BELFAST – A last-wicket partnership of 47 helped Ireland to a 28-run first-innings advantage against Zimbabwe after day two of the Test at Stormont.
Andy McBrine (28) and Matthew Humphreys (27 not out) plundered late runs as the Irish made 250 in reply to Zimbabwe’s 210.
Zimbabwe openers Joylord Gumbie and Prince Masvaure saw out the final 15 minutes to leave the tourists 12-0 at stumps.
Friday’s play was hit by two lengthy rain delays and the game is finely poised going into the weekend.
Similar to day one the bowlers struggled in the morning session but excelled in the afternoon as the Irish lost seven wickets for 88 runs.
Tanaka Chivanga (3-39) took his first three Tests wickets while Blessing Muzarabani also impressed with 3-53.
PJ Moor (79) and Andrew Balbirnie (19) put on a record opening stand for Ireland in Test cricket with 71.
Moor also registered the highest Test score for an Irish opener in Tests as he fell just four short of his best, which came when he was playing for Zimbabwe in 2018.
Ireland looked on course to surpass Zimbabwe’s total but they succumbed to an afternoon collapse, which came after a one-hour rain delay.
Paul Stirling thought he was out for a duck but a review found that Chivanga had over-stepped for a no-ball.
Stirling struggled before departing for 22 while Muzarabani took wickets in two balls to dismiss Moor and then Lorcan Tucker for a golden duck.
Sean Williams was also a threat and his spin accounted for Stirling and Adair (0) to finish with 2-11 while Tanaka Chivanga ended with figures of 2-27.
Zimbabwe impressed with the ball but they registered an unwanted Test record of 42 byes in an innings.
Humphreys plundered four boundaries and a six in a late flurry but there’s little between the teams in the first Test match in Northern Ireland. – BBC
