| 0.0 : Hello, folks! Welcome for this tie between Zimbabwe and Ireland in the Super Sixes. It's a beautiful morning in Harare, and unlike yesterday, where the seats where relatively empty, today, there's a sizeable difference as the home side will be in action. It should make for an amazing atmosphere. A win today would mean a lot for the two teams in question. Zimbabwe would enter the top two at least, while Ireland too would move a place or two up the ladder, depending on the result. Should be a good |
| TOSS - Ireland win the toss and opt to field! |
| Ireland skipper, William Porterfield feels there is a bit of moisture in the pitch and expects some bounce off the surface and hence the decision to bowl first. States they have played some good cricket and it's just about capitalizing on key moments. |
| Zimbabwe skipper, Graeme Cremer calls the wicket a bit tacky. Adds the toss isn't in anyone's control and that they aren't too upset to bat first today. Thanks the crowd for coming out in numbers and supporting them. Is really grateful for that and hopes they return the favor to them by playing good cricket. Informs Kyle Jarvis comes in for Tendai Chatara. |
| Pitch Report - Deep Dasgupta says the pitch looks a bit wet and has a bit of moisture in it. Feels the average score here is 230-240 but with the sun out it should dry up the surface and hence anything around 260 would be a par score. |
| Zimbabwe XI - Cephas Zhuwawo, Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor(w), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, Sean Williams, Graeme Cremer(c), Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Blessing Muzarabani. |
| Ireland XI - William Porterfield(c), Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, Andrew Balbirnie, Kevin O Brien, Niall O Brien(w), Gary Wilson, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, Boyd Rankin, Tim Murtagh. |
| The players are making their way out for the national anthems. Ireland will sing first followed by Zimbabwe. |
| Ready to begin now as the Zimbabwe openers and the Irish team make their way out in the middle. Solomon Mire and Cephas Zhuwao will open the innings for the hosts, while Tim Murtagh will take the new ball first up. Two slips in place. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, Starts off from over the wicket and hurls a fuller length delivery on middle and off, blocked solidly back towards the bowler. |
| 0.2 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, SIX! That's gone a long way! Zimbabwe are up and running! Meaty blow! Fuller ball and in the zone around off, Zhuwao stands tall and just lofts it down the ground. Clean strike as the ball sails over the long on fence. |
| 0.3 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, Immediately drags his length back a touch does Murtagh, this time Zhuwao shoulders his arms to it. |
| 0.4 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, Slightly fuller outside off, pushed with soft hands towards the cover fielder. |
| 0.5 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, Back of a length ball outside off, gets on top of the bounce to punch it towards the cover fielder. |
| 0.6 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, Shortish delivery, angling away on off, Zhuwao backs away and pulls it towards wide long on to keep strike. 7 coming from the opening over. |
| Barry McCarthy to bowl from the other end. A slip for him. |
| 1.1 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Good length delivery, angling away on off, Zhuwao is happy to make a leave. |
| 1.2 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Another one on a similar length, this time close to the off stump, CZ drops his wrists and makes an ugly leave. |
| 1.3 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, FOUR! This lad is putting up a show here! Back of a length delivery outside off, not much pace on it, Zhuwao backs away and nails it with a flat-bat over mid off. Off the meat, that. |
| 1.4 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Fires it around leg this time, the batter can't put that away. Wears it on the pads as the ball rolls towards square leg. |
| 1.5 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Outfoxed the batsman completely! Slower ball around off, Zhuwao is ages early to loft this one. The ball sneaks under his bat and rolls on a couple of bounces to the keeper behind. |
| 1.6 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Drops it on a back of a length outside off, the southpaw rises on the toes and with an angled bat he steers it towards backward point. |
| 2.1 : Tim Murtagh to S Mire, Fuller length delivery on the fourth stump line, Solomon Mire prods forward and defends it down in front of cover. |
| 2.2 : Tim Murtagh to S Mire, Shaping back in on middle and leg, Mire looks to work it on the leg side but is caught on the pads. The ball was always angling down. |
| 2.3 : Tim Murtagh to S Mire, Almost spooned a catch there. Close call. It's cutting back in, on middle and leg, Mire uppishly flicks it just wide of short mid-wicket for a single. |
| 2.4 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, SIX! The 'southpaw Hamilton Masakadza', is what Ricky just yelled out next to me. Can't say I disagree either. What a hit! Back of a length on off, Zhuwao rocks back in a flash and muscles this pull over mid-wicket. It's actually out of the stadium as it bounces off the roof. |
| 2.5 : Tim Murtagh to C Zhuwao, Nicely done. Short and outside off, he uses the width and punches it past point. The placement is good enough for him to get three runs. |
| 2.6 : Tim Murtagh to S Mire, Good length delivery just outside off, blocked with the full face of the bat. |
| 3.1 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Good thinking. McCarthy takes the pace off this as he bowls a cutter around off, Zhuwao plays the expansive cover drive, only to miss the ball completely. |
| 3.2 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Another play and a miss. On a length and moving away from around off, Zhuwao has a tame poke at it and misses. |
| 3.3 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, Short ball hit hard into the deck, the batsman ducks and evades. |
| 3.4 : B McCarthy to C Zhuwao, OUT! And the Irish are on their way! It was fun while it lasted, but Cephas Zhuwao departs. Fuller on the stumps, the left-hander looks to go big downtown. Gets a lot of height on it, but not enough distance as Boyd Rankin out in the deep at long on takes a well-judged catch just inside the rope. |
| Hamilton Masakadza walks in at No. 3. |
| 3.5 : B McCarthy to H Masakadza, Just ahead of a length and attacking the stumps, Masakadza drives it straight to mid on. |
| 3.6 : B McCarthy to H Masakadza, That should have been a boundary but the slow outfield prevents that. Masakadza stands tall and crunches this through the covers. Gets three runs for it. |
| 4.1 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Back of a length delivery outside off, Hamilton hangs on his back foot before he blocks it out. |
| 4.2 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, On the shorter side of the length once more, a little straighter in line, another tight block from the batsman. |
| 4.3 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Solid. It's fullish in length this time, Masakadza leans ahead and meets it with the full face of the bat. |
| 4.4 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Shout for a leg before, turned down! Right so too, big inside edge on that. Good spot from the umpire. Shimron Hetmyer would have wished he was there on yesterday's game. He was unfortunately given out when in the same situation, the umpire didn't spot the inside edge. Full and straight on middle and off, Masakadza looks to drive but wears it on the pads, off the inside edge though. |
| 4.5 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, FOUR! In the air but that's hit too hard! Full and outside off, Hamilton hammers it back past the bowler, and the diving mid off fielder for a boundary. |
| 4.6 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Keeps it on off, full in length, defended out safely to end the over. |
| 5.1 : B McCarthy to S Mire, Yorker fired outside off, Solomon Mire digs it out back down towards mid off. |
| 5.2 : B McCarthy to S Mire, Short ball close to off, Mire pulls but rather horribly. No timing on that as he accidentally places it towards mid on. |
| 5.3 : B McCarthy to S Mire, Wide! Going down leg, wide called by the umpire. |
| B McCarthy to S Mire, Stays inside the crease to this length delivery and offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 5.4 : B McCarthy to S Mire, SIX! BOOM! Doesn't fail to connect well on this one. Banged in short, on off, Solomon Mire quickly shifts back and powers the pull shot over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. |
| 5.5 : B McCarthy to S Mire, In the channel outside off, straightening up after pitching, defended down on the track. |
| 5.6 : B McCarthy to S Mire, Full and on off, the batsman brings a straight bat down in defense. |
| 6.1 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Fraction straight in line, on a good length, Masakadza moves inside the line and pushes it in front of mid on for a quick single. |
| 6.2 : Tim Murtagh to S Mire, Shaping away from outside off, there's a little width on offer so Solomon Mire runs it down to third man for a run. |
| 6.3 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Strange shot to play to a pacer. Full outside off, Hamilton kneels down and attempts a kind of a paddle sweep. Misses it altogether obviously. |
| 6.4 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Short of a good length on off, it's kept out rather comfortably on the off side. |
| 6.5 : Tim Murtagh to H Masakadza, Punched through the gap in the covers. Easy single. |
| 6.6 : Tim Murtagh to S Mire, Just over! Didn't connect well, so he'd consider himself lucky he's not back chilling in the dressing room. Full on the stumps, Mire lofts it off the inner half over mid-wicket. The fielder there leaps to take it, just about misses it. Two runs taken. |
| Boyd Rankin into the attack. |
| 7.1 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Good length delivery in the off stump channel, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 7.2 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Shortish in length and outside off, Hamilton stands tall and taps it down on the off side. |
| 7.3 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, FOUR! Exquisite shot! Perfect timing. Didn't put any kind of power on that, at all. Full and straight, Masakadza just eases this back down the ground, past mid on to the boundary line. |
| 7.4 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Short and wide outside off, cut away behind point. A couple of runs taken as third man moves to his right to cut it off. |
