(Cricket news) The second match of the World Cup Super Series featuring Ireland against Zimbabwe was abandoned due to persistent rain. Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bowl first and Ireland put up a mighty score of 282-8 in 50 overs but play could not be resumed after the innings due to rain. This was Ireland’s second highest total in 13 ODI matches this year.

Paul Sterling and William Porterfield put on their second fifty partnership in a row. The experienced pair gave Ireland the right foundation until Sterling was dismissed at 33 of 71 balls after Sikandar Raza took a one handed catch at short midwicket at Sean Williams’ bowling. Porterfield scored his third half century in a row in 73 balls. Andrew Balbirnie’s partnership with Porterfield of 69 runs helped Ireland maintain their momentum.

Balbirnie was eventually dismissed for 40 runs off 43 balls while Porterfield’s wicket was taken nine deliveries later at the score of 67. George Dockrell scored 28 runs off 19 balls, Loran Tucker and Harry Tector’s 66 run partnership off 36 balls powered Ireland forward.

Harry Tector has now scored four half centuries in the last six ODI matches and scored 55 runs in 42 balls against Zimbabwe. Due to the abandonment of the match, both teams were awarded five World Cup Super League points with one match still to play.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Men v Zimbabwe Men, 2nd ODI DafaNews Cup, Stormont, 10 September 2021

Ireland 282-8 (50 overs; W Porterfield 67, H Tector 55, A Balbirnie 40; R Ngarava 3-52)

Zimbabwe Did not bat

Match abandoned (Zimbabwe leads series 1-0)

Also read: Ireland name 18 player provisional squad for the ICC T20 World Cup