Batting has Ireland in control in Harare

CRICKET:A STRONG batting display put Ireland in control at the end of the first day of their Intercontinental Cup clash against a Zimbabwe XI at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Needing full points to keep alive their slim hopes of making it to a fourth straight final, Ireland finished the day on 340 for six after skipper William Porterfield won the toss on a boiling-hot day in the Zimbabwe capital.

The Gloucestershire player led the way with a knock of 51 at the top of the order, helping Ireland to 123 for three at lunch. Paul Stirling made 19, while Niall O’Brien, back in the side after surgery to a finger injury, made 17.

Porterfield and Kevin O’Brien (71) shared a partnership of 86 in 25 overs before 19-year-old leg-spinner Natsai Mushangwe claimed them both to leave Ireland on 172 for five halfway through the day’s play.

The balance would tip towards the visitors for the rest of the opening day, with Andrew White and Gary Wilson (47) putting on 97 for the sixth wicket.

White would finish the day just three short of his century to continue a fine run in the first-class competition that saw him make 144 against the Netherlands in August.

Along with John Mooney (25 not out) the seventh-wicket pairing is already worth a valuable 71 runs.

Scorecard

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

at Harare Sports Club

Ireland won the toss and batted

IRELAND – First innings

W Porterfield c Chakabva b Mushangwe 51

P Stirling c Sibanda b Masakadza 19

N O’Brien c Sibanda b Ncube 17

A Botha c Sibanda b Masakadza 7

K O’Brien c Chakabva b Mushangwe 71

A White not out 97

G Wilson c Chakabva b Williams 47

J Mooney not out 25

Extras(lb5, nb1) 6

Total(for 6 wkts, 96 ovs) 340

To bat:T Johnston, G Dockrell, A Eastwood

Fall of wickets:1-31, 2-52, 3-71, 4-157, 5-172, 6-279.

Bowling: S Masakadza 17-2-75-2; T Chatara 15-0-68-0; N Ncube 18-4-49-1; N Mushangwe 23-5-79-2; K Dabengwa 15-2-43-0; S Williams 3-0-9-1; S Matsikenyeri 5-1-14-0.