Ireland crumble around Poynter's maiden ton

Zimbabwe A rattled the Ireland middle order to give themselves a good chance of taking a first-innings lead, despite Stuart Poynter making his maiden first-class hundred, on the second day in Harare.

Poynter's 125 took only 166 balls and included 18 fours. He was the only Ireland batsman to convert his start; the rest of the top five got past 20 but did not reach a half-century. Poynter added 101 for the second wicket with Andy Balbirnie and 80 for the third with Niall O'Brien, but Ireland then slipped from 212 for 2 to 222 for 5.

Gary Wilson, whose 47 was the next best score for Ireland, was out in the final over of the day, after a 70-run stand with Kevin O'Brien. The visitors trailed by 100 at stumps with four wickets in hand. Seamer Brian Vitori claimed two wickets for the home side.

Zimbabwe A had begun the day on 352 for 6 and their lower order was mopped up by Craig Young and John Mooney, who finished with four wickets each. Malcolm Waller was the last wicket to fall, for 138, with Niall O'Brien claiming his fourth catch of the innings. The hosts had added 40 to their overnight score to finish with 392.