http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 edge through low scoring thriller
Ed Rainsford was without a doubt the hero for Zimbabwe as they squeezed their way past Ireland in the last ball with two wickets remaining in the first ODI international in Zimbabwe. Chasing 201, the home team required six runs in the final over that the
bowlers managed to draw by some frantic running between the wickets before Rainford came to the rescue with the bat like a true hero and hit the last ball, a full toss for a six.
The team were ecstatic. They had most certainly been made to work awfully hard, and now all the hard work was finally bearing fruit for the Zimbabweans who gave a brilliant performance and played spectacular cricket to win the first ODI. Rainsford had come
to the rescue earlier in the day and took 3 early very important wickets. Later in the innings he managed a fourth and eventually http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 were bowled out before the completion of the 50 overs. Rainsford, was also awarded man of the match and rightly so for
his brilliant bowling.
Ireland were well aware of the fact that they were a good 30 to 40 good runs short of achieving a challenging target however where they lacked with the bat, they certainly made up with the ball. The pressure was retained on the batsmen as they got Hamilton
Masakadza out from the first ball by O’Brien. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tatenda-Taibu-c92882 the wonderful batsman and wicket keeper scored his 15th ODI century that helped keep Zimbabwe on course for a victory, but he also fell prey to Trent Johnston for 62. The momentum swung
Ireland back into the game.
When the Irish managed to get Charles Coventry run out in the 43rd over they knew they were right back into the match with 48 runs still required. With Chigumbura the last recognized batsmen on the crease, the Irish looked almost greedy for a
win. However the batsman played a good knock in stressful conditions and hitting the first six of the innings and reducing the chase to 20 odd runs. However he could not continue in his stride as he succumbed under pressure and Graeme Cremer was joined at
the crease by Rainsford the Irish felt that they were back in the game.
However that was not to be, as Rainsford snatched a last ball win over Ireland after they almost escaped a run out on the previous ball with a wide throw from Porterfield. Which marked the end of an epic match from the two sides.
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