Player of the Match
Player of the Match
  • BATSMEN
    R
    B
    M
    4s
    6s
    SR
    0.6 Done him with a (reverse)-brute! Checking for the no-ball, all good. The first four balls were all short, all rising. Then, one went fuller. Now, back to short. But... this one don't bounce as much. Moor's hands are high, close to the chest, but the ball rises to top-of-stump height. The bat stabs down with force, bat face closing too, but can only slice the ball right up. Slip ran in front as it ballooned into the palms. 4/1
    4.3 Three down in 25 minutes!. Short leg is deep and Balbirnie plops it straight to him. He played for pace, but that stuck in the pitch a bit and he was too early into the pitch. The fourth-stump ball was on a length, so there was no time to adjust the shot. The bat-face was closing, which compounded Balbirnie's problem. Got a leading edge as he hopped back in and the ball popped to Kaitano. Zimbabwe are partying on this two-paced surface 19/3
    3.5 Pulled onto the stumps! No-ball check again. This is tighter.... From the off-side replay, it looks like it could be a no-ball, but Balbirnie's in the way. Well, it's not really, the leg-side replay confirms. Not a short ball, maybe around the eight-metre mark. Was angling away to fourth stump, maybe a bit of seam movement too. Campher tried to pull it into the ground. Didn't hold back the power, smashes the stumps. 17/2
    6.5 Peach from the Muzz! Very little Tector could've done about that Turned him into an S, before x-ing into slip's hands. Fullish ball was heading to the outer-half of leg stump, but then, it seamed away. Tector tried nudging it towards mid-on, so the bat-face was slightly closed. No time or space to adjust the shot. Hit either the leading edge, maybe around the back of the bat, and went to slip at a low-ish height. To the left Kaitano tumbles, and snags it. Party ensues among the Zimbabwe players 20/4
    8.5 No reverse, this is straight-up brute! It's pace, it's bounce, it's rush. Back of length angling in towards off stump. Stirling went across, got behind the line if not inside it and tried to work it across to the leg side. The pace and bounce had ball ping off the leading edge before he knew it, it popped right up and was taken by Bennett, who was in the slips. 31/5
    15.4 Chops on! Fuller length ball with slight deviation away from the batter, Tucker tried to smash it through the covers off the front foot, missed the line of the ball as he plays the cover drive, thick inside edge of the bat and smashes the stumps! He seemed to be really disappointed in himself after playing the shot. 82/6
    not out
    90
    132
    235
    12
    0
    68.18
    44.6 Short, wide, and nicked behind off the outside edge! Short of a length ball wide outside off shaping away, wild swing of the bat, tried to slice it over backward point, beaten by the extra pace and late movement off the pitch, gets a thin outside edge of the bat and Adair has to depart! 209/7
    46.4 Soft dismissal, and Muzrabani gets his sixth wicket! Banged in short pitched ball on the stump, McCarthy attempts to pull it away to the on-side, missed the length of the ball, failed to connect and strikes the glove, easy catch for the short leg fielder, Madhevere goes back a few steps to finish the catch. 211/8
    50.4 Muzarabani is the third Zimbabwe bowler to pick up a Test seven-for. Young helped out by going for a wild pull. Made room and got followed. Edged it onto the helmet and the ball popped to forward square leg 233/9
    56.4 Softie. McBrine stranded on 90. Slower ball on a length, at leg stump had Humphreys flicking a touch too early. It was angling into the pad, so the shot was on. But Ngarava's deception had the final word 260/10
    Extras
    17 (b 6, lb 3, nb 7, w 1)
    TOTAL
    260 all out (56.4 Overs, RR: 4.58, 285 minutes)
    Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Peter Moor, 0.6 ov), 2-17 (Curtis Campher, 3.5 ov), 3-19 (Andy Balbirnie, 4.3 ov), 4-20 (Harry Tector, 6.5 ov), 5-31 (Paul Stirling, 8.5 ov), 6-82 (Lorcan Tucker, 15.4 ov), 7-209 (Mark Adair, 44.6 ov), 8-211 (Barry McCarthy, 46.4 ov), 9-233 (Craig Young, 50.4 ov), 10-260 (Matthew Humphreys, 56.4 ov)
    BowlingOMRWEconWDNB
    B Muzarabani1815873.2200
    R Ngarava13.416524.7502
    NT Nyamhuri70420612
    T Gwandu615318.8303
    BJ Bennett1213302.7500
  • BATSMEN
    R
    B
    4s
    6s
    SR
    23.2 Seam in and Kaitano's trapped lbw! Heart of a length, lands around fourth stump and decks in. Kaitano took a small step forward and tried to play the line. Bat was next to pad, but it hit him on the back leg, top of pad. Height was likely the only thing that could've saved the batter, but it looked out. No reviews available for this Test, just FYI 77/2
    5.5 Edged and taken! Short of a length ball wide outside off, Curran attempts to slice it through the point area, misjudged the length of the ball as it kept a bit low, thick outside edge of the bat and a brilliant grab by Tucker behind the stumps, moving to his left side and grabbing it in front of the first slip fielder! 26/1
    62.2 a stunning catch at deep midwicket! And Welch's father has his hands on his head in the stands. A short of good length ball angling into Welch. He absolutely swats a pull in front of square on the leg side. It's a flat hit, but still in the air, and Tector at deep midwicket runs to his right before throwing himself in the air to pluck the ball into his hands from nowhere! 200/9
    29.6 Through him, McCarthy points to one of his team-mates. Likely the one who's helped him set that up. Smart change of release point as Bennett went wide of the crease and arrowed a fullish length ball in towards middle. It landed around a fifth-stump line and Bennett was caught in-between the front and back foot. Tried to push it straight but the full-faced bat couldn't cut the diagonal line of the ball. He's squared up and the bails fly. Two wickets in the first 45 wickets, both bowler's wickets. Shows how good Ireland have been on a pitch that's easing out. 97/3
