The Associate teams have done it again, putting on a terrific game of cricket that managed to wind its way down to the 100th over before a result could be ascertained, and along with the kind of intrigue and controversy that matches of the highest calibre can produce. There didn't deserve to be a loser in the Ireland vs. Zimbabwe match in Hobart, and by the conclusion one team was happy, and other probably thought it may have been robbed. Such is the result of high class cricket.
Ireland benefitted from Zimbabwe winning the toss and sending them in to bat, and batted almost perfectly in reaching their highest ODI total of 8/331. Ed Joyce again enjoyed some good fortune early in his innings, but he was able to fight through to score an invaluable 112 from 103 balls, and able assisted by Andrew Balbirnie who was run out in the final over for 97 off 79 balls. 110 runs came from the final 11 overs as Balbirnie was helped along by Kevin O'Brien and Gary Wilson. Where it appeared as though 300 would be a good total for Ireland, their final total put them in a position of comfort, if not complete ascendancy.
Zimbabwe's reply stuttered and faltered at 4/74, until a ripping partnership of 149 from Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams got them back in the match. Taylor was superb with 121 from 91, but his wicket did restore the balance of the chance. Then Williams took over, and had reaped 96 from 82 balls when he crashed another leg side swat out to the long deep square leg boundary, where he was caught by John Mooney right on the boundary... literally? Moments of confusion reigned, as replay after replay tried to determine whether or not he had been standing on the soft boundary edge, or just inside. Opinions differed in the commentary box, and no one could agree on either verdict. In the end, Williams left the ground of his own accord, and the match resumed with Zimbabwe needing 32 off 19 balls. Mark Nicholas was adamant that the boundary moved when Mooney lifted his foot after accepting the catch. To me, it was only his shadow on the soft raised boundary advertising. In the long run, the decision was made by the despondent batsman, in a way fitting of sportsmanship in taking the fieldsman's word for it. If only it happened more often. Despite this, it got close. Mupariwa smashed 19 runs from the 49th over bowled by Kevin O'Brien, leaving 7 required from 6 balls. The cool and level headed Cusack responded with two wickets in four balls to end the innings and chase at 326, and a wonderful match was concluded.
Zimbabwe has now gotten close in many of their matches without being able to force a victory. They have one match remaining in which to do so. Ireland has done what it had to do in its continuing chase for a quarter final spot. Pakistan's victory over South Africa may have made that a little murkier than they would have liked, but it sets up their final two matches as terrific contests.
Zimbabwe has now gotten close in many of their matches without being able to force a victory. They have one match remaining in which to do so. Ireland has done what it had to do in its continuing chase for a quarter final spot. Pakistan's victory over South Africa may have made that a little murkier than they would have liked, but it sets up their final two matches as terrific contests.
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