Day 2 of the only Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland saw both teams trading crucial blows, keeping the match evenly poised. Ireland recovered from a disastrous 31/5 to post 260, thanks to Andy McBrine鈥檚 unbeaten 90 and Mark Adair鈥檚 attacking 78. Blessing M?uzarabani starred for Zimbabwe with 7/58, restricting Ir??eland from posting a bigger total.
In response, Zimbabwe gained a slender seven-run lead, led by Nick Welch鈥檚 composed 90 and Muzarabani鈥檚 late counterattacking 47. Barry McCarthy鈥檚 4/75 kept Ireland in the contest, preventing Zimbabwe from running away with the game. Ireland鈥檚 second innings started positively, reaching 83/1 by stumps, with Andy Balbirnie unbeaten on 32. With a 76-run lead and nine wickets in hand, Ireland holds the edge, but Zimbabwe鈥檚 bowlers will aim to strike early on Day?? 3.
Ireland found themselves in deep trouble early in their first innings, collapsing to 31/5 as Zimbabwe’s bowlers ran riot. Muzarabani led the attack with exceptional accuracy, removing key Irish batters to put the visitors on the back foot. However, a counterattacking partnership between McBrine and Adair rescued Ireland from a disastrous position. McBrine played a valiant unbeaten knock of 90, missing a well-deserved century but ensuring Ireland had a fighting total.
Adair contributed a crucial 78, taking on Zimbabwe鈥檚 bowlers with aggressive stroke play. Their 127-run stand for the seventh wicket frustrated Zimbabwe, shifting the momentum in Ireland鈥檚 favor. Muzarabani remained the standout bowler, finishing with figures of 7/58, preventing Ireland from reaching an even bigger score. Despite losing their last three wickets cheaply, Ireland managed to post 260, a total that looked?? i??mprobable after their early struggles.
Zimbabwe made a cautious start in response but struggled to build big partnerships against Ireland鈥檚 disciplined bowling attack. Nick Welch was the standout performer, anchoring the innings with a well-compiled 90, falling agonizingly short of a maiden Test century. He played with great composure, mixing solid defense with calculated aggression to keep Zimbabwe in the contest. Captain Craig Ervine chipped in with a steady 32 before falling to McCarthy, who emerged as Ireland鈥檚 most effective bowler. The lower order provided unexpected resistance, with Muzarabani smashing a quick 47 to help Zimbabwe cross Ireland鈥檚 total. Desp??ite McCarthy鈥檚 4/75, Zimbabwe managed to edge ahead, finishing with 267, taking a slender seven-run lead. Though not a dominant advantage, Zimbabwe鈥檚 efforts ensured they would not have to bat last with a deficit, keeping them i?n the contest.
Determined to overturn the seven-run deficit, Ireland made a steady start in their second innings under fading light. Openers Curtis Campher聽and Peter Moor looked positive, adding 48 runs for the first wicket before Moor fell to Richard Ngarava for 30, leaving captain Balbirnie and Curtis Campher at the crease. Balbirnie, showing excellent composure, played risk-free cricket to ensure no further setbacks before stumps. Campher provided solid support, remaining unbeaten on 14, while Balbirnie looked in control at 32*. At the close of play, Ireland reached 83/1, leading by 76 runs with nine wickets in hand. With a strong platform set, Ireland will look? to extend their lead on Day 3 and push Zimbabwe onto the back foot.
The Test Match between Ireland and Zimbabwe in Bulawayo nicely poised. #Cricket #ZIMvIRE #Ireland #Zimbabwe #Test pic.twitter.com/2ht2ETfykQ
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 7, 2025
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]]>On Day 1 of only Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe were in the ascendancy thanks to an exceptional performance from their premier fast bowler, Blessing Muzarabani.聽 The 27-year-old pacer delivered a spellbinding effort, finishing the day with remarkable figures of 7/58 and becoming th?e first pacer from ?the country to reach this milestone.
