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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

BEN Curran’s maiden One Day International (ODI) century propelled Zimbabwe to a commanding nine-wicket victory over Ireland in the series decider at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

The 28-year-old’s unbeaten ton, which featured contributions to two record-breaking partnerships, helped Zimbabwe secure the three-match series 2-1.

The Chevrons controlled the match with the bat, ensuring that for the 20th time in the format, they chased a target exceeding 240 runs.

Curran and his record-breaking opening partner, Brian Bennett, batted with intent from the start, putting on an entertaining display before captain Craig Ervine came in to continue the excellent batting show.

Craig Ervine

Stars had to align for an under-pressure Zimbabwean side, and fortune smiled early when, for the first time this series, Ervine won the toss and chose to field first.

His bowlers delivered, restricting Ireland to 240/6 before Zimbabwe comfortably chased down the target in just 39.2 overs, finishing on 246/1. This secured their first series win since 2023, when they defeated the Netherlands 2-1 in Harare.

It also marked the Chevrons’ joint-largest margin of victory by wickets, matching their nine-wicket win over Kenya in Bulawayo in 2002.

Curran and Bennett’s 124-run opening stand is now the joint seventh-highest first-wicket partnership for Zimbabwe in ODIs, tied with that of Grant and Andy Flower (vs New Zealand in 1992; vs Kenya in 1997).

It was also the first century opening stand for Zimbabwe in the past 10 years, with the previous one coming in 2014 when Sikandar Raza and Hamilton Masakadza put on 224 runs against Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club.

After Bennett fell, Curran and Ervine had a 122-run stand for the second wicket, which is now the 10th-highest second-wicket partnership for Zimbabwe in ODIs.

In the 10th over, Curran smashed 15 runs off Josh Little, including three boundaries, setting up Zimbabwe’s best powerplay score in ODIs at 77/0, surpassing the previous best of 75.

Curran, in just his sixth ODI for Zimbabwe, brought up his maiden century off 120 balls with a four. He also became the first member of the Curran family to score a century in international cricket.

“Unbelievable feeling, and also to get the series win is a big thing for us. Just happy to contribute. To be honest, I wouldn’t say there’s too much of a difference (in the games). I think in the first two games, I didn’t face many balls in the Power Play, and hit a couple fielders so it didn’t quite necessarily go my way, but it was running smoothly as I would have liked. Luckily, today, I hit the gaps a couple over for twos then, all good.

“Unbelievably a good feeling and very proud to be here representing Zimbabwe,” said Curran.

Bennett finished the series with 247 runs from three innings at an impressive average of 82.33, etching his name into Zimbabwe’s cricketing history.

His tally in this series now stands as the third-highest by a Zimbabwean batter in a three-match ODI series, following Brendan Taylor’s 310 runs against New Zealand in 2011/12 and Sikandar Raza’s 252 runs against Bangladesh in 2022.

“I am just doing my best and doing one for the team,” said Bennett.

Heading into the decider, both Zimbabwe and Ireland fielded unchanged teams.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers did well to restrict Ireland’s scoring, claiming the first breakthrough in the seventh over when Richard Ngarava dismissed Paul Stirling for nine runs, caught by Johnathan Campbell.

Trevor Gwandu then struck to remove Curtis Campher for 11 runs, also caught by Campbell, leaving Ireland on 42/2 in 13,3 overs.

Andy Balbirnie and Harry Tector put together an 86-run partnership for the third wicket before Balbirnie was dismissed for 64 off 99 balls. 

Tector fell in the 39th over for 51 off 84 balls, leaving Ireland on 159/4. Lorcan Tucker contributed 61 runs off 54 balls, but Blessing Muzarabani dismissed him, helping drag Ireland to a respectable total of 240/6.

Ngarava and Gwandu picked up two wickets apiece, finishing with figures of 2/42 and 2/44 respectively, while Muzarabani (1/47) and Wellington Masakadza (1/58) claimed the other two wickets.

Zimbabwe’s chase started strongly, with Bennett and Curran playing aggressively, hitting boundaries. 

Bennett would fall just two runs shy of his half-century, trapped in front by Graham Hume. Bennett departed for 48 off as many ball, bringing Ervine to the crease.

The captain brought up his 23rd half-century off 43 balls and scored the winning runs with a towering six.

Curran remained unbeaten on 118 from 130 balls, while Ervine finished on 69 not out from 59 deliveries.

Curran was named Player of the Match, while Bennett was named Player of the Series.

Up next is a three-match T20I series, which kicks off on Saturday at Harare Sports Club.