Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Thanks for joining us. Until next time, it's goodbye from all of us here.

6.45pm So at the end of a stop-start day, we finally have a result. Taylor is being greeted by players from both sides - it is his final match after all - but it's Ireland who have the last laugh as they square the series. Zimbabwe were never really there with the ball, as an attacking Stirling and a solid Balbirnie ensured there were no hiccups for the hosts in a paltry chase of 126.

Time now for the presentations.

Andy Balbirnie, the winning captain. "We were struggling a bit to hold it together in a phase of the game, but we came back very well," he says. "It was a complete performance from the team. Obviously we lost Craig Young during warm-ups, thanks to Zimbabwe for allowing us to make that late change."

Andy McBrine is Player of the Match for his three-for. "Some days you bowl well and don't get wickets, some days you do, today was my day," he laughs. "Craig Young pulled up at the warm-up, so we had a bit of a setback at the start, but the bowlers did wonderfully well."

William Porterfield is the Player of the Series "Nice to contribute," he says. "It's been tough up top, but it's satisfying if you can contribute to the team's success. It's great playing with Paul Stirling. Disappointed [about the series], thought we had a great chance in the second game, but will take the 15 points."

Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe captain: "Didn't show application with the bat." he says. "It was a disappointing game, Ireland had lot more pressure and they turned up today. I think we would've liked a series win having won the first one, just like in the T20Is. We need to sort things out. Disappointing end, but we'll take 1-1. Brendan Taylor has been a huge ambassador for the country, a huge loss for us. Will leave a hole someone will need to fill in Zimbabwe cricket."

22.2
1
Burl to Tector, 1 run, runs that good length ball outside off toward point, and Ireland level the series!

1 to get now...

22.1
4
Burl to Tector, FOUR, short of a length on middle, and tonked to deep midwicket! Goes for the pull, and absolutely creams that

Five more to get. A six to finish off maybe?

END OF OVER:
22 | 4 Runs 1 Wkt | IRE: 113/3 (5 runs required from 60 balls, RR: 5.13, RRR: 0.50)

  • George Dockrell0 (2b)
  • Harry Tector8 (14b)
  • Wellington Masakadza2-0-9-1
  • Ryan Burl2-1-9-0
21.6
0
Masakadza to Dockrell, no run, short of a length outside off, and good bounce too. Dabbed toward point with the bounce
21.5
0
Masakadza to Dockrell, no run, very full on middle, and defended forward toward midwicket

Dockrell is the new man. Masakadza around the wicket

21.4
W
Masakadza to Balbirnie, OUT, chipped to extra cover! Just five runs to get, and the captain falls after yet another start. Leans forward to push at that full ball outside off, and he stands almost knowing that he was gone the moment he hit it. Never mind though, Ireland are well and safe already

A Balbirnie c Ervine b Masakadza 34 (60m 43b 5x4 0x6) SR: 79.06

21.3
4
Masakadza to Balbirnie, FOUR, goes down to sweep this full ball on middle and off, but gets a top edge! Doesn't matter though, with the ball flying to fine leg for four
21.2
0
Masakadza to Balbirnie, no run, tapped toward point off a good length outside off
21.1
0
Masakadza to Balbirnie, no run, fullish ball on middle, and pushed to cover, who dives to his left to stop that

Dipanjan Show: "This is definitely more thrilling that the World Cup Final." --- I bet!

END OF OVER:
21 | (maiden) | IRE: 109/2 (9 runs required from 11 overs, RR: 5.19, RRR: 0.81)

  • Harry Tector8 (14b)
  • Andy Balbirnie30 (39b)
  • Ryan Burl2-1-9-0
  • Wellington Masakadza1-0-5-0
20.6
0
Burl to Tector, no run, maiden over. Taps at this full ball wide of off while playing away from his body
20.5
0
Burl to Tector, no run, good length ball on middle, and jammed toward square leg
20.4
0
Burl to Tector, no run, looks to slash that full and wide ball outside off, but was beaten
20.3
0
Burl to Tector, no run, fullish length on middle, tucked to the man at square leg

Ireland 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st48WTS PorterfieldPR Stirling
2nd41A BalbirniePR Stirling
3rd24A BalbirnieHT Tector
4th5GH DockrellHT Tector