Muzarabani’s dominance with the ball shattered Ireland’s batting line-up, as he single-handedly removed six of the top seven Ireland batters. His display was nothing short of clinical, as he consistently found the right areas and exploited the conditions beautifully. This left Ireland struggling at 260 all out. With Richard Ngarava chipping in with two wickets and Trevor Gwandu contributing one, Zimbabwe鈥檚 bowlers proved to be too much for Ireland, keeping them to a modest total. This early breakthrough laid the foundation for Zimbabwe’s push for control in the match, leaving Ireland to contemplate what could have been a much larger score.
Ireland鈥檚 batting unit was exposed early on by the relentless Zimbabwean bowlers, who demonstrated both skill and patience throughout the day. After opting to bat first, Ireland found themselves in serious trouble with the scoreboard reading a paltry 82/6. Peter Moor鈥檚 poor form continued as he fell early, caught by Curran off Muzarabani, while Andy Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, and Harry Tector were all dismisse??d in quick succession. Muzarabani鈥檚 mastery with the ball proved too much for the Irish top order, as he claimed crucial scalps and helped put the pressure on the rest of the batters.
Paul Stirling, a seasoned campaigner, also failed to make an impact and was sent packing after a brief stay at the crease. Lorcan Tucker tried to stem the tide, making 33 off 28 balls, but was also dismissed, adding to the growing list of Ireland wickets. Despite this, there was a glimmer of hope as Andy McBrine dug in with a gritty 90-run innings, and Mark Adair supported well with 78 runs. But Zimbabwe鈥檚 bowlers, spearheaded by Muzarabani鈥檚 stunning performance, never allowe??d Ireland to get any real momentum, taking wickets consistently to stifle any potential recovery.
As Zimbabwe set about responding to Ireland’s total, they did so with composure and purpose, ensuring that their chase was methodical rather than rushed. Openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch played with confidence, making sure that Zimbabwe’s innings didn鈥檛 suffer more setbacks after the early loss of Ben Curran. Kaitano, in particular, looked solid, occupying the crease for a well-made 26 off 61 balls, while Welch matched him with 33 not out from 51 balls.聽 Their 72-run partnership at stumps put Zimbabwe in a relatively strong position, trailing by 188 runs. The two had the opportunity to take control of the game, building on their steady foundation for the following day. While the ??run rate of 3.42 may not have been blistering, it was enough to keep Zimbabwe within striking distance of Ireland鈥檚 total.
The seco??nd-be??st bowling figures for Zimbabwe in a Test innings 馃憦
Blessing Muzarabani, take a bow 馃檶#Cricket #ZIMvIRE #BlessingMuzarabani #zimbabwecricket pic.twitter.com/3TW3iVSqKA
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]]>The much anticipated one-off Test between Zimbabwe and Ireland is set to commence on Thursday, ??February 6 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The fixture will mark a significant chapter in bilateral cricket? between the two sides.
Last July, the teams met for the first time in this format in Belfast, where Ireland produced an engaging three-day performance to secure a riveting win. In that memorable encounter, Andy McBrine emerged as the standout performer with a comprehensive all-round display – recording figures of 3/37, scoring 28, and then contributing an unbeaten 55 along with figures of 4-38 – which earned him the Player of the Match award. Following the Test, the cricketing action will continue as the two sides lock horns in three ODIs and an equal number of T20Is, starting from February 14. This busy schedule provides both teams with an excellent platform to showcase their talent and build momentum ahead of future international engagements.
In preparation for the upcoming one-off Test, Zimbabwe have made a few strategic changes to their squad by naming two uncapped players, thereby giving opportunities to leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa and batter Nicholas Welch?. Their inclusion is part of a broader strategy to inject fresh talent into the side and build a competitive unit capable of challenging top teams on home soil.
As a result of this shake-up, established players Tadiwanashe Marumani and Dion Myers have been omitted from the Test outfit, signaling a shift in priorities for the selectors. Additionally, Sean Williams, who had been battling a back issue during the previous outing against Afghani??stan, has been declared fit, providing much-needed experience and stability to the? Zimbabwean batting line-up.