| 7.5 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Cutting back in off the deck on a length, a solid block presented in response. |
| 7.6 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Works with the angle and works it through mid-wicket for a double. |
| Andy McBrine also introduced into the bowling attack. |
| 8.1 : A McBrine to S Mire, Nicely tossed up on off, spinning in, Mire hits it powerfully down to long on for a single. |
| 8.2 : A McBrine to H Masakadza, Plays with the spin and turns it towards mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : A McBrine to H Masakadza, Too full in length, so the ball has no time to turn, Hamilton works it down to long on for a single. |
| 8.4 : A McBrine to S Mire, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 8.5 : A McBrine to S Mire, OUT! McBrine strikes in his first over! Foxes the batsman beautifully. Solomon Mire skips down the track to play for the turn, but there is none as McBrine bowls the straighter one around off. It goes past the outside edge and it's a simple stumping for Niall O Brien behind. |
| Brendan Taylor is next in to bat. |
| 8.6 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Off break on middle and off, worked with the spin on the leg side. Successful over from the offie comes to an end. |
| 9.1 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Some extra bounce off the surface, on a length outside off, Masakadza defends it out off the back foot. |
| 9.2 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Outside off on a good length, left alone for the keeper to collect. |
| 9.3 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, Stays back and keeps it out in front of cover. |
| 9.4 : B Rankin to H Masakadza, OUT! GONE! Masakadza is out of here. A half-hearted shot has done him in. Back of a length outside off, Hamilton is in two minds, first tries to feel for it but then attempts to withdraw. Too late though, as a faint edge is drawn and the keeper takes a regulation catch. |
| Sean Williams to bat now. |
| 9.5 : B Rankin to S Williams, Williams wastes no time is getting off the mark. Works it through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 9.6 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Just ahead of a length on off, blocked out to end the over. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the 40th over. |
| 10.1 : A McBrine to S Williams, Comes from around the wicket to Williams, lands it on a shorter length on middle and off, it's punched to wide long off for a run. |
| 10.2 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Over the wicket to Brendan Taylor, spinning into him from around off, defended down on the leg side. |
| 10.3 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Over the wicket to Brendan Taylor, spinning into him from around off, defended down on the leg side. |
| 10.4 : A McBrine to S Williams, Around the wicket again, it's floated on off, Sean Williams prods forward to meet the ball at its pitch. |
| 10.5 : A McBrine to S Williams, Quicker through the air on off, a tight defense presented in response. |
| 10.6 : A McBrine to S Williams, Punched away from the back foot a bit square on the off side. Dot ball. |
| 11.1 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Full delivery aiming the base of the off stick, Brendan Taylor brings a straight bat down in defense and keeps it out. |
| 11.2 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Short and wide, outside off, an attempted cut shot goes in vain as the ball goes past the outside edge. Some extra was the reason for that. |
| 11.3 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Good length ball kicking off the surface, watchfully blocked from within the crease. |
| 11.4 : B Rankin to B Taylor, FOUR! Errs in line and pays the price. Rankin darts it full on the pads, a player of Brendan Taylor's quality will put that away all day. Flicks it through square leg and finds the fence. |
| 11.5 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Fraction straight in line, Taylor moves inside the line and tucks it fine down the leg side for a run. |
| 11.6 : B Rankin to S Williams, Short ball into the body, Williams awkwardly fends it away square on the leg side for a quick one. A good one from Rankin, should be doing more of that. |
| 12.1 : A McBrine to S Williams, Turning away from the left-hander after landing on off, cut away square on the off side for one run. |
| 12.2 : A McBrine to B Taylor, SIX! Hit as clean as a whistle! Too full, a lot of flight and right in the slot for Brendan Taylor, he leans forward and smokes it straight back down the ground for a maximum. |
| 12.3 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Flicked away to mid-wicket, can't beat the fielder there. |
| 12.4 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Driven down the ground, through mid on and an easy single is taken. |
| 12.5 : A McBrine to S Williams, Slider on leg, Sean hangs back and nudges it through backward square leg to get off strike. |
| 12.6 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Another one worked away on the leg side. Through square leg and a single is taken. |
| 13.1 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Shorter in length and outside off, pushed away tamely in front of covers. |
| 13.2 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Served on a length, in the channel outside off, blocked down in front of covers for nothing. |
| 13.3 : B Rankin to B Taylor, One more back foot defense. Dot ball. |
| 13.4 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Full ball angling in on middle stumps, Taylor leans forward and across before flicking it away through mid-wicket. Easy two taken. |
| 13.5 : B Rankin to B Taylor, Wide! Angles it way down leg, wide signalled by the umpire. |
| B Rankin to B Taylor, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 13.6 : B Rankin to B Taylor, The inside edge has saved him there. Fuller on middle, Taylor is hit on the pads on his attempted flick. Lucky that he got an inside edge on that, would have been gone otherwise. |
| Tim Murtagh back on. |
| 14.1 : Tim Murtagh to S Williams, Back of a length outside off, kept out safely from the back foot. |
| 14.2 : Tim Murtagh to S Williams, Short of a good length quite straight in line, fended away easily on the back foot. Single taken. |
| 14.3 : Tim Murtagh to B Taylor, Shorter in length again, blocked. |
| 14.4 : Tim Murtagh to B Taylor, Slower short one in length, Taylor almost gets bored waiting for it. But when the ball eventually does come to him, he helps the pull down to fine leg for a single. |
| 14.5 : Tim Murtagh to S Williams, Shortish in length again, defended down on the leg side with soft hands. |
| 14.6 : Tim Murtagh to S Williams, Full outside off, eased away past the mid off fielder. Two runs taken as the man in the deep mops it up. |
| Kevin O' Brien has the ball. |
| 15.1 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Starts off with a wide delivery outside off, Taylor has nothing to do with that one. |
| 15.2 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Sprays it on the pads, nudged behind square on the leg side. One more added to the scoreboard. |
| 15.3 : K O'Brien to S Williams, Around the wicket, length delivery outside off, Williams hangs a straight blade to block it out. |
| 15.4 : K O'Brien to S Williams, Slaps this short ball with his fast hands and places it to sweeper cover to rotate strike. |
| 15.5 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Movement off the seam for Kevin O' Brien. Goes away from Brendan Taylor on a length. He tries to punch it through the covers after taking a step across but fails to make contact. |
| 15.6 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Fuller in length, knocked through mid on, to the man in the deep, for a comfortable run. |
| Drinks are on the field. |
| 16.1 : Tim Murtagh to B Taylor, Touch short outside off, Brendan wrists away towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.2 : Tim Murtagh to S Williams, OUT! Oh, dear. What is Sean Williams doing? The man was there precisely for that. He knows it, the frustration on his face shows it. A disappointing way to be dismissed. Short ball and Williams takes the pull on. Finds Barry McCarthy to perfection at deep square leg who takes a good catch. Ireland's plan works down to the tee, they have the breakthrough they wanted. |
| Craig Ervine is the next batsman in. |
| 16.3 : Tim Murtagh to C Ervine, Too close for comfort! Murtagh bowls a length delivery around off and it comes back in, Ervine shoulders arms as the ball just goes over the off stump. |
| 16.4 : Tim Murtagh to C Ervine, Fullish in length and outside off, pushed softly to mid off. |
| 16.5 : Tim Murtagh to C Ervine, Jags back in on middle and leg, catches Ervine high on the thigh pad. |
| 16.6 : Tim Murtagh to C Ervine, Hangs back inside the crease, stays behind the line and blocks. |
| 17.1 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Back of a length ball outside off, Taylor gets on top of the bounce and punches it in the gap through cover two get a couple. |
| 17.2 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, In the channel outside off, Brendan has no qualms in shouldering his arms to it. |
| 17.3 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Another one outside off, this time it's a bit too full. Taylor leaves it unharmed. |
| 17.4 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Angling one on the pads, Brendan gets across and works it off his pads towards the man at 45 for a single. |
| 17.5 : K O'Brien to C Ervine, Comes from around the wicket does Kevin and angles in a fuller ball on middle, stroked straight to the cover fielder. |
| 17.6 : K O'Brien to C Ervine, Digs in a short ball, a well-directed one, Ervine is happy to sit under it. |
| Barry McCarthy is back into the attack. |
| 18.1 : B McCarthy to B Taylor, Delivers it on a fuller length outside off, Taylor leans ahead and drives it nicely but can't find the gap. Straight to the man at cover. |
| 18.2 : B McCarthy to B Taylor, Slower ball, landing full on off, Brendan crouches low in his stance and looks to run it down. Gets it off the outer half of the bat towards point. |
| 18.3 : B McCarthy to B Taylor, This one comes slowly off the surface, the batter tries to tuck it away but gets it off the inner half behind square on the leg side for one. |
| 18.4 : B McCarthy to C Ervine, Fuller ball on the stumps, Craig Ervine blocks it out off the front foot gently. |
| 18.5 : B McCarthy to C Ervine, Fuller ball, sprayed wider on off, driven towards wide mid off. |
| 18.6 : B McCarthy to C Ervine, Shortish on off, slapped a bit square on the off side and it's enough for them to return back for the second. |
