Ireland defeated Zimbabwe by six wickets, with Curtis Campher leading the way by taking 3-13 and scoring 63 runs. The match was closely contested, with Zimbabwe posting 245 runs, but Ireland chased it down, securing the win and leveling the series to 1-1. The final game will occur at the same venue on Tuesday.
Curtis Campher excelled in Ireland’s six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in Harare, leveling their one-day international series at 1-1. Campher’s all-round performance included taking 3 wickets for 13 runs, which contributed to bowling Zimbabwe out for 245 runs in 49 overs. Following this, he scored 63 runs in a crucial second-wicket partnership of 144 with captain Paul Stirling, who scored 89 runs.
Zimbabwe initially set a competitive total with contributions from Sikandar Raza, who scored 58, and lower-order batters Wellington Masakadza and Richard Ngarava, who contributed 35 and an unbeaten 17 runs, respectively. Despite starting strong, Zimbabwe lost momentum after Campher dismissed top-scorer Wessly Madhevere for 61 and took subsequent wickets, limiting their scoring opportunities. Mark Adair capped the innings by claiming the last two wickets, finishing with figures of 4-54.
In response, Ireland faced an early loss when Andy Balbirnie was out for 11 runs. However, Stirling’s impressive half-century (89 off 65 balls) alongside Campher’s solid contribution set the foundation for a successful chase. Campher was eventually dismissed lbw by Trevor Gwandu, but Lorcan Tucker (36 not out) and George Dockrell (20 not out) finished the match, ensuring the win.
Ireland’s strong performance, spearheaded by Curtis Campher’s all-round skills, enabled them to secure a crucial victory over Zimbabwe, setting the stage for a decisive final game in the series. The balance of strong bowling and batting partnerships proved critical to their success.
Original Source: www.canberratimes.com.au
