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After a tricky start to their fourth inning chase, Ireland recovered to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets and secure their second Test win of 2024. Ireland had challenging fourth-inning target of 158 runs with a shaky start, sitting at 33/5 in just eight overs against Zimbabwe in the only Test match in Belfast.
Andy McBrine’s all-round performance leads Ireland to victory
On Day 4 of the match, with Ireland desperately needing a partnership to steer them towards their target, Andy McBrine and wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker stepped up to the task against the Zimbabwe team. However, McBrine will be remembered for scoring five runs off a single delivery on the fourth day of the Test match on Sunday, July 28. Ireland Cricket team’s bowling all-rounder McBrine delivered an exceptional performance in the historic Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe in Belfast.
Ireland batters’ hilarious five-runs off a single delivery steals the show
In the one-off Test match in Belfast, McBrine and Tucker’s partnership of 96 runs off 118 balls for the sixth wicket guided Ireland to a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe. McBrine played a crucial unbeaten knock of 55 off 82 balls, while Tucker contributed 56 off 64 balls.
The match also featured a dramatic moment when McBrine and Tucker capitalized on a bizarre play, stealing five runs off a single delivery from Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava in the fourth innings.
In a humorous incident during the 18th over of Ireland’s second innings, McBrine faced Ngarava and drove the second ball over the covers. Tendai Chatara, positioned in the field, chased the ball, but his momentum carried him over the boundary ropes, forcing him to leap over the advertising hoardings.
As Chatara struggled to retrieve the ball from outside the boundary, McBrine and Tucker took advantage, running five runs before Chatara could return the ball to Ngarava. Remarkably, these five runs were scored without overthrows, highlighting McBrine’s quick thinking and the pair’s tactical awareness under pressure.
Here is the video:
ONE OF THE RARE OCCASIONS IN CRICKET…!!! 😲
A Zimbabwean fielder saves the four, but the batter ran 5 runs. 😄pic.twitter.com/0AAhdi62Pf
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) July 29, 2024
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Match Summary
In the one-off Test match, Zimbabwe posted scores of 210 and 197 after being invited to bat first by the Ireland team. Key batting performances for Zimbabwe came from Joylord Gumbie (49), Prince Masvaure (74), Sean Williams (40), and Dion Myers (57).
On the other hand, Dion Myers, Mark Adair, and Andy McBrine excelled with the ball for Ireland, each taking four wickets, contributing to a combined total of seven wickets between them. Peter Moor (79), Tucker, and McBrine made significant contributions with the bat for Ireland.
Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga, and Ngarava were Zimbabwe’s standout bowlers in the match, claiming five, three, and four wickets, respectively. McBrine was named Player of the Match for his exceptional all-round performance, playing a key role in Ireland’s memorable victory over Zimbabwe.
