Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 63 runs in one-off Test

Andrew Balbirnie hailed Matthew Humphreys' "superb" bowling display as the spinner produced outstanding second-innings figures of 6-57

One-off Test, Bulawayo (day five of five):

Ireland 260 (56.4 overs): McBrine 90*, M Adair 78; Muzarabani 7-58 & 298 (93.3 overs): Balbirnie 66, Tucker 58; Ngarava 4-55

Zimbabwe 267 (86.1): Welch 90, Muzarabani 47; McCarthy 4-75, McBrine 3-59 & 228 (86.4 overs): Madhevere 84, Bennett 45, Campbell 33; Humphreys 6-57, McCarthy 2-22

Ireland win by 63 runs

Scorecard

Ireland clinched a 63-run victory on a tense final day in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo as Matthew Humphreys' seven-wicket match haul proved crucial.

Zimbabwe started day five requiring 109 runs for victory as they chased 292 but left-arm spinner Humphreys dismissed Newman Nyamhuri for the addition of only five runs.

Crucially Humphreys then bowled Wesley Madhevere for 84 in a massive blow to the hosts' hopes of chasing down the Ireland tally.

That left Zimbabwe still requiring 73 runs for victory but they only added 10 more before Andy McBrine's dismissal of Richard Ngarava secured a third straight Test win for Ireland.

Humphreys' outstanding second-innings figures of 6-57 was his Test best for Ireland.

The Irish defeated Zimbabwe in Belfast last July, which came four months after their first Test triumph over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi in what was their eighth game in the format.

Ireland's latest victory looked unlikely on day one as they slumped to 31-5 but McBrine's unbeaten 90 and 78 from Mark Adair helped the tourists regroup and they largely controlled the remainder of the contest.

"Humphreys was superb, [Andy] McBrine too. Our bowlers worked hard, taking wickets at key times," said Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie, who hit 66 runs in his team's second innings.

Andrew Balbirnie skippered Ireland to a third successive Test victory as they triumped in Bulawayo

Balbirnie hailed his team's "resilience" in fighting back from their nervous start on day one.

"Back to Belfast [against Zimbabwe last July] when we were five down for not a lot chasing 158. Five down again here in the first innings for not a lot when Blessing [Muzarabani} was really troublesome. It shows a lot of character about our group."

Ireland's spirit was apparent throughout the Bulawayo match and Balbirnie said that the side's relative lack of Test matches means that the few contests they do have must be fully embraced.

"We don't know when our next Test match is going to be so we've got to enjoy it while we can and make sure that we're smiling."

Balbirnie picked out the contribution of Zimbabwe native Peter Moor in setting the tone for Ireland's aggressive approach in the second innings when he scored a quickfire 30.

"The first ball he played was a back-foot punch off Blessing [Muzarabani] for four. After what Blessing had done in the first innings [with his seven wickets], it really sent a message to the group."

Irish head to Harare for ODIs & T20s

Despite his team's second successive Test triumph over Zimbabwe, Balbirnie said there is very little between the sides, as he sportingly referred to the absence of regular home skipper Craig Irvine, who wife gave birth last week, and injured Sean Williams.

"They were obviously missing key players. Players like him [Irvine] and Williams who are so crucial in that middle order."

Ireland, and their small but noisy band of fans, now head on to Harare for six white-ball contests with the posts which begin with Friday's opening one-day game.

"Harare is as good an atmosphere that I've played in, outside of playing India," added the Irish skipper.

"It's always nice to have travelling supporters. Cricket is not the biggest sport in our country. It's down the list but we're trying to make it as visible as possible and putting our team out there as well as we can."