IRE vs ZIM Ball by Ball Commentary

FOUR! Done and dusted! The crowd erupts as history has been made in Belfast, two back-to-back Test wins for the Ireland! Sean Williams bowls it fuller on and around off. Mark Adair strides out and uses his bottom hand to loft it over the mid on region and no one at the long on fence to stop that. Mark Adair finishes off in style and it's a huge day for the Irish cricket team. Ireland beats Zimbabwe by four wickets in their first meeting in a Test match.

Huge appeal once again but nothing from the Umpire! Richard Ngarava bowls much fuller on middle and leg angling in. Andy Balbirnie tries to flick it but misses on the inner edge. The ball thumps the pad but it seems it would past the leg side.

Back of a length on middle. Andy McBrine shuffles a bit to pull it towards square leg but misses and thumps his stomach. The ball dropped down and got stuck in his pad. He walks off and hands the delivery to the bowler.

Singles are coming comfortably now! Fuller delivery just outside off, angling it away from the batter. Mark Adair hangs back and dabs it towards the backward point region for a single.

Excellent running and every run is now being applauded by the crowd, just 5 more required! Hard length on middle and angling in, Mark Adair pushes the ball down in front of mid on and scampers across for one.

On a good length and shaping it back into the pads, Mark Adair stabs the ball down wide of the keeper down the leg side and runs a single.

Top delivery! On a hard length on off, this one shoots off the deck and angles across sharply as Mark Adair plays inside the line of the ball.

Quicker now, short and on leg. Andy McBrine nudges it towards square leg for no runs.

Drangs his lengh back aorund off. Mark Adair cuts it towards deep cover region and gets another important single.

On a length and on leg. Mark Adair clips it towards the mad at mid-wicket.

Short and aorund off. Mark Adair eases it towards the cover region.

Short delivery on middle and leg. Andy McBrine flicks it towards square leg for a single. 8 runs needed now!

In air.. but safe! It looks like Andy McBrine wants to finish it off early! Flat and fuller on off and middle. Andy McBrine comes dancing down the track to loft it, but fails to gain the desired elevation. The ball drops safe at long on the region where Tendai Chatara has a chase but fails to get the skier. Two runs taken in between !

On a length on middle. Mark Adair flicks it towards mid-wicket.

Back of a length just outside off. Mark Adair hops and blocks it down the pitch.

FOUR! The timing of that flick was just exquisite! Runs are coming thick and fast from the Irish willows! Richard Ngarava bowls it fuller on middle and shapes it towards the middle stump. Mark Adair detects the swing and glances it from the crease towards the deep mid-wicket fence for four more runs added into his account.

Short and wide outside off. Andy McBrine eases it towards deep point and gets another single.

Fuller on the pads. Mark Adair flicks it towards fine leg for a single.

FIFTY FOR Andy McBrine! What an exceptional inning by one of the experienced players of Ireland! This one is short and wide outside off. Andy McBrine stabs it towards the deep point region and takes a comfortable single. He raises his bat to the occasion and soaks all the applause from the Irish spectators.

Fuller delivery on off and angles it in towards the batter. Mark Adair defends it down.

Fuller on pads. Mark Adair eases it towards vacant mid-wicket and gets a couple of runs.

FOUR! EXCELLENT SHOT! Victor Nyauchi pitches it up outside off. Mark Adair plants his front foot and drives it beautifully through the cover region. The shot was just like the cream on the top of a cake. Only 20 more required for Ireland now.

Pitches up, on middle and leg. Andy McBrine flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Fullish delivery on stump. Andy Balbirnie pushes it back to the bowler.

Superb glovework by Clive Madande. Fuller down the leg. Andy McBrine tries to flick it but misses. The keeper dives to his right and makes an interesting stop.

Fullish delivery to end the over. Mark Adair pushes it back to the bowler. Blessing Muzarabani bends and makes a one-handed stop.

