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Only 9.4 overs of play was possible in the T20I series opener between India and Australia

Andrew McGlashan29-Oct-20251:53

‘Baffling’ – Chopra on Arshdeep’s non-selection in the XI

Rain in Canberra ruined the opening T20I of the five-match series between Australia and India, also cutting short an eye-catching display from captain Suryakumar Yadav who was beginning to rekindle the form he had showed at the IPL earlier this year.Suryakumar and Shubman Gill had carried India to a promising 97 for 1 in the 10th over of a contest already reduced to 18 overs per side by an earlier stoppage when heavier rain came through and eventually forced the call-off shortly before 10pm.Moments before the rain returned, Suryakumar had tucked into Nathan Ellis’ second over with two fours and a six. He had been given a life on 18 when Josh Philippe couldn’t hold onto a tough chance running back from mid-on and was able to pass 20 for just the second time in his last 15 T20I innings – a period which, of course, sandwiches the prolific IPL.Mitchell Marsh had continued his impressive run with the coin, and unsurprisingly, opted to bowl as he had done on all 18 previous occasions in T20Is when he has had the choice.India’s intent was clear from the very start when Abhishek Sharma, facing Australia for the first time, charged at Josh Hazlewood’s opening delivery. Abhishek ended the first over by again using his feet and carved Hazlewood through point.Gill survived a close lbw shout against Ellis on 11, when he was beaten by a back-of-the-hand slower ball, which Australia reviewed and the replays showed it was clipping the top of the bails. However, Abhishek’s powerplay was cut short when he drove a catch to Tim David at mid-off to hand Ellis a wicket on his opening over.

The fifth over brought a terrific mini-contest between Suryakumar and Hazlewood, who is only available for the first two matches of this series before turning his focus to Ashes preparation.The first ball, a bouncer, whistled past Suryakumar as he considered a ramp to deep third, the second was unplayable as it nipped away from back of a length to beat an ambitious drive, but then Suryakumar responded with an audacious flick over deep square leg for six. Two dots followed before Suryakumar ended it by working a single.Gill, meanwhile, had played briskly between the stoppages and shortly before the final stoppage had slog-swept Matt Kuhnemann powerfully over deep midwicket.Despite conditions being a world away from Dubai, India retained the three frontline spinners they used in the Asia Cup final with Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy all finding spots in the XI. Jasprit Bumrah was set to lead the pace attack which also included Harshit Rana. Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the opening three matches as he recovers from quad and neck problems.From a likely first-choice side, Australia were missing Cameron Green (Shield cricket), Glenn Maxwell (available from game three) and Adam Zampa (personal reasons).

Sheffield United have completed a free deal for Patrick Bamford following his departure from Leeds United earlier this season, with the striker signing a short-term contract until January 2026.

The Blades are desperately attempting to turn their season around following a miserable start which saw Chris Wilder return to replace Ruben Selles just three months after he left the club.

Now as low as 22nd and far from the promotion hopes that they had in mind, those at Bramall Lane suddenly find themselves in an early, unexpected relegation scrap which they’ll be looking to turn on its head after the international break.

Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Queens Park Rangers at least stopped the rot and handed the Blades their first clean sheet in four games, but they must find a way to turn a draw into all three points in a crucial clash against rivals Sheffield Wednesday on 23 November.

Speaking to reporters after the QPR stalemate, Wilder admitted his frustration afrer what he felt was a performance worthy of three points.

Goals were once again the problem for Sheffield United, but the arrival of Bamford could help put an end to their unexpected woes in the Championship.

Sheffield United sign Bamford

As reported by The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, Sheffield United opened talks to sign Bamford just this week, and things have moved quickly as the Blades announced an agreement on Thursday morning.

The former Leeds forward has been a free agent since leaving Elland Road in August, but now seemingly has the chance to make a return to the Championship on a prove-it deal lasting just a few months.

If Wilder is looking for goals then getting the best out of Bamford will give him exactly that. The 32-year-old has stolen headlines in the Premier League at his best and has as many as 69 Championship goals to his name throughout his career.

Previously dubbed “fantastic” by Leeds boss Daniel Farke, Bamford has the perfect opportunity to get the latter stages of his career back on track by joining Sheffield United. And he could even get the perfect chance to impress on his debut in the derby if he proves his fitness in time to face Sheffield Wednesday.

Wilder set to make ruthless January decision as three Sheffield Utd players get the axe

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi, amid reports that the winger has fallen out with his current manager Niko Kovac. The 23-year-old's entourage are seeking to negotiate a long-term contract extension with the German club, with Adeyemi's deal set to expire in 2027. However, a stand off is expected, as the player is demanding a release clause.

• Man Utd on standby for Adeyemi

  Speculation over Adeyemi's future has ramped up in the past few weeks. reports that negotiations between Borussia Dortmund and the player's representatives have taken place, with his agent Jorge Mendes demanding a release clause of £70 million be included in a potential extension. The German giants typically do not include release clauses in their contract, however, the report by the outlet suggests an exception could be made in this instance. 

