Ireland near Test win. . . Zimbabwe chase first victory since 2021

IRELAND are on the verge of registering their second Test win over Zimbabwe in as many matches after a strong bowling display on day four of their one-off Test match against the Chevrons at Queens Sports Club yesterday.

Ireland picked up four wickets on day four, putting them on the brink of yet another famous Test victory. Should they cross the line, this will be their third consecutive Test win.

On the other hand, the Chevrons require 109 runs to secure their first Test win since 2021. Zimbabwe’s last Test victory came against Afghanistan in 2021.

At stumps, Zimbabwe were on 183/7, with Wessly Madhevere and Newman Nyamhuri at the crease.
An intriguing day four began with Zimbabwe on 38/3, with Brian Bennett and nightwatchman Trevor Gwandu in the middle.

However, Gwandu did not last long as he was bowled by Barry McCarthy for two runs off 18 deliveries.
His dismissal brought Madhevere to the crease, joining Bennett. The two youngsters put together a 65-run fifth-wicket partnership.

Play was halted due to rain an hour before the lunch break, and the downpour continued for over three hours.
After the lengthy delay, Bennett did not last long at the crease, falling for 45 runs off 72 deliveries, caught behind.

His wicket brought Johnathan Campbell to the middle. He looked solid with the bat before being caught and bowled by Matthew Humphreys for 33 runs off 62 deliveries, ending a 56-run partnership with Madhevere.

Earlier, Madhevere had brought up his maiden Test half-century off 101 balls, bringing Nyasha Mayavo to the crease.
Mayavo was later caught in the slips for eight runs, leaving Zimbabwe on 173/7, with the visitors needing just three more wickets for victory.

Mayavo’s dismissal brought 18-year-old Newman Nyamhuri to the middle, and he managed to survive the remaining overs of the day.

Madhevere ended the day on 61 runs off 147 deliveries. His score is now the highest by a Zimbabwean number six in a Test run chase, surpassing the previous best of 53 runs set by Craig Ervine against Afghanistan at the same venue in January.

The second-best was 30 runs by Sikandar Raza against the West Indies at Queens Sports Club in 2017. Malcolm Waller’s 29 runs against New Zealand at the same venue in 2011 ranks third, with Elton Chigumbura’s 28 runs against Pakistan in Harare in 2013 completing the top five.

Humphreys now has four wickets to his name, with figures of 4/41 in 19 overs, while McCarthy has taken 2/22 in eight overs. Mark Adair has claimed one wicket.

Play is scheduled to start at 9:30 am today, with 98 overs pencilled in for the final day. However, the weather forecast predicts a 70% chance of rain, setting the stage for a fascinating conclusion to the Test match. — @brandon_malvin