Ireland pulled off another World Cup upset over a test-playing nation after big innings from Ed Joyce (in pic) and Andy Belbirnie proved just enough to hold out Zimbabwe by five runs in a Pool B match on Saturday. Alex Cusack (4-32) claimed four wickets after Joyce smashed a century to help Ireland to a big score of 331-8. Player of the match Joyce made 112 runs off 103 balls with nine fours and three sixes at Bellerive Oval and shared Ireland’s biggest-ever ODI third-wicket stand of 138 with Belbirnie, who scored 97 off 79 with seven fours and four sixes before he was run out in the final over.
“I thought it was a very good score, knew it was a very good wicket, but we knew it was going to be difficult, especially with the short square boundaries,” Ireland captain William Porterfield said. Despite an imperious century from stand-in Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor and Sean Williams’ 96, the Irish bowlers’ early inroads ensured the target was narrowly out of reach.
Zimbabwe is now effectively eliminated from the World Cup, while Ireland remains in quarterfinal contention. The Irish bowlers made the most of the new ball and John Mooney (2-58) broke through in the eighth over when he had Sikandar Raza caught for 12 and Cusack dismissed Chamunorwa Chibhabha in the next over for 18.
Taylor drove 11 boundaries and four big sixes in his aggressive knock before becoming Cusack’s second victim when he lofted a slower delivery to Kevin O’Brien at mid-on. Williams hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his knock before falling victim to O’Brien and opening the floodgates as Ireland made short work of the tail.
Controversy over catch
Taylor insisted his team had been victims of a miscarriage of justice when John Mooney held a crucial catch despite indications he had touched the boundary with his foot. With Zimbabwe needing 32 to win, Williams, on 96, launched a huge hook towards deep midwicket where Mooney reached high to grab the ball. But as he claimed the catch, he appeared to slightly touch the boundary with his foot. As the decision was examined, Williams left the pitch and the catch stood.