| 19.1 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Back of a length on middle, blocked. |
| 19.2 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Stays deep and punches it towards cover. |
| 19.3 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Dipping full toss on middle and off, Taylor is quick to bring his bat down and dig it out. |
| 19.4 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Leans ahead and pushes it to the cover fielder. |
| 19.5 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, On a length and around middle and off, Taylor is happy to sit back and block. |
| 19.6 : K O'Brien to B Taylor, Helps a short ball down to fine leg for a single. |
| Andy McBrine is back. William Porterfield is rotating his bowlers well. |
| 20.1 : A McBrine to B Taylor, Tossed up on the stumps, swept straight to short fine leg. |
| 20.2 : A McBrine to B Taylor, OUT! LBW! Brendan Taylor leaves his side in some more trouble now. They haven't even crossed the 100-run mark and already half the side is back in the hut. McBrine lands this outside off, this time Taylor opts to play the reverse sweep. It turns back in and raps the batter near the thigh. A huge appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Looked to be going down leg in the replays but nothing that Brendan can do about it. No reviews and it means that, he has to continue |
| Sikandar Raza, the man who has to do a lot of work now to bail his side out of this stutter, is the new man in. |
| 20.3 : A McBrine to S Raza, Too full on middle, Raza opens his tally by nudging it through mid on. |
| 20.4 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Full on middle, defended into the ground. |
| 20.5 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Eased down to long off to rotate strike. |
| 20.6 : A McBrine to S Raza, Flattish ball on middle, punched down to long on for a single. |
| 21.1 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Bowls a cutter outside off, Raza shoulders his arms. |
| 21.2 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Gets right behind the line of this harmless length ball and defends it down in front of cover. |
| 21.3 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Another one outside off, Sikandar shows a straight blade. |
| 21.4 : K O'Brien to S Raza, On a length and straightening off the surface and squaring Raza a bit. The batsman hangs his bat out and gets it off the edge down to third man for a single. |
| 21.5 : K O'Brien to C Ervine, FOUR! Nicely done! Deft as you would call it! Waits for the length ball outside off and just at the right time, Ervine opens the bat face and steers it fine down to third man for a boundary. |
| For all you folks out there, if you remember, Ireland in their group match against the Windies last week were right on top. They had the Windies on the mat at 80-odd for 5 but squandered the chance and let the opposition score over 250. They need to capitalize now, something William Porterfield emphasized on during the toss this morning... |
| 21.6 : K O'Brien to C Ervine, From around the wicket this time, angling in on middle and off, stabbed out. |
| 22.1 : A McBrine to S Raza, Fuller around middle and off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 22.2 : A McBrine to S Raza, Loopy ball outside off, driven through cover for a single. |
| 22.3 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Quicker ball around middle and off, Craig Ervine covers the line and defends. |
| 22.4 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Presses forward and kills it into the ground. |
| 22.5 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Takes a stride forward and pushes it Andy. |
| 22.6 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Slower ball outside off, turning away a bit, Ervine defends it towards cover. Just a single from the over. |
| 23.1 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Good length delivery outside off, punched into the cover region. |
| 23.2 : K O'Brien to S Raza, On a length, closer to off, Raza lifts his bat, has it covered and then makes a good leave. |
| 23.3 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Slower ball, angling in on middle, Sikandar bunts it back down the track. |
| 23.4 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Sprays it fuller and fires it down leg, SR looks to flick but is a bit late to do so. Gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 23.5 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Decks in from outside off, stabbed out watchfully. |
| 23.6 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Maiden for Kevin! Good work from him. Lands it on a length on middle and off, a water-tight defense from Raza to end the over. |
| 24.1 : A McBrine to C Ervine, FOUR! There was an element of risk involved but Ervine has done well! Flatter delivery outside off, Craig Ervine gets into the position early and reverse sweeps it fine down to third man to raise the 100 up for Zimbabwe. |
| 24.2 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Too full around off, blocked into the ground. |
| 24.3 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Tossed up delivery outside off, pushed with an open bat face to the point fielder. |
| 24.4 : A McBrine to C Ervine, Misfield from the skipper! Ervine works this darted delivery on the stumps to mid on and sets off. William Porterfield charges in towards the ball but takes his eyes off the ball. Concedes one for the blip. |
| 24.5 : A McBrine to S Raza, Driven through cover-point for another single. |
| 24.6 : A McBrine to C Ervine, SIX! Craig Ervine has given the treatment that it deserved! McBrine drops it short on middle, Craig rocks back and takes him over a journey over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. |
| Boyd Rankin is back into the attack now. |
| 25.1 : B Rankin to S Raza, Short of a length delivery outside off, Raza hops back and drops his wrists to leave it alone. |
| 25.2 : B Rankin to S Raza, Good length ball outside off, poked towards cover. |
| 25.3 : B Rankin to S Raza, Ouch that must have hurt! On a turtle-kind of pitch this ball zooms in like a cobra and pings Raza on the bottom hand who looks to defend. He immediately rings his right hand as he looks to be in some pain. |
| 25.4 : B Rankin to S Raza, Stays deep in the crease to defend it out. |
| 25.5 : B Rankin to S Raza, Shortish ball on middle and off, tucked into the leg side off the back foot. |
| 25.6 : B Rankin to S Raza, Short of a length ball, wider outside off, Raza thinks this as on opportunity to score as he throws his bat at it only to get beaten. A maiden for Rankin. |
| Paul Stirling is called on to bowl. |
| 26.1 : P Stirling to C Ervine, Tossed up ball around middle and off, pushed towards the off side. |
| 26.2 : P Stirling to C Ervine, Darted on middle, driven down to long on for a single. |
| 26.3 : P Stirling to S Raza, Fuller ball on off, driven off the outer half past point for a single. |
| 26.4 : P Stirling to C Ervine, Loops it up on off, driven down to long off for a single. |
| 26.5 : P Stirling to S Raza, Gets forward and drives it through cover for a single. |
| Really good work from Niall O'Brien. Has he affected a run out here? Seems really close. |
| 26.6 : P Stirling to C Ervine, OUT! Superb from Niall O'Brien. Really good awareness shown and Ireland continue to dominate the proceedings. Zimbabwe are just not able to string partnerships and have lost another man in name of Craig Ervine. Fuller delivery around middle and leg, Craig leans ahead and defends it towards the leg side. He wants a run and so sets off. Niall O'Brien behind the stumps is quick to get to the ball, he takes his one glove off and swoops a good flat throw towards the bow |
| Graeme Cremer makes his way out to the middle. |
| 27.1 : B Rankin to G Cremer, Good length delivery outside off, the Zimbabwe skipper pokes at it but gets beaten. |
| 27.2 : B Rankin to G Cremer, Fuller ball on off, driven towards mid off. |
| 27.3 : B Rankin to G Cremer, Back of a length ball on middle, tucked behind square on the leg side for a single to get going. |
| 27.4 : B Rankin to S Raza, Length ball on off, patted through cover for a single. |
| 27.5 : B Rankin to G Cremer, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 27.6 : B Rankin to G Cremer, Back of a length delivery on middle and off, GC shows a straight bat. |
| 28.1 : A McBrine to S Raza, Floated delivery around middle and off, worked away down to long on for a single. |
| 28.2 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Drops it a bit short on middle and leg, punched to the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 28.3 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Goes back and defends it down comfortably. |
| 28.4 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Turning in from outside off, clipped away towards square leg. |
| 28.5 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Flatter ball outside off, punched hard back to Andy. |
| 28.6 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Slower ball around off, worked towards the mid-wicket fielder. |
| Barry McCarthy is back. |
| 29.1 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Fuller delivery, angling in on middle, knocked towards mid on. |
| 29.2 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Fuller on off, Raza drives it towards long off for a single. |
| 29.3 : B McCarthy to G Cremer, On the pads, nicely nudged through square leg for a single. |
| 29.4 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Raza drives this fuller ball towards short cover where Stirling stops and immediately fires a throw at the bowler's end but misses as Cremer dives to get back in. |
| 29.5 : B McCarthy to S Raza, SIX! Boom! Sikandar Raza is the man for Zimbabwe! Gets a short ball, goes deep in the crease and pummels it over deep square leg for half a dozen. |
| 29.6 : B McCarthy to S Raza, FOUR! Edgyyy! 10 coming from the last two balls! Good length ball, thrown wider outside off, Raza swings hard at it but the slowness on the ball takes the outside edge and flies down past the keeper for a streaky boundary. |
| 30.1 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Goes back and turns it with the square towards square leg. |
| 30.2 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Flatter and quicker through the air, stabbed out towards cover. |
| 30.3 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Skids off the surface this one, Cremer hangs back to defend but the ball takes the outer edge and rolls safely towards point. |
| 30.4 : A McBrine to G Cremer, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 30.5 : A McBrine to G Cremer, Punched off the back foot to long on for a single. |
| 30.6 : A McBrine to S Raza, Almost takes it off the stumps. Quicker ball on the stumps, cut away through point to retain strike. |
