Ireland tour of Zimbabwe 2023

[The Bald Eagle]

Zimbabwe name uncapped duo in T20I squad to face Ireland​

Zimbabwe have included the uncapped duo of middle-order batter Brian Bennett and pace bowler Trevor Gwandu in their 15-man squad for the three-match T20 international series against Ireland that gets underway in Harare on Thursday.

They are among the four changes made to the side that failed to secure one of the two ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2023 places that were up for grabs at the regional qualifier tournament recently held in Namibia.

While leg-spinner Brandon Mavuta and batter Tony Munyonga have earned recalls, the selectors have dropped pace bowler Tendai Chatara and left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza as well as opening batters Innocent Kaia and Nick Welch.

Veteran batter Craig Ervine, who only played the first of Zimbabwe’s six matches at the qualifier tournament before he was sidelined by a groin muscle strain, is now fit again and has been retained.

Captain Sikandar Raza will lead the side, which includes regulars Sean Williams, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani and Ryan Burl.

The three T20I matches between Zimbabwe and Ireland are scheduled for 7, 9 and 10 December at Harare Sports Club.

This will be followed by as many one-day international fixtures between the two sides set for 13, 15 and 17 December at the same venue.

ZIMBABWE T20I SQUAD VERSUS IRELAND:

Raza Sikandar (captain), Bennett Brian, Burl Ryan, Ervine Craig, Gwandu Trevor, Jongwe Luke, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Mavuta Brandon, Mumba Carl, Munyonga Tony, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Williams Sean

Source :Zimbabwe Cricket Board

 

[FearlessRoar]

As Ireland is taking on Zimbabwe in Harare for the 1st T10I of the series today, it marks the first-ever international floodlight game in Zimbabwe.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Great initiative from Zimbabwe Cricket, now they can experience new conditions on their own pitches.

 

[Markhor]

I remember reading that ZCB literally couldn't afford to install the floodlights for years. So this is positive news.

Very good turnout too.

 

[Markhor]

The gulf between Sikandar Raza and the rest of this Zimbabwe team is worrying. If they cannot qualify for ICC events with him, then shudder to think of the drop-off when he retires.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Zimbabwe won the last ball thriller against Ireland in the first T20i.

Ireland 147/8

Zimbabwe (20 ov) 148/9

Man of the Match: Sikandar Raza

 

[hassan918]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st T20 International Report

Despite a tremendous fightback with the ball, Ireland Men suffered a heartbreaking one-wicket defeat to Zimbabwe in a thrilling opening game of their three-match T20I series under lights in Harare.

The match went down to the final over, with Zimbabwe still requiring nine runs. Despite a boundary from Richard Ngarava, the home side faced the equation of two needed off the last two balls. When Mark Adair completed a stunning catch at short fine leg, diving full-length running back towards the boundary rope to remove Ngarava it looked as though Ireland were going to get the series off to the perfect start. But in the end Blessing Muzarabani became the Zimbabwean hero when he managed to get his bat on the final delivery as it ran away for the winning runs.

Adair, who had to be escorted off the pitch with an injury after that catch, had earlier given Ireland renewed hope as he took two wickets at the death to become the first Irish bowler to claim 100 T20I wickets.

Having earlier lost the toss and been sent into bat, Ireland posted what seemed to be below-par score of 147-8. The opening pair of Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie showed early intent - slapping a couple of excellent cover drives – and going on to score 44 runs for the first wicket, before Stirling was trapped lbw by Ngarava.

By the end of the powerplay Ireland had moved on to 52-1. However, Zimbabwean captain Sikandar Raza, struck with just his second delivery to remove Balbirnie (32) with a low bouncer.

Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker re-grouped, and settled into a nice rhythm, as the scoreboard ticked along. Sean Williams then forced Tucker (21) to hit a good length ball outside off-stump straight to Ryan Burl, and Ireland were 84-3. Campher followed shortly after as Zimbabwe’s bowlers responded well.