Back of a length now outside off. Mark Adair lifts his willow up and leaves it alone to the keeper.

Fuller delivery on off, angling it in. Mark Adair tries to work it across the line but gets the connection on his outer edge. The ball rolls towards cover for no runs.

Full-length delivery again just outside off, shaping it in. Mark Adair with no footwork hangs back and taps it outside off solidly.

Digs it in short now outside off. Mark Adair stands tall to perform an uppercut but misses the connection. Clive Madande keeps it well.

Fuller delivery outside off, around sixth stump. Mark Adair plants his front foot and blocks it outside off.

Fullish delivery on off and middle. Andy McBrine lunges and eases it back to the bowler.

Drags his length back on middle and leg. Mark Adair tucks it toward mid-wicket to get a single.

Pitches up on the stumps. Mark Adair prods and defends it down.

On a length, outside off. Mark Adair leaves it alone.

Short on middle and leg. Andy McBrine uses the spin and nudges it towards square leg for a single.

Short delivery outside off. Andy McBrine cuts it from the inner part of his willow towards the left of the slip.

Good length, wide of the off stump and left alone by Adair.

Short of a length outside off and angling away, this one jumps off the deck and Mark Adair does well to sway away from the line of the moving ball.

Short ball, spilled down the leg side, Clive Madande dives to his right and parries the ball away a bit. The batters pick up a bye.

Dug in a bit shorter and angled well across the off stump, Andy McBrine doesn't play at it.

Good length in and around the off stump line, Andy McBrine stays put and pushes it out on the off side.

Pitches the ball up on middle and leg stump, Andy McBrine clips it nicely and well in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs more. McBrine moves on to 47 now.

Loops the ball up but on a shorter length, Mark Adair looks to pull but miscues it to mid on.

Nicely tossed up and outside off stump, Adair leaves it alone.

Shorter in length over middle and leg, Mark Adair stays back and tucks it down behind square on the leg side.

Bowled flatter and just outside off stump, Mark Adair watchfully leaves it alone.

Full and angled across the off stump, Andy McBrine gets inside the line and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

A bit of width on offer outside off stump, Andy McBrine slaps the ball away through the cover-point region for a couple of runs.

Length ball on the pads, McBrine tucks it away neatly in front of square on the leg side and picks up a single. Ireland now need 33 runs for the win and Zimbabwe need 4 wickets.

Back of a length and outside off, Mark Adair presses back and nudges it down just behind the man at backward point for a single.

FOUR! Not where Adair intended it to go but he will take it with both hands. Pitched up wide of the off stump, Adair goes hard at the cover drive and gets it off the outer half of the bat between the gully region and backward point for a boundary.

Hard length around off stump, Mark Adair solidly blocks it to the man at short extra cover.

That's kept low! On a good length and shaping away from around off, the ball though dies after pitching and Mark Adair is beaten all ends up.

Prodigious movement on offer for Blessing Muzarabani. Too short and wide, Andy McBrine goes chasing after it but the ball keeps angling away and goes past the diving keeper and through the slip cordon. The batters get a bye.

On a fuller length and wide of the off stump, Mark Adair leaves it alone for the keeper to collect. That wicket has certainly dried up the runs for Ireland.

On a shortish length on middle and angling down leg, Mark Adair walks across a bit to the off side, looking to flick it off the legs but the ball goes down to the keeper.

Back of a length on leg stump, Andy McBrine walks down the pitch and tucks it off his hips down to fine leg for a single.

Beaten! Just pulls the length back a smidge and angles it across the off stump, Andy McBrine attempts the cover drive again but it isn't full enough to drive and the ball beats the outside edge.

Pitched up outside off stump, Andy McBrine gets on the front foot and drives it away straight to the man at covers.

Half a shout for LBW but it is pitching outside leg stump. Tendai Chatara hits the deck hard around leg stump and angles it across, the ball stays low and takes Andy McBrine completely by surprise and he gets pinged right in front of the stumps but will stay on.

