Zimbabwe vs Ireland, 3rd ODI at Harare, Oct 13 2015 - Match Result

5.10pm Another cracking finish to a match that ended up much closer than one might have expected after Zimbabwe struggled to 187 all out. Ireland seem to be cruising in the early stages of their chase, but Zimbabwe kept on chipping away and kept the pressure on with some electric fielding once they got the opening. Ireland crept closer and closer, and it was eventually up to their tail to secure a consolatory win. Importantly, this was another good, hard game of cricket between these two teams, who've never produced a boring day out. Why don't they play each other more often? Why aren't Zimbabwe playing a Test match at Stormont next summer?

Thanks for tuning in to another engaging day of cricket between Zimbabwe and Ireland. Your commentator today has been none other than Liam Brickhill, live from Harare Sports Club. I do hope you've enjoyed my coverage, and see you again next time. Until then, goodbye!

Vidy: "It would have been a great week for Ireland if they had won the series as their Rugby team beat France to moved to QF in Rugby WC AND their soccer team beat current champion Germany."

46.5

Muzarabani to McBrine, FOUR runs

edged! It beats the keeper, it beats a diving short third man, and that's the game!

Mark: "Now you know why Middlesex fans call Tim Murtagh "The Lambeth Lara". He used to be almost a geuine allrounder in his younger days."

46.4

Muzarabani to Murtagh, 3 runs

Ireland are on the brink now, Murtagh finding the gap between midwicket and mid-on with a firm clip to get three more.

46.3

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Muzarabani to Murtagh, no run

a huge heave, and he's missed it completely! No need for that shot. Murtagh just slogged across the line at a full one.

46.2

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Muzarabani to Murtagh, no run

fuller and straighter from the bowler, and Murtagh steps forward to drive to mid off.

46.1

Muzarabani to Murtagh, FOUR runs

crunched to the cover boundary! Murtagh is taking his side home here. The ball was wide of off, so the shot was on, but he had to beat a packed inner ring.

Chigumbura is cycling through his bowlers, and now he brings Muzarabani back on from the Golf Course end. No slip in place.

Over46

5 runs

IRE 178/8CRR: 3.86 RRR: 2.50

AR McBrine 10 (20b)TJ Murtagh 12 (9b 1x4)

J Nyumbu0/37 (9)

45.6

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Nyumbu to McBrine, no run

pitching on middle, spinning towards off, and the batsman leans forward to defend it back down the track.

45.5

Nyumbu to McBrine, 2 runs

edged, but it's quite far to Raza's left at slip and he can't reach it.

45.4

Nyumbu to McBrine, 2 runs

swept to fine leg! Raza is after it from slip, and hauls it back in.

45.3

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Nyumbu to McBrine, no run

defended back down the track, the ball bang on target.

Nyumbu also doesn't have any protection on the cover boundary, so he's being asked to do a difficult job here.

45.2

Nyumbu to Murtagh, 1 run

too straight again from Nyumbu, and he's flicked to midwicket.

45.1

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Nyumbu to Murtagh, no run

almost chipped back to the bowler! Murtagh wanted to drive down the ground, and almost popped it straight back to the bowler.

Over45

4 runs

IRE 173/8CRR: 3.84 RRR: 3.00

AR McBrine 6 (16b)TJ Murtagh 11 (7b 1x4)

LM Jongwe1/35 (9)

44.6

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Jongwe to McBrine, no run

and Jongwe ends with a sharp bouncer to have the batsman ducking for cover. Good, aggressive delivery, and importantly it's on target.

44.5

Jongwe to Murtagh, 3 runs

that's a great shot for a no. 10! Zimbabwe have a packed off-side field, with only three men on the leg side, and Murtagh whipped the ball through midwicket in fine fashion. It didn't have the legs to reach the boundary, but they don't need it to.

Ireland can do this in singles, no need for any big shots.

44.4

Jongwe to McBrine, 1 run

full and on the legs again, and McBrine works him through midwicket for one.

44.3

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Jongwe to McBrine, no run

a huge lbw appeal! He was certainly struck in front, and height wasn't an issue, but it looked to have pitched well outside leg.

44.2

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Jongwe to McBrine, no run

a much straighter line, and McBrine taps it back to the bowler.

44.1

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Jongwe to McBrine, no run

not quite the yorker, and in fact it's more of a wide half volley. Fortunately for Zimbabwe, he cracks it straight to Waller at point. There's no one on the cover boundary.

And now Luke Jongwe is brought on from the Golf Course End. He's had some good spells for Zimbabwe at the death this season, and his captain will probably be asking for yorkers from him.