The first bowling change of the day sees Craig Young replace Mark Adair.

It's a promising start from Young as he beats the outside edge with one of his deliveries, the ball flying into the gloves of Lorcan Tucker.

The best delivery of the day so far from Ireland.

Ireland still chasing the breakthrough as Zimbabwe continue their steady progress to move on to 35.

The Irish bowlers will be disappointed not to have really tested the Zimbabwean openers up to this point in the seemingly favourable overcast conditions.

Joylord Gumbie has scored the majority of the runs with 27, but Masvaure also playing a hugely significant part in the unbeaten opening partnership with his seven.

Zim 31-0published at 11:44 BST 25 July 2024

11:44 BST 25 July 2024

Play is halted temporarily as Joylord Gumbie receives some physiotherapy treatment.

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie continues to employ Mark Adair from the Dundonald End and the only run from his fifth over comes from a wide.

Joylord Gumbie is looking accomplished at the crease as he continues to impress, dispatching the ball to the boundary twice in the space of three balls in McCarthy's fourth over. He reaches 26 by the end of the over.

One delivery had him beaten all ends up but he survives.

A productive over for Zimbabwe sees them move onto 30 without loss.

Another over passes with Gumbie now having accumulated 13 and Masvaure four.

A steady start for the tourists.

Alvin McCaig
BBC Sport NI at Stormont

Zimbabwe will be pleased with their start, going through the opening six overs with relative ease.

Joylord Gumbie is looking good on his debut with two boundaries to his name already.

There's not too many demons in this pitch so Ireland may have to work hard for their wickets.

Barry McCarthy's third over yields four runs courtesy of Joylord Gumbie's second boundary of the day.

The Zimbabwe opener guides the ball for four after a ball down the leg side from the Irish bowler.

For the fifth ball of his over, McCarthy delivers the first short ball of the day, with Joylord effectively taking evasive action.

Three more runs for Gumbie sees him move onto eight.

Ireland seamer Mark Adair opted to go round the wicket to left-hander Masvaure for the final two deliveries of his over.

The pitch appears easy paced, not a lot of movement for the opening bowlers to date.

Masvaure moves onto three as Zimbabwe emerge unscathed from the first four overs.

Prince Masvaure gets off the mark with a single in Adair's second over and then in the fifth ball of the over Gumbie edges the ball between leg slip and gully for the first boundary of the day.

It was a thick outside edge from Gumbie, which will give encouragement to the bowler.

Alvin McCaig
BBC Sport NI at Stormont

A wonderful sight as Mark Adair sends down the opening delivery in the first Test in Northern Ireland.

The sun is peeking throuigh here and that will be a welcome sight for the Zimbabwe openers.

There's not as much movement for Ireland so far in what has been sedate start to proceediings.

McCarthy begins his bowling spell with a maiden over.

He appeals for lbw in the last of his six deliveries as the ball hits the pads of Joylord Gumbie but to no avail. A simple enough decision for the umpire.

Just a single run for Joylord Gumbie in the opening over and Barry McCarthy will now bowl the second over.

Mark Adair is going to open the bowling for Ireland from the Dundonald End, having opted to bowl into the wind.

Cricketing history about to be made as the Ireland fielders take their places and the Zimbabwean openers Joylord Gumbie and Prince Masavaure make their way to the wicket.

Alvin McCaig
BBC Sport NI at Stormont

Here come the umpires and players, resplendent in their whites.

They are lining up for the anthems.

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine speaking at Wednesday's pre-Test match press conference:

“It’s about giving as much exposure to the younger generation coming through. For them to be involved in a Test match like this can only benefit them and their skills going forward.

“We’ve had quite a few good weeks of preparation and I think the weather has been extremely kind to us so far. Touch wood it stays that way and we can get a few good days of cricket in.

“I think there is definitely a lot more in it for the bowlers here for a longer period of time so as a bowling group you want to be as patient as you can and stay tight in defence as the ball is going to move around for a long period of time so you can never relax as a batter and think, ‘I’m in now and everything is much easier’

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland have brought spinner Matthew Humphreys back into their XI for the Test at Stormont.

Humphreys made his only Test appearance against Sri Lanka last year.

Zimbabwe have handed Test debuts to Clive Madande, Brian Bennett and Joylord Gumbie.

Ireland: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, Matthew Humphreys, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, PJ Moor, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (captain), Brian Bennett, Tendai Chatara, Joylord Gumbie, Roy Kaia, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richar Ngarava, imbabwe Sean Williams.

Image source, BBC Sport