Zimbabwe needing 5 wickets to beat Ireland

More action could hardly have been packed into this 71-over day. There were 15 wickets, and six dropped catches, Tanaka Chivanga’s temporary retirement due to injury. And Richard Ngarava’s fast four-over session shifted the game Zimbabwe’s way. Zimbabwe only needs five wickets to win this one-off Test on the final day, while Ireland needs another 125. 

Like every other day of the Test, the morning session was the greatest batting period. A drizzle appeared to help Dion Myers (57) and Sean Williams (40) as they extended their lead to a hundred. However, Craig Young broke the stand, allowing Andy McBrine to go through the tail and finish with 4 for 58. Chivanga, the No. 10, was hit in the helmet by Barry McCarthy, probably from the ball bouncing off his shoulder, and had to retire hurt. 

Exciting spell by Zimbabwe’s Ngarava

Chivanga returned after clearing a concussion test, but Ireland kept bouncing him. He took a few more punches. Chivanga was the last man out, as Zimbabwe folded for 197. Their last five partnerships combined for only 46 runs, but the worth of those runs would be shown later as batting became even more difficult when Ireland came to pursue.

Ngarava was the hero with a four-over spell in which he went 4 for 12 late in the day. One didn’t have to glance at the speedometer to know he was bowling dangerously fast. The batters also approached him in a way that made them look to be on the verge of gaining an advantage. Muzarabani subsequently claimed his third Ireland wicket in 14 balls when Andy Balbirnie’s wide drive was caught in slip.

Tector then had to walk back in frustration after being trapped behind Ngarava, but he may have felt he didn’t strike it. He couldn’t review either because DRS was not used in this test and the third umpire could only make line calls. Paul Stirling then took a couple of body blows and was eventually caught behind by Ngarava as he attempted one too many shots. Tucker attacked briefly, hitting two fours to move Ireland into the thirties.

Ireland’s Missed Opportunities

Zimbabwe had already won that eight-over period, and rain prevented the visitors from creating further damage. Zimbabwe batted well for the whole of the day. Prince Masvaure got caught behind, but, like Tector later in the day, he did not believe he was out. Next, Myers and Craig Ervine piled on 34, but the skipper fell before lunch, lbw off Mark Adair’s shoulder.

Williams, the No. 5, began comfortably, hitting two boundaries off Campher and forming a slow but secure stand of 68 with Myers. Play continued in the drizzle, with McBrine searching for grip and Young conceding three boundaries in a 15-run over. Even though Young removed Williams and Matthew Humphreys claimed his first Test wicket, Myers passed fifty and helped Zimbabwe to 150. He was eventually down lbw for 57.

Looming set-up

While attempting to survive, an Adair shooter, and McBrine cleaned up the tail. They left the hosts with a target of 158. At the end of the day’s play, Ireland may reflect on their squandered opportunities on the field. They had a chance in the second over of the day, but McCarthy missed the catch on the follow-through.

Adair, on third slip, dropped Masvaure again, giving him two lives in as many balls. The weather outlook for day four is more optimistic, but Zimbabwe will be bowling on a wicket with sideways and up-and-down action. Ireland is hoping the morning isn’t as scary as the last session of day three.