ZIMBABWE One Day International captain Craig Ervine is eager to seal the series against Ireland with a win in today's second ODI at Harare Sports Club.
The Chevrons took a 1-0 lead in the series with a 49-run victory on Friday, thanks to Brian Bennett's maiden ODI century.
Bennett's 169 off 163 deliveries, laced with 20 boundaries and three sixes, was the highlight of Zimbabwe's 299/5. He shared a 136-run partnership for the second wicket with Ervine, who scored 66 off 61 balls.
Towering seamers Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava took four wickets for 51 runs from nine overs and three wickets respectively, to restrict Ireland to 250 runs in 46 overs.
Wessley Madhevere picked two wickets with his spin, while Tadiwanashe Marumani held on to three fine catches behind the stumps.
"Benny batted extremely well, perfect tempo. You have to capitalise on chances, which he did. Openers doing well is crucial as it'll allow other batters to play with freedom," said Ervine after the team took a 1 – 0 series lead on Friday
"Surface played reasonably well throughout, was a little bit slow at the start. We were looking at the 300 mark at the start. Even though we got there, we knew we had to bowl well to defend," he said
Ervine acknowledged the team's worries about getting ahead in the series and then losing.
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"We're trying to work on a few things. We've won first games before giving it away. Need to make sure we don't get complacent," he said.
"Our spinners did really well in the middle overs. We were probably a bit poor in the field today, lot of things to work on for Sunday (today).
Bennett, who opens in T20s, is looking forward to continuing his good form.
"I open in the T20s, I was trying for a while to get at the top in ODIs. Ball comes on nicely and there are only two fielders out, tried to take advantage of that," Bennett said.
"Good sign to be an opener getting a ton, hope to continue that. Plan was to take it deep, and as you saw today, you could go big in the end. Nice to bat with Craig, who supported me."
Curtis Campher, who top-scored for Ireland with 44 off 57 deliveries, is confident his team will bounce back.
“Normally in [Harare] Sports Club it does go around a bit, it’s actually a pretty good wicket and I think in chasing we lost wickets at key moments and key parts of the game," Camphor said.
"We’re not far away and it’s a short turn around, I’m sure we will bounce back."
With the series on the line, Zimbabwe will be looking to seal the deal today and take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Zimbabwe will be looking for their first ODI series win since they beat 2 – 1 Netherlands at home in March 2023.
Since then the Chevrons have lost against Ireland, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Aghanistan in ODI series and will be looking to end a run of four straight losses.
The team has not done well in recent years and last won a series against the European side after they pulled off a 2 – 1 victory in October 2015.
Since then Ireland has won two while two others ended in a stalemate.
