The wait for Test cricket here in Northern Ireland was finally over at 11.00am this morning when The Ward, Stormont became the 123rd Test Match venue when Ireland hosted Zimbabwe in a one-off Test match. The weather was uncertain-dull, cold and blowy when hometown boy Mark Adair delivered the first ball of the historic occasion.
Over 1,000 attended including supporters from Dublin, North-West, Kent, and a splattering from Zimbabwe. It was also attended by a host of celebs including First Minister Michelle O’Neil, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Minister for Communities Gordon Lyons, DUP MP Gavin Robinson, Cricket Ireland President Stella Downes, and NCU President Brian Walsh.
Cricket Ireland deserves great credit for their organization which was superb and included a plethora of children who entertained everyone at the lunch interval. There was also a 74-page programme edited by Craig Easdown and Isobel Joyce with features from cricket journalists Ian Callender, Ger Siggins, David Townsend, Johnny Morton and Zimbabwe writer Kudzayi Chipidza. But perhaps the biggest attribute was The Ward, a magnificent ground basking below Stormont Castle and Parliament Buildings. And a special mention also for Groundsman Phillip McCormick who has worked tirelessly along with his team to set the scene worthy of the spectacle that Test Match bring is.
One of the unique features was the bell to start proceedings and it was fitting that Roy Torren’s wife Joan along with her family and friends, rang the bell at 10-55am to mark the occasion. Roy Torrens was a legend in Irish cricket and the “Roy Torrens Bell” will now be rung before all future Ireland matches.
Ireland have played eight Test matches to date and lost seven finally breaking their duck in their last match when they beat Afghanistan by six wickets.
Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl, perhaps the uncertain weather in Belfast playing a factor in Captain Andrew Balbirnie’s decision. It didn’t seem bother the Zimbabwe openers though who went through to lunch unscathed with 85 on the board. After lunch Ireland picked up three wickets and the visitors reached 153 for 3 at tea. Prince Masvaure was 70no at the break, but Campher got the breakthrough 20 minutes after tea aided by a brilliant legside catch by wicketkeeper Tucker to dismiss Masvaure who top scored with 74.
McBrine took two quick wickets as Ireland fought back. The visitors collapsing from 153 for 3 to 210 all out. Pick of the Ireland bowlers were Barry McCarthy, 3-42 and Andy McBrine with 3-37. As the players left the field the rain returned and the heavy shower put paid to Ireland beginning their reply with the Umpires abandoning play for the day.
