Ireland struggling in run chase against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe paceman Richard Ngarava takes four wickets in a devastating spell to leave Ireland 33-5 in a run chase of 158 in the Test match at Stormont.
Day three of Test match, Stormont
Zimbabwe 210 & 197 (71 overs): Myers 57, Williams 40; McBrine 4-38
Ireland 250 & 33-5 (8 overs): Stirling 10; Ngarava 4-12
Ireland need 125 more runs to win
Zimbabwe paceman Richard Ngarava took four wickets in a devastating spell to leave Ireland 33-5 in a run chase of 158 to win the Test match at Stormont.
The hosts were in a commanding position after bowling Zimbabwe out for 197 in their second innings on Saturday afternoon.
But Ireland were reduced to 6-3 and 21-5 as Ngarava ripped through the top order, with Zimbabwe’s charge only halted when bad light brought a premature end to play.
There were ducks for PJ Moor, Curtis Campher and Harry Tector while Andrew Balbirnie (4) and Paul Stirling (10) also fell cheaply.
Ngarava finished the day with career-best figures of 4-12 while Blessing Muzarabani also picked up a wicket.
Zimbabwe started day three on 12-0 after a first-innings deficit of 40 and openers Joylord Gumbie and Prince Masvaure fell with the total on 38.
Craig Ervine departed for seven but the Chevrons recovered with Dion Myers (57) and Sean Williams (40) putting on a 68-run partnership.
Matthew Humphreys picked up his first Test wicket by dismissing Brian Bennett while there was a first Test half-century for Myers, who was dropped twice and whose departure left Zimbabwe 174-7.
Andy McBrine took 4-38 as the tourists were bowled out for under 200 and Ireland were eager to start the run chase after an impressive bowling display.
But it all went wrong for the hosts as Ngarava sparked a collapse and his superb spell included two wickets in two balls.
Ireland still have five wickets in hand but the momentum is with Zimbabwe and they are favourites to clinch victory on Sunday.
“We knew it would be a tough period but we were confident that we could chase down the total,” said Irish skipper Balbirnie.
“We faced some pretty hostile bowling and could have played some better shots. We knew that they would come in firing and we clearly didn’t deal with that.
“We are still confident that we can chase this with experienced test batters but it will be tough.”
