Eire’s bowlers shone brightly on the second day of the Solely Check in opposition to Zimbabwe at Queens Sports activities Membership, Bulawayo, with Barry McCarthy and Andy McBrine spearheading a decided efficiency with the ball.
McCarthy’s precision and aggression earned him a four-wicket haul, whereas McBrine’s cleverness with the ball, as Eire dismantled the Zimbabwe batting lineup to bowl them out for 267.
The hosts resumed their innings on 72/1, with Nick Welch and Takudzwanashe Kaitano trying to construct on their promising in a single day begin. Nonetheless, McCarthy struck early, trapping Kaitano leg earlier than for 26 with a ball that seamed in sharply.
McCarthy’s relentless accuracy paid additional dividends when he clean-bowled Brian Bennett with a fantastically angled supply.
To not be outdone, McBrine’s good bowling and alert fielding assist turned the screw on Zimbabwe. He eliminated Wessly Madhevere for 26 after a intelligent catch off a rebound by keeper Lorcan Tucker. Three balls later, Johnathan Campbell fell cheaply, gifting a catch to cowl level as McBrine claimed two wickets within the over.
By lunch, Zimbabwe had misplaced 4 wickets, with Eire firmly in management.
After the break, Eire continued to chip away at their resistance. McBrine trapped Nyasha Mayavo leg earlier than for 18, and McCarthy struck once more, dismissing Newman Nyamhuri for a golden duck with a ball that seamed away sharply.
Mark Adair then joined the assault, eradicating Richard Ngarava and Nick Welch in fast succession. Welch, Zimbabwe’s standout performer with a gritty 90, fell to a shocking catch by Harry Tector at deep sq. leg, leaving the hosts struggling.
Regardless of Eire’s dominance, The host’s tailenders mounted a defiant 67-run partnership between Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu, irritating the Irish assault. Muzarabani’s aggressive 47 off 68 balls almost secured a half-century earlier than Humphreys ended his innings with a full-length supply which crashed into center stump.
Gwandu remained unbeaten on 18 as Zimbabwe have been bowled out for 267 to safe a slender lead of seven.
Eire began at a charge of knots, scoring 24 of their first three overs. Muzarabani was notably punished by some emphatic boundaries from PJ Moor.
Captain Andrew Balbirnie was no slouch on the opposite, finish going at greater than a run a ball.
Nonetheless, Eire misplaced their first wicket when Moor, along with his bat hanging out, edged a supply from Ngarava that stored transferring away at an angle, straight to Mayavo, for 30.
Balbirnie (32) and Curtis Campher (14) held off the Zimbabwe assault to complete the day on 83/1, 76 runs forward.
The Check match is apparently poised now, however Eire will fancy their place extra.
MATCH SUMMARY
Eire vs Zimbabwe, Solely Check match in Zimbabwe, 7 February 2025
Day 2 (Shut of play)
- Eire 260 (56.4 overs; A McBrine 90*; B Muzarabani 7-58)
Zimbabwe 267 (86.1 overs; N Welch 90; B McCarthy 4-75) - Eire 83-1 (21 overs; A Balbirnie 32*, P Moor 30; R Ngarava 1-25)
Eire lead by 76 runs
Get each cricket updates! Observe Us: