McBrine seems to miss his flick. A huge appeal follows but not many interested in it.
On the pads, this is flicked to square leg for a single.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 13 overs : 51/5
A McBrine6 (10)
L Tucker13 (16)
R Ngarava4-1-15-1
Length and on off, McBrine pushes it to cover.
FOUR! Off the edge! Shorter and on off, McBrine looks to pull but top edges it to fine leg for four.
Well outside off, this is left alone.
Full and on off, this is defended out.
Shorter and outside off. McBrine looks to push but misses.
Hard length ball on middle, McBrine hangs back and blocks.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 12 overs : 47/5
L Tucker13 (16)
A McBrine2 (4)
N Nyamhuri3-0-12-0
On middle, this is blocked out.
On a length and shaping away on off, McBrine looks to defend but outside edges it past slips and to third man.
A good length ball on middle, McBrine looks to defend but gets a leading edge to point, well short of the man.
On middle, Lorcan Tucker knocks it to cover for a single.
This is full and on middle, Lorcan Tucker blocks.
Shorter and on middle, McBrine pulls it to square leg for a single.
Runs Scored 8 Runs
Score after 11 overs : 44/5
L Tucker12 (13)
A McBrine0 (1)
B Muzarabani6-0-23-4
Well outside off, this is left alone.
Shapes in a length ball on the pads. Lorcan Tucker steps across to flick but misses.
FOUR! Slightly short and on off, Lorcan Tucker pulls it through mid-wicket and it races away.
BEATEN! A nagging length delivery outside off, Lorcan Tucker looks to punch it but misses.
Length ball on off, this is blocked out.
FOUR! In the arc, shorter and down leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it to square leg for four runs.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 10 overs : 36/5
L Tucker4 (7)
A McBrine0 (1)
N Nyamhuri2-0-9-0
Leg bye! Full and on the pads. Lorcan Tucker fails to clip it and gets hit on the pads. An appeal for LBW but was pitching outside the line.
Length ball, outside off, shaping away. Lorcan Tucker looks to defend but misses.
Length and wide of off. Lorcan Tucker swings and misses.
Length ball shaping on the pads. Lorcan Tucker misses his flick and gets hit high on the pads.
Length and on off, Lorcan Tucker defends.
FOUR! Slashed away! Shorter and well outside off, Lorcan Tucker throws his bat at it and edges it over the slip region for four.
Runs Scored 6 Runs
Score after 9 overs : 31/5
A McBrine0 (1)
L Tucker0 (1)
B Muzarabani5-0-15-4
Bowls it outside off, McBrine offers nothing to it.
Andy McBrine walks in next.
OUT! TAKEN! The dangerous Stirling goes! Blessing Muzarabani is troubling everyone with his short stuff! Bowls it on middle, once again cramping the batter. Stirling looks to defend on the up but balloons it to second slip where Brian Bennett takes a dolly.
Outside off, Stirling guides it to third man for a couple of runs.
Shapes away a length ball, outside off, Stirling looks to push but misses.
FOUR! Streaky! A good length ball, outside off, Stirling looks to punch but plays off the outer half past gully in the gap for four.
Well bowled! A bouncer on middle, Stirling sits under it.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 8 overs : 25/4
P Stirling4 (13)
L Tucker0 (1)
N Nyamhuri1-0-5-0
Short in length and on middle, Stirling tucks it to square leg for one.
Length and on off, Stirling blocks it out.
Wide! Bowls it well down the leg side. Stirling misses his flick.
Serves it on the pads. Stirling tickles it to fine leg where Blessing Muzarabani runs to his left and saves a couple.
Length ball, outside off, Stirling leaves it alone.
Shapes away a length ball, outside off, Stirling has a poke at it but misses.
Bowls it full and outside off, Stirling leaves.
No ball! Newman Nyamhuri starts by overstepping, bowls it on middle, Stirling blocks.
Runs Scored 1 Runs
Score after 7 overs : 20/4
L Tucker0 (1)
P Stirling1 (6)
B Muzarabani4-0-9-3
Bowls it down the leg side. Lorcan Tucker misses his flick.
OUT! GONE! An absolute beauty from Blessing Muzarabani! He has squared him up! A good length ball on off, angles it in and shapes away. Harry Tector looks to defend inside the line but gets an outside edge to first slip where Takudzwanashe Kaitano takes a sharp catch. Brilliant stuff from Blessing Muzarabani so far.
