From 21/5 at one stage in pursuit of 158, Ireland went on to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in Belfast.
Ireland came out on top in a thrilling Test match to overcome the Zimbabwe’s fight and secure their maiden Test win at home. This was their second win in Test cricket, after their success earlier in the year against Afghanistan.
Zimbabwe were firm favourites when the fourth day began, but Ireland’s sixth wicket stand between Lorcan Tucker (56) and McBrine (55*) changed the course of the match. Though Tucker lost his wicket, Mark Adair provided handy support to McBrine to pull off a brilliant chase.
Andy McBrine was the Player of the Match for his stellar all-round contributions of 7/75 and 83 runs in the game.
Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie said after the game, “We did believe last night. We had our two best batters out. It’s been better to bat in the morning. That partnership was special. Fitting for Mark [Adair], hometown boy, to get us over the line.
“There’s no qualification on the line but you see what it means to the team. It’s entertaining stuff, can’t watch at times. We worked hard, got ourselves back a couple times and got through in the end. It was a really enjoyable Test match.”
Ireland notch up a maiden Test win at home 👏#IREvZIM 📝: https://t.co/ZusLmpnnpB | 📸: @ZimCricketv pic.twitter.com/WREhmsbgSM
— ICC (@ICC) July 28, 2024
Earlier in the game, after being asked to bat first by Andy Balbirnie, Zimbabwe openers Joylord Gumbie (49) and Prince Masvaure (74) set the platform for a big total with a solid 97-run stand. However, Ireland led by Barry McCarthy (3/42) and Andy McBrine (3/37) fought back and bowled Zimbabwe out for 210.
Ireland’s first innings effort almost mirrored Zimbabwe with Peter Moor (79) leading the charge against his former country, before a crucial 10th wicket stand between McBrine and Matthew Humphreys secured a 40-run lead. McBrine shined once again in the second innings, picking a four-wicket haul as the Chevrons set Ireland a target of 158.
However, chasing the target down became a tall ask after Richard Ngrava ran through the Irish top order. He dismissed Peter Moor, Curtis Campher, and Harry Tector for ducks before getting Paul Stirling caught behind for 10. Ireland were 21/5 at one stage before finishing the third day on 33/5.
It took two sturdy partnerships on the fourth day to swing the game back towards Ireland. The 96-run stand for the sixth wicket between Tucker and McBrine was the highest-ever for Ireland in the format.
