Ireland Stage Dramatic Comeback to Secure Historic Home Test Victory Over Zimbabwe
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| Ireland Stage Stunning Comeback to Secure First Home Test Victory Over Zimbabwe / GettyImages |
Ireland staged a remarkable comeback to secure their first-ever Test victory on home soil, overcoming a challenging position after day three to defeat Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe, batting first, scored 210 with contributions from debutant Joylord Gumbie (49) and Prince Masvaure (74), while captain Craig Ervine added 35. Ireland’s bowlers, led by Andy McBrine (3/48) and Barry McCarthy (3/57), kept the Zimbabwean innings in check. Mark Adair and Curtis Campher also took key wickets.
In their first innings, Ireland’s Peter Moor scored 71, with support from Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling, but Zimbabwe fought back, reducing Ireland to 203 for 9. A crucial last-wicket partnership of 47 runs between McBrine and Matthew Humphreys provided Ireland with a 40-run lead. Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga each took 3 wickets, with Tendai Chatara and Sean Williams adding two each.
Zimbabwe, in their second innings, set a target of 158, thanks to Dion Myers' 57 and contributions from the lower order. Andy McBrine’s 4-wicket haul and support from Mark Adair and Craig Young restricted them to 157.
Chasing 158, Ireland was in trouble at 21 for 5. However, Lorcan Tucker (56) and Andy McBrine (55*) led a resilient fightback. With support from Mark Adair (24*), Ireland reached their target, winning by 5 wickets. Richard Ngarava and Blessing Muzarabani took key wickets for Zimbabwe but couldn’t prevent the defeat.
Back-to-back ☘️
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) July 28, 2024
✅ First Test in Northern Ireland
✅ First Test win at home#BackingGreen #Test9 pic.twitter.com/tdolpMZzKM