Good length on the fifth stump line, Mark Adair shoulders arms at it.

Play and a miss! Back of a length again and outside off stump, angling away, Mark Adair has a bit of a poke at it but the ball eludes him.

Just back of a length and over the stumps, Mark Adair hops onto the back foot and keeps it out.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Is there a twist in the tale? Blessing Muzarabani finally gets Zimbabwe their first wicket on Day 4 and this could make things interesting. Muzarabani goes a bit wider on the crease and bowls it slightly fuller, angling it in from outside off. The ball doesn't rise much and Lorcan Tucker goes for the cover drive but the ball takes a bottom edge and crashes into the stumps. Tucker has to walk back after a fine knock and Ireland now need 41 runs with 4 wickets in hand.

FOUR! Not a good follow-up delivery from Blessing Muzarabani and Lorcan Tucker is all over it. Banged in halfway down the track and angling down leg, Tucker gets in position and hooks it in between the fielders at deep square leg and fine leg for a boundary.

Oh, too close for comfort! Lovely length from Blessing Muzarabani, using his height and kissing the good length around off. The ball nips away sharply and Lorcan Tucker tries to block it off the back foot but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Hits the deck hard around middle and off and gets the ball to leave the left-hander, Andy McBrine hangs back and pulls out of the shot, playing inside the line of the ball.

Back of a length outside off, Lorcan Tucker hangs back and lets the ball come on before dabbing it wide of gully for a quick single.

Chatara is bowling a fine spell here but needs to pick up a wicket. Goes full on off and tries to slip one in through the gate, Lorcan Tucker is up to the challenge and digs it out to the right of mid on.

Good length in the channel around off, Lorcan Tucker defends the ball solidly off the front foot.

Just back of a length and angled back in from around off, this one jags back in a fair bit and Tucker is beaten on the inside edge, getting hit high on the pads.

Hard length around off stump, Lorcan Tucker stands tall and punches it down towards cover.

Full and wide outside off, angling further away, Andy McBrine with an expansive drive but he gets nowhere near the ball.

That's a top effort in the deep from Brian Bennett. Short ball around the hips, Andy McBrine hangs back and pulls it along the turf and wide of deep fine leg. Bennett races across and dives in to make the save but has to scamper and makes another the save as the ball was rolling back onto the ropes. Two runs taken.

Another big appeal, this time for LBW and again, it is turned down. Blessing Muzarabani isn't happy with the decision but that was clearly pitching outside leg stump. Pitched up around leg stump and angling across, Andy McBrine plays all over it and gets hit on the pads but survives.

Banged in on a hard length around off and this one takes off after pitching and angles away from the left-hander.

A big appeal for caught behind but the umpire shakes his head. Hard length on leg stump and just angling down, Andy McBrine swivels to pull but misses and the ball gets deflected back to the keeper. Clive Madande dives forward to take the catch and replays later show that it did come off the thigh pad, excellent decision.

Another lovely shot from the willow of Lorcan Tucker and with that he brings up a second Test FIFTY and this could well be a very crucial one as well. Blessing Muzarabani begins a new spell with a full and wide one, Tucker leans on and drives it firmly in front of sweeper cover. The fielder there covers good ground to his right and dives in to save a run. Less than 50 runs required for Ireland now.

Smart batting to take the single right after the boundary. Hard length outside off, Tucker presses back and pushes it away to covers for one.

FOUR! A shot of real authority from Lorcan Tucker and Zimbabwe are in serious trouble here. Length ball around middle, Tucker just shimmies down the track and lifts the back leg before whipping the ball well in front of mid-wicket and picks up a boundary.

Back of a length and outside off, punched away off the back foot towards deep point for another single. There's an applause from the crowd as this partnership moves on to 81 runs and becomes Ireland's highest sixth-wicket partnership in Test cricket.

Pitches the ball further up around off stump, Andy McBrine prods forward and pushes it to mid off.

