Irish run comes to abrupt halt

CRICKET:  IRELAND'S 14-MATCH unbeaten run was brought to an abrupt halt in Nairobi yesterday as Zimbabwe recorded an emphatic 156-run victory in the first game of the Tri-Series event.

Just three days after sealing a brilliant victory over Kenya to earn a place in the Intercontinental Cup final, Phil Simmons's side were well and truly outclassed at the Gymkhana Club as Zimbabwe posted a daunting 303 for eight off their 50 overs before bowling Ireland out for 147.

Zimbabwe's batsmen tore into the Irish attack after winning the toss, with Hamilton Masakadza showing his intent in the first over with consecutive boundaries off Peter Connell. Eleven runs came off Connell's second over, with Masakadza clearing the ropes for a six. Boyd Rankin failed to hold back the deluge, his third over also going for 11 as Zimbabwe raced to 50 in the sixth over.

Trent Johnston replaced Connell and made the breakthrough in the ninth over when Cephas Zhuwawo went for 16, Rankin taking a fine catch at third man.

But the damage was already done as Masakadza brought up his 50 in the same over, taking just 32 deliveries with 11 fours and one six.

His barnstorming knock was finally ended on 72 when Ireland skipper William Porterfield took the catch at point.

The African side finished the innings as they started, adding 87 runs off the last 10 overs to pass the 300 mark, with Connell picking up three late wickets but conceding 68 runs off eight overs.

Three of Ireland's batsmen recorded centuries in the four-day victory over Kenya, but there was to be no repeat this time around, with William Porterfield, Niall O'Brien and Gary Wilson all departing within the first six overs. Kevin O'Brien did show some of the form, hitting three sixes in one over on his way to 38.

Zimbabwe won the toss and batted.

ZIMBABWE

H Masakadza c Porterfield b Johnston 72

C Zhuwawo c Rankin b Johnston 16

C Chibhabha b Rankin 51

T Taibu b Connell 74

S Matsikenyeri c K O'Brien b Botha 27

E Chigumbura c Botha b Connell 33

K Dabengwa b Cusack 1

T Maruma c Wilson b Connell 2

P Utseya not out 3

Extras (b4 lb5 w14 nb1) 24

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Total(for 8 wkts, 50 ovs) 303

Did not bat:R Price C Mpofu

Fall of wickets:1-71, 2-99, 3-201, 4-259, 5-262, 6-266, 7-285, 8-303.

Bowling:P Connell 8-0-68-3; B Rankin 6-0-53-1; T Johnston 10-0-40-2; A Botha 10-0-44-1; K McCallan 10-0-47-0; A Cusack 6-0-42-1.

IRELAND

W Porterfield c Price b Utseya 10

N O'Brien c Utseya b Chigumbura 2

G Wilson c Chibhabha b Chigumbura 0

A Botha st Taibu b Utseya 21

A White c Chibhabha b Maruma 18

K O'Brien c Taibu b Dabengwa 38

A Cusack cb Maruma 5

T Johnston c Price b Dabengwa 12

K McCallan lbw b Dabengwa 25

P Connell run out 6

B Rankin not out 0

Extras (lb3 w7) 10

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Total(all out, 46.1 ovs) 147

Fall of wickets:1-9, 2-14, 3-17, 4-49, 5-63, 6-72, 7-113, 8-115, 9-147.

Bowling:E Chigumbura 5-0-18-2; P Utseya 9.1-0-29-2; C Mpofu 3-0-8-0; R Price 10-5-7-0; T Maruma 10-1-50-2; K Dabengwa 6-1-17-3; C Zhuwawo 3-0-15-0.

Zim (4 pts) bt Ire (0 pt) by 156 runs