| 31.1 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Very full outside off, driven to mid off. |
| 31.2 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Good length delivery outside off, dabbed down to third man for a single. |
| 31.3 : B McCarthy to G Cremer, Wide! Fuller ball but too wide outside off to make the batter play. In fact, it crosses the tramline and rightly called as a wide. |
| B McCarthy to G Cremer, Fuller on the stumps, bunted back to the bowler. |
| 31.4 : B McCarthy to G Cremer, Fullish again outside off, a mistimed drive to the cover fielder. |
| 31.5 : B McCarthy to G Cremer, Hurls it on a back of a length outside off, Cremer looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards the slip fielder. |
| 31.6 : B McCarthy to G Cremer, Slower ball outside off, Cremer tries to drive but is done in by the lack of pace on the ball. |
| Time for some drinks! |
| Paul Stirling back on. |
| 32.1 : P Stirling to S Raza, Floats it up there, just outside off, Raza is forward in defense. |
| 32.2 : P Stirling to S Raza, Dropped short and wide outside off, Raza can hang back and slap it through to sweeper cover for a single. |
| 32.3 : P Stirling to G Cremer, Loopy and fullish in length, around off, blocked. |
| 32.4 : P Stirling to G Cremer, Pushed through the gap in the covers for an easy run. |
| 32.5 : P Stirling to S Raza, FOUR! Beautiful! Picked his spot and executed the shot to perfection! Full outside off, Raza goes inside out over covers and finds the fence. |
| 32.6 : P Stirling to S Raza, Excellent work from the Irish skipper in the deep. Raza his it through the covers again. Seems the ball will race away to the fence again but Porterfield puts in a good dive and save two runs for his side. |
| Kevin O'Brien returns. |
| 33.1 : K O'Brien to G Cremer, OUT! And he strikes instantly on his return. Graeme Cremer is out of here. Fuller in length and it shapes back in, just enough to sneak through the gap between bat and pad. Another wicket down, Ireland celebrate. |
| 0.0 : Tendai Chisoro is the next man in to bat. |
| 33.2 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, Chisoro hangs back and blocks it out. |
| 33.3 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Outside off on a good length, hit straight to the man at point. |
| 33.4 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Keeps it tight and close to the off stump, defended solidly. |
| 33.5 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, FOUR! BANG! Wasting no time. Full and around off, Chisoro kneels down and murders it straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 33.6 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, The batsman guides it to third man. They pick up a single. |
| Andy McBrine to bowl again. |
| 34.1 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Around the wicket, it's flighted outside off, pushed into the covers for no run. |
| 34.2 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Prods forward to this tossed up delivery and keeps it out safely. |
| 34.3 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Sliding in on leg, goes off the pads of the batsman as he attempts to flick. Leg bye taken. |
| 34.4 : A McBrine to S Raza, Spinning away from outside off, driven to the cover area for an easy single. |
| 34.5 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 34.6 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Fuller in length and outside off, driven back down the ground, just wide of mid off for a brisk single. |
| 35.1 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Just ahead of a length outside off, Chisoro gets low to squeeze it out down to third man but misses. The ball goes under his bat. |
| 35.2 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Short ball, it's ducked under and evaded. |
| 35.3 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Angling back in on off stump, Chisoro moves inside the line and punches it to mid on. |
| 35.4 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Length ball shaping away from outside off, tapped down in front of point. Wants the run but won't get it. |
| 35.5 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Uses the angle to work it in front of mid-wicket. Another dot ball. |
| 35.6 : K O'Brien to T Chisoro, Played to the point region by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. |
| 36.1 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Some decent air on this, fuller in length, Chisoro pushes it just wide of short cover. |
| 36.2 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Leans ahead to this full ball and knocks it towards mid off for a single. |
| 36.3 : A McBrine to S Raza, The 150 comes up for Zimbabwe! Sikandar Raza goes deep inside his crease and nudges it square on the leg side for a run. |
| 36.4 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Looped up on middle and off, Tendai plays a reverse sweep to short third man. |
| 36.5 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, FOUR! That deserved to be punished! Short, wide and outside off, Chisoro has all the time in the world to rock back and smash it through the covers for a boundary. |
| 36.6 : A McBrine to T Chisoro, Full on middle and leg, driven through mid on for one. |
| Boyd Rankin back into the attack. |
| 37.1 : B Rankin to T Chisoro, FOUR LEG BYES! On the hips, Chisoro does well to help it on its way fine down the leg side. Off the hips it seems, but the runs are welcome either way. It goes away and across the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 37.2 : B Rankin to T Chisoro, Camps deep inside the crease and guards it out watchfully. |
| 37.3 : B Rankin to T Chisoro, Full ball angling in from around the wicket, Chisoro takes a big stride forward and blocks. |
| 37.4 : B Rankin to T Chisoro, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, takes the inside edge of Chisoro's bat and rolls past the leg stump. Single taken. |
| 37.5 : B Rankin to S Raza, This length ball is played back down the track to the bowler. |
| 37.6 : B Rankin to S Raza, Good length ball on off, blocked with the full face of the bat to the left of the bowler. |
| Tim Murtagh to bowl. |
| 38.1 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Length ball outside off, kept out towards the point fielder. |
| 38.2 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, On a back of a length outside off, Tendai punches it towards short cover. |
| 38.3 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Good length ball, angling away, steered with an angled bat to point. |
| 38.4 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Drops it on a length on middle and leg, punched towards the man at mid-wicket. |
| 38.5 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Angling away on a length, punched firmly but fails to find the gap. |
| 38.6 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Hangs back to a length delivery on middle, punched back to the bowler. It's maiden for Murtagh. |
| 39.1 : B Rankin to S Raza, Full and angling in on the pads, flicked through to deep mid-wicket by Raza for a double. Good running. |
| 39.2 : B Rankin to S Raza, Short and wide outside off, left alone by Sikandar. |
| 39.3 : B Rankin to S Raza, Brings it closer to the off pole, Raza stays behind the line and remains rock solid in defense. |
| 39.4 : B Rankin to S Raza, Well placed by Raza. Didn't overhit it, made the fielder come for the ball. It's a big gap out there in the cover region, so was able to come back for the second. Nicely done. |
| 39.5 : B Rankin to S Raza, Short of a good length outside off, tapped down in front of point. Dot ball. |
| 39.6 : B Rankin to S Raza, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| Powerplay 3 has been signalled. Maximum of 5 fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle till the end of the innings. |
| 40.1 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Short of a good length outside off, punched off the back foot to short cover. |
| 40.2 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Just ahead of a length, around off, kept out on the off side with soft hands. |
| 40.3 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Angling back in on middle and leg, Chisoro wants to punch this through mid-wicket but gets an inside edge back onto his thigh pads. |
| 40.4 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Plays this on the up. It's a length ball which is punched down to long off for a single. |
| 40.5 : Tim Murtagh to S Raza, Served on a length, aiming the top of off stump, played back to the bowler. |
| 40.6 : Tim Murtagh to S Raza, Short ball on the stumps, pulled through mid-wicket for a single. |
| Barry McCarthy back on to bowl. |
| 41.1 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Nice and straight from McCarthy, full in length, Sikandar Raza offers a straight blade as he pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 41.2 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Angling in on middle and leg, worked on the leg side. No run taken. |
| 41.3 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Punched by standing tall, down the ground, to long off. Single taken. |
| 41.4 : B McCarthy to T Chisoro, FOUR! Streaky runs! But Chisoro and Zimbabwe would gladly welcome it. Length ball on middle, it goes off the inside edge and across the fine leg fence for a boundary. |
| 41.5 : B McCarthy to T Chisoro, Cutter landed on a length around off, Tendai plays away from his body towards cover. |
| 41.6 : B McCarthy to T Chisoro, Outside off and slanting further away, Chisoro once again fails to make connection. Beaten past the outside edge. |
| Kevin O'Brien has the ball again. |
| 42.1 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Begins with a length delivery wide outside off, Raza cuts and plays it straight to short third man, who is positioned a bit square. |
| 42.2 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Slower ball on the stumps, easily blocked by the batsman. |
| 42.3 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Short around off, very close to the off stump, Raza is cramped for some room so can only manage a slap to short extra cover. |
| 42.4 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Keeps it tight again, on middle and off, played back to the bowler from within the crease. |
| 42.5 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Nicely placed. Short ball which Raza pulls over mid-wicket. It falls safely in the gap and two runs are taken. |
| 42.6 : K O'Brien to S Raza, Wide! Angling down the leg side, Raza looks to flick but misses. Wide called by the umpire. |
| K O'Brien to S Raza, Hit through extra cover and Raza will retain strike. |
| 43.1 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Width offered outside off, slapped through to sweeper cover. Single taken easily. |
