Zimbabwe 267 and 38 for 3 (Bennett 15*, Humphreys 1-4, McCarthy 1-14) want one other 254 runs to beat Eire 260 and 298 (Balbirnie 66 Tucker 58, Ngarava 4-55, Gwandu 2-28, Madhevere 2-48)
Richard Ngarava, who took three of the final 4 wickets to fall, completed with a four-four; nevertheless it was the part-time spin of Wessly Madhevere that eliminated Balbirnie and Andy McBrine – Eire’s high scorers of the second and first innings respectively.
Balbinie began the day with Campher and the duo grew their partnership from 37 to 75 with relative ease. There have been nicks – like within the first over of the day – that weren’t carrying, the funky fields from Jonathan Campbell weren’t forcing batters into pictures, and Blessing Muzarababi’s five-over opening spell was seen off with out loss.
Campher picked up two boundaries off Trevor Gwandu – a trendy whip and a technically sound straight drive – earlier than the bowler discovered his size to quieten the batter after which nick him off after drinks.
Eire have been 121 for two – an ideal entry level for Harry Tector, who acquired off a pair and acquired into his innings cautiously. Balbirnie, in the meantime, coasted alongside at his personal tempo to carry up a 106-ball fifty. He almost dragged one on within the thirty fourth over and weathered an examination by spin to take the lead as much as 142 at lunch.
The spin of Campbell and Madhevere took maintain after the break; first with the previous ripping a legbreak to beat Tector’s full-faced block and lure him lbw, then the latter ripping an offbreak to beat Balbirnie’s flick to do the identical.
Paul Stirling, who was extra beneficiant in peppering assault with defence, swept Madhevere over sq. leg for six and heaved Campbell broad of mid-on for 4. He was out caught down leg, making an attempt to tug Muzarabani superb, however was sad with the choice.
Tucker was off to a fast begin too. He swept Campbell for 2 fours within the 59th over and consolidated after Stirling fell. He stitched useful 39-run and 23-run stands with McBrine and Mark Adair as Zimbabwe stored at it with spin earlier than the second new ball turned out there.
McBrine was troubled by Madhevere, who beat his exterior edge first (71st over) then snagged it for Nick Welch at slip to finish the catch (seventy fifth). Adair slogged a six off Madhevere and was snug towards the outdated ball however edged two of the 5 he confronted towards the brand new ball, the second of which went to Takudzwanashe Kaitano’s arms at slip. It left Eire 261 for 7 at tea.
Ngarava toyed with Barry McCarthy earlier than knocking him over with a well-executed slower ball. Gwandu acquired a shortish ball to skid previous Craig Younger’s defences however that inconsistent bounce could be one thing that comes again to hang-out Zimbabwe quickly. Tucker and Matthew Humphreys, the final pair to bat, did run and stroll alongside the hazard space of the pitch a few occasions, however they weren’t pulled up by the umpires.
Tucker introduced up fifty by pulling Ngarava after which flayed him over additional cowl. However when he charged and tried to slap him over the off facet two overs later, the highest edge took the ball straight to cowl. Eire, who had conceded a seven-run lead, have been all out for 298.
Zimbabwe got here out to bat with an hour left within the day and McCarthy induced an edge from Ben Curran within the sixth over to have the opener caught behind for the second time within the sport. A size ball that went away was arrange by just a few coming in to search out the sting.
Adair ended Kaitano’s promising begin, which included three boundaries, with one other set-up. This time with outswingers earlier than slowing up a fullish ball to beat the within edge and hit the stumps.
Humphreys trapped Welch, Zimbabwe’s high scorer within the first innings, lbw with an arm ball that beat his flick. It introduced Gwandu for nightwatch obligation and he survived 12 balls to stumps. Brian Bennett, in at No. 4, had a detailed shave within the remaining over.
Ekanth is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