Ireland’s batting woes continued as George Dockrell, Adair and Barry McCarthy all went cheaply. However, a battling ninth-wicket partnership, including a couple of big blows by Gareth Delany in the final over saw Ireland finish their innings on 147-8.

While defending a modest total fielding was going to be crucial, and the safe hands of Tector saw opener Marumani (1) depart after he chipped a McCarthy delivery straight to him. Tector followed that up with a brilliant jumping one-handed catch to remove Brian Bennett.

Further wickets from Josh Little and Dockrell had the hosts 63-3 at the halfway point of their innings, compared to 74-2 for Ireland, but it was becoming increasingly obvious that the wicket of Raza was becoming more and more crucial as the innings wore on with Zimbabwe wrestling back the initiative.

Raza went on to record his twelfth T20I fifty, off 35 balls. However, his luck finally ran out when a diving catch by Stirling off Adair’s bowling saw his innings end on 65.

Then, needing nine runs to win off the last over, skipper Stirling turned to McCarthy, and he almost delivered. But it wasn’t to be, as Muzarabani scored the winning runs with the final act.

The sides will meet again at the same venue on Saturday, 9 December, with a 1pm start local time (11am Irish time).

MATCH SUMMARY

Zimbabwe v Ireland, 1st T20 International, Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe, 7 December 2023

Ireland 147-8 (20 overs; A Balbirnie 32, G Delany 26*; S Raza 3-28)
Zimbabwe 148-9 (20 overs; S Raza 65, W Madhevere 25; J Little 2-17)

Zimbabwe won by 1 wicket

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ireland tour of Zimbabwe 2023

2nd T20I

Ireland win the toss and elected to bowl first

 

[FearlessRoar]

Sean Williams is leading the Zimbabwean side in the absence of Sikandar Raza for 2nd T20I

 

[FearlessRoar]

Ireland tour of Zimbabwe 2023

2nd T20I

Ireland win the toss and elected to bowl first

Zimbabwe 165/5 (20 overs) vs Ireland

Madande 44 (39) Burl 38 (33)

 

[MenInG]

ZIM 165/5 (20)

IRE 166/6 (19.4)

Ireland won by 4 wkts

==

Another lovely game as the visitors square the T20I series. They lost a couple of early wickets in the form of Stirling and Balbirnie who were dismissed within the powerplay, however, there was a handy partnership between Tucker and Tector thereafter. Tucker was removed by Gwandu in the 8th over, but Tector had a much better partnership with Campher following that. The pair added 66 runs for the fourth wicket, until Campher was dismissed by Brian Bennett. Tector missed out on his fifty by a couple of runs as well, but Dockrell and Adair fit a few lusty blows to keep the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace. Adair went for the glory shot in the final over, however, he couldn't clear long-on. Dockrell who was dropped a couple of balls later, made sure to hit the winning runs as he has kept the series alive.

 

[sweep_shot]

Ireland-Zimbabwe can become a rivalry.

#11 vs #12.

They should play more Tests among themselves.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd T20I

Ireland win the toss and elected to bowl first

 

[FearlessRoar]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd T20I

Ireland win the toss and elected to bowl first

End of Innings

Zimbabwe 140/6 (20 overs)

Ryan Burl 36(28)
Josh Little 2/21

 

[MenInG]

An unbeaten 104-run 5th wicket partnership between Harry Tector and George Dockrell handed Ireland Men their first-ever series win in Zimbabwe, after winning the three-match series 2-1.

Coming together with the visitors at 37-4 after seven overs, Tector (54*) and Dockrell (49*) reeled off 104 runs in 70 balls to reach the 141-run target with eight balls to spare.

Tector, who hit his fourth career T20I half-century, finished as the top-scorer for the series with 126 runs at 63.00 with a strike rate of 121.15. The YMCA man struck 24, 48 and 54* in a series to remember and was awarded Player of the Series.

Dockrell finished agonisingly one run short of what would have been his second T20I half-century, but gained solace after being named Player of the Match for his powerhouse 32-ball innings which included three sixes and three fours.

Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bowl, Ireland would have felt early justification when Josh Little (2-21) struck with his first ball of the second over. However, the home side hit the accelerator, scoring 37 off the next 32 balls – with Brian Bennett (27 off 19 balls) being the main antagonist, striking a number of cross-bat shots over and to the boundary.

Three quick wickets then fell, sparked by a spell of 2-8 off two accurate overs by leg-spinner Gareth Delany. The Leinster-man varied his flight and pace to great effect, prising out Wessly Madhevere (14) and Bennett.

The momentum of the innings then swung from team-to-team, with Ryan Burl – stand in captain after Sean Williams had to withdraw with injury – struck 38 off 28 balls before belting a cover drive straight to Delany.

The final total of 140-6 was potentially a below-par score but on a wearing pitch the run chase was never going to be straightforward.

Ireland started with intent, but soon found themselves at 29-3 after 4.3 overs.

Curtis Campher’s subsequent dismissal heralded the Tector/Dockrell partnership – and the pair never looked troubled as they set about chasing down the winning target. The two Leinster Lightning batters may have struck five maximums and six boundaries during their stand, but it was their running between the wickets and regular turn over of strike that was the feature of their partnership.

This was the second unbeaten century stand for the 5th wicket involving Dockrell after he and Campher hit 119* against Scotland at the T20 World Cup last year.

In a further accolade, Ireland’s Craig Young claimed Bowler of the Series taking five wickets at 16.00 with an economy rate of 6.67.

The two sides now have a two-day break before starting a three-match ODI series at the same venue on Wednesday.


MATCH SUMMARY

Zimbabwe v Ireland, 3rd T20 International, Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe, 10 December 2023

Zimbabwe 140-6 (20 overs; R Burl 36; G Delany 2-8, J Little 2-21, C Young 2-27)
Ireland 141-4 (18.4 overs; H Tector 54*, G Dockrell 49*; B Mavuta 1-17)

Ireland won by six wickets

 

[sweep_shot]

Great series win for Ireland.

Zimbabwe lost Sikandar Raza to a 2-match ban. That was a big blow.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 1st ODI update:

Ireland won the toss and chose to field first.

Teams:

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Craig Young, Joshua Little

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Joylord Gumbie, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande(w), Luke Jongwe, Brandon Mavuta, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga

 

[BouncerGuy]

The match has been stopped due to bad weather. Lightening and Thunder has caused this stoppage but no rain yet.

Things are not lookong good for Zimbabwe as they are 6 down already for 121 runs in 25 overs. They would love to see this game being abandoned.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 2nd ODI update:


Zimbabwe have won the toss and chose to bat first

Teams:

Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling(c), Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Mark Adair, Graham Hume, Craig Young, Joshua Little

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Joylord Gumbie(w), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba, Sikandar Raza(c), Ryan Burl, Clive Madande, Brandon Mavuta, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga

 

[FearlessRoar]

Innings Break

Zim 166 ( All out) 42.5 overs

Wellington Masakadza 40(47)

Josh Little 6/36, 10 overs

 

[sweep_shot]

ZIM - 166-all out.
IRE - 170/6 (40.1 overs).

Ireland won by 4 wickets.

Congratulations to Ireland.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Zimbabwe v Ireland, 2nd odi 2023, at Harare Sports Club.

An outstanding bowling performance by left-armer Josh Little - on his 100th Ireland appearance - helped Ireland Men claim a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, and take an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.

Little took the best ODI figures for an Irish bowler (6-36), becoming only the second Irish cricketer - alongside captain Paul Stirling - to take six wickets in a One-Day International, while Curtis Campher scored his sixth career ODI half-century in the run chase.

Earlier in the day, Ireland fielded an unchanged side from the opening game of the series, while Zimbabwe made a couple of changes - Milton Shumba and Wellington Masakadza replacing Innocent Kaia and Luke Jongwe. Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision he would soon after rue, as Little tore through the Zimbabwe top-order.

Little took four wickets in 18 balls – including the wickets of Joylord Gumbie (5), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe (8), thanks to the safe hands of Andrew Balbirnie, Milton Shumba (0), and the Zimbabwe danger-man Raza (2) to leave Zimbabwe reeling at 19-4 after six overs.

