Ireland v Zimbabwe 2nd Match Report by John Ward

It was another cold overcast day at the Clontarf Ground in Dublin, but again fortunately without rain. Zimbabwe continued their habit of winning the toss when it doesn't really matter, and this time put Ireland in to bat. The pitch was slow and generally low, taking seam movement, but not a great deal considering it was well grassed.

Some comments were made about two ducks wandering about the field before play started, and certainly an usually large number of batsmen have cause to remember them later, no fewer than eight.

After the early loss of Barry Archer, Kyle McCallan and Peter Gillespie (14) ran well between the wickets, and at the 25 over stage Ireland were 79 for two, with Mark Waugh in with McCallum. But, as in the first match, Waugh never looked in form and was caught at slip off Heath Streak for 17, Thereafter the Irish innings declined rapidly, five ducks among the last seven batsmen, a 3 and a 2 not out. McCallun's 65 before unexpectedly giving Dirk Viljoen the simplest of return catches accounted for more than half of the total of 121.

Paul Strang, with two for 30 off his 10 overs, was Zimbabwe's most impressive bowler, according to Alistair Campbell, keeping wicket in this match, he was back to his best and "giving the balls a real rip", but his brother Bryan spoilt some good seam bowling with unnecessary sledging of the batsmen.

The end of the innings in the 44th over actually left enough time for Zimbabwe to bat for 11 overs before lunch. It was am embarrassing experience, as perhaps they took their task too lightly. Paul Mooney, moving the ball a little each way, caused a sensation by dismissing a Test batsman in each of his first three overs and all without scoring - Trevor Gripper and the Flower brothers. Two overs later he added the wicket of Paul Strang (7), playing on to a ball that kept low. Zimbabwe limped into lunch on 31 for four.

After the break the tourists fought back. Dirk Viljoen, who opened with Gripper was still there, played a positive innings, strong off the back foot and severe on anything wide. Heath Streak played a fine supporting role while Viljoen ran to his fifty off 81 deliveries before being caught at backward point for 55, Zimbabwe 97 for five. Mooney returned to finish his 10 overs, but was unable to do any more damage, finishing with the figures of four for 24.

As victory approached, Streak (37 not out) and Bryan Strang (11 not out) indulged in a little rustic hitting and victory came in the 36th over.