Ireland made history by becoming the first team to win three games in fewer than 10 Tests played. As it goes with London buses, they had to wait for eight Tests for their first win, before achieving this on the trot, coming from behind to register their win against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo assisted in large by the efforts, both with the ball and bat, from the spin twins, Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys. The winning streak marked 12 long years for Zimbabwe to win a Test at home, the last being made in 2013.
On the other hand, Zimbabwe’s innings led by just seven runs in the first innings, brought down with great aggression by Blessing Muzarabani. This big pacer registered the national best at home, but after that it could not really be said to happen, some unfortunate turns were more frequently the case in latter innings.
After hanging by a nail at 82 for 6, Ireland started their fight back. That point could have been the point at which they got bowled out under 150, courtesy of the veteran McBrine when they needed him the most. Important partnerships were built alongside Mark Adair, Craig Young, and Humphreys, allowing Ireland to push the score beyond 250.
In the second innings, captain Balbirnie and wicketkeeper-batter Tucker struck 50 runs and set a major challenge of 292 runs to win for Zimbabwe. The Ireland bowlers turned onto Zimbabwe like a rash, under pressure for some time during the innings while the home side crumbled under three wickets pretty cheaply.
If one describes Madhevere, it would be “defiant” and going on his way with an honorary 84. Brian Bennett and debutant captain Jonathan Campbell played around him but one of them needed to go big and convert it into a big hundred as Zimbabwe fell short by 63 runs. Left-arm spinner Humphreys finished the innings with 6/57, the best performance for an Irish bowler in Test cricket to date.
The two teams now will meet for a three-match ODI series commencing on Friday, February 14 in Harare.