    41.1 smart catching! Full ball on middle. Turning in. Looks to flick it with the turn. Square leg moves to his right to catch, but he can't hold on, scooping it instead, and the keeper swoops across to grab the rebound. That's a third wicket this session for the visitors 143/4
    41.4 perishes! Campbell looks distraught. Fullish ball outside off. Bit of turn away. Campbell goes back and tries to punch it in front of square, but ends up hitting it straight to cover point. Catching practice, and that's two wickets in the over 147/5
    49.6 Celebrappeal from the keeper, good reason for it too. Missed sweep and it's salmon trout Was a fullish length ball that landed in line and hit him on the right leg. Left knee was on the ground. Mayavo's back foot slid and it hit him on the thigh, right in front of middle stump 171/6
    50.4 Seam, bounce, taken at second slip! McCarthy hits the goodest of good lengths, maybe a touch back of length if at all, for a channel ball that takes the shoulder of the bat. It seamed away a touch and trapped Nyamhuri in the crease. He tried to defend with bat close to body but the ball was allowed a bit more space to deviate and by the time the bottom hand came off, it was too late. 172/7
    60.3 Ngarava can't clear mid-off this time, and Welch loses another partner! Slower one angling in towards off stump from around the wicket. Ngarava drove through the line, followed through with the shot again, and didn't middle it again. Got height again, distance not as much as last time; Moor took a few steps to the left and caught it 192/8
    86.1 No fifty for Muzarabani! He wanted to do it in style; he slogged, the shot was on as it was a slot ball at the stumps, but did so across the line. The pace on the ball had it smash middle and leg. But he's gotten them into the lead. 267/10
    not out
    18
    79
    1
    0
    22.78
    Extras
    4 (lb 3, w 1)
    TOTAL
    267 all out (86.1 Overs, RR: 3.09)
    Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Ben Curran, 5.5 ov), 2-77 (Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 23.2 ov), 3-97 (Brian Bennett, 29.6 ov), 4-143 (Wessly Madhevere, 41.1 ov), 5-147 (Johnathan Campbell, 41.4 ov), 6-171 (Nyasha Mayavo, 49.6 ov), 7-172 (Newman Nyamhuri, 50.4 ov), 8-192 (Richard Ngarava, 60.3 ov), 9-200 (Nick Welch, 62.2 ov), 10-267 (Blessing Muzarabani, 86.1 ov)
    BowlingOMRWEconWDNB
    MR Adair1845623.1110
    BJ McCarthy2227543.400
    CA Young1013603.600
    MJ Humphreys15.113812.500
    AR McBrine2155932.800
  • BATSMEN
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    B
    4s
    6s
    SR
    7.6 Edged, taken! Ngarava looks down, roars and pumps his fists in raw delight The three-quarter length, along with the angle which was taking it through fifth stump, does the trick. Moor was beside the line, dangled his bat out and wiped it 180 degrees to the left but couldn't do it before the ball took the edge. Dolly for the keeper. Moor might've played for inswing or at least for the original angle, but that kept going away 46/1
    57.3 Tight call for lbw... and it's given! Madhevere has his maiden Test wicket. Spun in sharply to beat the soft flick by a distance. Hit the pad on a lowish height, in front of middle and off. Was a length ball that landed around fourth. Balbirnie tried to play the line, closed the bat face fully. So, he wanted to play it square. Not much foot movement but the spin was probably what did him in. Madhevere pumps his fists and the fielders are chuffed again 171/4
    36.2 There's the nick! The on-air commentators were talking about the stutter in his run-up that is messing with his rhythm and Gwandu responds with a wicket. He bowls it just fuller than good length, around fifth stump, Campher comes forward but drives away from the line - the length made him do that - with hard hands. All he manages is a faint edge and Mayavo does the rest. That ends the 75-run second-wicket partnership for Ireland, Campher denied a half-century 121/2
    52.2 Good shout for lbw... given lbw! Beaten on the inside edge, hit him in front of middle and leg. Was a fullish length ball that landed around leg and straightened. Tector's stride forward was long, bat was straight and in front of pad. But it hit him just under the knee-roll. He played for more spin than there was, might've misjudged the initial line too. Campbell's maiden Test wicket! 153/3
    62.5 Gloved to the keeper? Ump thinks so, Stirling shakes his head in disagreement but walks. Was a short ball that was going down leg, Stirling was mid-swivel and on one knee as he tried to pull it fine. The ball was close to the sticker - the bat face and blade in fact, and the keeper took it easily. Zimbabwe were convinced that was out though, all appealed in unison. Reminder - There's no Ultra-Edge or reviews available 199/5
    93.3 Top edge... and it's taken at cover. Zimbabwe will need 292 to win. Shortish ball outside off, Tucker charged early and cut it with power but got it right up. Taken by Campbell with fingers pointing up. Cheers and singing go up in the stands 298/10
    74.3 Beautiful bowling and Madhevere picks up his second! This was coming. You could see this coming. Mayavo was getting chatty, Madhevere was finding the right spots and finally reaps the reward. Flights this one, bowls it fuller outside off. McBrine goes for another drive but because of the turn, only manages to edge it straight to Welch at slip. He manages to cling on. Ireland effectively 231 for 6 238/6
    83.1 Edged and taken! Ngarava strikes with the second new ball and Zimbabwe celebrate. He bowls it full and angles it away outside off, Adair goes for the drive but gets a thick outside edge. Flies straight to first slip where Kaitano makes no mistake. Actually a good catch because the wicketkeeper was starting to go for it before withdrawing. And that's tea, day three 261/7
