3rd ODI, Stormont, September 13, 2021, 03:00 PM
Zimbabwe
131/10(34.0ov)
Ireland
118/3(22.2ov)
Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets (D/L method)
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Andy McBrine
Commentry
That's it from this match. Ireland won the T20I series and after a long day courtesy to the regular interruptions of rains, Ireland have managed to level the ODI series 1-1 and grab 15 points for the World Cup Super League from this series. Zimbabwe now will lock horns against Scotland for a three-match T20I series and the first one is set to begin on 15th September at 2 pm local (1 pm GMT). Hope you enjoyed our coverage. We will bring you the live coverage from that one as well and till then, good bye and take care.
The Irish captain, Andy Balbirnie says, that they bowled and fielded really well. Mentions that their spinners had great control in the game. Tells that losing Young in the warm-ups was not great. Informs that it was very kind from Zimbabwe to allow them to make a change. The spinners showed great control with the ball and is happy with the win here.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES, William Porterfield says, that since the last couple of months he has been in good touch. Mentions that it feels nice to contribute because it is tough up top to score runs. Tells that it is great playing with Stirling. Adds that they played three big games and got 10 points but is glad to have some points.
Zimbabwe skipper, Craig Ervine is up for a chat, he says, that they lost wickets at regular intervals and couldn't get enough runs on the board in the end. He adds that Ireland had a lot more pressure on their shoulders and they managed it well. Mentions that he is happy with the series on the whole and will take 1-1 even after today's disappointment. About Taylor, he says that he will be a big loss for Zimbabwe cricket and will remain an ambassador of the game.
MAN OF THE MATCH, Andy McBrine says, that they bowled well today and it was his day. Mentions that they bowled well as a unit and contributions from Simi Singh and Little also helped a lot in the middle overs. Informs that Young pulled up during warm-ups but after that he was fine.
...THE PRESENTATION...
Right then, after being put into bat, Zimbabwe never really got going and were soon in the shed with just 131 runs on the board. Rain-delays kept coming and going and in the end Ireland chased down the revised target of 118 runs with ease. Stay tuned for the presentation ceremony.
Zimbabwe have a knack of not winning away series even after being ahead. This was repeated in this series as well and it was a disappointing performance from their batters early on. Blessing Muzarabani bowled outstandingly well once again for his team but one can only do so much. Richard Ngarava andv Luke Jongwe also looked good but couldn't defend the total. Ervine held back his spinners and Wellington Masakadza did get Balbirnie in the end but it was a consolation wicket. They were outclassed today and will now look to put this match behind them.
Ireland had a summer day out there in the middle even with all the rain around. Their bowlers had set up the chase nicely and Paul Stirling along with William Porterfield gave them the perfect start. The latter then got out but Stirling hit some lusty blows, taking him to 43 before getting out. The skipper, Andy Balbirnie held up one hand while Stirling was taking on the attack and then played some classy shots of his own. In the end, it was a total which was easy to chase down and Ireland had to battle more with the rain, then out in the middle. They won this game comfortably in the end.
After a day full of stop-starts, Ireland have kept their composure and have levelled the series. They breezed through the rain delays and have crucial World Cup Super League points on the board.
In over# 23
1
4
Ryan Burl 14/0(2.2)
22.2
1
There it is! Floated it up, outside off. Harry Tector punches it off the back foot towards point for a single. Ireland win by 7 wickets DLS method.
22.1
4
FOUR! Thumped! Short and on middle, Harry Tector rocks back and pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
In over# 22
0
0
0W
4
0
0
Wellington Masakadza 9/1(2)
21.6
.
Outside off, Dockrell taps it to point.
21.5
.
Full and on middle, Dockrell presses forward to block it.
Who will come in next?
21.4
W
OUT! TAKEN! Loopy ball on off. Andy Balbirnie looks to go over covers but instead lifts it straight to the extra cover fielder where Craig Ervine takes a simple catch. A really soft dismissal. This won't bother Ireland though.
21.3
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Loopy ball, on middle. Andy Balbirnie gets low and tries to sweep. The ball goes off the top edge towards fine leg for a boundary. Just 5 needed now.