S Poddar
Ireland finished day one of the historic Test match at Stormont in a strong position, reducing Zimbabwe from 121-1 to 210 all out.
Prince Masvaure and Joylord Gumbie set a solid foundation for Zimbabwe, scoring 74 and 49 respectively. However, Zimbabwe’s promising start faltered in the afternoon session, collapsing from 143-2 to 210 all out, losing four wickets for just four runs.
Andy McBrine and Barry McCarthy shone with the ball for Ireland, taking three wickets each. McBrine ended with figures of 3-37, while McCarthy contributed with 3-32.
Ireland’s captain, Andy Balbirnie, won the toss and chose to bowl first in the overcast conditions. Initially, it seemed like a questionable decision as Masvaure and Gumbie put together a 97-run partnership. Gumbie fell just one run short of a half-century after lunch, and from there, Zimbabwe’s innings unraveled.
Craig Young dismissed Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, for five runs. Curtis Campher then took the key wicket of Masvaure, who had struck eight boundaries in his top score of 74.
Sean Williams managed to add 35 runs, but he was the last to reach double figures. McBrine claimed his wicket, followed by two more in quick succession, leaving Zimbabwe’s tailenders with little resistance.
Rain ended play early, with Ireland set to begin their batting reply on Friday morning. This match is Ireland’s second Test on home soil, with Stormont becoming the 123rd ground to host a Test match.
Reflecting on the day’s play, McBrine said, “It was a very good end to the day. They played really well in the first session, but it shows the character we have in the squad. The way Barry and Craig bowled in the afternoon and how we finished it off was very good.”
