Tie

Irish ties are smiling

The Bulletin by Martin Williamson

March 15, 2007

Zimbabwe 221 (Matsikenyeri 73*, Sibanda 67) tied with Ireland 221 for 9 (Bray 115*)
Scorecard



Jeremy Bray reaches his outstanding hundred ... but it was in a losing cause © Getty Images
Zimbabwe tied with Ireland in one of the greatest World Cup matches ever, the match at Sabina Park producing some of the most pulsating, enthralling cricket you could ever ask for. Zimbabwe will wonder how they threw away an almost certain victory, but while the points are shared, the day belonged to the Irish, and the body language as Ed Rainsford was run-out off the final ball going for the winning single could not have been more contrasting.

KJ O'Brien 2-1-8-1
S Matsikenyeri 66* (71b 9x4 1x6) AC Botha 10-2-32-1
Rainsford the No.11 for Zimbabwe, at the non-striker's end. White's back into the attack
49.1 White to Matsikenyeri, 2 runs, full toss, hammered through cover and long off has a chase to his left...and does well, saving four
49.2 White to Matsikenyeri, 2 runs, too short, square cut powerfully into the deep
49.3 White to Matsikenyeri, 1 run, full toss, spooned to midwicket - but no! Dropped? The man came in and appeared to just stop in his tracks, the ball dropping short!
But Matsikenyeri is now off strike
This is epic. 4 from 3
49.4 White to Rainsford, 1 run, driven past cover - and he gets the single! This gets Matsikenyeri back on strike - not a good ball from White. Not a good over.
49.5 White to Matsikenyeri, 2 runs, well what a mad ball. Short, wide, cut just behind backward point who made a brilliant attempt to catch it. They go for a single, in comes the throw - but the batsman appears to run in front of his stumps...and he's home safe! My word this is madness
Last ball
49.6 White to Matsikenyeri, OUT, drives, misses and it's a tie! What a match; what an incredible last 10 overs. Only the third tie in World Cup history - all three have involved an African nation - and Ireland jump in delight