Zimbabwe overcomes the Irish challenge in the 1st ODI

Zimbabwe overcomes the Irish challenge in the 1^st ODI: Zimbabwe took on Ireland for the first of the 3-match ODI series at the Harare Sports Club. Having won the toss the Zimbabwean skipper Elton Chigumbura elected to field first. Left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, Hamilton’s younger brother, made his international debut for Zimbabwe today. Craig Ervine, who missed the ODI series against Pakistan, also made a return to the side.

Given Zimbabwe’s troubles against spin, Ireland chose to play two spinners in Andy McBrine and George Dockrell. Niall O’Brien was left out of the squad and Gary Wilson took the wicket-keeping gloves in his place. Ireland had beaten Zimbabwe in their last two internationals, the most recent one being the 2015 World Cup match in Hobart.

On a pitch that had a bit of grass on it the Irish openers, Captain William Porterfield and Paul Sterling started solidly. After 8 overs the score was 36 runs, Sterling’s contribution being 24 runs off just 23 balls courtesy 5 fours. The first ball of the 9th over saw Sterling get out to a rather soft dismissal. Tinashe Panyangara’s gentle delivery induced a false shot off Sterling and had him caught at midwicket by Sikandar Raza. The debutant, Wellington Masakadza had his moment of glory when he took a brilliant catch at point to send William Porterfield packing; that was to be Chamu Chibhabha had his first and only wicket of the match. Luke Jongwe was brought back into the attack and justified his skipper’s faith by dismissing the talented Andrew Balbirnie, once again caught by Masakadza.

With Ireland struggling at 54/3 at the end of 17 overs the veteran Ed Joyce was joined by Gary Wilson. The two mixed caution with aggression and compiled a valuable 83-run partnership before the off-spinner John Nyumbu removed Joyce, caught by Chigumbura at extra  cover for a well made 53 off 88 balls. Kevin O’Brien looking to dominate the proceedings was soon dismissed by Nyumbu on 16; with the Irish score reading 157/4 half way through the 40th over. Wickets of Thompson and Mooney added to the Irish woes and at the end of 45 overs they were left struggling at 176/7.

George Dockrell was the 8th and last of the Irish wickets to fall. Andy McBrine played a little cameo scoring an unbeaten 23 off 14 balls. The hero of the innings though was undoubtedly Gary Wilson. The stylish right hander scored a brilliant unbeaten 70 from 88 balls including 4 fours. He ensured Ireland reached a fighting score of 219/8 at the end of 50 overs.

The Zimbabweans began their run chase with wicket-keeper batsman Richmond Mutumbami and Chamu Chibhabha. Mutumbami was the first to be dismissed by Mooney on 9; the score 17/1 off 4.2 overs. Chibhabha batting steadily on 22 off 26 balls was dismissed by McBrine. He could have hit the short ball anywhere in the park however holed out to Murtagh at short fine leg. Zimbabwe’s best player of spin, Sean Williams arrived with the score 44/2 at the end of 9 overs. Williams and Craig Ervine added 54 runs before Dockrell got his first wicket as Williams was stumped by Wilson to a ball which did not turn much.

At 98/3 the visitors had an opening they desired for. Elton Chigumbura was the next to be dismissed by Dockrell; caught by Wilson for 16 off 22 balls and the Zimbabwean score being 124/4. Ervine brought up his well made 50 in the 28th over of the innings however was dismissed after adding another 10 runs to his score. Caught by Wilson of the bowling of McBrine, Ervine was out after a vital knock of 60 off 78 balls. With only 68 runs to get, Ireland had a chance to quickly pile the pressure on Zimbabwe’s lower order.

Sikandar Raza had looked fidgety at the crease and eager to get on with things, as opposed to Ervine’s calm demeanour. Waller was the next one to be dismissed having played a bizarre knock of 1 from 12 balls leaving Zimbabwe in a tricky situation; at 161/6 in 37 overs it was anybody’s game to win. Jongwe was run out for 5 the score was 171/7 when the debutant Masakadza joined Raza. Dockrell dropped a return catch of Masakadza when the score was 193/7; Raza could have been under more pressure had this catch been taken. He brought up his 50 in the 46th over to a huge applause by the animated crowd at the Harare Sports Club.

Raza soon survived a tough chance for Wilson behind the stumps and breathed a sigh of relief however the same over, 47th of the innings saw Masakadza run out for 10. Zimbabwe needed 11 off 18 balls with 2 wickets in hand and still had to close out the match safely which they did thanks to 60 off 72 balls by Sikandar Raza who was rightly adjudged the Man of the Match for guiding his team home. Zimbabwe won by 2 wickets (with 6 balls remaining). As expected a closely fought first match set the ball rolling for the remainder of the series and the Irish will surely fancy their chances hoping their batsmen to contribute more than what they did today.

Brief Scores:

Ireland  – 219/8 (50 ov) (GC Wilson 70 no, EC Joyce 53; J Nyumbu 2-35)

Zimbabwe  – 222/8 (49 ov)  (S Raza 60 no, CR Ervine 60 ; GH Dockrell 2-29)

Zimbabwe won by 2 wickets (with 6 balls in hand).

Man of the Match – Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)