News

STORMONT – Ireland Men held a slight advantage over Zimbabwe at the close of a rain-hit Day Two of the Test in Stormont on Friday.

Having bowled the touring side out for 210 on the first day, Ireland’s batters made a lively start to play as PJ Moor and Andrew Balbirnie scored 71 for the first wicket before the captain fell for 19.

Born in Harare and having previously represented Zimbabwe, Moor was the star of the Irish batting line-up.

He raced to a fifth Test half century of his career, and first for Ireland, against the country of his birth in front of his family and went on to top score with 79.

Paul Stirling chipped in with 22 but Ireland were at risk of throwing their fine start away as they slipped to 203-9, still seven runs behind Zimbabwe’s first innings total.

That was until the last pairing of Andy McBrine (28) and Matthew Humphreys (27) put on a thrilling 47-run stand for the final wicket to give Ireland a 40-run advantage heading into the second innings.

The Irish cause was also aided by Zimbabwe sending down 42 byes – a record for a single Test match innings in the format’s long history.

With rain halting play at various times in the day, Ireland had only batted 58.3 overs when they were given a final 15 minutes to attack the Zimbabwe batters.

They weren’t able to make a breakthrough, though, and Zimbabwe will start the third day on 12-0, still 28 behind Ireland.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland v Zimbabwe, 1st Test, Day 2, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland — 25 July 2024

Zimbabwe 1st innings 210 (71.3 overs; P Masvaure 74, J Gumbie 49; A McBrine 3-37, B McCarthy 3-42) 

Ireland 1st innings 250 (58.3 overs; PJ Moor 79, A McBrine 28; T Chivanga 3-39, B Muzarabani 3-53)

Zimbabwe 2nd innings 12-0 (4 overs; J Gumbie 7; B McCarthy 0-5) 

See full scorecard