  Mendes enjoys a fruitful working agreement with the Red Devils, and it is understood that they have been alerted to the 23-year-old's displeasure with his manager. The Portuguese super agent has facilitated switches to Old Trafford for his clients Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte in the past few years. 

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  Adeyemi and Kovac's public spats

  Adeyemi has cut a frustrated figure in the past few weeks, prompting a public response from Kovac. 

  After a promising start to the season, the mercurial youngster has gone through a barren spell. He has failed to score or log an assist since late September. 

  During BVB's 1-0 victory over Köln last month, the winger threw a water bottle at the bench after he was subbed. Kovac publicly lambasted his star's behaviour. 

  The ex-Croatia and Bayern Munich manager said: "I think that's unnecessary. It's okay that he can be angry sometimes, but that's unnecessary, he's an adult." 

  Their relationship took another dramatic turn on the weekend during Dortmund's 1-1 draw with Hamburg. Kovac cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines, visibly remonstrating at Adeyemi after the winger made some poor decisions in the final third. The pair argued on the bench after Adeyemi's 66th minute substitution.

• Kovac protects Adeyemi after City clash

  Despite the apparent breakdown in their relationship, Kovac has continued to pick Adeyemi from the start. The German international had a frustrating evening in Dortmund's 4-1 loss to Manchester City in the Champions League last week, as he missed a couple of chances. His manager again removed him from the fray, this time in the 81st minute. Kovac gave his star a pat on the back as he was replaced, before protecting the player in his post-match press conference. 

  When asked about his decision and the rumours of a fractious relationship between the two, Kovac said: "That’s an internal matter.

  "We have a special relationship. Offensively, he played a good game. He needs to reward himself for his play more often because he had two or three really good chances. Note that, at the other end [Manchester City’s] Phil Foden converted similar chances. I wish he could have done the same, but he didn’t."

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  Are Man Utd primed to bring Adeyemi to the Premier League?

  Despite his disappointing run of form, Adeyemi is a highly rated player that could bolster most teams' attacking stocks. He has scored 29 goals and provided 22 assists in 121 games for the Bundesliga side since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in 2022. His potential has seen him make the occasional appearance for Die Mannschaft; he has won 11 caps and scored one goal for the senior German national side since making his debut in 2021. 

  His recent appointment of Mendes as his agent could certainly facilitate a switch to Old Trafford, but an improved deal with the Black and Yellow cannot be ruled out either. However, with Nico Schlotterbeck also rumoured to be displeased with Kovac's management seeing the centre back being linked with Liverpool and Bayern, the senior executives at Signal Iduna Park might be facing an uphill battle to keep hold of their disgruntled players. It will be interesting to see if these reports affect the manager's starting lineup when Dortmund face Stuttgart following the international break. 

قدّم دايوت أوباميكانو، لاعب فريق بايرن ميونخ الألماني، تحديثات بشأن مستقبله في ظل ارتباطه بانتقال محتمل إلى ليفربول الإنجليزي، ووجود اهتمام من ريال مدريد الإسباني.

وكسر أوباميكانو صمته بشأن مستقبله، حيث ينتهي عقده مع بايرن ميونخ بنهاية الموسم الجاري، ولم يصل بعد لاتفاق للتجديد رغم وجود محادثات بين الطرفين بحسب ما أكد النادي الألماني عن طريق أفراد الإدارة.

وفي حديثه لصحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية، التي نقلتها “سكاي ألمانيا”، قال أوباميكانو: “وكيل أعمالي يتولى هذا الأمر، سنتخذ القرار الصحيح، أنا أركز على هذا الموسم وعلى أهدافي مع النادي والمنتخب الوطني”.

وعندما سُئل عن اهتمام أندية أخرى، أضاف المدافع الفرنسي البالغ من العمر 27 عامًا: “أنا مرتبط بعقد مع بايرن ميونخ، أشعر بالفخر عندما تهتم بي الأندية”.

وشدد أوباميكانو خلال تصريحاته: “لطالما قلتُ إنني أشعر بالراحة في بايرن، لديّ مدرب رائع وزملاء رائعون”.

اقرأ أيضًا | رد فعل بايرن ميونخ بعد تواصل ريال مدريد مع أوباميكانو

وذكرت تقارير الصحف في وقت سابق، أن المفاوضات بين بايرن ميونخ وأوباميكانو جارية منذ فترة، وهناك احتمال لحدوث تقدم في محادثات تجديد العقد.

وورد أن أحد الخيارات المطروحة على أوباميكانو، هو تمديد عقده لأربع سنوات، مع وجود شرط جزائي بعد موسمين، وتخفض قيمته بعد الموسم الثالث.

