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BELFAST – Ireland Wolves were narrowly beaten by 5 runs by Zimbabwe in a thrilling final over encounter – a match that saw each side have the apparent upper hand at various times throughout.
After a delayed start resulting from heavy overnight rain causing a wet in-field, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat first in a match reduced to 40 overs-a-side.

Barry McCarthy and Graham Hume opened up with some lovely spells of bowling – McCarthy removing Brendan Taylor (0) and Regis Chakabva (8) in his first two overs, and Graham Hume claimed Dion Myers (7) to leave the visitors at 27-3 in the 8th over.

Sean Williams and Wessley Madhevere looked to stabilise and then build a competitive total – the pair registered a 50-run partnership before the confident-looking Williams holed out at Long On for 39 off 48 balls. Madhevere was then bowled by Graham Kennedy in the following over, and Zimbabwe were in trouble once again at the halfway stage with the score reading 81-5.

Late runs to Sikandar Raza (19), Milton Shumba (22) and Luke Jongwe (32) put respectability in the batting sides total – Jongwe’s cameo knock at the backend of the innings included three big sixes and a four. Zimbabwe’s final score of 171-9 looked slightly below par, but the late burst of runs – particularly the 18 runs off the last over – seemed to give Zimbabwe some momentum going into the innings break

The Wolves’ reply got off to a steady start, finishing the initial 8 over powerplay on 20-0. However, two quick wickets fell – William Porterfield (7) and Jeremy Lawlor (3) – leaving Ireland Wolves 32-2 after 12 overs. Lawlor could count himself unfortunate as he hit a solid drive back down the pitch that looked destined for the boundary, but bowler Jongwe thrust out a hand to claim a sensational caught and bowled.

Lorcan Tucker and Murray Commins put on an impressive 60-run partnership, before Tucker fell with the score on 93-3 in the 25th over. Commins registered his half-century shortly afterwards, displaying the dominant form he has been in at inter-provincial level this season (he struck a century and three half-centuries in this year’s IP50). However, he departed for 60 from 88 deliveries crisply hitting a drive off Raza – but straight into the hands of Masakadza. Despite needing an achievable 57 to win from the last 10 overs, it was the bowling of Raza that changed the game’s balance. His 3-36 included the key wickets of Commins, Neil Rock and Graham Kennedy to reduce the home side from 105-3 to 126-6.

Despite brief flashes of boundary-scoring by Stephen Doheny (31*), Matt Ford (12) and Barry McCarthy (10*) the Wolves fell 5 runs short.

Raza was named Player of the Match.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Wolves v Zimbabwe, One Day Match (reduced to 40 overs), Belfast, 6 September 2021

Zimbabwe 171-9 (40 overs; S Williams 39: M Ford 2-28, B McCarthy 2-37, M Frost 2-40)
Wolves 167-7 (40 overs; M Commins 60 Doheny 31*: S Raza 3-36 W Madhevere 1-18)

Zimbabwe won by 5 runs

See full scorecard


Stuart Harrison
Ireland Wolves fell just 5 runs short
No
Connaught