Half a shout for LBW but turned down! Hard length on middle and leg, nipping back in sharply, Andy McBrine gets undone as he looks to flick and gets hit on the pads. Probably slanting down leg and looked a tad bit high as well.

Drop and run! Pitched up in the channel around off, Lorcan Tucker leans on and pushes it away with soft hands to the left of the cover fielder before picking up an easy single.

Good running and with that the 100 comes up for Ireland and there is a huge round of applause from the home fans. Bowled flatter and around off, staying a tad low, Lorcan Tucker camps back and jams the ball away in front of point for a quick single. Ireland now need 58 more runs to win with 5 wickets in hand.

The arm ball now, spearing it in at the pads, Lorcan Tucker manages to rock back and keep it out.

Tossed up again and around off stump, Lorcan Tucker presses forward to block it off.

Tossed up fuller and on the stumps, Tucker leans forward to defend.

Nicely bowled but Ireland keep chipping away at the target. Flighted ball around off, drifted in and turning away, Lorcan Tucker plays it with soft hands and gets an outside edge that runs down to deep third for a couple of runs.

Another long chase for Tendai Chatara but this time, there's another fielder backing up and it will be three runs. Fractionally short and around off, Andy McBrine backs away and latches onto the ball before cutting it behind point for three more runs.

Good length, in and around the top of off stump and jagging back in, Lorcan Tucker defends it late and with soft hands.

On a shorter length and outside off stump, Andy McBrine stands tall and cuts the ball away through the point region for a single in the deep.

Good, positive running! Back of a length and over the stumps, Tucker presses back and just dabs the ball down in front of mid on and picks up a quick single.

Good length, well wide of the off stump and angling further away, Lorcan Tucker shoulders arms at it.

Nicely bowled again! Drags the length back and gets it to shape away beautifully from the fourth stump line, Lorcan Tucker plays inside the line of the ball.

FOUR! Edged and through the gap! Top delivery from Tendai Chatara, pitching it up on a nagging length and in the channel. Lorcan Tucker is drawn into the drive and gets a thick outside edge but luckily for him, the ball between second slip and gully for four more runs.

Tossed up fuller on off. Andy McBrine pushes it back to the bowler.

Huge appeal but nothing the Umpire says nothing! Sean Williams drags his length back, pitching it outside off, springing it in. Andy McBrine goes deep into his crease and covers the stump but flicks it but misses. The ball thumps the upper part of his pad. It seems the ball would past down the leg. Good decision by the Umpire!

Fuller on middle. Andy McBrine lunges and blocks it down as well.

Fuller on off. Andy McBrine strides out and defends it back to the bowler.

Tossed up fuller around off. Andy McBrine gets on his knees to sweep it towards deep fine leg. Double taken in between.

Short delivery to start on middle, spinning it in. Andy McBrine eases it towards short leg.

Pitches up once again on off and middle. Lorcan Tucker prods and rest it back to the bowler.

Fuller delivery on the stumps. Lorcan Tucker pushes it back to the bowler.

Fuller delivery on leg, angling it in. Andy McBrine has a glance at it towards square leg and gets three runs in between. Ireland are remarkably now just 72 runs away from victory, with 5 wickets still intact.

On a length just outside off. Andy McBrine lunges out and defends it solidly outside off.

Back of a length around off. Andy McBrine camps back and dabs it down to the bowler.

Fuller on the stumps. Andy McBrine eases it back to the bowler.

A dot to close out an expensive over. Quite full and on off stump, Lorcan Tucker eases the ball out to mid off.

Ooh...that's well bowled! A well-directed short ball right at the batter, Lorcan Tucker gets in an awful position and tries to fend it away but gets it off the shoulder of the bat and the ball lands well short of the gully fielder.

A dot ball! Fuller and around off, Lorcan Tucker taps the ball away in front of point.

