Irish relinquish crown with draw

CRICKET/INTERCONTINENTAL CUP:IRELAND TAMELY surrendered their Intercontinental Cup crown in Harare yesterday as the clash against a Zimbabwe XI petered out in a draw on the final day. The hosts started the day on 506 for six and pushed on to 590 all out just before lunch, the most runs Ireland have conceded in an innings, passing the 584 for six the West Indies hit at Rathmines in 1984.

Despite going for over 100 runs each on a batsmen-friendly track, Trent Johnston and Kevin O’Brien picked up four wickets apiece for their efforts.

It left Ireland with a 125-run deficit after the first innings, and they lost opener Paul Stirling for just one with six runs on the board.

A 97-run stand between skipper William Porterfield (66) and Niall O’Brien (41) eased any nerves, and Gary Wilson put Ireland back ahead with a six in an undefeated knock of 35 before the sides shook hands at the start of the final hour’s play.

Ireland must regroup ahead of the first on the three One-Day Internationals, which get under way on Sunday at the Harare Sports Club.

Just two of the Zimbabwe XI side have been named in a full-strength 15-man squad, with Ireland needing to win two of the games to remain in 10th place in the world rankings above the home side.

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP

at Harare Sports Club – Day 4 of 4. Overnight: Ireland first innings 465 (134.5 ovs) (A White 102, J Mooney 87, K O’Brien 71, W Porterfield 51, G Wilson 47, G Dockrell 30no; S Masakadza 5-107, N Mushangwe 3-106) Zimbabwe first innings 506-6 (148 ovs) (S Williams 178, K Dabengwa 140, R Chakabva 54, S Marrillier 47, F Mutizwa 28no; T Johnston 3-80, K O’Brien 2-88)

ZIMBABWE – First Innings

F Mutizwa not out 67

S Masakadza lbw b Mooney 22

N Mushangwe b Johnston 14

N Ncube c Wilson b K O’Brien 6

T Chatara c Mooney b K O’Brien 14

Extras (b19 lb10 nb3 w10) 42

Total (all out, 173.2 ovs) 590

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-107, 3-111, 4-348, 5-542, 6-457, 7-521, 8-551, 9-566.

Bowling: A Eastwood 20-2-92-0; T Johnston 36-4-118-4; K O’Brien 30.2-4-104-4; J Mooney 17-3-43-2; G Dockrell 29-5-99-0; A White 24-4-62-0; P Stirling 16-1-40-0; W Porterfield 1-0-3-0.

IRELAND – Second Innings

W Porterfield c Williams b Matsikenyeri 66

P Stirling b Chatara 1

N O’Brien c Chakabva b Sibanda 41

G Wilson not out 35

G Dockrell lbw b Williams 0

K O’Brien not out 2

Extras (b5 nb1) 6

Total (for 4 wkts, 54 ovs) 151

Did not bat: A Botha, A White, J Mooney, T Johnston, A Eastwood.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-103, 3-136, 4-137.

Bowling: S Masakadze 7-1-28-0; T Chatara 4-0-12-1; N Ncube 6-1-20-0; N Mushangwe 5-0-23-0; K Dabengwa 12-2-15-0; S Matsikenyeri 10-3-32-1; V Sibanda 5-2-3-1; S Williams 5-1-13-1.

Zimbabwe XI (9pts) drew with Ireland (3pts)