Clive Madande and Ryan Burl started the Zimbabwean re-build and put together a composed fifth-wicket partnership. However, Andy McBrine ended the partnership on 45, after Madande skied a pull shot and substitute fielder Neil Rock ran from deep square leg to take a diving catch.

Craig Young removed Brandon Mavuta lbw, before Zimbabwe built some impetus with a seventh-wicket partnership between Burl and Wellington Masakadza, scoring 50 in 57 balls.

Burl’s patient innings was ended on 38 by one of Harry Tector’s off-break deliveries to leave Zimbabwe 133-7 after 36 overs.

Little finally took his career-first five-fer when Masakadze clipped one to Stirling at mid-wicket, and followed up with his record-equalling sixth, when he knocked back Richard Ngarava’s middle stump.

Mark Adair took the final wicket, a bouncer hit straight to Young, as Zimbabwe ended their innings on 166 off 42.5 overs.

Ahead of Ireland’s chase, Burl - who was hit on the helmet while batting - was ruled out of the game due to concussion protocols and was replaced by Tony Munyonga.

Ireland’s chase got off to an indifferent start, as Zimbabwe’s best bowler Ngarava throughout the series, removed Andrew Balbirnie with the first ball, a low delivery which knocked over his off stump.

Stirling was then bowled by the six-foot eight seamer Blessing Muzarabani, with a nasty delivery that moved into the right-hander, as Ireland reached 29-2 after the opening power play.

Following the loss of those early wickets Campher threw off the shackles, and scored five boundaries in seven balls, to move onto 36.

Along with Tector, the pair negotiated the Zimbabwe spin attack quite well, until their 52-run partnership was broken when Tector (21) was bowled by Mavuta.

With Ireland 101-3, and Campher on 49*, rain arrived. However, it may have come at an opportune time, as Campher had to helped off the field with what appeared an injury. However, he returned after the 25-minute rain delay and reached his sixth career ODI fifty, from 58 balls, with a single to the off-side.

Campher’s innings came to end on 66, when he was bowled by Mavuta, with Ireland still requiring 43 runs for victory. Despite losing both Lorcan Tucker (28) and George Dockrell (8), an unbeaten 25* from Adair helped to guide Ireland home. Adair scoring the winning runs by ramping the ball over the wicketkeeper for four. Ireland winning with 9.5 overs to spare.

Ireland now has the opportunity to win the ODI series with victory in the final match of the series on Sunday, 17 December at the same venue, with a 7.15am start (Irish time).



MATCH SUMMARY

Zimbabwe v Ireland, 2nd One Day International, Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe, 15 December 2023

Zimbabwe 166 (42.5 overs; W Masakadza 40, R Burl 38; J Little 6-36)
Ireland 170-6 (40.1 overs; C Campher 66, L Tucker 28; B Muzarabani 2-23)

Ireland won by 4 wickets

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Brilliant performance by the young Ireland fast bowler Josh Little against Zimbabwe in second one day international.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd ODI update:


Ireland have won the toss and have opted to field

Teams:

Ireland (Playing XI): Andrew Balbirnie, Paul Stirling(c), Curtis Campher, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker(w), George Dockrell, Mark Adair, Andy McBrine, Theo van Woerkom, Graham Hume, Craig Young

Zimbabwe (Playing XI): Joylord Gumbie(w), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Innocent Kaia, Sikandar Raza(c), Clive Madande, Brandon Mavuta, Luke Jongwe, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga

 

[BouncerGuy]

Rain has stopped the play as Zimbabwe scored 78/3 in 20 overs.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd ODI

Zimbabwe 197 ( All out) , 40 overs

Ireland 204/3 (Target: 201 37.5 overs)

Ireland won by 7 wickets (DLS Method)

 

[sweep_shot]

Very good from Ireland.

They take the series 2-0.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Andrew Balbirnie surpassed 3,000 One Day International runs as Ireland Men secured a 2-0 series win, and their first ODI series win in Zimbabwe, with a seven-wicket win in a rain-affected game at the Harare Sports Club.