FOUR! CRACKED! Now that would be some salt over the cut for Zimbabwe! Back of a length on middle and leg. Lorcan Tucker pulls it hard towards the same deep square leg fence and this time, no chance for Tendai Chatara to chase it down. Four more for the Irish men.

FIVE RUNS! Extraordinary piece of running in between the sticks! Back of a length on leg and middle. Andy McBrine stays deep inside his crease and glances it with soft hands towards the deep square leg region. Tendai Chatara from the short mid-wicket has a chase and saves the boundary but after saving he crashes against the advertisement board. There was no such backup for him and he had to get on his feet and chase the ball back all by himself. Andy McBrine and Lorcan Tucker were excellent with their communication and ran five between the wickets.

On a length on middle and off, angling away from the batter. Lorcan Tucker plants his front foot halfway towards cover for a single.

A maiden to begin with from Tendai Chatara! Pitches up on middle and off. Andy McBrine with no footwork rests the delivery down the pitch.

Fuller now on middle and off. Andy McBrine pushes it towards mid off for no runs.

Back of a length on leg and middle. Andy McBrine pats it down from the crease.

Fuller now wide outside off. Andy McBrine lunges and extends his arm to drive it but finds the fielder at the cover region.

Back of a length on off. Andy McBrine gets behind the line and dabs it down the track.

Starts with a bit of a loosener, comes from over the wicket and bowls it full and wide of the off stump, dying down as well. Andy McBrine leaves it alone.

Back of a length just outside off. Lorcan Tucker keeps it outside off.

FOUR! The timing of the glance was perfect! Poor delivery once again from Richard Ngarava. He is just struggling to get the line and length today. On a length down leg, shaping a shy bit in. Tucker waits for the delivery and glances at it. The ball rolls towards the deep fine leg and picks up a boundary as the 50 partnership also comes up between these two.

Good-length delivery on middle. Lorcan Tucker prods halfway and blocks it back to the bowler.

And again, back of a length outside off, angling it away. Lorcan Tucker is happy to make a leave at it as well.

On a length outside off. Lorcan Tucker prods to cover the stumps and lifts his willow high to leave this one as well.

Back of a length outside off, shaping it away from the batter. Lorcan Tucker is not interested in playing at it.

A bit fuller than the previous one on middle. Andy McBrine respects the delivery and pats it down the track.

On a length on leg and middle. Andy McBrine rocks back and blocks it back to the bowler.

On a length, down the leg side. Andy McBrine tries to whip it towards his leg side but misses on the inner edge.

Fuller now on the stump. Andy McBrine with no footwork eases it down.

FOUR! Back-to-back! Towards the leg side now! Back of a length middle and leg. Andy McBrine rocks back and pulls it hard from the middle of his willow towards the deep mid-wicket fence. Runs are coming thick and fast for Ireland!

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Good-length delivery outside off, no movement on the ball. Andy McBrine detects the delivery around his radar and punches it hard through cover for another boundary.

Fuller delivery on middle and off. Lorcan Tucker rests it down.

Back of a length outside off. Lorcan Tucker tries to cut at it but misses on the outer edge.

FOUR! STREAKY! Fuller delivery outside off. Lorcan Tucker lunges out to block it outside off, but gets nicked on the outer edge. The ball rolls past the backward point fielder and another boundary is added to Lorcan's account. Ireland now need 97 runs to win.

Back of a length on middle. Andy McBrine flicks it towards square leg for a single.

Back of a length on the stumps. Andy McBrine blocks it from the crease.

FOUR! WONDERFUL! Absolutely cracked shot! Short of a length, outside off. Andy McBrine stays back at his crease and pulls it hard, in front of the deep square leg fence for four more runs. There was a fielder at the deep but couldn't race with the ball.

Banged in short over the stumps, Andy McBrine gets on top of the bounce and plays a controlled pull shot down to deep backward square leg for a single.

On a length outside off. Andy McBrine rocks back and eases it outside off.