| 43.2 : B McCarthy to T Chisoro, Short ball on middle and leg, a mistimed pull from Tendai Chisoro lands safely in the backward square leg area. One run taken. |
| 43.3 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Short of a good length around off, kept out off the back foot. |
| 43.4 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Cuts back in from a length, catches Raza a bit by surprise and raps him high on the thigh pad. |
| 43.5 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Raza backs away even before the ball is bowled. Then smacks this length ball hard to wide mid off. A misfield there allows the batsmen to take a single. |
| 43.6 : B McCarthy to T Chisoro, Short ball, rising sharply, Chisoro plays the pull shot and misses. |
| Tim Murtagh is back. |
| 44.1 : Tim Murtagh to S Raza, Slower short ball, the cutter, coming in on middle and leg, Raza has all the time in the world and then some to swivel and pull this down to fine leg for a single. |
| 44.2 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, Length delivery slanting across, pushed wide of short cover for a single. |
| 44.3 : Tim Murtagh to S Raza, Short ball going over Raza's head. He looks at the umpire who doesn't signal a wide for some reason. Strange decision. |
| 44.4 : Tim Murtagh to S Raza, Pounded short once more, pulled along the ground through to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 44.5 : Tim Murtagh to T Chisoro, OUT! Edged and taken! Murtagh slants this across on a length around off, Chisoro has a feel for it and nicks it behind to the keeper who takes a regulation catch. End of a useful 42-run stand comes to an end. |
| Kyle Jarvis is next. |
| 44.6 : Tim Murtagh to K Jarvis, Jarvis defends this off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| Boyd Rankin back into the attack. |
| 45.1 : B Rankin to S Raza, Wide! Back of a length wide outside off, left alone. |
| B Rankin to S Raza, Short and wide outside off, slapped hard but straight to extra cover. No run taken. |
| 45.2 : B Rankin to S Raza, he batsman has driven it through mid off. |
| 45.3 : B Rankin to S Raza, Driven to mid off for a quick single. |
| 45.4 : B Rankin to K Jarvis, On a good length and outside off, plays it to point off the outer half. |
| 45.5 : B Rankin to K Jarvis, Coming back in on middle and leg, worked away on the leg side. |
| 45.6 : B Rankin to K Jarvis, Full and outside off, played off the outer half down to third man for a single. |
| Sikandar Raza needs to be till the end if Zimbabwe are to reach a substantial total. He's inching closer to his fifty. Will that happen? |
| 46.1 : Tim Murtagh to K Jarvis, OUT! Jarvis departs! Length ball on middle and off, Jarvis comes a step down and plays away from his body. Gets it off the outer half towards point where Paul Stirling dives to his right and takes a good catch. |
| 0.0 : Blessing Muzarabani is the last man in. |
| 46.2 : Tim Murtagh to B Muzarabani, Good length delivery on middle, defended back in the direction of the bowler. |
| 46.3 : Tim Murtagh to B Muzarabani, Length delivery on middle and off, Blessing ekes out an inside edge on the pads. |
| 46.4 : Tim Murtagh to B Muzarabani, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 46.5 : Tim Murtagh to B Muzarabani, Fuller outside off, driven straight to mid off. |
| 46.6 : Tim Murtagh to B Muzarabani, Slower delivery outside off, BM blocks it out. |
| Barry McCarthy is back. |
| 47.1 : B McCarthy to S Raza, FOUR! Full and straight on the stumps, Raza clears his front leg and murders this straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary. Powerful hit. |
| 47.2 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Smacks this after backing away straight to extra cover. |
| 47.3 : B McCarthy to S Raza, He didn't take the run! Talk about selflessness. Wow! He didn't want Muzarabani to have strike for most of the over so sent him back halfway. Raza hit this to sweeper cover. Dot ball. |
| 47.4 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Another dot. But it doesn't do justice to Raza. Full and on the stumps, he bludgeons this straight back down. It hits the stumps at the other end which prevents the boundary. |
| 47.5 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Wide! Well outside off, across the tramline, wide called. |
| B McCarthy to S Raza, 13th ODI fifty for Sikandar Raza! What a man! Trying everything and doing so well for his side in a crisis yet again. Short ball which is pulled towards wide long on for a double. He saw Blessing run sloppily, so he urges him to ground his bat while running. |
| 47.6 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Length ball shaping away from outside off, Raza swings and misses. Is unable to get the single. Frustrated at that. |
| Boyd Rankin to bowl again. |
| 48.1 : B Rankin to B Muzarabani, Excellent delivery. Yorker speared in on off, Blessing just about managed to dig it out. |
| 48.2 : B Rankin to B Muzarabani, Beautiful. Two dots in a row. Length ball outside off, pushed away in front of covers. |
| 48.3 : B Rankin to B Muzarabani, Runs this length ball down to third man and brings Raza back on strike. Three balls remaining in the over. |
| 48.4 : B Rankin to S Raza, Wide! Rankin thought Raza would make room, so fired it full on the leg side. But Raza didn't and it's a wide. |
| B Rankin to S Raza, Big swing and a miss! Back of a length shaping back in on the stumps, Raza goes for the big swing across the line but misses. |
| 48.5 : B Rankin to S Raza, FOUR! There it is! That's the shot he was looking for. Full and in the slot, this time Raza makes room for himself and more importantly, connects well. He lofts it over covers and sends it across the boundary line. |
| 48.6 : B Rankin to S Raza, Single to end the over. Raza works this length ball off his hips through backward square leg for one. |
| 49.1 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Full and wide outside off, Raza looks to get bat on ball but misses. |
| 49.2 : B McCarthy to S Raza, SIX! Sikandar Raza is an absolute genius! Oh, you little ripper. What a hit! Bang! Right out of the screws! It's in his slot, he stays deep inside the crease, clears his front leg and smokes it straight back down the ground for a maximum. |
| 49.3 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Length delivery, slower in pace this time, deceives Raza as he's into the slog early. |
| 49.4 : B McCarthy to S Raza, Full and outside off, drilled square on the off side. |
| 49.5 : B McCarthy to S Raza, SIX! Oh, yes! He's making everything happen here. The crowd goes wild as it knows they have some hope now. Raza stands tall and sends it sailing into the long on stands for half a dozen. Last ball of the innings, can he finish it off with another big one? |
| 49.6 : B McCarthy to S Raza, He can't. A single to end the innings. It's squeezed down towards third man and both batsmen cross over. ZIMBABWE FINISH ON 211/9! |
| If they already haven't made a statue for him yet, they better do it now, regardless of the result. Once again, like he has so often done, Sikandar Raza has bailed his side out of another tight situation. Courtesy his fantastic knock, Zimbabwe have a fighting chance as they have crossed the 200-run mark. From 112-6, it didn't seem like that would be possible, but the middle order giant has once again shepherded the tail and given his side and the crowd in the stadium some hope. His unbeaten 69 c |
| Ireland will be quite happy with the performance overall. Yes, they would have preferred to wrap things up earlier, but a score of 211 is just below par on this track. They ran through the Zimbabwe batting order, which has failed yet again, to hold the advantage in their favour. Tim Murtagh led the charge with 3 scalps to his name, while the rest chipped in barring Paul Stirling. |
| Now, Ireland are favourites going into the chase. But, but, a good start from the hosts and you never know. The pitch will get slower and slower as the game goes on and with a couple of early strikes and the crowd backing them to the hilt, it could make for an exciting second half. Join us in a short while for it. |
| 0.0 : Welcome back for the run chase. The home side is in a final huddle before the players jog out. Paul Stirling and William Porterfield walk out to the middle to open for Ireland. Kyle Jarvis has the ball in hand for Zimbabwe. His experience would be put to test here. A lone slip stands in a catching position. Here we go... |
| 0.1 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Starts off with a wayward delivery and is lucky to get away with that one! Short delivery down the leg side, Porterfield lifts his one leg up and looks to help it down to fine leg but gets it off the thigh pad to the keeper. |
| 0.2 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, That's a good stop from the keeper! Short and angling away this time, Porterfield doesn't move his feet and looks to go hard at it. Ekes out a thick bottom edge which goes on the bounce to the right of the keeper who dives to his right and stops it with one hand. |
| 0.3 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Back of a length ball outside off, blocked off the outer half to the point fielder. |
| 0.4 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Wide! Strangles down leg, William once again looks to pull but fails to get any wood on it. |
| K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Superb delivery! Hurls it on a length around off, it straightens off the surface and squares the southpaw up immediately. He looks to have a poke at it and the ball just about whizzes past the outside edge. |
| 0.5 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Back of a length delivery on middle and leg, WP misses his tuck and wears it on the thigh pad. |
| 0.6 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, FOUR! Shot! Back of a length delivery, angling away a touch, doesn't matter for the Irish skipper. He stands tall and fetches it from outside off to pull it over mid-wicket for a boundary to end the first over. |
| Tendai Chisoro to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Starts off with a slider around middle and leg, Stirling deals it off the back foot. |
| 1.2 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Slower one around middle and leg, defended off the front foot gently. |
| 1.3 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Stirling comes down the track to nudge it away but misses and is hit near the thigh area. |
| 1.4 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Darted around middle and leg, worked towards the man at square leg for nothing. |
| 1.5 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Quicker through the air, fired on middle and leg, worked off the inner half to square leg. |
| 1.6 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Paul Stirling leans forward and blocks it out. A maiden for Chisoro! |
