ZIMBABWE WICKETKEEPER CLIVE Madande broke a 90-year unwanted record when he conceded 42 byes in a Test innings against Ireland on Friday.
The runs given away by the 24-year-old Madande, enduring a tough debut after he was out for a duck on Thursday’s first day at Stormont, were more than Ireland’s 40-run first-innings lead as they made 250 in reply to Zimbabwe’s 210.
The byes were not entirely his fault as he had to deal with his bowlers sending several deliveries down the legside as well as late swing after the ball had passed the bat.
One consolation for Madande was the record he surpassed was set by England’s Les Ames — widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen — who gave away 37 byes in Australia’s total of 327 in a Test at The Oval back in 1934.
Zimbabwe might still have led on first innings but for a last-wicket stand of 47 between Andy McBrine (28) and Matthew Humphreys (27 not out).
Joylord Gumbie and Prince Masvaure then batted out the final 15 minutes to leave Zimbabwe 12-0 in their second innings at stumps on a rain-marred second day of this one-off Test, a deficit of 28 runs.
CLOSE OF PLAY!
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) July 26, 2024
Another entertaining day of Test cricket comes to a close, with us 28 runs ahead.
▪️ Zimbabwe 12-0 (4 overs)
▪️ Ireland 250 (58.3 overs)
▪️ Zimbabwe 210 (71.3 overs)
SCORE: https://t.co/IajZ3zfh5k#BackingGreen #Test9 ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/jL3EHz22eU
Earlier, former Zimbabwe international Peter Moor top-scored for Ireland with 79.
It was the highest Test score by an Ireland opener in Tests, with Moor falling just four short of his best, which came when playing for Zimbabwe in 2018.
Zimbabwe’s Tanaka Chivanga (3-39) took his first three Test wickets in what is just his second match at this level, while fellow paceman Blessing Muzarabani also impressed with 3-53.
Brief scores, close on day two:
Zimbabwe 210 (P Masvaure 74, J Gumbie 49; A McBrine 3-37, B McCarthy 3-42) and 12-0 v Ireland 250 (P Moor 79; T Chivanga 3-59, B Muzarabani 3-53)
Match position: Zimbabwe are 28 runs behind with all 10 second-innings wickets standing.
