Sports / Cricket
Zimbabwe seal series against Ireland in 2nd ODI at Harare
11 Oct 2015 at 17:29hrs | Views
Zimbabwe batsman Craig Ervine scored a match-winning knock of 101 as Zimbabwe beat Ireland by five wickets in the second of the three-match ODI series at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday and also take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper, Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to field first, which was indeed a surprise call as Ireland finished the innings scoring a competitive total of 268 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 Overs, courtesy of twin impressive innings from Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson of 72 and 65, respective, while Sikandar Raza claimed three for 49.
The chase began on a healthy note as with the Zimbabwe opening batsmen in the form of Chamu Chibhabha and Richmond Mutumbani, putting up 47 opening runs on the board before Mutumbani fell for 14 to Tim Murtagh. And he was soon followed by his fellow opener Chibhabha, who too departed for 30 the very next over off Kevin O'Brien.
However, it was followed by a 98 run stand between Criag Ervine and Sean Williams as it was not until at the score of 149 in the 26th over, Williams fell for 43 to Andrew McBrine.
With 43 runs more added to the total, it was Tinotenda Mutumbozi, who departed after contributing crucial 25 runs before falling prey to Kevin. Nevertheless, it was followed by a strong 63-run stand for the fifth wicket, as Raza fell for a healthy 33 in the 48th over to John Mooney.
However, any attempt being mate by the Irish bowlers at the end proved to be futile as it was too late by then and Ervine had the game under control completely as he eventually scored his second ODI century. He along with Chigumbura made sure that they chase down the total comfortably in the end, with just nine balls to spare as Ervine hit the winning runs.
Earlier, Zimbabwe skipper, Elton Chigumbura won the toss and elected to field first, which was indeed a surprise call as Ireland finished the innings scoring a competitive total of 268 for the loss of seven wickets in 50 Overs, courtesy of twin impressive innings from Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson of 72 and 65, respective, while Sikandar Raza claimed three for 49.
The chase began on a healthy note as with the Zimbabwe opening batsmen in the form of Chamu Chibhabha and Richmond Mutumbani, putting up 47 opening runs on the board before Mutumbani fell for 14 to Tim Murtagh. And he was soon followed by his fellow opener Chibhabha, who too departed for 30 the very next over off Kevin O'Brien.
However, it was followed by a 98 run stand between Criag Ervine and Sean Williams as it was not until at the score of 149 in the 26th over, Williams fell for 43 to Andrew McBrine.
With 43 runs more added to the total, it was Tinotenda Mutumbozi, who departed after contributing crucial 25 runs before falling prey to Kevin. Nevertheless, it was followed by a strong 63-run stand for the fifth wicket, as Raza fell for a healthy 33 in the 48th over to John Mooney.
However, any attempt being mate by the Irish bowlers at the end proved to be futile as it was too late by then and Ervine had the game under control completely as he eventually scored his second ODI century. He along with Chigumbura made sure that they chase down the total comfortably in the end, with just nine balls to spare as Ervine hit the winning runs.
Source - cricketcountry