WIDE! On a length wide outside off and swings it away from the batter. Andy McBrine has to do noting to it for getting a bonus run.

Back of a length, but sprays down the leg. Andy McBrine leaves it alone.

50 up for Ireland! Back of a length on off and middle. Lorcan Tucker stays back and nudges it towards square leg to gather a single. A warm round of applause from the Irish spectators!

Short delivery on off. Lorcan Tucker hangs back and blocks it down solidly.

FOUR! Absolutely delightful to see that shot coming up from the willow of Lorcan Tucker! A half volley on off and middle. Lorcan Tucker plants his front foot and eases using the pace of the bowler against him. He gives a firm push and gets the ball towards the right of the bowler and it rolls away towards the long on fence for a boundary.

Back of a length on middle. Andy McBrine camps back and dabs it down, back to the bowler.

On a length on middle. Andy McBrine looks to pull but gets all gloves at it. The ball rolls towards the mid-wicket region for no runs.

Good running between the wickets! Fullish delivery once again on off, angling it away from the batter. Lorcan Tucker taps it from the outer part of his willow towards the left of the backward point fielder and sprints down to take a single.

A bit fuller now on leg and middle. Lorcan Tucker lunges halfway and works it towards square leg for a brace.

Short delivery on leg and the delivery straightens a bit after pitching. Lorcan Tucker cramps for no room and tries to tap it down but misses and the ball thumps his upper thigh pad.

Hard-length delivery on middle and leg. Andy McBrine turns a bit and glances it staying deep in his crease towards deep fine leg for one.

Back of a length outside off. Lorcan Tucker hangs back and keeps it outside off. A maiden over from Muzarabani.

Good leave! On a length delivery outside off, shaping it in towards the batter. Lorcan Tucker watchfully leaves it. The delivery was a bit dangerous as it was nipping in late.

And again, a hard-length delivery outside off. Lorcan Tucker is not interested in playing at it.

Good-length delivery outside off. Lorcan Tucker covers the stump and is happy to not propose anything to it.

Back of a length once again on off. Lorcan Tucker gets behind the line and dabs it down the pitch.

On a length outside off. Lorcan Tucker lifts his bat high and leaves it alone for the keeper to collect.

FOUR! SHOT! Hard length once again on middle and leg, angling in. Andy McBrine whips it towards deep mid-wicket fence four his first boundary of the day.

Good stop! Back of a length outside off. Andy McBrine cuts it towards the left of the backward point fielder but Brian Bennett dives and makes a one-handed stop. No runs taken!

Good keeping by Clive Madande! On a length down the leg once again. Andy McBrine leaves it. Clive Madande behind the stump dives to his right and gloves it well.

Back of a length outside off and this time, shapes it a shy bit away from the batter. Andy McBrine plays it inside the line and gets beaten on the outer edge by a large gap.

On a length on off. Andy McBrine camps back and dabs it down.

On a length to start the over, down the leg side. Andy McBrine drops his stance and is happy to not provide anything to it.

Good leave! Back of a length outside off, swinging away after leaving the batter. Lorcan Tucker shuffles a bit and lifts his willow up to leave it alone.

Back of a length on middle. Lorcan Tucker gets behind the line and pats it down.

FOUR! BEAUTIFUL! What a way to open the account for Irish on Day 4! Fuller delivery a bit wider, outside off. Lorcan Tucker strides out, crouches a bit, extends his arms, and drills it through the gap of the cover region for four runs. That is some positive intent by Lorcan!

Still no movement with the ball! Blessing Muzarabani bowls full length once again outside off. Lorcan Tucker punches it but towards the fielder at cover.

Pitches up once again outside off. Lorcan Tucker lunges and pushes it gently once again towards the short cover fielder.

Blessing Muzarabani comes over the wicket and bowls it full and outside off, on the sixth stump. Lorcan Tucker prods and pushes it towards the cover region for no runs.

