Brian Bennett scored his highest one-day international total of 169 as Zimbabwe defeated Ireland by 49 runs in Harare. The match was the first of a three-game series.
The 21-year-old opener Bennett and captain Craig Ervine, aged 39, helped Zimbabwe reach 299 for five in their 50 overs. Ervine contributed 66 runs to the total.
Ireland showed promise with a 73-run partnership between George Dockrell and Andy McBrine, who scored 32 and 34 respectively. However, both batters were dismissed within four balls of each other.
Blessing Muzarabani was Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler, taking 4 wickets for 51 runs.
“I was lucky to get a chance to open and lucky that things went in my favour. I enjoy the new ball in white-ball cricket. There had been some talk about me opening. It was a tricky start, but the pitch was good. Not much swing and not much in the deck,” Bennett said.
“Benny (Bennett) batted extremely well, with perfect tempo. You have to capitalise on your chances, and he did. Openers performing well is crucial because it allows other batters to play with freedom. The surface played reasonably well throughout, although it was a little slow early on,” Ervine said.
Ireland captain Paul Stirling said: “Congratulations to Brian for an outstanding knock. We gave him a chance or two, and he punished us. We were rusty when we should not have been.
“The wicket was as good as it gets at Harare Sports Club. The squeeze was put on us between overs 30 and 40 in both innings.
“We bat deep and you want to give yourselves a chance. We gave up a couple. Hopefully we come through next time.”
Bennett’s innings ended in the final over when he mistimed a shot off Mark Adair and was caught by Andy Balbirnie at deep extra cover. His 216-minute stay at the crease included 20 fours and three sixes from 163 balls.
Ervine and Bennett’s partnership of 136 runs for the second wicket proved decisive. The captain hit four sixes and three fours, helping Zimbabwe secure their seventh victory in 12 ODIs against Ireland in Harare.
Ireland’s reply was hampered by a middle-order collapse. Lorcan Tucker (31), Harry Tector (39), and Mark Adair (2) were dismissed in quick succession.
Despite Dockrell and McBrine’s threatening partnership, Muzarabani’s intervention left Ireland at 247 for eight. The innings concluded shortly after with Matthew Humphreys and Josh Little adding just one run between them.
The series continues with matches on Sunday and Tuesday, followed by three Twenty20 games. Ireland had earlier won the tour’s opening Test match by 63 runs.