On the Ireland side, Morgan Topping has now been included in both the Test and the upcoming three-match ODI series that will follow the Test. Alongside Topping, Ireland are looking to further bolster their squad by considering the potential inclusion of leg-spinner Gavin Hoey, who made his ODI de??but in October last year and is now in line for a Test cap. These selections indicate that Irelan??d are not only aiming to compete strongly in the one-off Test but are also setting their sights on the longer series that follow. With the ODI and T20I matches scheduled to commence from February 14, Ireland are eager to build on their performances and fine-tune their strategies ahead of further international contests.
Zimbabwe:聽Craig Ervine ??(c), Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwana??she Kaitano, Nyasha Mayavo, Nick Welch, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi and Vincent Masekesa
Ireland:聽Andy Balbirnie (c), Peter Moor, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, ??Andy M??cBrine, Paul Stirling, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Morgan Topping.
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]]>After some breathtaking cricket last time around, Zimbabwe and Ireland are against each other once again to play a one-off Test, 3ODIs and 3T20Is between the two sides. Zimbabwe are set to come back to winning ways after a disappointing outcome of the home series against Afghanistan during which they were dominated by the visitors in all the three formats of the game. Ireland, on the other hand, did win the reverse fixture against the African nation last time around, with a symbolic win against South Africa in the T20I and ODI series.
The pitch at Queen’s Sports Club is expected to remain predominantly batting-friendly, similar to the conditions during the previous Test encounters. However, there鈥檚 a possibility of a light shower that could slightly alter the pitch conditions, introducing some unpredictability. As the Test match progresses, especially in the latter stages, the pitch is anticipated to offer some turn, potentially bringing spin bowlers into the game. This could pose challenges for the batters as the match moves forward. The team winning the toss is likely to choose to bat first. This approach will allow them to set a solid total and apply pressure on the opposing team.
??Nyas?ha Mayavo, Trevor Gwandu, Harry Tector, Matthew Humphreys
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), Ben Curran, Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Nyasha Mayavo, Nick Welch, Brian Bennett, Johnathan Campbell, Sean Williams, Trevor Gwandu?, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi and Vincent Masekesa
Ireland: Andy Balbirnie?? (c), Peter Mo??or, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Andy McBrine, Paul Stirling, Gavin Hoey, Graham Hume, Matthew Humphreys, Barry McCarthy, Craig Young, Morgan Topping.
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]]>Zimbabwe will host Ireland in a multi-format bilateral series, set to commence?? on Thursday, Februa??ry 6. The series will mark a significant milestone in cricketing history as Zimbabwe and Ireland face off in a one-off Test match, followed by three T20Is and three ODIs. This series is expected to offer intense competition, especially given the growing stature of both teams in international cricket.
The Test match holds special significance as it will be the first time Zimbabwe will host Ireland in the longest format. This historic fixture will be only the second-ever Test meeting between the two sides. Their maiden Test encounter took place in July 2023 in Belfast, where Ireland, under the captaincy of Andrew Balbirnie, secured a comfortable four-wicket victory. Zimbabwe will be keen to ca??pitalize on home conditions and seek redemption for that defeat. Given Zimbabwe鈥檚 experience with in their home pitches, the contest could present a challenge for the Irish side, which has traditionally thrived in seam-friendly conditions.
The only Test match between Zimbabwe and Ireland at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo is expected to be played under varying weather conditions. The opening two days (Thursday and Friday) will see mostly?? sunny skies with temperatures hovering around 33掳C during the day and dropping to 18掳C at night. These conditions should be ideal for cricket, with minimal precipitation expected and relatively dry air, making it favorable for both batters and bowlers.
Moving into the weekend, Saturday will bring partly cloudy conditions with temperatures around 31掳C, which may introduce some swing for pa??cers in the morning. However, Sunday is forecasted to have thundershowers, potentially affecting pla?y and causing interruptions. The presence of rain might aid seamers if the moisture lingers on the surface. By Monday, another round of thundershowers is predicted, increasing the likelihood of rain delays on the final day. If the match reaches this stage, weather conditions might play a crucial role in determining the outcome, with a possible draw if significant time is lost due to rain.