On a length on middle and leg. Andy McBrine tucks it towards wide mid on for no runs.

Length delivery outside off. Andy McBrine rocks back and punches it outside off.

FOUR! Runs are coming up from the Irish willow! Full-length delivery from Richard outside of. Andy McBrine lunges forward, leans towards the delivery and drives it wide of the cover fielder for his first boundary of the inning.

Short of a length at the body line of the batter. Andy McBrine tries to pull it but ends up tucking it towards his leg side.

Back of a length around off. Andy McBrine gets behind the line and dabs it down.

Fuller outside off. Andy McBrine tris to block it down but gets beaten on the outer edge.

Fuller, and shaping in outside off. Lorcan Tucker leaves it alone.

FOUR! Confidence is fuming from Lorcan Tucker's willow! Short delivery on off and middle. Lorcan Tucker hangs back and pulls it hard towards deep mid-wicket for another boundary. There is some nervous round of applause from the Irish spectators!

FOUR! Confident piece of batting! This one is fuller just outside off shaping in. Lorcan Tucker lunges halfway, uses the pace of the bowler against him and pushes it towards the long off fence for a boundary.

Length delivery just outside off. Lorcan Tucker eases it towards gully for no runs.

Fuller delivery, shaping it in towards the stump. Lorcan Tucker nudges it towards mid-wicket for no runs.

Length delivery outside off. Lorcan Tucker looks to defend at it but misses on the outer edge.

On a length around off. Andy McBrine gets behind the line and defends it outside off.

OUT! TAKEN! Richard Ngarava is just on fire! This is an exceptional spell! Richard Ngarava bowls this one on a length outside off and nips it away. Paul Stirling looks to drive and gets nicked like any other batter in this inning. The ball carries over towards the right of the keeper. Clive Madande moves to his right and takes the simple catch into his gloves. Ireland 21/5 and on the brink at the moment.

Back of a length outside off. Paul Stirling plays it inside the line and misses.

Fuller on pads. Lorcan Tucker tucks it towards mid on for a single.

FOUR BYES! Poor work behind the sticks! On a length outside off and the ball straightens after pitching. Lorcan Tucker tires to block it outside off but misses with thin air. Clive Madande behind the stump tries to glove it but the ball bursts out of his hands and goes to the boundary.

OUT! TAKEN! Caught behind! Another bites the dust! The Irish batters are coming and going! Richard Ngarava comes over the wicket and bowls fuller outside off, shaping it further away from the batter. Harry Tector prods forward and tries to drive at it but gets a slight nick on the outer edge. That was just a half appeal from the Chevrons but they got the approval from the Umpire. Tector is devastated as he feels his bat hit the ground and it really seems touch and go but the most important man on the field felt there was an edge and Tector has to make the long walk back to the hut.

Back of a length shapes it in. Paul Stirling tries to glance at it but misses the connection and hits the pads.

Short delivery outside off. Paul Stirling leaves it alone.

Short delivery, shaping it in. Paul Stirling looks to pull at it but gets the upper part of is willow. The ball rolls towards square leg region and the batters get a couple of runs.

Length delivery around off. Paul Stirling gets behind the line and blocks it back to the bowler.

Good-length delivery outside off. Paul Stirling looks to punch at it but misses on the outer edge.

Back of a length on middle, jagged in vigorously. Paul Stirling with no footwork tries to flick it but thumps his thigh and the ball loops towards short leg.

On a length on leg. Paul Stirling flicks it towards fine leg and gets a single.

FOUR! Bad delivery and got punished! Full toss delivery around off. Paul Stirling defects the bad ball and drills it hard through the mid off region to get four important runs.

On a length on off. Paul Stirling gets behind the line and blocks it down.

Oh.. what happened there? A huge appeal for a catch and the umpire turns it down. Richard Ngarava bowls a short delivery on middle and off. Paul Stirling covers the stump and drops his stance but the ball thumps the shoulder of the batter and balloons towards the third slip. Zimbabwe players looked very convinced that it came off the bat, but it was a good decision by the umpire!

