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HARARE – Brian Bennett struck a one-day worldwide greatest 169 as Zimbabwe defeated Ireland by 49 runs in Harare on Friday within the first of three matches.
The 21-year-old opener and 39-year-old captain Craig Ervine (66) performed key roles as the house facet posted 299 for 5 in 50 overs.
A 73-run mid-innings partnership between George Dockrell (32) and Andy McBrine (34) provided hope to the vacationers, however each fell inside 4 balls and Ireland had been all out for 250 in 46 overs.
Dockrell and McBrine had been dispatched by Blessing Muzarabani, whose 4 for 51 had been the perfect figures among the many Zimbabwe bowlers.
Bennett, whose earlier greatest ODI knock was 37, mentioned: “I used to be fortunate to get an opportunity to open and fortunate that issues 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.”
Ervine mentioned: “Benny (Bennett) batted extraordinarily nicely, with excellent tempo. You need to capitalise in your possibilities, 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.”
Ireland captain Paul Stirling mentioned: “Congratulations to Brian for an impressive knock. We gave him an opportunity or two, and he punished us. We had been rusty once we shouldn’t have been.
“The wicket was pretty much as good because it will get at Harare Sports Club. The squeeze was placed on us between overs 30 and 40 in each innings.
“We bat deep and you want to give yourselves a chance. We gave up a couple. Hopefully we come through next time.”
Bennett ultimately departed off the second ball of the ultimate over. He mistimed an tried huge shot off Mark Adair (2-55) and was caught at deep additional cowl by Andy Balbirnie.
He confronted 163 deliveries in a 216-minute innings within the Zimbabwe capital that included 20 fours and three sixes.
Ervine hit 4 sixes and three fours in a 136-run second-wicket partnership with Bennett. It proved essential as Zimbabwe received for the seventh time in 12 ODIs towards Ireland in Harare.
Replying, Ireland suffered a mid-innings collapse with Lorcan Tucker (31), Harry Tector (39) and Adair (2) despatched to the pavilion in fast succession.
Dockrell and McBrine then threatened to win the match for the Irish earlier than Muzarabani struck, leaving the guests 247 for eight. Matthew Humphreys (0) and Josh Little (1) then fell cheaply.
The groups meet once more on Sunday and Tuesday earlier than a three-match Twenty20 sequence. The tour started with Ireland profitable a one-off Test by 63 runs.
Brief Scores
Zimbabwe 299-5 (B. Bennett 169, C. Ervine 66; M. Adair 2-55) v Ireland 250 (C. Campher 44; B. Muzarabani 4-51)
Result: Zimbabwe received by 49 runs
Series: Zimbabwe lead 1-0 after first of three matches
Toss: Ireland