Day-wise weather breakdown
Day 1 (Thursday):
Day 2 (Friday):
Day 3 (Saturday):
Day 4 (Sunday):
Day 5 (Monday):
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]]>The highly anticipated one-off Pink-Ball Test between Australia and England in the Women’s Ashes 2025 got underway at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Pink-Ba??ll Test marks a crucial moment in the Women鈥檚 Ashes series, with both teams looking to stamp their authority in the longest format.
With the pink ball expected to assist the seamers under lights, Australia won the toss and opted to field first, aiming to make early inroads into England鈥檚 batting lineup. Their decision proved to be spot on, as the visitors found themselves in trouble early on, losing their star opener Maia Bouchier in just the first over.
Australia didn鈥檛 take long to strike, courtesy of a brilliant piece of wicketkeeping by Beth Mooney. On just the fourth ball of the opening over, Kim Garth bowled a delivery in the corridor of uncertainty that straightened slightly after pitching. The movement put Bouchier in an awkward position, forcing her to play at it. The ball took the outside edge of her bat, flying low towards the right of the wicketkeeper. Mooney, showcasing excellent footwork and qu??ick reflexes, dived to her right and grabbed a stunning catch, just inches above the ground with both hands.
The dismissal was a massive breakthrough for Australia, as Bouchier鈥檚 ability to counterattack in the early overs could have put England on the front foot. Instead, her departure left the vis?itors vulnerable, and the Australian bowlers capitalized on the momentum.
Edged and gone!
Wicket for Kim Garth in the first over of the Test #Ashes pic.twitter.com/g5x1s6RNzJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 30, 2025
??Following Bouchier鈥檚 early dismissal, England鈥檚 batters struggled to settle against Australia鈥檚 disciplined bowling attack. The hosts maintained tight lines and extracted movement from the pink ball, making scoring difficult. By the end of 15 overs, England found themselves reeling at 47/3, with their top order failing to weather the storm.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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]]>England achieved a historic milestone, securing their first Test victory in a decade with a comprehensive 286-run win over South Africa in Bloemfontein in the one-off Women’s Test. This victory marked their largest margin of victory in terms of runs in red-ball cricket. England’s bowlers dominated South Africa鈥檚 batting lineup, dismissing them for their lowest-ever Test total of 64 in the second innings.
Lauren Bell, the star of the match, delivered a career-best performance with figures of 4/49 in the first innings and 4/27 in the second, dismantling South Africa鈥檚 batting lineup. Supported by Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Filer, Bell spearheaded England’s charge, as South Africa crumbled within 19.4 overs on the third day. Ecclestone and Filer played pivotal roles in ensuring the target of 351 was never within reach, combining accuracy with relentless pressure to finish the contest well ahead of time.
England laid the foundation for their victory with an authoritative performance in the first innings. Opting to bat first, debutant Maia Bouchier showcased exceptional temperament, scoring a magnificent 126. Her partnership with veteran Nat Sciver-Brunt, who contributed an equally brilliant 128, resulted in a commanding 174-run stand. England declared their innings at 395/9 on the opening day, taking full?? control of the match.
South Africa’s response in the first innings was spirited but fell short. Despite Nonkululeko Mlaba鈥檚 exceptional bowling figures of 4/82, their batters failed to capitalize. The Proteas managed only 281 runs, conceding a 114-run first-innings lead to England. Lauren Bell’s heroics, combined with tight spells from England’s spinners, ensured the Proteas鈥?batters struggled throughout.
In their second innings, England extended their advantage, scoring 236. Captain Heather Knight anchored the innings with a?? composed 90, playing a pivotal role in ensuring South Africa faced an imposing 351-run target. Despite Mlaba鈥檚 valiant efforts, which included a remarkable 6/75, England?鈥檚 middle order held firm to set up the historic win.
Chasing 351, South Africa faltered under relentless pressure from England鈥檚 bowlers. Bell鈥檚 incisive deliveries left the Proteas reeling, w??hile Ecclestone and Filer ensured no respite for the home side. The batting lineup folded for just 64 runs, highlighting England鈥檚 dominance in every aspect of the game.
