BELFAST – Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine led the way as Ireland staged an impressive recovery to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in their one-off cricket test at Stormont Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Tucker made 56 and McBrine scored 55 not out in Ireland’s second-innings total of 158-6 in 36.1 overs after Ireland had resumed the fourth day in serious trouble at 33-5.
Zimbabwe had not registered a test win since 2021 and could not follow up Saturday’s good work with the ball to keep sustained pressure on its opponents’ batting order.
Ireland added to its victory against Afghanistan earlier this year which brought to an end a run of seven straight test losses.
Tucker and McBrine put on 67 inside the first hour to give the match a different complexion.
Tucker hit 10 boundaries en route to his second test half-century to take Ireland to 117-6 before being bowled by Blessing Muzarabani (2-52).
Mark Adair joined McBrine at the crease and hit 24 not out as Ireland inched towards its target.
Adair struck the winning runs but it was McBrine who was crowned player of the match after also taking 4-38 in 23 overs in Zimbabwe’s second innings. – Associated Press
