Group D: Ireland and Zimbabwe draw

You'll go a long way in this World Cup to see a game as exciting as this tied one played in a virtually empty, but thanks to the Irish fans, admirably lively Sabina Park.

Ireland, batting first, reached a total of 221-9 with their 50 overs, thanks largely to opener and man of the match Jeremy Bray (right), who scored a magnificent 115 and carried his bat throughout the innings.  After losing a few early wickets to find themselves on 89-5 at one point, Bray guided the tail whilst accelerating his own run rate to allow Ireland to reach their defendable total.  Had a couple more batsmen put their hands up the result could have been very different.

Zimbabwe recovered after the early loss of opener Duffin for 12, with Sibanda looking in fine touch for his 67 before he trod on his wicket playing back to a short ball from spinner White.  Ireland's hero Bray blotted his copybook by dropping Matsikenyeri at deep mid-off, had that stayed in hand it may have given them chance. But in fairness to Bray, Matsikenyeri should have been gone without scoring, McCallan missing a simple run out chance. 

It was looking easy for Zimbabwe with 10 overs to go, but then they started leaking wickets and their runs were plugged up by an Ireland side that simply refused to stop fighting.  A tie was in the end probably the fairest result for both sides.

This was easily the best game of the tournament so far, and it certainly looks like the big gun vs big gun matches will not have exclusive rights on entertainment this year.

[lee calvert]