Bowls it short and outside off, Harry Tector offers no shot.
Stirling is off the mark as he pushes it to cover.
Outside off, Stirling lets it go.
This is full and on leg, Stirling tucks it to square leg.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 6 overs : 19/3
H Tector0 (7)
P Stirling0 (3)
R Ngarava3-1-11-1
Bowls it way outside off, Harry Tector has nothing to do with it.
On a good length and on middle, Harry Tector prods and blocks.
Outside off, this is left alone.
Full and on middle, Harry Tector turns it to mid-wicket.
Well outside off, Harry Tector shoulders arms to it.
Length and on off, Harry Tector blocks.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 5 overs : 19/3
P Stirling0 (3)
H Tector0 (1)
B Muzarabani3-0-8-2
Fuller delivery outside off, Stirling looks to drive it but misses.
Length ball, outside off, Stirling drops it to gully.
Full and way outside off, Stirling leaves it alone.
OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! it's Balbirnie who goes! Massive wickets. Balbirnie looked well for his short stay! Blessing Muzarabani with an effort ball as he bangs it short on middle, Balbirnie hops to defend but is in position to play it, it goes off the gloves and lobs to short leg where Joylord Gumbie take it.
Well outside off, Balbirnie shoulders arms to it.
Too full and on middle, Balbirnie nicely drives it past mid on for a couple of runs.
Runs Scored 7 Runs
Score after 4 overs : 17/2
H Tector0 (1)
A Balbirnie7 (8)
R Ngarava2-0-11-1
Shorter and on middle, Harry Tector sits down.
Harry Tector walks to the middle.
OUT! BOWLED! CHOPPED ON! Short in length and on off, shapes back in. Curtis Campher tries to play across the line but bottom edges it back onto the stumps. The umpires check for a no ball but Richard Ngarava was fine.
FOUR! Touch fuller and swinging on off, Curtis Campher plays with hard hands and splices it past gully for four runs.
Good length ball on off, Curtis Campher blocks.
THREE! Beats the man! Full and on middle, Balbirnie punches it past mid on for three runs.
Beauty! Swings in a length ball on middle, Balbirnie looks to defend but inside edges it to square leg.
Runs Scored 2 Runs
Score after 3 overs : 10/1
C Campher2 (6)
A Balbirnie4 (6)
B Muzarabani2-0-6-1
On middle, this is blocked out.
Shapes it full and on the pads, this is flicked behind square leg for a couple.
This is full and on middle, Curtis Campher blocks.
Shorter and around off, Campher had to play it, gets beaten on the outside edge.
Gets some carry off the deck but bowls it outside off. Campher lets it go.
Bowls it short and outside off, Curtis Campher leaves it.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 2 overs : 8/1
A Balbirnie4 (6)
C Campher0 (0)
R Ngarava1-0-4-0
FOUR! Off the mark with a beautiful stroke! Too full and just outside off, Balbirnie leans and drives it past mid off for four.
Good over so far! Length and on middle, Balbirnie plays it back to the bowler.
On middle, length and Balbirnie solidly defends it.
Good length ball on middle, Balbirnie blocks it on the leg side.
Gets it to swing back in again, this is very full. Balbirnie drives it to point.
Full and swinging back in on middle, Balbirnie pushes it to mid on.
Richard Ngarava to bowl from the other end.
Runs Scored 4 Runs
Score after 1 overs : 4/1
P Moor4 (6)
A Balbirnie0 (0)
B Muzarabani1-0-4-1
OUT! GONE! The short stuff rewards Blessing Muzarabani finally! Bowls it around and zips through as Moor is cramped for room. He tries to defend on the up but gloves it in front of gully. Ben Curran walks forward and reverse cups it.
Well outside off, Moor shoulders arms to it.
FOUR! Off the edge! Zimbabwe are underway! Keeps it short and bowls outside off. Moorthrows his bat at it and edges it over the slip cordon for a boundary.
Shorter and around off, Moor taps it to the man at gully.
Short again from Blessing Muzarabani outside off, Moor withdraws his bat away.
Short in length and outside off, Moor hangs back and lets it go.
All set for action. The teams walk out for the respective nation anthems. It will be Ireland's first followed by that of the hosts. Done with the formalities. Peter Moor and Andy Balbirnie to open for Ireland. Blessing Muzarabani to bowl first. Let's play...
Zimbabwe (Playing XI) - Ben Curran, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell (C), Nyasha Mayavo (WK), Newman Nyamhuri, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Trevor Gwandu.
