Zimbabwe thump Ireland to level series

Craig Ervine survived two early reprieves to share a match winning stand of 111 from just 62 balls with Sean Williams as Zimbabwe levelled the series with an eight-wicket win. Player of the Series Ervine benefitted from a schoolboy error, caught behind from Mark Adair's first ball only for square leg umpire Alan Neill to call a no-ball as they hadn't the required number of fielders inside the circle.

Ervine was dropped four balls later - again Adair the unlucky bowler. He went on to top score with 68 from 47 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes), and with Sean Williams also in fine fettle, the Africans raced to their 172 target with 20 balls to spare - Williams' 58 came from 30 balls and included 7 fours and 2 sixes.

Batting first Ireland suffered two early blows, firstly when in-form Andy Balbirnie withdrew from the game just minutes before the toss with a back injury, and then when Friday's hero Paul Stirling was bowled first-ball by Sean Williams. Kevin O'Brien hit a breezy 22 from 13 balls (3 fours, 1 six) but he and Lorcan Tucker fell in quick succession - both to Kyle Jarvis.

Gary Wilson scored a run-a-ball 47 and Greg Thompson 32 from 30, but the innings was given real impetus by Mark Adair who hit 4 sixes and 2 fours in a 15-ball 38. Shane Getkate and Gareth Delany both cleared the ropes in brief cameos as the Irish made 171 for 8 - it looked par, but proved well short.

Captain Gary Wilson said after the game: “We were nowhere near where we needed to be today – we were just way off with our bowling and in the field. I think we’re very happy where our batting is, and we all felt at half-time that 171 was about par. "The pitch was a bit slower than it was the other day, but we’re disappointed we weren’t able to defend that total - but some good lessons were learned.

“I think Craig Young has been the stand out bowler over the two matches, it was good to see him bowling with good pace, and he has good bounce and landed his yorkers, so that’s a massive plus for us.”

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