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PJ Moor deployed “the immutable law of the ex” in Belfast to make his highest score for Ireland and leave the one-off Test against his former Zimbabwe team-mates finely balanced at stumps on day two yesterday.
Moor hasn’t been prolific since swapping flags two years ago, with an aggregate of 88 in 10 Test innings, but a fluent 79, containing 11 fours, was the meat of Ireland’s total of 250 all out.
While the 33-year-old’s contribution got his adopted side close to Zimbabwe’s first innings of 210 it was a spirited last-wicket stand of 47 between Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys that gave Ireland a potentially vital lead of 40.
Last man Humphreys was a revelation, hitting the only six of the innings and four lusty fours in an unbeaten 27, while McBrine was last out for 28.
Zimbabwe survived four overs to close on 12-0, trailing by 28.
The “immutable law of the ex” was coined by football journalist Brian Glanville to explain outstanding performances by players in their first game against former colleagues, and it certainly applied to Moor, who represented Zimbabwe in eight Tests.
The opener added 71 with Andy Balbirnie to provide a solid base but after the skipper clipped to mid-wicket on 19, the rest of the batters struggled.
Curtis Campher edged into the cordon on eight, while Harry Tector was lbw for four immediately following a rain-extended lunch break.
Paul Stirling lobbed a brute of a ball to gully in the same over, but was reprieved by a no-ball and proceeded to add 50 with Moor, taking Ireland to 165-3 before the opener was caught behind by the hapless Clive Madande who conceded 42 byes – a world record.
Lorcan Tucker fell lbw to a toe-crusher first ball and both Stirling, who made 22, and Mark Adair were guilty of loose shots as Ireland’s reply mirrored Zimbabwe’s.
Meanwhile, Moor believes today’s action will be decisive.
He said they still have work to do.
“It was a special day, nice to contribute. Still a lot of work to be done. Tomorrow will be a big day for us.
“What we found out was the ball doesn’t swing early on but does after a bit of the shine comes off (the lacquer).
“It’s nice to score runs against Zimbabwe, been a special week so far. Rewarding to finally contribute for Ireland. A lot of the roles I’ve had have been chopping and changing but I knew what I was up against in the last few weeks. (Last-wicket stand helped) Big time.
“Runs at the back end are crucial. Big thing is backing up tomorrow. It’s been a good batting wicket, but it has misbehaved at times. There’s definitely something for the bowlers. We’ll have to bowl Zimbabwe out. Poised to be an exciting Test.” – Irish Independent/Sports Reporter.
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