| 2.1 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Angling away on a length outside off, William shoulders his arms. |
| 2.2 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Fuller and curling back in on middle, Porterfield looks to flick but the bat turns at the impact. A mistimed on drive to mid on. |
| 2.3 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Fuller on the pads, chipped uppishly towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 2.4 : K Jarvis to W Porterfield, Fullish again on the pads, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 2.5 : K Jarvis to P Stirling, On a length and outside off, Paul Stirling sans any feet movement looks to punch it away. Ends up mistiming it to the cover fielder. |
| 2.6 : K Jarvis to P Stirling, Good chase from Mire! Fuller ball, moving away outside off, Stirling just lofts it through the line. Gets it over extra cover but had no meat behind the shot. Solomon hares after it as the ball slows down near the fence. He pulls it back before they run three. |
| 3.1 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Dropped short on middle, Stirling cuts it really late towards backward point for a single. |
| 3.2 : T Chisoro to W Porterfield, OUT! Straight to Raza! Tendai Chisoro strikes to send the opposition skipper back! Didn't deserve a wicket on this ball but somehow will be relieved. He has his hands aloft and celebrates! A half tracker from the bowler, William Porterfield rocks back to pull but much to his dismay he finds Raza stationed at mid-wicket who accepts a good catch. First blood drawn by the Zimbabweans! |
| Andrew Balbirnie is the new man in. |
| 3.3 : T Chisoro to A Balbirnie, Tad short again outside off, cut to point. |
| 3.4 : T Chisoro to A Balbirnie, Fired outside off, on a shorter length, Andrew cuts it to the same fielder. |
| 3.5 : T Chisoro to A Balbirnie, Loopy delivery around middle and off, pushed into the cover region. |
| 3.6 : T Chisoro to A Balbirnie, Fuller and quicker on middle and off, Balbirnie dead-bats it. End of a successful over! |
| 4.1 : K Jarvis to P Stirling, Length ball outside off, driven a bit square on the off side for a single. |
| 4.2 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, Good length ball outside off, the newcomer is happy to leave it alone. |
| 4.3 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, On a length outside off, Balbirnie guides it down to third man for an easy single. |
| 4.4 : K Jarvis to P Stirling, In the channel outside off, Paul lifts his bat to let it be. |
| 4.5 : K Jarvis to P Stirling, Takes a stride forward to this fuller ball and meets it with a straight bat. |
| 4.6 : K Jarvis to P Stirling, Fuller ball, a bit wide outside off, Stirling drives it past the diving cover fielder. The man from mid off is quick to get to his left and stop it. A single to end the over. |
| 5.1 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Quicker one down the leg side, flicked through square leg for a single. |
| 5.2 : T Chisoro to A Balbirnie, Flattish ball on middle, defended with the full face of the bat. |
| 5.3 : T Chisoro to A Balbirnie, Quicker delivery, he's darting it in, Chisoro! Tucked towards short fine leg for one. |
| 5.4 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Floated ball outside off, Stirling lunges forward to bunt it down. |
| 5.5 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, On the pads, wristed towards backward square leg. |
| 5.6 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Flighted delivery, dipping in on middle and leg, Paul works it towards the man at mid on. |
| 6.1 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, On a length and outside off, tapped with a straight blade to the cover fielder. |
| 6.2 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, Fuller and angling in on middle, driven towards the man at mid on for nothing. |
| 6.3 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, Good length delivery, threatening to come back in from outside off but Balbirnie has it covered. So he makes a good leave. |
| 6.4 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, Back of a length delivery outside off, blocked sweetly off the back foot towards cover. |
| 6.5 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, Fullish in length and angling in on middle, defended by lunging forward a touch. |
| 6.6 : K Jarvis to A Balbirnie, OUT! Wonderful catch from Brendan Taylor! Andy Balbirnie is on his way back! Superb bowling, this! Zimbabwe have got two quick wickets, an ideal start for them. Jarvis goes wide of the crease, hurls it on a length and this one nips back in a touch from outside off. Andy stands tall to defend but the inward movement takes the inside edge and flies to Taylor behind who takes a good diving catch to his left. |
| Ed Joyce is the new man in. |
| 7.1 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Quicker one on middle and off, played back to the bowler. |
| 7.2 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Outside off, some flight on this occasion, eased down to long off for a single. |
| 7.3 : T Chisoro to Ed Joyce, Outside off, looks to make connection but misses. |
| A stumping referral is taken upstairs. Looks like Ed Joyce is gone... |
| 7.4 : T Chisoro to Ed Joyce, OUT! He is! Ireland slip further. This isn't good for them. Brendan Taylor and Zimbabwe are ecstatic. Terrific glovework behind the stumps. It's turning down the leg side, Joyce looks to flick but misses and in the process, he for some reason drags his back leg out of the crease. Brendan Taylor is alert to this, he takes the bails off in a flash and appeals. It's taken upstairs replays and show that Ed is gone. No wide is given because the ball went off the thigh pad. |
| Niall O'Brien next in to bat. |
| 7.5 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 7.6 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, Works it away with the wrists on the leg side for a single. |
| 8.1 : K Jarvis to N O'Brien, FOUR! Short ball into the body. Niall swivels and pulls it away powerfully across the deep square leg fence for a boundary. |
| 8.2 : K Jarvis to N O'Brien, Fullish in length and outside off, driven firmly through the covers for a couple of runs. |
| 8.3 : K Jarvis to N O'Brien, Outside off on a good length, left alone by the batsman. |
| 8.4 : K Jarvis to N O'Brien, Length ball targeting the top of off stump, Niall O'Brien offers a firm punch back down the track with a straight bat. |
| 8.5 : K Jarvis to N O'Brien, Keeps it tight, quite close to off. Blocked right under his nose. |
| 8.6 : K Jarvis to N O'Brien, Slanting away from around off, no shot offered. |
| 9.1 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, FOUR! Spinning away from outside off, Stirling slices this away with a big swing of the arms. Over backward point and away to the boundary line. |
| 9.2 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Looped up and outside off, driven to mid off for a quick single. |
| 9.3 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 9.4 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, Stays right behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 9.5 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, Full and darted outside off, defended out on the off side. |
| 9.6 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, Fuller and outside off, the batsman looks to get some bat on it but fails. |
| Powerplay 2 has been signalled. A maximum of 4 fielders will be allowed outside the ring till the 40th over. Also, Blessing Muzarabani is into the attack. |
| 10.1 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Some extra bounce off the deck. This is something. Landed on a back of a length, just kicks off and takes the leading edge of Paul Stirling's bat. |
| 10.2 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Hangs back and keeps it out off the back foot. |
| 10.3 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Fraction straight in line, turns it away with the flick of the wrists through the gap on the leg side. |
| 10.4 : B Muzarabani to N O'Brien, Short ball too straight in line, the pull is helped down to fine leg for a run. |
| 10.5 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Short and wide, Paul looks to slap it on the off side but gets a bottom edge beside the off pole. |
| 10.6 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Angling down leg, Stirling looks to pull it fine down the leg side but gets it off the thigh pad to fine leg. Leg bye taken. |
| 11.1 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Drifting in from around off, on a driving length, played back down the track for nothing. |
| 11.2 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, The batsman drives this through the covers. They pick up a single. |
| 11.3 : T Chisoro to N O'Brien, OUT! Another Irish wicket down! Short ball on the stumps, Niall O'Brien goes on the back foot and pulls. Only managed a top edge which flies towards backward square leg. Blessing from short fine leg runs to his right and takes a superb catch diving for it. |
| Kevin O'Brien is the new man in. |
| 11.4 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, Plays with the turn and pushes it into the covers for a single. |
| 11.5 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, Positions himself perfectly behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 11.6 : T Chisoro to P Stirling, FIVE WIDES! Flat and down the leg side, Stirling looks to connect but misses and so does the keeper. Difficult for him to take that as it goes all the way to the fine leg fence. |
| T Chisoro to P Stirling, Works it behind square on the leg side for a run. |
| 12.1 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Uppish but safe! Short ball outside off, Paul throws his bat it. Gets an outside edge which flies down safely towards third man for a single. |
| 12.2 : B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Wide! Length delivery on middle and leg, Kevin looks to help it on its way but fails to clip it away. |
| B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Ahead of a length outside off, defended solidly. |
| 12.3 : B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Almost... almost chopped it on! Back of a length delivery, angling in on middle, Kevin O'Brien hops back to defend but gets an inside edge which goes through his legs and evades the stumps. Hands on head for Zimbabwe. |
| 12.4 : B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Short of a length delivery outside off, Kevin O'Brien hops back and taps it with soft hands towards point. |
| 12.5 : B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Back of a length outside off, steered down to third man for a single. |
