Play started on time on the second day of the Test at The Ward in bright sunshine with Ireland’s openers skipper Andrew Balbirnie and PJ Moor looking to make inroads into Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 210. The pair added 64 in the first hour with Moor in sparkling form finding the boundary regularly. Balbirnie had a life on 13 when he was put down by wicketkeeper Madande. However, just after the drinks break, he was out caught by Gumbie for 19 ending what was Ireland’s highest opening partnership in Test matches of 71.
PJ Moor reached his half century off 53 balls with six 4’s but he lost Campher when he was out for 8 with the score on 99. Ireland reached the lunch interval without further alarm and ended the session in a strong position on 115-2.
Play resumed after an hours delay due to heavy rain during the interval and as is usual with a break in play a wicket fell soon after. This time Tector was lbw to a full swinging delivery from Chivanga to the second ball after the resumption. New batsman Paul Stirling had a lucky escape caught off a no ball but then settled in. He and PJ added 50 for the 4th wicket before Moor was caught behind off a brute of a delivery from Muzarabani for 79. Ireland wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker was out first ball as Ireland lost their 5th wicket on 165. Stirling then added 24 with Andy McBrine before he was caught at slip by Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine for 22 off the bowling of left arm spinner Sean Williams.
Williams quickly followed that up by taking the wicket of Mark Adair bowling him for 0 to leave Ireland 21 runs in arrears with 7 wickets down. Eleven runs were added before McCarthy was caught at slip for 1 as Ireland slumped to 200 for 8 at tea. Zimbabwe’s session then with 6 wickets falling for the addition of 85 runs.
After tea Craig Young lasted four balls for 3 and as torrential rain arrived with Ireland’s last pair at the wicket, they were still four runs behind. So, a disappointing reply from Ireland to date and their total could have been much worse had it not been for the 50 extras so far, 34 of which have been byes!
Credit to the Zimbabwe bowlers who, like Ireland yesterday, fought back after lunch. Muzarabani and Chivanga both picking up three wickets and veteran spinner Williams has taken 2-11 in five overs. So all to play for and it looks like the Test will come down to a one innings match.
