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Brandon Moyo, [email protected]

A CAPTAIN’S knock from Paul Stirling helped Ireland level the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe following their six wickets win in the second match played at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

The 34-year-old Ireland skipper played a brilliant fighting innings, scoring 89 runs, setting up his team for victory. It was his 31st half-century in the longer version.

Stirling was also part of a record breaking 144-runs second wicket partnership with Curtis Campher.

Their brilliant partnership is now Ireland’s highest second wicket stand against Zimbabwe in ODIs.

Just like in the series opener on Friday, Zimbabwe were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 245 runs in 49 overs with Wessly Madhevere and Sikandar Raza scoring half-centuries.

Ireland responded well with the bat, chasing down the target in 48.4 overs, finishing on 249/4.

Zimbabwe made one change to the team that played in the series opener last Friday. Trevor Gwandu came in for Newman Nyamhuri.

The Chevrons’ opening partnership of Brian Bennett — who scored a scintillating ton on Friday — Ben Curran was broken in the seventh over with Mark Adair getting the former caught for 30 runs off 34 balls. At that time, Zimbabwe were on 38/1.

The second wicket quickly fell as the skipper, Craig Ervine was bowled by Josh Little for four runs off 10 balls. Curran was the third victim, falling for 18 runs after facing 36 balls.

With Zimbabwe now on 77/3 after the loss of Curran, it was Madhevere and Raza who tried to rebuild the innings with a 74-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Madhevere was then trapped in front for 61 runs off 70 balls by Campher, bringing in Johnathan Campbell into the middle. It was the 24-year-old Madhevere’s sixth ODI half-century.

However, the new man — Campbell didn’t stay long as he was caught behind for just two runs.

Tadiwanashe Marumani didn’t trouble the Irish batters, falling for a two-ball duck.

Raza, in his 150th ODI for the Chevrons scored 58 runs after facing 75 balls. Wellington Masakadza chipped in with a handy 35 runs off as many deliveries, his new highest score in the longer format.

Richard Ngarava finished unbeaten on 17 runs from 18 balls.

Adair was the pick of the Ireland bowlers, finishing with figures of 4/54 in his 10 overs while Campher picked up three for 13 in five overs. Graham Hume, Little, and Andy McBrine picked up one wicket apiece.

The Chevrons had a good start with the ball as Blessing Muzarabani struck in the sixth over, getting Andy Balbirnie caught behind for 11 runs off 20 balls.

Gwandu would go on to give Zimbabwe the much needed breakthrough later on as he trapped Campher in front for 63 runs off 94 balls. He struck again in his next over, getting Harry Tector caught behind for seven runs off 10 balls.

Stirling was caught by Madhevere off a Ngarava delivery after facing 102 balls for his 89 runs. Lorcan Tucker (36) and George Dockrell (20) would go on to see Ireland through with a 49-run fifth wicket partnership.

Gwandu finished with figures of 2/50 in nine overs while Muzarabani and Ngarava picked up one scalp apiece for the hosts.

For his all round performance, Campher was named player of the match.

The series decider is scheduled for tomorrow at the same venue. The match is set to start at 9.30am. – @brandon_malvin