(Reuters) – Ireland lost five wickets in the first hour of play but rallied to score 260 in their first innings on the first day of their only test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club on Thursday as the hosts went to stumps on 72 for one in reply.
Seamer Blessing Muzarabani, who took career-best figures of 7-58, ripped through the Irish top order as the visitors teetered on 31-5 before a fight back led by Andy McBrine’s unbeaten 90 runs and 78 for Mark Adair.
Zimbabwe will resume their innings on Friday with opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano on 26 and debutant Nick Welch on 33. Ben Curran is the only batter out after he scored 12.
A family crisis meant Craig Ervine pulled out of the Zimbabwe team before the start of the match, with debutant Johnathan Campbell handed the captaincy.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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