On a length on to pads. Paul Stirling hangs back and closes his bat in time to flick it towards square leg for a couple of runs.

Swing and a miss! Much fuller outside off. Paul Stirling crouches down and looks for a drive but fails to connect and misses on the outer edge.

Oh... some movement off the pitch and a good leave as well! Back of a length on off and middle, angling it in. Harry Tector lifts his bat up and allows the delivery watchfully.

Short of a length and around middle and leg, the ball nips back in, Harry Tector misses on the block and gets hit high on the pad.

Gets off the mark does Paul Stirling! Blessing Muzarabani keeps it outside off and on a length, Paul Stirling punches it to point who makes half a stop allowing the batters to cross.

On a length and into the pads, Paul Stirling misses out on the flick and gets pinged on the pads.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Would you believe it? Ireland are 3 down for just 6 runs in the blink of an eye and Zimbabwe are pumped up. Immaculate length from Blessing Muzarabani bowled in and around the off stump line, getting it to just nip off the deck. Andy Balbirnie gets on the front foot to drive but plays a bit away from the body and the outside edge is found. The ball goes wide of third slip where Prince Masvaure dives across to his right and takes a fine low catch with both hands. Ireland still need 152 runs which seems far, far away.

Short of a length outside off, nips it in. Andy Balbirnie gets behind the stump and dabs it down.

Oh hello? What just happened? Ngarava hits the hard length around the fifth stump line, outside off, Harry Tector looks to push it but gets an under edge that zips past the off stump. Could have easily gone back to rattle the stumps.

Outside off, on a length, Harry Tector leaves it alone.

No hattrick for Richard Ngarava, but this was an exceptional delivery! Angles it across on a length and just outside off, the ball kicks off the deck beating the outside edge of Harry Tector's blade as he looks to block it out straight.

OUT! TAKEN! On a hat-trick now! Short of a length once again outside off. Curtis Campher tries to cut it through to the cover point region but ends up elevating it a bit high toward the fielder. Brian Bennett stays where he is and reverse-cups the catch pretty easily. This is an exceptional start from the Chevrons!

OUT! TAKEN! That was a beautiful catch by Joylord Gumbie! Outstanding! Richard Ngarava bowls this one short as well on middle leg and middle at the batter's body line. Peter Moor rises to the bounce and tries to dab it down but takes his eyes off the ball at the very last moment. Ends up looping it towards the right of the short square-leg fielder. Joylord Gumbie dives low to his right and gets that fabulous catch. Peter Moor has to depart for a duck and his magic willow didn't work this time!

Richard Ngarava, the left arm pacer, comes over the wicket and bowls back of a length outside off. Peter Moor hangs back and punches it towards the backward point fielder.

FOUR! Fullish delivery once again just outside off. Andy Balbirnie plants his front foot and drive it from the middle of his bat through the cover region. The ball doesn't have enough legs to roll towards the fence. The cover fielder makes a chase and saves the boundary. Three runs taken taken by the batters but it is later confirmed that Chivanga was in contact with the ropes when he pulled the back in and it will be a boundary.

Full and outside off. Andy Balbirnie drives it towards the cover region. Fine stop at cover!

CLOSE! On a length outside off but shaping it in. Andy Balbirnie looks to defend it but gets an inner edge which deflects the ball and misses the off stump.

Back of a length outside off. Andy Balbirnie plays it inside the line and gets beaten on the outer edge.

Full and outside off, nipping it away from the batter. Andy Balbirnie gets forward to drive it back towards off.

NO BALL! Overstepping now! Short of a length outside off. Andy Balbirnie punches it towards cover.

Here we go, Zimbabwe has started their bowling with extras! On a length but sprays it down the leg. Clive Madande dives to his left but fails to reach it. The batters get a bye down to fine leg and the Irish chase is underway.