Having secured a first innings lead, Ireland seemed to lose focus this morning after the ‘sold out’ signs went up at the Ward Ground. Their fielding was way below standard as six catches were dropped, allowing Zimbabwe to set a target of 158, far more testing than it should have been.
But the pressure only intensified when Ireland came out to bat and each fallen wicket ratcheted up the heat, with the top five batsmen out with the score on just 21. Bad light and rain ended play soon after, leaving Ireland 125 more to get.
At start of play Ireland’s best chance was to bowl out Zimbabwe quickly. The bowlers threatened frequently, none more than Barry McCarthy who attacked with verve.
But he had a nightmare start, dropping a caught and bowled chance low to his left off his first ball, and then seeing Prince Masvaure dropped off his next.
McCarthy eventually got his man, and umpire Sharfuddoula helped by giving Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine out lbw to a ball that appeared to pass six inches over the stumps.
From 96-3 at lunch, Ireland took control and took five wickets in the afternoon session, despite six dropped catches in all.
Zimbabwe rallied to 144-4 before Craig Young came back for a spell in mid-afternoon, and although his first over cost 15, Andy Balbirnie persisted. He was rewarded with the wicket of Sean Williams in Young’s second over, edging to the wicketkeeper for 40.
Shortly after tea there was an alarming incident when Chivanga ducked into a Barry McCarthy bouncer and was struck on the helmet. The batsman fell to the ground and lay prone for some minutes as medical staff tended to him. There was applause when he got to his feet and McCarthy put his arm across his shoulders as he walked off the field.
He returned at the fall of the next wicket but Zimbabwe were soon all out for 197.
There followed a stunning display of fast bowling, the visitors’ giant attack spearing the ball in as the pitch showed signs of deterioration. It all got to the heads of the batsmen and a flurry of bad shots and a questionable umpiring call reduced Ireland to 21-5.
“We’re behind the eight-ball,” admitted Balbirnie, “but we have guys still in who have lots of experience batting in Tests.”
Play resumes at 11.0 Sunday morning.