Lorcan Tucker and Andy McBrine were the heroes for Ireland as they secured a thrilling four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in a one-off test match at Stormont Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Ireland found themselves in a precarious position, resuming the fourth day at 33-5, but Tucker and McBrine combined to steer their team to a remarkable win. Tucker, who scored a brilliant 56 runs, and McBrine, who remained unbeaten on 55, put on a crucial 67-run partnership to change the course of the match.
Tucker’s aggressive batting, which included 10 boundaries, helped Ireland to reach 117-6 before he was dismissed by Blessing Muzarabani. Mark Adair then joined McBrine and played a vital role in helping Ireland reach their target. Adair struck the winning runs, but it was McBrine’s all-round performance that earned him the Player of the Match award. He scored 55 runs and also took 4-38 in 23 overs during Zimbabwe’s second innings.
The victory marked a significant achievement for Ireland, as it ended a run of seven straight test losses. Their previous test win came against Afghanistan earlier this year. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, has not registered a test victory since 2021. This match will be remembered for Ireland’s incredible comeback and McBrine’s outstanding individual performance.
