Burl carries the day for Zim

Zim Now Writer

All-rounder Ryan Burl again emerged as the hero with his half-century steering Zimbabwe to a three-wicket victory on the Duckworth-Lewis method in their first One day International against Ireland at the Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Yesterday’s display by the 28-year-old Marondera-born player follow yet another superb show in the T201 series decider in front of a capacity crowd on Sunday when Burl smashed a 49-ball 59, which included six fours and two sixes to set the foundation as Zimbabwe reached their revised target of 214 runs in 37 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Clive Mandande heroically took the team over the line with a brilliant boundary off the last ball, but Burl’s dogged fight until his dismissal in the final over ensured the hosts remained with a fighting chance until the last delivery.

Burl was deservedly named the Player of the Match, the third time he has won the accolade in Zimbabwe’s last four international matches, in addition to the Player of the Series award during the T20I series.

Zimbabwe won the T201 series 2-1.

Earlier, centuries by captain Andy Balbirnie, who retired hurt on 126 and Harry Tactor 101 not out, led Ireland to a challenging 288 for four in their allotted 50 overs after Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine had won the toss and elected to field first.

The hosts were reduced to 99 for four in 22.1 overs with Ervine managing 38 off 43 balls, while debutant Gary Balance scored 23 off 28 balls before he was brilliantly caught at deep square led by Graham Hume.

Burl combined with the returning Sikandar Raza (43 off 45 balls) to keep Zimbabwe firmly in contention with an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 76 runs which took Zimbabwe to 175 for four after 33.2 overs.

A lengthy rain-induced delay came while Zimbabwe were two runs behind on the Duckworth-Lewis method, a situation that might have led to Zimbabwe cursing their rotten luck.

Zimbabwe was set a new challenging target of 214 runs in 37 overs after the delay, meaning they needed 39 runs to win off 3.4 overs.

The home side’s task was made harder after the well-set Raza, who has recently almost single-handedly won matches for Zimbabwe, was caught by Curtis Camphor at long just two deliveries after the restart, leaving the hosts with an uphill task.

Hope for Zimbabwe faded when Burl was dismissed off the second ball of the final over after he had taken charge of the contest with some big shots.

Seamer Brad Evans turned the tide back in Zimbabwe’s favour almost immediately with the big six off the next delivery but his dismissal soon afterwards left the hosts needing five from two balls to shift the momentum back to Ireland.

Number eight batsman Wellington Masakadza did well to take a single off the penultimate delivery, leaving Zimbabwe needing a boundary off the last ball. Despite lingering doubts on his batting ability, Madande was the unlikely hero after smashing an elegant cover drive off Graham Hume to send the few fans who had bravely remained behind after the lengthy rain delay, into frenzied celebrations.

Zimbabwe and Ireland will meet in the second ODI at the same venue on Saturday with the hosts aiming to wrap up the series with a match to spare while the visitors will be hoping for a win to keep the series alive.