Ireland clinched their first-ever home Test victory after securing a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Belfast.
Following seven consecutive defeats at the start of their life as a Test nation, which began in 2018, it was Ireland’s second consecutive Test win. Their maiden victory came over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in March.
The final morning in Belfast included a rare occurrence: an all-run five. Andy McBrine punched Richard Ngarava towards the extra cover boundary; the ball was hauled back just inside the rope. Together with Lorcan Tucker, the batsmen ran five.
Whatever the uncertainty about the future of the format, Ireland still remain committed to the Test game. Facing financial turmoil before the summer, Cricket Ireland decided to cancel a tour by Australia in both the Twenty20 and one-day international format.
Not hosting Australia meant that Ireland could still afford to welcome Zimbabwe. While Zimbabwe are far less attractive opponents, Ireland were determined to finally host their second home Test, six years after Pakistan visited Malahide for Ireland’s inaugural Test in 2018.
Yet the future of Test cricket for Ireland remains unclear. Ireland are among the three Test nations outside the World Test Championship; while they are free to organise five-day games, these are not in any official competition and are effectively friendlies. Modest broadcasting interest for such matches also limits what Ireland can generate from their Tests, with their previous home Test estimated to have cost Cricket Ireland in the region of £500,000.
Ireland are due to play Zimbabwe in two Tests next January, but the series will depend on the financial situation of the host board. Next summer, Ireland will host a one-off Test against Afghanistan.
Yet the scarcity of Ireland Tests has only heightened players’ pride when they are permitted to play. Ireland’s first Test against Zimbabwe fitted the pattern of fraught clashes between the sides, culminating with Ireland needing 158 to win in the final innings.
Their chase got off to a horrendous start, losing four new-ball wickets to left-armer Ngarava and collapsing to 21-5 within six overs. At 33-5 when rain curtailed play on the third evening, Ireland were heavy underdogs.
Tucker, who now has 480 runs at 43.7 in his Test career, and is Ireland’s top Test scorer to date, counter-punched with 56, driving fluently during his stand with McBrine. When Tucker inside-edged quick bowler Blessing Muzarabani to reduce Ireland to 117-6, Zimbabwe had another opening.
But McBrine, square-cutting forcefully and scampering between the wickets, remained undeterred. Local boy Mark Adair, playing only five miles away from his childhood home, sealed the winning runs when he launched left-arm spinner Sean Williams down the ground. The moment prompted jubilant scenes at the intimate Civil Service Cricket Club, which has staged cricket since 1949.
McBrine deserved the stump he collected as a souvenir. The all-rounder took 7-75 with his off spin in the match, exploiting a pitch that turned appreciably, and contributed 28 and an undefeated 55 from number seven.
“I probably didn’t think growing up that there’d be a Test here,” said McBrine when he was presented with the player of the match award. “It wasn’t an easy wicket to bowl on, but the way they rotated allowed me to take wickets as well – delighted with the family being here.”
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