On Day 1 of the one-off Test match between Ireland and Zimbabwe, Barry McCarthy‘s exceptional delivery just before the tea break was the highlight of the day.

Strong opening stand by Zimbabwe

The match, held at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast, saw Ireland winning the toss and opting to bowl first under overcast conditions. Zimbabwe’s openers, Joylord Gumbie and Prince Masvaure, started strong, neutralizing the early advantage Ireland hoped to gain. The pair put together a solid 97-run partnership for the opening wicket, frustrating the Ireland bowlers who went wicketless in the first and crucial session.

Barry McCarthy’s brilliant delivery

A short rain break proved beneficial for the hosts, as Barry McCarthy provided the much-needed breakthrough. Gumbie fell just one run short of a half-century, dismissed for 49. McCarthy’s next victim was Dion Myers.

In the 39th over, McCarthy bowled a fuller delivery from wide of the crease that angled in after hitting the pitch. Myers, attempting to defend, played across the line as the ball clipped the top of the off-stump, sending the bails flying and energizing the Irish players. Myers, visibly disappointed, was out for 10 runs off 24 balls, leaving Zimbabwe at 121/2.

Here’s the video:

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Remarkable fightback by Ireland

Following McCarthy’s breakthroughs, Craig Young dismissed Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine for 5 runs off 32 balls just before the tea break. After tea, Curtis Campher removed the resolute Masvaure, who had anchored Zimbabwe’s innings until then.

Andy McBrine further turned the game in Ireland’s favour, taking two wickets in successive deliveries, removing Sean Williams and Clive Madande. Although he missed a hat-trick, McBrine ended with impressive figures of 3/37. McCarthy also finished with 3/42, as Zimbabwe’s innings collapsed from 97/0 to 210 all out.

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