Ireland earned a 40-run first-innings lead against Zimbabwe after a 79 by Peter Moor against his birth country on day two Friday of their one-off Test at Stormont Cricket Ground.
The Irish made 250, bolstered by 59 extras and a last-wicket stand of 47 between Andy McBrine and No. 11 Matthew Humphreys.
Zimbabwe, dismissed for 210 on day one, closed on 12 without loss.
Opener Moor put on 71 for the first wicket with captain Andy Balbirnie during a strong morning session. Balbirnie departed for 19 and Curtis Campher was out cheaply as Ireland got to lunch on 115-2.
READ | Ireland dismisses Zimbabwe for 210 on rain-shortened first day
Moor, who was born in Harare and represented Zimbabwe before he switched to play for Ireland in 2023 owing to an Irish passport, had reached fifty by this point.
When Moor was dismissed for 79 off 105 balls by Blessing Muzarabani, Ireland quickly went from 165-3 to 189-7, with Sean Williams securing the crucial wicket of Paul Stirling for 22.
McBrine stuck around either side of tea and a rain delay before he found an important ally in Humphreys. Humphreys smashed one six in a 31-ball innings of 27 not out. McBrine was out for 28 to end Ireland’s innings on 250.
Fast bowler Tanaka Chivanga took 3-39, Muzarabani 3-53 and Williams and Tendai Chatara bagged two each.
Comments
SHARE