Ireland Wolves will need nine wickets for victory on the final day of their first-class game against Zimbabwe A after another commanding day for the tourists at the Harare Sports Club.

 

The highlight was a fourth wicket stand of 224 between Cade Carmichael and Tim Tector with both batters completing centuries. It allowed the Wolves to declare on 306 for six, setting their hosts 470 to win. By the close they had reduced that by 61 but Liam McCarthy struck in his second over to keep the Wolves in control.

 

 

Tector, batting at No 5 in this game, had scored only two on his first class debut, but in his second game he raised his bat for his hundred, after facing 162 balls with 10 fours. Landmark achieved, he was happy to accelerate and was caught four balls later for 105.

 

Ben Calitz and Mark Adair also perished in quick succession in the search for quick runs and Matthew Humphreys ended the innings when Carmichael brought up his 150. The Instonians batter, whose third 50 came off just 43 balls, hit 13 fours and two sixes in his 182-ball innings, with his only scare some 95 runs earlier when he edged low to slip and although the Zimbabweans claimed the catch, the umpires ruled that it had dropped just short.

 

At the start of the day, Stephen Doheny avoided a king pair but was caught at slip in the fourth over and Jake Egan was run out after facing 29 balls for nine. Chris de Frietas was caught behind for 14 to leave Ireland on 71 for three but with a lead of 244. It was to be the home side’s last success for 50 overs.

 

With a lead of 470, Ireland were happy to declare and give themselves 75 minutes to make inroads, although the umpires took the players off after only an hour because of bad light.

 

 Mark Adair bowled unchanged from one end, conceding 19 runs in his six overs and McCarthy replaced Byron McDonough who also went for 19 but from only two overs as Zimbabwe started as if victory, rather than avoiding defeat was their objective.

 

It will be interesting to see their approach when play resumes the morning but on a fourth day pitch, and two experienced spinners, the Wolves must be favourites.