The Irish keep on fighting and keep on claiming higher-ranked scalps. Yesterday in Hobart it was the turn of Zimbabwe to succumb to a group of players who refuse to be pushed into the shadows by the game’s power-brokers. A place in the quarter-finals is within Ireland’s grasp.
Their meeting next weekend with Pakistan in Adelaide has almost certainly become winner-takes-all, although they must first face the Indians.
Just one good hit stood between the sides at the end, as once again two of the smaller nations produced a cracking contest, Ireland winninf by five runs. The case for the ICC rescinding its cold-hearted decision to reduce the next World Cup to ten teams has surely become overwhelming.
Whatever happens, the Irish have already done themselves immense credit, scoring their highest ever World Cup score of 331 for eight and recording their fifth win over Test-status opposition in the last three World Cups, one more than England have managed.
Despite posting a mighty total, Ireland looked beaten at a number of points as Zimbabwe, not for the first time in this tournament, pushed every man forward in the chase. Indeed, going into the last over needing seven to win with only two wickets left but two batsmen with their eye in, Zimbabwe were favourites. Tawanda Mupariwa, the non- striker, had just hit a Kevin O’Brien over for 19.
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Step forward Alex Cusack, a man with an unusual action and a superb slower ball. He had earlier used this weapon in the power-play to remove acting captain Brendan Taylor, who threatened to win the game on his own with 121 from 91 balls, the first century in the tournament by someone batting second in a day-night game. First Cusack bowled Regis Chakabva off an inside edge. Two balls later, he used his slower ball to deceive Mupariwa into miscuing to long on, where William Porterfield, the Irish captain, ran in to complete a fine diving catch.
The Irish celebrated as much in relief as anything. It had been a horribly close finish that again exposed the weakness of their bowling [Cusack apart]. However many they score the opposition are unlikely to be far away in reply. This could cost them against India on Tuesday and Pakistan next Sunday. That said, others have found it hard to defend on such a fast-scoring ground as Bellerive Oval. England were unable to defend 303 against Australia there in the recent Tri Series. Cusack’s figures of four for 32 from 9.3 overs stood out like a beacon compared to other bowlers. Nobody else in the match had an economy rate below 5.60. Amazing to think he had played only one of the three previous games.
Cusack was not even man of the match, that award going to Ed Joyce for his 112 off 103 balls which required some luck in the early stages but was nevertheless a fine innings.
“He’s got a cool head and was a great man to have bowling that last over,” Joyce said of Cusack. “With two wickets left you’d think the batting team had it in the bag. I was glad William Porterfield was under that catch too.”
Joyce might have been out to his first ball from Tinashe Panyangara, edging only fractionally short of second slip. It was a close call. That was not the only incident to have Zimbabwe agonising over the difference a few centimetres made. The match arguably turned on a controversial moment in the 47th over when Sean Williams, on 96 and targeting the midwicket boundary, was caught by John Mooney positioned on the rope. Mooney did well to retain his balance and, looking down, claimed the catch, confident his back foot was clear of the boundary marker. TV replays were less conclusive.
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But even as the third official Joel Wilson studied the replays Williams himself left the field, effectively accepting he was out. Had he stayed put, it would have been hard to rule against him. Dav Whatmore, the Zimbabwe coach, was clearly livid at what happened.
Zimbabwe were then 300 for seven, needing 32 from 19 balls but they refused to give up, even when Panyangara fell to Mooney five balls later.
Zimbabwe were once a side who could be dismissed lightly but they are a gutsy side who refuse to accept defeat. At 74 for four, they looked beaten but Taylor and Williams then came together in a terrific partnership worth 149 off 125 balls that left the Irish frantically searching for a way through. Cusack’s removal of Taylor opened up a game which left both sides greatly in credit.