    89.2 Oh, the slower one comes off and that'll delight Ngarava to no end. Fullish ball from around the wicket shaped in towards middle and left McCarthy, who played the line. He didn't move his hands and tried to retain his shape but fell over as the ball went away and dinked top of middle and off. 281/8
    90.2 Top of middle! But this might not worry Ireland too much as that skidded and kept a touch low. Back of lengther landed on fourth and came in with the angle. Young tried to block it straight, feet were back in the crease - understandable with the length - but he couldn't jam the bat down in time 284/9
    not out
    1
    8
    0
    0
    12.5
    Extras
    22 (b 5, lb 13, nb 3, w 1)
    TOTAL
    298 all out (93.3 Overs, RR: 3.18)
    Fall of wickets: 1-46 (Peter Moor, 7.6 ov), 2-121 (Curtis Campher, 36.2 ov), 3-153 (Harry Tector, 52.2 ov), 4-171 (Andy Balbirnie, 57.3 ov), 5-199 (Paul Stirling, 62.5 ov), 6-238 (Andy McBrine, 74.3 ov), 7-261 (Mark Adair, 83.1 ov), 8-281 (Barry McCarthy, 89.2 ov), 9-284 (Craig Young, 90.2 ov), 10-298 (Lorcan Tucker, 93.3 ov)
    BowlingOMRWEconWDNB
    B Muzarabani2007013.500
    R Ngarava17.345543.1402
    T Gwandu1102822.5401
    NT Nyamhuri802102.6200
    BJ Bennett501102.200
    W Madhevere1814822.6600
    J Campbell1414713.3510
  • BATSMEN
    R
    B
    4s
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    SR
    6.6 Knocked him over! A peach from Adair and Kaitano is out of here. What smart bowling this is from Ireland's opening bowlers. Again, bowls a few outswingers at good pace outside off, before getting this one to shape in. It lands just fuller than good length, and it is slightly slower, too. As a result, Kaitano's defensive shot is a tad early and the ball sneaks past the inside edge to uproot off stump 22/2
    5.4 McCarthy gets Curran for the second time in the match! He set him up nicely with a few incoming deliveries. Lands this one on a length just outside off again. Curran plays inside the line of it expecting it to shape inwards. But this one holds its line, takes the outside edge and nestles in Tucker's gloves. Early strike for Ireland 18/1
    11.4 Huge appeal, given! Humphreys strikes in his first over to dismiss Welch, who scored 90 in the first dig. He fires an arm ball on a length on off and middle, Welch should have been forward to it. But he goes back to whip it across, completely misreads the line of it and is caught plumb in front of the stumps. Ireland making the right noises to shut down those of the Bulawayo crowd 32/3
    35.5 Edged cut to the keeper! 65-run stand broken with a length ball on fourth stump that spun away and bounced more than Bennett expected. His front foot twirled leg side and back foot stayed put as the hands reached out to lash at the ball. Thickish edge but not much deviation and Tucker took it around chest-height with a swivel to the right. 105/5
    15.6 Off stump cartwheels, middle is dinked to the left, it's as nsfw as bowleds get. McCarthy points to the stumps, knows just how amazing that is. Facial expression is neutral too, so it was silence with speakers on. It was fullish and landed around middle before nipping away. Gwandu walked into a straight drive, committed to the shot but played down the wrong line. 40/4
    83.1 Knocked him over, a sixth for Humphreys! The second new ball does it for Ireland. Madhevere does not want to go off. Quicker ball on a length on off and middle, Madhevere hangs back to defend but it skids past the outside edge to make a mess of the stumps. He has his bat on his helmet, head down in disappointment as he finally drags himself off. ZImbabwe 75 away with just one wicket in hand 218/9
    53.1 Caught and bowled! Humphreys breaks through and Campbell cannot believe what he has done. He has to drag himself off. He was struggling against the left-arm spinner but was starting to get the measure of him. But Humphreys entices him by tossing one up above his eyeline, full in length outside off, it lands it the rough and spins in a touch. Campbell drives it back hard, the bowler sticks his left hand out and it sticks. Good reflex catch. Massive wicket to end the 56-run partnership. Can Ireland make regular inroads hereon? 161/6
    61.5 Edged and taken! Humphreys takes his fourth and Ireland rejoice. Mayavo's methods of playing him off the back foot not paying off. This is another length ball, slightly short, that spins a little away after landing, he goes back to punch it hard with an angled bat. He ends up playing it well away from the body. The edge perhaps deflects off the keeper's gloves and Stirling takes a good, low catch at first slip. The umpires check if it did carry and they are satisfied 173/7
    73.1 Plumb in front, given! Five-wicket haul for Humphreys, his first in Tests. Nyamhuri get across and looks to sweep, the ball lands on leg and straightens past his attempted swish and hits him on the front pad. Can't be pinned any more plumber than that. Humphreys has bowled superbly this innings, his five-wicket haul a just reward 189/8
    86.3 Bowled him! McBrine cleans Ngarava up and Ireland register a memorable win in Bulawayo. Flights it up and lands it full on middle, Ngarava can't resist the big heave-ho down the ground and sees middle pegged back. Smiles and hugs in the Ireland camp and well-deserved that 228/10
    not out
    1
    9
    0
    0
    11.11
    Extras
    10 (b 4, lb 6)
    TOTAL
    228 all out (86.3 Overs, RR: 2.63)
    Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Ben Curran, 5.4 ov), 2-22 (Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 6.6 ov), 3-32 (Nick Welch, 11.4 ov), 4-40 (Trevor Gwandu, 15.6 ov), 5-105 (Brian Bennett, 35.5 ov), 6-161 (Johnathan Campbell, 53.1 ov), 7-173 (Nyasha Mayavo, 61.5 ov), 8-189 (Newman Nyamhuri, 73.1 ov), 9-218 (Wessly Madhevere, 83.1 ov), 10-228 (Richard Ngarava, 86.3 ov)
    BowlingOMRWEconWDNB
    MR Adair1934712.4700
    BJ McCarthy802222.7500
    MJ Humphreys2875762.0300
    AR McBrine23.346912.9300
    CA Young702002.8500
    C Campher1030300