| 12.6 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length delivery on middle, Stirling gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through backward square leg for a boundary. A much-needed one. |
| 13.1 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, Loopy delivery around middle and off, Kevin defend it into the off side. |
| 13.2 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, Flatter ball outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 13.3 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, Quicker ball around off, defended back to the bowler. |
| 13.4 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, Cuts this short ball nicely only to find the man at point. |
| 13.5 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, FOUR! Easily done! Darted on the pads, Kevin O'Brien bends his back leg and paddle sweeps it past the man at short fine leg for a boundary to bring up the 50 up for Ireland. |
| 13.6 : T Chisoro to K O'Brien, A water-tight defense from O'Brien to block it out. |
| 14.1 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Outside off, left alone without much fuss. |
| 14.2 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Shortish ball outside off, Stirling once again makes a leave. |
| 14.3 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Angling back in on middle and leg, tucked with the angle behind square on the leg side for a single. |
| 14.4 : B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Back of a length delivery outside off, steered away towards the man at point. |
| 14.5 : B Muzarabani to K O'Brien, Fuller and on middle and leg, worked by shuffling across towards mid on for a single. |
| 14.6 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, That was hit hard but to no avail! Short and too much of width on offer, slapped hard towards point where the fielder does well to stop it with a leap. |
| Sean Williams into the attack. |
| 15.1 : S Williams to K O'Brien, Floated delivery around off, defended into the ground. |
| 15.2 : S Williams to K O'Brien, OUT! Edged and gone! Sean Williams is off for a celebratory run. Look what this means to him. Ireland have lost half their side and look out of sorts now. Beautifully tossed up outside off, Kevin O'Brien presses forward to defend but the ball turns away just a wee bit and that is enough to catch the edge. The ball deflects off the keeper's pads and it's an excellent take from the big man, Hamilton Masakadza at first slip with a dive to his left. Ireland need 158 mo |
| Gary Wilson is the new man in. |
| 15.3 : S Williams to G Wilson, Flatter this time outside off, Wilson tries cutting it but there is extra bounce this time to beat the batsman. |
| 15.4 : S Williams to G Wilson, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 15.5 : S Williams to G Wilson, Fuller ball on the stumps, blocked into the ground by staying right behind it. |
| 15.6 : S Williams to G Wilson, Lands it around off, turning away and squaring Wilson up who pokes at it. Gets it off the outer half towards the off side. An excellent start for Williams, a wicket maiden! |
| 16.1 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Shorter in length outside off, the Irish opener doesn't offer any shot. |
| 16.2 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, FOUR! Goodness me, that was come off the middle! Short ball and it sits up at a good height. Stirling with all his might blasts it over cover for a boundary. |
| 16.3 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, In the corridor outside off, Paul is happy to shoulder his arms. |
| 16.4 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Angling in from wide of the crease, knocked off the back foot to mid-wicket. |
| 16.5 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, Fuller outside off, shouldered arms to. |
| 16.6 : B Muzarabani to P Stirling, It's the slower one outside off, Stirling lunges forward and taps it away with soft hands towards the cover fielder. |
| Drinks called! Zimbabwe are all over Ireland at the moment. They have been superb to start with and took no time in ripping through the top order. With the pressure starting to build, the Irish wilted big time as they kept losing wickets regularly. With still 154 needed, Ireland's hopes will be pinned on their opener Paul Stirling who has decided to spend some time in the middle. Can he be the thorn in the flesh for the hosts? Let's wait and find out. |
| 17.1 : S Williams to G Wilson, Flatter one outside off, cut away towards sweeper cover for a single. |
| 17.2 : S Williams to P Stirling, Drops it on a shorter length outside off, punched off the back foot. |
| 17.3 : S Williams to P Stirling, Stays back and pushes it away towards cover for nothing. |
| 17.4 : S Williams to P Stirling, FOUR! Inside edge! Paul Stirling comes forward to play for the turn but this one kept coming in with the arm. It takes the inside edge and evades the leg stump by a whisker for a boundary towards fine leg. Ireland need some more luck. |
| 17.5 : S Williams to P Stirling, Lunges forward and kills it down comfortably. |
| 17.6 : S Williams to P Stirling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| Greame Cremer to roll his arm over now. |
| 18.1 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Tossed up delivery outside off, Wilson presses forward in defense. |
| 18.2 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Bowls the googly and this turns in, Wilson didn't pick up but manages to keep it out. |
| 18.3 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Around middle and leg, worked towards the on side. |
| 18.4 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Floated delivery outside off, pushed towards point. |
| 18.5 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Good, good ball from Cremer! Everything right about the delivery but only one thing didn't happen - en edge! Drifting in around middle, asking Wilson to come forward and defend but it turns away and beats his outside edge. |
| 18.6 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Gary takes a stride forward and smothers it away. A maiden to begin with for the skipper. |
| 19.1 : S Williams to P Stirling, Dances down the track and pushes it to the cover fielder. |
| 19.2 : S Williams to P Stirling, Sits deep in the crease and punches it down to long off for a single. |
| 19.3 : S Williams to G Wilson, Loops it up outside off, defended into the ground. |
| 19.4 : S Williams to G Wilson, Darted in on the pads, Wilson looks to work it away but closes the bat face a bit early and ends up getting a soft leading towards cover. |
| 19.5 : S Williams to G Wilson, FOUR! Deft! Quicker and flatter through the air outside off, Gary Wilson sits back and guides it fine to leave the man at short third man stranded. |
| 19.6 : S Williams to G Wilson, Pushes it straight to the cover fielder to end the 20th over with a dot ball. |
| 20.1 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Flighted ball outside off, driven towards cover for nothing. |
| 20.2 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Googly around Cremer, Stirling leans forward to defend but gets it off the inner half through backward square leg for a single. |
| 20.3 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Defended off the back foot gently. |
| 20.4 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Fuller and wider outside off, driven along the ground towards long off for a single. |
| 20.5 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Makes a bit of room and eases it past the man at cover for one. |
| 20.6 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Huge shout but not given! Cremer slips in a wrong 'un, Gary plunges forward to defend but misses to get rapped on the pads. Graeme appeals but it's turned down almost instantly by the umpire. The impact seemed to be outside the line there. |
| 21.1 : S Williams to P Stirling, Goes back to this one and punches it to cover. |
| 21.2 : S Williams to P Stirling, On middle, milked down to long on for a single. |
| 21.3 : S Williams to G Wilson, Punched towards sweeper cover for an easy single. |
| 21.4 : S Williams to P Stirling, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 21.5 : S Williams to P Stirling, Loopy delivery around middle and leg, worked into the leg side. |
| 21.6 : S Williams to P Stirling, Flighted ball outside off, Paul leans ahead and defends it into the ground. The Zimbabwe spinners are running through the overs. |
| 22.1 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Loopy ball outside off, Wilson moves leg side and drives it towards cover where Raza dives to make a good stop. |
| 22.2 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Shimmies down the track and pushes it into the same region. |
| 22.3 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Landing on off, turning away, left alone from the batter. |
| 22.4 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Tossed up delivery outside off, driven through cover for a single. |
| 22.5 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Driven through mid off by the batsman. One run added to the total. |
| 22.6 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Floated delivery outside off, GW leans forward and smothers it away. |
| 23.1 : S Williams to P Stirling, Flatter and quicker one on the stumps, punched through cover for one more. |
| 23.2 : S Williams to G Wilson, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 23.3 : S Williams to G Wilson, Pushes it quicker through the air on middle, Wilson looks to defend but gets an inside edge towards square leg. |
| 23.4 : S Williams to G Wilson, Inside edge saves him there! Quicker fuller ball, coming in with the arm, Gary lunges forward to defend but is lucky to get an inside edge on the pads. |
| 23.5 : S Williams to G Wilson, Takes a good stride forward and pushes it away. |
| 23.6 : S Williams to G Wilson, Gets down and brooms it through backward square leg for a single to keep strike. |
| 24.1 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Googly slipped in by Cremer, Wilson stays back and defends. |
| 24.2 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Leg break outside off, driven past the cover fielder for a single. |
| 24.3 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Flatter on middle and off, defended into the ground. |
| 24.4 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Tossed up ball outside off, Stirling goes back and pushes it towards cover. |
| 24.5 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 24.6 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Stirling pushes it towards the off side and calls for the single which is certainly not on. Just one from the over. |
| 25.1 : S Williams to G Wilson, Slider on middle, Wilson blocks it out into the ground. |
| 25.2 : S Williams to G Wilson, Flatter from Williams, pushed towards point. |