Ireland (Playing XI) - Peter Moor, Andy Balbirnie (C), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker (WK), Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Barry McCarthy, Matthew Humphreys, Craig Young.
TOSS - Ireland have won the toss and will BAT.
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Commentary
That is all from this lone Test. Andy Balbirnie has been handed over the trophy. His teammates join him for the cameras. Time for the ODIs to kick off and the series starts on the 14th of this month. Join us at 7.30 am GMT and earlier for the build up. Goodbye and cheers!
Andy Balbirnie says Test cricket is tough but rewarding, they worked hard in the recent past and got the results. Feels the bowlers kept them in the game. Andy McBrine, Mark Adair and others bowled well. Mentions it's an amazing achievement to win three matches in a row and want to keep getting better. Credits the players, they prepared hard for the game.
Johnathan Campbell says there didn't bat well enough in the first innings. Tells the bowlers kept them in the game, there were a couple of individual performances with the bat but needed a big partnership. Mentions they will reflect on this game. Appreciates the effort of Blessing Muzarabani and Wessly Madhevere in the game. Feels they are not far away from putting a strong performance.
Andy McBrine wins the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AWARD. He says he just tried to make most of the conditions and keep it simple.. Tells it was a good wicket to play on. Blessing Muzarabani was outstanding in the first innings. Feels few partnerships worked out in the game.
...Presentation...
Matthew Humphreys was the star with the ball for the visitors. Wessly Madhevere fought hard with the bat. He played a very gutsy innings but needed support from the other end which didn’t come. In the end, it is the visitors who get a really good win. The win was always on the cards for Ireland, it was a matter of when rather than if. Matthew Humphreys leads the team as he finishes with a six fer.
Ireland batted brilliantly in their second essay, contributions from most of their batters saw them set a target of close to 300 which was always going to be difficult to chase and Zimbabwe couldn’t. Andy Balbirnie started well but it was Lorcan Tucker's fifty which proved to be the pivotal point.
Zimbabwe in reply began well, thanks to Welch. However, he was fighting a lone battle and kept losing partners at the other end. At one stage, it seemed like the hosts would fall well short of the Irish score but the last wicket stand added over 50 to give them a 7 run lead. Blessing Muzarabani played a vital innings there.
A fine, fine win for the visitors! They were in massive trouble after electing to bat on Day 1. Their top order was blown away by Blessing Muzarabani and were reeling at 31 for 5. The lower order though came to the fore. The likes of McBrine and Adair took them to over 250 which looked impossible at one stage.
OUT! BOWLED! Andy McBrine ends with a wicket! Floats it full on middle and it spins away. Ngarava swings across the line but misses and it crashes the stumps. Job done! Ireland win by 63 runs.
Flat and on off, Ngarava blocks it out.
Floated on off, Ngarava slices his lofted shot to point and it lands safely. Two.
Too full and on off, Ngarava blocks.
Runs Scored 5 Runs
Score after 86 overs : 226/9
B Muzarabani1 (9)
R Ngarava12 (36)
M Humphreys28-7-57-6
Flat and on middle, Muzarabani defends.
A single as this is punched to cover.
FOUR BYES! Flighted on leg, and spins in. Richard Ngarava swings and misses and it rolls through and to the fine leg fence. Past everyone.
Bowls it well outside off, Richard Ngarava looks to push but misses.
Too full and on middle, Richard Ngarava plays it to silly mid on.
On off and it spins back in. Richard Ngarava dead bats it.
Runs Scored 3 Runs
Score after 85 overs : 221/9
R Ngarava11 (31)
B Muzarabani1 (8)
A McBrine23-4-67-0
Flat and outside off, this is knocked to point for one more.
Full and outside off, Muzarabani drives it to cover for a single.
Too full and on middle, defended out.
Floated on middle, Muzarabani blocks.
Full and outside off, Richard Ngarava drives it to long off for a single.
Tossed up on off, this is played back to the bowler.
Runs Scored 0 Runs
Score after 84 overs : 218/9
B Muzarabani0 (5)
R Ngarava9 (28)
M Humphreys27-7-56-6
Too full and on off, Muzarabani defends it well.
Slanting on middle, Muzarabani defends it out.
Tossed up on off, Muzarabani blocks.
On middle, Muzarabani defends it out.
Quicker one on middle, Blessing Muzarabani leans to defend but misses as it spins away.