Match Details

Toss

Ireland , elected to bat first

Player Of The Match

Series result

Ireland won the one-off match

Match number

Season

Hours of play (local time)

10.00 start, Lunch 12.00-12.40, Tea 14.40-15.00, Close 17.00

Match days

6,7,8,9,10 February 2025 (5-day match)

TV Umpires

Reserve Umpire

Match Referee

Close of Play

  • Thu, 6 Feb - day 1 - Zimbabwe 1st innings 72/1 (T Kaitano 26*, NR Welch 33*, 21 ov)
  • Fri, 7 Feb - day 2 - Ireland 2nd innings 83/1 (A Balbirnie 32*, C Campher 14*, 21 ov)
  • Sat, 8 Feb - day 3 - Zimbabwe 2nd innings 38/3 (BJ Bennett 15*, T Gwandu 0*, 15 ov)
  • Sun, 9 Feb - day 4 - Zimbabwe 2nd innings 183/7 (W Madhevere 61*, NT Nyamhuri 5*, 68 ov)
  • Mon, 10 Feb - day 5 - Zimbabwe 2nd innings 228 (86.3 ov) - end of match

Match Notes

Zimbabwe 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st18T KaitanoBJ Curran
2nd4T KaitanoNR Welch
3rd10NR WelchBJ Bennett
4th8T GwanduBJ Bennett
5th65W MadhevereBJ Bennett
6th56W MadhevereJ Campbell
7th12NP MayavoW Madhevere
8th16W MadhevereNT Nyamhuri
9th29R NgaravaW Madhevere
10th10R NgaravaB Muzarabani