Irish Cricket 2024

The first domestic four-day game is going on at the moment which is the first in this country for 5 years.

In other words, it is a Ireland inter-squad match but has been branded as Raiders vs Strikers. Effectively this is a warm-up for the Zimbabwe test match in a couple of weeks.

Raiders: McCollum, Moor, De Freitas, Tector, Tucker, Carmichael, Hoey, L McCarthy, Hume, Humphreys, Young
Strikers: Balbirnie, Doheny, Campher, Stirling, Dockrell, Rock, McBrine, Hand, B McCarthy, Foster, Frost

Raiders 77/1 at lunch. McBrine with the wicket. Moor 37 not out at lunch.

Looks like a damp start on Wednesday as well. Hopefully it won't be too bad.

As for the game, the Strikers reduced the Raiders to 144-5 but a brilliant century from Lorcan Tucker and ably supported by Graham Hume has lifted them to 303-6 at the close of play. McBrine sent down 30 overs on what turned out to be a day of grind for the bowlers.

In overcast conditions, Ireland needed to make inroads early after opting to bowl, but there has been nothing at all in the pitch with Gumbie and Masvaure looking very, very comfortable.

54/0 after 15 overs.

Much better afternoon and evening for Ireland as Williams edges to Stirling at first slip.

Massive wicket as Williams has been the key batsmen for all the Zimbabwe sides for some time.

193-5 now.

Crazy shot from Madande.

Looked like a bit of spin off the pitch for the Williams wicket which is interesting for Day 1. Time to give Humphreys a bowl soon, I'd say.

Another wicket with Adair getting Bennett.

194-7. Big collapse from Zimbabwe.

And another! McBrine gets the edge from Murzabani and Zimbabwe are 198-8 now. 4 wickets for just 5 runs.

Worked out really well as it was getting very gloomy and would not have been ideal at all to play in.

Tomorrows forecast looks like another 4 seasons type day with sunshine and showers, so it could be a lot of stopping and starting.

Ireland 115-2 at lunch and are pretty well placed.

Moor has hit a lovely half-century against his former side but the story of the morning has been the ball absolutely swinging around corners. The Zimbabwe bowlers have failed to control it most of the time with 22 byes already, with Chivanga looking like the only one to be able to control the sharp swing somewhat.

Very, very tough batting conditions despite the score. Raining at the moment, but hopefully not a long interruption.

Two wickets in two balls from Murzabani has Ireland 5 down.

EDIT: 6 down. Stirling edges to slip, after doing all the hard work staying in against the seamers, he departs to Williams.

189/6 and it's been hard going. 48 extra scored so far. Ireland need a sizeable lead here as the pitch will hardly get better but not much left now.