3rd T20I, Bready, September 01, 2021, 07:30 PM
Ireland
178/2(20.0ov)
Zimbabwe
138/10(18.2ov)
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 40 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Paul Stirling
Commentry
Right then. That's it from the coverage of this game. The hosts have put in a strong display and that sees them take a lead in this series. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, would look to bounce back in the next game. The fourth T20I will be played on Thursday, 2nd September at Bready. The first ball will be bowled at 3 pm local (2 pm GMT) but our buildup will begin well in advance. Please do join us for the same. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Andy Balbirnie, the Ireland skipper, says that it was a complete performance from the team. Tells that the wicket played very differently than he expected. Credits Stirling for his amazing batting and says that he deserves that century. Praises Getkate as well for supporting Stirling. Mentions that he is happy for Mark Adair as he is coming in after his injury. Says that they will look to win the series and go ahead for Thursday's game with a positive mindset.
Craig Ervine, the skipper of Zimbabwe, says that they did well to restrict Ireland inside the first ten overs but then got attacked in the last six-seven overs. Mentions that Stirling is one of the guys that gives Ireland the foundation and if you don't get him out, he will come hard at you. Tells that they have to find a way to get through the first six overs with the bat.
Paul Stirling is the Player of the Match! He says that it was a tough and tricky start and it was a big toss to lose. Mentions that he just looked to clear the boundaries and wasn't personally aiming for the century. Tells that he missed out on a couple of deliveries but will avoid that ahead. Says that the win shows a lot about the character of the team.
Ireland will be pretty pleased with how they have fared in this game. There were spells in between where it looked like the visitors were gaining some momentum, but the Irish lads did well in those moments to put a halt to the Zimbabwean charge. Benjamin White, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, and Mark Adair were in the wickets column, as they ended with at least 2 wickets to their name. Adair, though, ended with 3 to his name and had a good game. They were pretty clinical with their work out on the field too. Overall, they put in a complete display and will be happy to take a lead in this series.
The Zimbabwean openers, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Wesley Madhevere, started off in a positive manner as they looked to attack the loose balls and start the Powerplay with a bang. That blast only lasted for a short while as both openers were sent back shortly after. After that, wickets kept falling and none of the batters were able to settle down and play a measured knock. Skipper, Craig Ervine and Ryan Burl did show some fight, but they needed assistance from the other batters, which they never got, and in the end, they fell short by 40 runs.
A convincing victory for Ireland and they take a 2-1 lead in this 5-game T20I series. They put up a good total on board, followed that up with a strong bowling display which sees them take a deserved lead in this series. Zimbabwe showed glimpses of showing some fight, but, they have missed out, in the end, as they lose this game by 40 runs.
In over# 19
0W
0
Josh Little 18/2(3.2)
18.2
W
OUT! RICHARD NGARAVA IS RUN OUT! That is the end of the game. Fuller in length on leg, Chatara squeezes it out to mid-wicket. He takes off for a single but then says no. In the meantime, Richard Ngarava is already halfway down the track. He tries to get back to the crease but Shane Getkate picks up the ball and hits the stumps at the bowler's end. IRELAND WIN BY 40 RUNS.
18.1
.
Good-length ball outside off, Chatara looks to cut but misses.
In over# 18
1
1
0W
1
0
1
Mark Adair 11/3(3)
17.6
1
On a length around off, Tendai Chatara cuts it through point for a single.
17.5
1
On the pads, Ngarava looks to work it on the leg side but inside-edges it to fine leg for one.
17.4
W
OUT! TAKEN! Mark Adair gets his third wicket. He serves a short-of-a-length ball on leg, Ryan Burl goes for the pull shot, but he holes out to the fine leg fielder where Simi Singh takes a good low catch.
17.3
1
On off, guided to third man for one.
17.2
.
Back of a length, outside off. Chatara looks to play it away from the body and misses.
17.1
1
Just short of the deep square leg fielder. Fuller in length, on leg. Ryan Burl whips it towards deep square leg. The fielder there runs ahead in an attempt to catch the ball but it falls just short of him. A run taken.
In over# 17
0
1
1
1
6
4
Shane Getkate 32/2(4)
16.6
.
On leg, Chatara tucks it to short fine leg. He takes off for a single but is sent back by Burl. 45 needed from 18 balls.