| 25.3 : S Williams to G Wilson, Darted in on the stumps, worked around the corner for a single. |
| 25.4 : S Williams to P Stirling, Goes back and knocks it towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 25.5 : S Williams to G Wilson, Flatter and a bit shorter outside off, Wilson punches it past the bowler for a single down to long on. |
| 25.6 : S Williams to P Stirling, PS dances down the track and does well to block the ball. |
| 26.1 : G Cremer to G Wilson, Floated ball outside off, pushed with an open bat face through point for a single. |
| 26.2 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Googly from Graeme, worked with soft hands towards the leg side. |
| 26.3 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Pushed off the front foot towards mid off. |
| 26.4 : G Cremer to P Stirling, FOUR! Swept away! Tossed up outside off, Stirling sits down and sweeps it neatly through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 26.5 : G Cremer to P Stirling, Turning away from off, stabbed out. |
| A big mix up and Paul Stirling seems to be struggling here. The expression on the face of the Irish opener suggests that he's a goner. Still it's taken upstairs by the umpire... |
| 26.6 : G Cremer to P Stirling, OUT! Run out! Paul Stirling continues to trudge! Big, big wicket and Ireland lose their mainstay now. Zimbabwe are on a roll here, the crowd is elated as well. Stirling punches it off the back foot towards cover and sets off for a single. Raza charges to the ball and seeing this Wilson sends him back late. By the time the Irish opener can turn back, Sikandar fires in a flat throw to Taylor who takes the bails off. It looked out but the umpire refers it upstairs. Fir |
| Andy McBrine is the new man in. |
| Sikandar Raza, the hero with the bat comes on to bowl. |
| 27.1 : S Raza to G Wilson, Turning in, flicked towards square leg. |
| 27.2 : S Raza to G Wilson, Huge appeal! From around the wicket, landed on leg, Wilson looks to sweep but misses to get hit on the pads. Pitching outside leg, good call from the umpire. |
| 27.3 : S Raza to G Wilson, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single. |
| 27.4 : S Raza to A McBrine, McBrine presses forward and blocks it out. |
| 27.5 : S Raza to A McBrine, Takes a stride forward and drives it through cover for a single. |
| 27.6 : S Raza to G Wilson, Goes back and tucks it through square leg to keep strike. |
| 28.1 : G Cremer to G Wilson, OUT! The skip has a wicket! Tosses it right up there, on middle and off, it skids on through and catches Gary Wilson on the front pad. His defense is beat and the appeal goes up. The finger doesn't hesitate and raises his finger in an instant. Zimbabwe just two wickets away from victory now. |
| 0.0 : Barry McCarthy next in to bat. |
| 28.2 : G Cremer to B McCarthy, Quicker one outside off, pushed away from the front foot on the off side. |
| 28.3 : G Cremer to B McCarthy, Spinning away from around off, McCarthy comes half-forward, presents the full face of the bat and keeps it out. |
| 28.4 : G Cremer to B McCarthy, Spinning away after landing on the stumps, pushed into the covers for a single. |
| 28.5 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Googly dropped short on middle and off, McBrine doesn't pick it up initially but then does well to dab it just beside first slip. |
| 28.6 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Floated up on middle and leg, swept fine down the leg side for a couple of runs. |
| 29.1 : S Raza to B McCarthy, Quicker one going across, Barry moves a step across to get behind the line and block. |
| 29.2 : S Raza to B McCarthy, Fuller in length on middle and leg, driven uppishly through the right of the bowler for a single down to long on. |
| 29.3 : S Raza to A McBrine, Turning away from outside off, cut down towards short third man for a run. |
| 29.4 : S Raza to B McCarthy, Straighter one just outside off, touch short in length, played away on the leg side. No run taken. |
| 29.5 : S Raza to B McCarthy, McCarthy comes down the track and pushes it back to Raza who throws it back at the striker's end, seeing the batsman out of his crease. |
| 29.6 : S Raza to B McCarthy, Full and outside off, driven towards mid off for no run. |
| 30.1 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Big appeal for an lbw but it's turned down by the umpire. Looped up and it hits the pads of McBrine. Appeal goes up, nothing from the umpire. It pitched outside leg and was spinning further down too. |
| 30.2 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Wrong 'un on off, spins away ever so slightly and beats the outside edge of Andy's hanging bat. So close. |
| 30.3 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Full, too full on middle and leg, Andy gets low and slog sweeps it over mid-wicket. One run taken. |
| 30.4 : G Cremer to B McCarthy, This was closer! It pitched and hit in line, but the inside edge has saved him there. Googly on off, spins in and catches the back pad of Barry McCarthy. But, much to his delight, the inside edge is taken first. |
| 30.5 : G Cremer to B McCarthy, OUT! Only two wickets for Zimbabwe to win this game. Tossed up on the stumps, McCarthy looks to go across the line but gets a big leading edge over the bowler's head. Sean Williams there settles himself under the ball and takes a safe catch. |
| Boyd Rankin walks out next. |
| 30.6 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Positions himself behind the line and blocks it out. |
| 31.1 : S Raza to B Rankin, Fuller in length and attacking the off stump, Rankin is forward in defense. |
| 31.2 : S Raza to B Rankin, Sliding in on middle and leg, Rankin backs away a touch and works it away into the leg side for a single. |
| 31.3 : S Raza to A McBrine, Back again, inside the crease before Andy tucks it to mid-wicket for one run. |
| 31.4 : S Raza to B Rankin, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. |
| 31.5 : S Raza to B Rankin, Into the leg side again. No run taken. |
| 31.6 : S Raza to B Rankin, OUT! Sikandar Raza gets his first of the game! Floats it up from around the wicket, it's slow in pace. Rankin has a wild slog across the line but gets beaten in the flight and misses to connect. It goes under his bat and knocks the bails over. |
| Tim Murtagh is the last man in. |
| 32.1 : G Cremer to A McBrine, Pitches it on a fullish length, worked away to the square leg area for a run. |
| 32.2 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, In the air but it falls safely. Tossed up on leg, Murtagh in an attempt to flick closes the face a bit early. Spoons a leading edge but it falls well short of mid off. |
| 32.3 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, Full and outside off, driven to the cover area for nought. |
| 32.4 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, Full and straight, full in length, comfortably played back to the bowler. |
| 32.5 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, Wrong 'un landing outside leg, raps the batsman on the thigh pad and goes away. The umpire, for obvious reasons, shut the appeal down. |
| 32.6 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 33.1 : S Raza to A McBrine, Drifting in as Raza continues from around the wicket, catches McBrine on the pads as he fails to connect with the flick. No harm done. |
| 33.2 : S Raza to A McBrine, Quicker through the air this time, sliding in on leg, once again beats the flick shot and catches Andy on the pads. |
| 33.3 : S Raza to A McBrine, Strays it on the pads once more, it's nurdled fine down the leg side this time for a single. |
| 33.4 : S Raza to Tim Murtagh, Slower through the air on off, Tim throws his bat at this and gets it off the inner half through mid-wicket. One run to the total. |
| 33.5 : S Raza to A McBrine, Works it with the turn into the cover area and calls his partner through for a run. |
| 33.6 : S Raza to Tim Murtagh, Yorker on the stumps, Murtagh just about manages to dig this one out off the inner edge down to short fine leg. The batsmen take off for the run. There is a throw at the bowler's end but it's well wide. |
| 34.1 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, Pitched outside leg, the googly from Cremer, it beats the hanging defensive bat of Tim Murtagh and catches him on the pads. |
| 34.2 : G Cremer to Tim Murtagh, OUT! ZIMBABWE WIN BY 107 RUNS! A good, good victory for them. Murtagh gives the charge and looks to clear the mid-wicket fence. But there's not enough power in it to clear the rope. Solomon Mire in the deep runs to his right and takes a fine catch. |
| A comfortable victory for Zimbabwe. They didn't have a good enough total on the board, but their bowlers produced a splendid performance to wrap the Irish up for an extremely low score. Barring Blessing Muzarabani, everybody plucked wickets with Tendai Chisoro and Graeme Cremer taking 3 each. Ireland could not sustain any decent partnerships. Yes, the wicket was on the slower side but some more application from them would have done them good. Just goes to show how crucial having a player like Si |
| Man of the Match, Sikandar Raza says he can't believe that they have come out on top. States he went with his head down at the halfway stage but Cremer and his mates motivated and cheered him up. Thanks the crowd and says that they wanted to do well for them. Credits Chisoro and Blessing for offering a good helping hand otherwise the story would have been completely different. Once again praises the crowd and calls them their 12th man and the real deal for them. |
| Zimbabwe skipper, Graeme Cremer says they were a bit nervous at the halfway mark, but knew they could come out and do well with the ball as chasing is a bit difficult on this track. Credits Sikandar Raza for his performance and says he's his Man of the Match without a doubt. Goes on to say his batting and his side's bowling at the start was vital for them. Thanks the crowd for their support and says it means everything to them that they come out and cheer them on throughout. |
| Ireland skipper, William Porterfield says at the halfway stage they were very happy to chase 211 and the boys were pretty confident as well. Is out of words to describe this dismal batting performance and feels they have just let themselves down with the bat. |
| That's all we have from this game. Zimbabwe are right on top and continue to prosper. They would feel they are just one game away from booking a berth for the World Cup. Ireland, well this will be a tough loss to digest. All they can do is work hard and come out harder in their remaining games. It's time for us to pack our bags and make a leave but you can switch tabs if you want to catch some action from the ongoing virtual semi-final between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh where the hosts are staring |
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