Published: Oct 13, 2015, 05:09 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 13, 2015, 05:51 PM (IST)
In what is a dead rubber contest, Ireland turned the tables around and made a strong comeback against Zimbabwe. Pacer Tim Murtagh picked a four-for as Zimbabwe collapsed to 187 in 49.2 overs. Despite half-centuries from Sean Williams and Sikander Raza, the home side couldn’t breach the 200-mark. Earlier, Ireland after winning the toss chose to bowl and replaced John Mooney with Craig Young. Zimbabwe decided to rest the second game centurion Craig Ervine and brought in No. 3 batsman Brian Chari. Chari, who came out in the first over, scored a crawling 17 from 56-balls. The other change that Zimbabwe made were they dropped Tinashe Panyangara and replaced him with seamer Taurai Muzarabani. Live Cricket Scorecard: Zimbabwe vs Ireland 2015, 3rd ODI at Harare
The change that Ireland made worked fine for them as Young bowled with pace and venom, picking Richmond Mutumbami in the first over. Chamu Chibhabha lost his wicket in the fourth over when he misjudged a Murtagh delivery. At 7 for 2, the home side looked at dire straits but the middle-order led by Williams recovered the situation. Williams scored 51, skipper Elton Chigambura contributed with 34 and Sikandar Raza contributed a quick 50 from 56 balls, as Zimbabwe looked settled to cross the 200-mark. Live Cricket Blog: Zimbabwe vs Ireland 2015, 3rd ODI at Harare
Murtagh’s final spell and couple of needless run outs later, Zimbabwe found themselves reeling at 175 for 9 in the 46th over before they managed to creep to 187. Other than Murtagh’s four, the wickets for Ireland were shared between Young, Kevin O’ Brien, Andy McBrine and Paul Stirling. All of them chipped in with a wicket each.
Brief scores:
Zimbabwe 187 in 49.2 overs (Sean Williams 51, Sikandar Raza 50; Tim Murtaugh 4 for 32) vs Ireland.