What a performance from Lauren Bell 馃槏
8 wickets in the match, and match-winning spell in the final session 馃挭 pic.twitter.com/8JSqLBADez
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 17, 2024
England win by 286 runs at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein against South Africa in the one-off Women's Test 馃憦馃敟馃弿#Cricket #England #SouthAfrica #CricketTwitter #WomenCricket pic.twitter.com/ugPyE2VxDV
— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) December 17, 2024
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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]]>The only Test of the England Women tour of South Africa 2024聽is set to commence on Sunday, December 15, at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfonte?in.
South Africa, under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, will aim to bounce back after consecutive series defeats against England, losing ODI series 2-1 and the T20I series 3-0. Meanwhile, Heather Knight鈥檚 Engla?nd side will look to maintain their dominanc??e over the Proteas on this tour.
Notably, this match marks the eighth Test encounter b?etween the two teams in Women鈥檚 Cricket. The previous Test was held in June 2022. Of the seven prior matches, five ended in draws, while England claimed victory in the remaining two. This Test presents a golden opportunity for South Africa to rewrite their fortunes and for England to further solidify their supremac??y.
The pitch at the Mangaung Oval has earned a repu??tation for its balanced nature, offering opportunities for both batters and bowlers to excel. While batters can take advantage of consistent bounce and pace to build substantial innings, bowlers, especially in the early stages of the game can find assistance from the surface, particularly with movement off the pitch or swing in the air.
Interestingly, teams opting to bowl first have experienced a marginally higher success rate, suggesting that the conditions early in the game often favor bowlers. This trend highlights the potential for early breakthroughs, which can put the batting side und?er pressure and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Choice 1: Heather Knight (c), Laura Wolvaardt (vc)
Choice 2: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (c), Marizanne Kapp (vc)
Lauren ??Bell, Annerie Dercksen, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Lauren Filer
South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de? Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Mariza??nne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Sun茅 Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chlo茅 Tryon, Tumi Sekhukhune
England: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Amy Jon?es, Freya Kemp, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-H?odge.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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]]>Afghanistan‘s hopes of securing a positive result against New Zealand in the upcoming one-off Test match have taken a major hit with the news that star opener Ibrahim Zadran has been ruled out of the match. The Test, scheduled to be played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in Greater Noida from September 9 o??nwards, has already faced delays due to a wet outfield, with the toss yet to take place.
Zadran, who has established himself as one of Afghanistan’s key players in recent years, sustained an ankle sprain in his left leg. As a result, he will not only miss the crucial Test against New Zealand but will also be unavailable for Afghanistan’s three-match ODI series against South Africa, set to take place later this month in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed the news on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle, writing: “Injury Update: Afghanistan鈥檚 prolific top-order batter @IZadran18 has been ruled out of the upcoming one-off #AFGvNZ Test and the 3-match #AFGvSA ODI series due to an ankle sprain in his left leg. Get well soon, Ibra!”
Injury Update 馃毃
Afghanistan鈥檚 prolific top-order batter @IZadran18 has been ruled out of the upcoming one-off #AFGvNZ Test and the 3-match #AFGvSA ODI ?series due to an ankle sprain in his left leg. 馃槙
Get well Soon, Ibra! 馃憤#AfghanAtalan | #GloriousNationVictoriousTeam pic.twitter.com/bX337neBV1
— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) September 8, 2024
Zadran’s injury presents a significant challenge for Afghanistan, as he has been one of their most consistent run-scorers across all formats. In his absence, Afghanistan are expected to rely on two relatively inexperienced openers, Abdul Malik and Riaz Hassan, to take on the formidable New Zealand?? bowlin??g attack.
With Zadran out of action, Afghanistan’s batting lineup will need to step up if they are to compete with a strong New Zealand side in what promises to be a hard-fought Test match.
This one-off Test against New Zealand holds immense significance for Afghanistan, as it provides a rare opportunity for their team to gain valuable experience against one of the top cricketing nations. Afghanistan, still in the early stages of their Test cricket journey, has limited exposure to the longer format, making each match crucial for the development of their players and the growth of cricket in the country. Facing a well-established side like New Zealand will not only test their skills but also help t?hem ??build the resilience and confidence needed to compete consistently at the highest level of international cricket.
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