IRELAND turned down a tri-series with Afghanistan and Zimbabwe to play a four-day game against Zimbabwe A, ahead of their vital Intercontinental Cup clash with Namibia next weekend. It looks like a good decision.
It is never easy to take wickets on African pitches and while Zimbabwe’s best 15 players are down in Bulawayo taking on the Afghans in a five-match ODI series, the best of the rest proved more than good enough opposition for the Irish at the Harare Sports Club yesterday. At the end of the first day, Zimbabwe A, having won the toss, were 352 for six.
Malcolm Waller, the one member of the squad who faced Ireland in the three-match series at the start of the week — which Zimbabwe won 2-1 — resumes on 119 not out and Regis Chakabva, a busy wicket-keeper/batsman, who has played eights Tests, scored an attractive 104. Together they put on 198 for the fifth wicket, a stand which saw the Ireland bowlers toil for 42 overs.
Worryingly, only Tim Murtagh was missing from the attack which Ireland will use in Windhoek, starting on Saturday, and last night the question was being asked which is the stronger team —
Zimbabwe A or Namibia?
It all added up to a tough day in the field for Gary Wilson, on his first day as Ireland captain in place of the rested William Porterfield. Craig Young and John Mooney shared the new ball but their length was too inconsistent to gain any control and it was Stuart Thompson who showed them how to do it when he came on as first change.
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It still needed the introduction of Kevin O’Brien to make the breakthrough, the first ball of his second over being sliced to slip where Paul Stirling held a smart catch in front of his face. Mooney enjoyed more luck when he changed ends and he found himself on a hat-trick as Zimbabwe were reduced to 60 for three but that was as good as it got for Ireland.
PJ Moor, a familiar face to the Irish bowlers having been an overseas professional in both the NCU and Leinster, reached a composed 50 before a loose shot, in the fourth over after lunch, gave Young his first wicket but that only brought in Waller to join Chakabva.
They proceeded to milk the bowling to all parts of the large arena and the spinners, who sent down 32 overs for 130 runs, did not see a ball turn all day.
It was Andy McBrine who broke the partnership, although he was so surprised to get a return chance that he only held on at the second attempt. Young and Mooney bowled much better with the second new ball and Young was rewarded with a second wicket when Godwill Mamhiyo edged to Niall O’Brien who kept wicket.
The last time Ireland played an I-Cup match in Windhoek, seven years ago, the game was over in two days. After this week’s experience, the Ireland bowlers will be hoping for a similar surface next weekend.