Zimbabwe secure series triumph
Zimbabwe wrap up victory in their ODI series against Ireland with a three-wicket win.
HARARE:
Zimbabwe wrapped up victory in their One-Day International series against Ireland with a three-wicket win at the Harare Sports Club, as opener Brendan Taylor smashed an impressive 71. Taylor, who faced 99 deliveries, anchored his innings to near perfection as he hit just four boundaries to overhaul Ireland’s total of 238.
Earlier, Ireland did well to get past the 200-mark after they were reduced to 107 for six at one stage. Kevin O’Brien made an unbeaten 73 off 102 deliveries as he first added 33 runs for the seventh wicket before being involved in another meaningful stand of 55 with Trent Johnston. Johnson, who scored 30 off 32 deliveries, gave the innings a much-needed boost at the end as the tourists reached a competitive total. However, it looked like Ireland would post a much bigger total after opener Paul Stirling gave his team a flying start, making 52 and matching O’Brien’s haul of three sixes. But Zimbabwe pegged back the tourists, who lost their opening match at the same venue, through some disciplined bowling.
O’Brien then opened the bowling for Ireland and dismissed the dangerous Hamilton Masakadza for just eight before Taylor, Sean Williams (21) and Tatenda Taibu (41) put Zimbabwe on their way.
Captain Elton Chigumbura (32 not out) and Graeme Cremer (22 not out) then took the home team to victory with seven balls to spare. With the series already decided in Zimbabwe’s favour, Ireland will look to post a consolation victory in the third and final match on Thursday.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2010.
Zimbabwe wrapped up victory in their One-Day International series against Ireland with a three-wicket win at the Harare Sports Club, as opener Brendan Taylor smashed an impressive 71. Taylor, who faced 99 deliveries, anchored his innings to near perfection as he hit just four boundaries to overhaul Ireland’s total of 238.
Earlier, Ireland did well to get past the 200-mark after they were reduced to 107 for six at one stage. Kevin O’Brien made an unbeaten 73 off 102 deliveries as he first added 33 runs for the seventh wicket before being involved in another meaningful stand of 55 with Trent Johnston. Johnson, who scored 30 off 32 deliveries, gave the innings a much-needed boost at the end as the tourists reached a competitive total. However, it looked like Ireland would post a much bigger total after opener Paul Stirling gave his team a flying start, making 52 and matching O’Brien’s haul of three sixes. But Zimbabwe pegged back the tourists, who lost their opening match at the same venue, through some disciplined bowling.
O’Brien then opened the bowling for Ireland and dismissed the dangerous Hamilton Masakadza for just eight before Taylor, Sean Williams (21) and Tatenda Taibu (41) put Zimbabwe on their way.
Captain Elton Chigumbura (32 not out) and Graeme Cremer (22 not out) then took the home team to victory with seven balls to spare. With the series already decided in Zimbabwe’s favour, Ireland will look to post a consolation victory in the third and final match on Thursday.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2010.