Ireland leveled in a three-match T20 series with a six-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday, with opener Ross Adair scoring a brisk 65. Zimbabwe scored 144 and captain Craig Owen topped the scoring with 42 as Ireland finished with a two-goal advantage to set up the series decider on Sunday. As well as Adair, fellow openers Andy Balbirnie (33) and Harry Tector (26) also made significant contributions. A former Ulster rugby player, Adair faced 47 bowls at Harare Sports Club, hitting four sixes and two fours.
It was a huge change of fortune for him as he took just five runs in his international debut on Thursday as Zimbabwe won by five wickets.
Adair left after trying to clear left-arm fast Richard Ngarava’s long-range shot, which missed and singled out Wessly Madhevere.
“I turned to cricket purely for the fun of it, then I started scoring and took it more seriously,” said Adair, whose younger brother Mark was also on the winning team.
“I took my time today and it paid off. I know if I’m patient, the boundaries will come. Let’s pat ourselves on the back and come back tomorrow.”
Balbirnie made up for a poor first inning with 31 balls in an innings that included six and three fours.
Ireland were 119-3 when Adair left and needed 26 runs from four overs to win. Turkel needed nine to go away before George Dockrell made a six to secure victory.
Leg-spinner Ryan Burl was Zimbabwe’s best bowler, taking two wickets for 26 in his quarter spell.
With former England Test batsman Gary Ballance ruled out with a concussion and star Sikandar Raza playing franchise cricket in Bangladesh, Owen has assumed the mantle of top runner.
After a delivery loss and a wicket knocked down, Owen started batting, taking just six runs in his 40 innings, including four fours.
He got sacked when he tried to tackle a Graham Hume post-up, heading the ball up Tektor’s good leg to catch the ball.
“We worked really hard to set up a decent 160, 170, 180 run platform,” Ervine said. “But Ireland played so well that it was difficult for us to draw the line.”
South African-born Hume, who was promoted in place of Barry McCarthy, was the most effective of the Irish bowlers, taking three for 17 to Tektor’s two for 22.
(This story was not edited by NDTV staff and was automatically generated from syndicated feeds.)
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