On Thursday, Barry McCarthy’s three-wicket haul helped Ireland to recover and bowl out Zimbabwe for 210 on the first day of a unique one-off test in Belfast.
A match that started after the Irish captain Andy Balbirnie won the toss is unique as it was the first ever Test played in Northern Ireland.
Zimbabwe’s openers, Prince Masvaure (74) and Joylord Gumbie (49), put on a solid 97-run partnership, leaving the visitors in a strong position at 143-2. The team, however, suffered a dramatic collapse losing their last eight wickets for just 57 runs.
McCarthy took figures of 3-42 while off-spinner Andy McBrine claimed 3-37 allowing Ireland to fight back to gain an upper hand on day one of this historic Test match.
“I think the two openers batted quite nicely,” said McCarthy who was pleased that Ireland eventually utilized good conditions for pace bowling.
“The bounce and shape were nice; something bowlers love. We knew if we get one or two, the wickets would follow.”
Masvaure joked his way through an interview: “I am just happy to come into the side and put in a solid performance,” he explained. “I would’ve loved to go all the way [to a hundred]. It was nice that Gumbie was positive enough and gave us that start we needed…we’ll take that score.”
Gumbie edged towards his half-century before mistiming McCarthy down towards Curtis Campher at square leg during his debut Test appearance.
Nevertheless, Zimbabwe’s innings were ‘moving along nicely’, with Masvaure registering his fourth fifty in nine tests. The session eventually ended due intermittent rain resulting in three wicket falls by team score of 153.
Masvaure passed his previous highest test score of 65 before being caught by Locran Tucker off Campher down the legside, which was a good catch after an innings that included 8 fours and lasted 152 balls.
Immediately, McBrine accounted for Clive Madande who made a golden duck at the next delivery. McCarthy ended Zimbabwe’s innings in the 72nd over when Tendai Chatara was caught behind.
However, Ireland were saved from what had appeared to be a tricky start to their innings by fresh downpour stopping play and curtailing the first day.
