HARARE, ZIMBABWE: Ireland Wolves finished day one of their second unofficial Test against Zimbabwe A on 343-7. There were three changes to the team that won the first game in the multi-format series by 212 runs with Jordan Neil, Reuben Wilson and Matthew Hollard in for Mark Adair, Byron McDonough and Liam McCarthy.
The visitors will be pleased with their position after day one but also frustrated with the number of players that got starts but were unable to kick on to three figures. Gavin Hoey once again impressed with bat in hand, top-scoring with 62* from 69 deliveries from number eight.
Having won the toss and electing to bat, Ireland lost an early wicket when opener, Stephen Doheny, was dismissed early by a delivery from Shelton Mazvitorera that jagged back sharply and pegged back Doheny’s off stump for a duck in the fourth over. Cade Carmichael joined Jake Egan, and their century partnership restored stability in the Wolves innings.
The pair showed a good understanding during their time together, running well between wickets and controlling the game. Carmichael picked up where he left off from the last game, with seven boundaries in his 86-ball 59. Egan also made a half-century, showing application in his 119-ball 57. Carmichael was the second wicket to fall when he was adjudged LBW as Mazvitorera picked up his second, and Egan became his third when he found the fielder and was caught in mid-wicket.
Chris DeFreitas would have been kicking himself when walking back after being caught off the bowling of Victor Chirwa on the stroke of tea. His 33 took 65 balls and included three boundaries and one six. Jordan Neil (3) was Ireland’s fifth man out when he missed a straight delivery from Victor Chirwa and with the score on 175-5, Zimbabwe A had fought back to a good position.
Tim Tector (40) became the next to make a start and then fail to kick on when he didn’t get hold of a pull shot and found the fielder at wide mid-on off the bowling of Mazvitorera as the Wolves lost their sixth. Ben Calitz (41) and Gavin Hoey put on 64 for the seventh wicket before Calitz was wrapped on the back pad by Takudzwa Chataira. Captain, Matthew Humphreys, joined Hoey late in the day and the pair scored freely, adding 58 before close of play.
Zimbabwe A will be pleased with their ability to dismiss set batters but will be frustrated by their inability to dismiss the Ireland A lower order. The pick of the bowlers for the home side was Shelton Mazvitorera who finished with 4-60.
Ireland Wolves will be back out with bat in hand at 8am (GMT) tomorrow with a good platform and will, no doubt, look to add runs quickly before taking their chance in the field.
Match summary
Zimbabwe A v Ireland A – 2nd Four-Day Match, Harare Sports Club, 12 November 2026
Ireland A 343-7 (88 overs; G Hoey 62*, C Carmichael 59; S Mazvitorera – 4-60)
Zimbabwe A yet to bat
End of Day One
