ZIM vs IRE 2025, Only Test, Day 2 Review: Barry McCarthy puts Ireland on top

Ireland’s bowlers shone brightly on the second day of the Only Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, with Barry McCarthy and Andy McBrine spearheading a determined performance with the ball.

McCarthy's precision and aggression earned him a four-wicket haul, while McBrine's cleverness with the ball, as Ireland dismantled the Zimbabwe batting lineup to bowl them out for 267.

The hosts resumed their innings on 72/1, with Nick Welch and Takudzwanashe Kaitano looking to build on their promising overnight start. However, McCarthy struck early, trapping Kaitano leg before for 26 with a ball that seamed in sharply.

McCarthy's relentless accuracy paid further dividends when he clean-bowled Brian Bennett with a beautifully angled delivery.

Not to be outdone, McBrine's smart bowling and alert fielding support turned the screw on Zimbabwe. He removed Wessly Madhevere for 26 after a clever catch off a rebound by keeper Lorcan Tucker. Three balls later, Johnathan Campbell fell cheaply, gifting a catch to cover point as McBrine claimed two wickets in the over.

By lunch, Zimbabwe had lost four wickets, with Ireland firmly in control.

After the break, Ireland continued to chip away at their resistance. McBrine trapped Nyasha Mayavo leg before for 18, and McCarthy struck again, dismissing Newman Nyamhuri for a golden duck with a ball that seamed away sharply.

Mark Adair then joined the attack, removing Richard Ngarava and Nick Welch in quick succession. Welch, Zimbabwe's standout performer with a gritty 90, fell to a stunning catch by Harry Tector at deep square leg, leaving the hosts struggling.

Despite Ireland's dominance, The host's tailenders mounted a defiant 67-run partnership between Blessing Muzarabani and Trevor Gwandu, frustrating the Irish attack. Muzarabani's aggressive 47 off 68 balls nearly secured a half-century before Humphreys ended his innings with a full-length delivery which crashed into middle stump.

Gwandu remained unbeaten on 18 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 267 to secure a slender lead of seven.

Ireland started at a rate of knots, scoring 24 in their first three overs. Muzarabani was particularly punished by some emphatic boundaries from PJ Moor.

Captain Andrew Balbirnie was no slouch on the other, end going at more than a run a ball.

However, Ireland lost their first wicket when Moor, with his bat hanging out, edged a delivery from Ngarava that kept moving away at an angle, straight to Mayavo, for 30.

Balbirnie (32) and Curtis Campher (14) held off the Zimbabwe attack to finish the day on 83/1, 76 runs ahead.

The Test match is interestingly poised now, but Ireland will fancy their position more.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland vs Zimbabwe, Only Test match in Zimbabwe, 7 February 2025

Day 2 (Close of play)

• Ireland 260 (56.4 overs; A McBrine 90*; B Muzarabani 7-58)
  Zimbabwe 267 (86.1 overs; N Welch 90; B McCarthy 4-75)
• Ireland 83-1 (21 overs; A Balbirnie 32*, P Moor 30; R Ngarava 1-25)

Ireland lead by 76 runs