Ireland claim last-ball victory over Zimbabwe

Ireland never do things the easy way, do they? Similarities will be drawn with the game between these Zimbabwe and Ireland in Jamaica at the 2007 World Cup when it looked as though Ireland would win but stumbled in the last over and it looked as though this would happen here. But this time it was different. This time Ireland were coasting, faltered but they got over the line after a last ball scramble between the wickets and took a giant leap towards the next stage of the World T20.

The game was without doubt won in the powerplay overs.  In those first six overs Ireland outscored their opponents by just two runs and in a period that is often cited as being the most important in the short format of the game, it was definitely the game change and those two runs proved crucial in the final overs.

After winning the toss, the start from the bowlers made it look like it would be a long 20 overs for the Boys in Green. The short boundaries in the newly expanded Syhlet International Cricket Stadium meant that any profligate bowling would be dispatched to the boundary with consummate ease and that duly happened.

The start of the Zimbabwe innings was without doubt Brendan Taylor, who played an elegant 59 off 46 deliveries before being well caught by Ed Joyce on the cover boundary. This came after Hamilton Masakadza blitzed the Ireland quicks for 21 in the early overs. This was of helped by poor fielding as well as the poor bowling and it could have been so different had Cusack been able to stay under a catch that the opener presented to him early into his innings.

Ireland’s two young spin bowlers were without doubt the rescuers of what would have been a disastrous bowling display. They bowled with supreme control in the middle overs and took wickets at crucial periods to pin the Zimbabweans back. They also set the tone so that Kevin O’Brien and Alex Cusack could regain their composure to finish the innings on a front foot and give their side a real chance of victory.

Paul Sterling and William Porterfield strolled to the crease knowing a quick start was vital. An 80 opening partnership from the pair really put Ireland on course for victory. And even once Porterfield went after trying to hit over cow corner, Sterling and Andrew Poynter continued to force Ireland towards the winning line by getting the run rate to under a run a ball with ten overs to go.

But then it all started to go wrong. The basics were not being done and wickets began to fall. Poynter and Wilson went in successful balls which meant the game was back in the balance. There was some positives, however, as it brought Kevin O’Brien to the crease

He has set up Ireland victories in the past, most notably in Bangalore against England at the 2007 world cup and he was needed here. With Joyce batting steadily at the other end some big shots were needed to get ahead of the run rate again and that is what happened.

Three big ones. One six over mid-wicket and two fours, one inside edge and one which was whacked over the field at mid-on but the Zimbabwe captain cleverly moved him back to the boundary and O’Brien tried the same shot again but held out the Williams with Ireland surely home.

The drama wasn’t over yet, though, as Ireland still needing 7 runs to win off 12 balls faltered at the line and found themselves staring embarrassment in the face. The balls ticked down and Tinashe Panyangara who had been dismantled by the Irish openers in his first over, was strangling their middle order counterparts and it came down to Ireland needing one run off the last ball of the match. Alex Cusack at the crease having previously not faced a ball.

The ball was bowled wide, Cusack swung and missed the ball. Stuart Thompson at the other end was backing up and knew he had to run. He did and Cusack made a dash towards the other end. It didn’t look like they’d make it, especially with Thompson being taken out mid stride by two Zimbabwean fielders. But after a fumble from Brendan Taylor, the wicket keeper, they did and it was relief rather than elation for Phil Simmonds and his men as they look forward to the UAE on Wednesday afternoon.