Balbirnie brought up his 3,000 career ODI run with a single off Blessing Muzarabani, joining Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, and. William Porterfield, as the only Irish Men’s batters to score over 3,000 ODI runs.

The Pembroke man scored his sixteenth One-Day International half-century, in an unbeaten 82*, as Ireland finished off their year in fine style, by adding the ODI series to their recent T20I series success.

There was one change in the Ireland team, as Josh Little, who picked up a slight niggle after his exploits in Friday’s game, was replaced by left-arm spinner Theo van Woerkom.

Zimbabwe brought Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Innocent Kaia, and Luke Jongwe back into their side, in place of Ryan Burl, due to concussion protocols, the injured Richard Ngarava, and Milton Shumba.

Ireland’s seam attack set the table for the batters, as Curtis Campher (4-37) and Graham Hume (4-34) took career best ODI bowling figures, while Mark Adair was equally effective with (0-22) from his eight-over spell.

Having been set a DLS adjusted target of 201 from 40-overs, due to a two-hour rain delay, Ireland soon lost Stirling (8), after he fell to the towering Muzarabani in the third over, after nicking the ball behind.

Coming in at number three, Campher settled quickly, taking his shots on, as the pair scored a 50-run partnership in just 56 balls.

Despite looking extremely comfortable in the middle, Campher (40) eventually fell to Brandon Mavuda, with Wellington Masakadza diving to claim a catch at mid-wicket, with Ireland 82-2. Campher’s 70-run second wicket stand with Balbirnie the best of the innings.

The departure of Campher saw the runs dry up, as scoring became difficult off the bowling of Sikandar Raza, Mavuta and Blessing Muzarabani.

However, Balbirnie and Harry Tector survived the onslaught, and combined for 63 runs, before Tector (33) skying a delivery from Luke Jongwe to Raza.

Balbirnie anchored Ireland’s innings extremely well and brought up his fifty off 76 balls.

With Ireland still requiring 59 off the last ten overs Balbirnie stepped on the gas. And he, along with Lorcan Tucker, combined to score 59 runs as Ireland won with thirteen balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, Ireland captain Stirling won the toss and put Zimbabwe in the bat.

Following wet overnight conditions, it didn’t take Graham Hume long to make an impact with the new ball. He removed opener Tinashe Kamunhukamwe in the second over, with an outside edge that was taken by Balbirnie at second slip.

On a slow pitch, with lots of early movement, Ireland’s bowling attack restricted the flow of runs for Zimbabwe.

Some excellent fielding, and a dart like throw from Tector at backward point ended the Joylord Gumbie/Takudzwanashe Kaitano 43-run partnership. Tector running to his left, and from the ground, he had a direct hit on the stumps as Kaitano was run out for 13.

Just before the rain came Campher trapped Kiai (5) lbw, with Zimbabwe 78-3.

Despite a two-hour delay, and with the game reduced to 40 overs, Zimbabwe came out of the blocks after the resumption, with Raza finding his range quickly, including blasting a maximum off van Woerkom towards deep mid-wicket.

Gumbie and Raza combined for a 69-run fourth wicket partnership, before a slower delivery from Campher saw Raza hit straight to Dockrell on the leg-side boundary. Campher followed up with his third wicket of the game, bowling Madande for a duck.

Dockell grabbed two more boundary catches, that of Jongwe and Mavuta, with Zimbabwe 157-7.

After a thoroughly entertaining innings Gumbie (72) was run out by a combination of Andy McBrine and Craig Young, before a late burst from Wellington Masakadze (24) saw Zimbabwe post a total of 197.


MATCH SUMMARY

Zimbabwe v Ireland, 3rd One Day International, Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe, 17 December 2023

Zimbabwe 197 (40 overs; J Gumbie 72, S Raza 37; G Hume 4-34)
Ireland 204-3 (37.5 overs; A Balbirnie 82*, C Campher 40; B Mavuta 1-19)

Ireland won by 7 wickets (DLS Method)