وإذا لم يصل أوباميكانو إلى اتفاق وشيك مع بايرن ميونخ، يُمكن للأندية بدء مفاوضات مع اللاعب الفرنسي في يناير، نظرًا لبقاء ستة أشهر على عقده.

Celtic and Brendan Rodgers have been made to sweat over two injury concerns midway through the October international break.

Chris Sutton accuses Celtic stars of "hiding"

Despite their Champions League failure, it looked as though Celtic were still likely to be in full control of their title ambitions in the early stages of the campaign. As of late, however, that has not proved to be the case. As Rodgers’ future continues to come into question, the Bhoys’ form has dropped, and they now sit two points behind shock leaders Hearts.

It’s not been the start that those at Celtic Park were anticipating and former striker Chris Sutton has now taken aim.

Speaking in his column for Daily Record, the ex-Celtic star said: “As far as I am concerned, McGregor is struggling a wee bit because of what’s going on around him. He’s simply on a different level to any other player in the current Celtic team.

Celtic have signed "fearless" star who looks like a new Hatate-type player

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“It’s just I think there are players in the team currently who are hiding, and that kills the flow. I look at the likes of Reo Hatate. He’s been a shadow of the player we’ve seen at Celtic in recent years.

“Everyone goes through peaks and troughs and Hatate has always been one who could throw in the occasional poor game. But right now he just looks miles off it. We’re not seeing the runs into the box down the left channel, the moments of magic have been few and far between.”

Sutton didn’t hold back and the task that Celtic and Hatate now have is proving him wrong after the international break. It’s then that Rodgers’ side could also be forced to find form without two stars, however, following the latest injury news.

Maeda & Tounekti hand Celtic fresh injury concerns

As relayed by BBC Sport, both Daizen Maeda and Sebastian Tounekti have handed Celtic fresh injury concerns. The former was missing from Japan’s 2-2 draw against Paraguay whilst Tounekti missed Tunisia’s 6-0 victory over Sao Tome, but both have been assessed and are expected to be available after the international break.

Maeda’s suspected foot injury has not been deemed serious, and he could feature in Japan’s game against Brazil on Monday. The same can also be said for Tounekti, whose thigh issue should not rule him out of his country’s clash against Nambia next week.

The latest news will come as a major relief for Celtic, who could especially do with Maeda’s full availability as he looks to get back to full form. The winger has so far scored just three goals in 13 games in all competitions after netting as many as 33 in the last campaign. It’s been a major drop-off and a large part of Celtic’s disappointing form.

Ensuring that he gets back fully fit from international duty should be seen as a priority for all parties. The 27-year-old remains one of the most talented players at Celtic Park and must now get back to that level.

If you look closely, you will see that Everton are developing into a team of newfound modernism.

David Moyes is perhaps perceived by some as being something of a pragmatic manager, rooted in strong defensive principles and an acceptance of non-possession-based football, standing firm against the current and then attacking on the break.

But he’s long been more nuanced than that. Moyes won the Conference League with West Ham United, after all, hauling that Irons side into a team of consistency among European places. Sixth, seventh. And silverware in there too.

Everton are at a different stage, but Moyes, having only been at the club since January, when Sean Dyche was dismissed than the mood was low, has created a team that is showing signs of quality befitting a top-half-of-the-table finish in the Premier League.

Against Aston Villa at the weekend, Everton were the aggressors. It ended 0-0, but the team will take solace in their upswing in chance creation.

Man United

4

7.9

Chelsea

9

7.7

Man City

5

7.6

Brighton

4

6.6

Everton

5

6.3

Who might be the centrepiece of all this? Why, Jack Grealish, of course.

Jack Grealish's Everton rebirth

Last season in the Premier League, Everton concluded their campaign with an xG total of just 41.8, the lowest of any side not to get relegated.

It’s clear to discern a summer strategy catered toward creative additions, and Grealish has been the heart of this. Signed from Manchester City on loan for the duration of the season, the England international has returned to form spectacularly, assisting four goals across his first two starts.

A silky dribbler and an intelligent technician, Grealish had fallen from his perch over the past couple of years in Manchester, reduced to a fringe role that shunted his finer attributes.

Moyes has taken him off the leash and is being repaid with high-level creative performances. As per Sofascore’s data, the 29-year-old is averaging 2.8 key passes and 6.8 successful duels per game.

Grealish is in his prime; he’s not a young talent anymore. However, Everton might find that regardless of the playmaker’s future on Merseyside, they have a new version waiting in the wings in Tyler Dibling, who joined the club from Southampton for £42m during the summer.

But, in fact, there’s another rising star in Moyes’ squad who might prove to be Grealish 2.0.

Everton's next version of Grealish

Dibling might indeed appear the natural successor to Grealish’s place on the Premier League stage – and not just because of the hair.

The 19-year-old is fiercely talented and shares a proclivity for flashy, hard-to-stop progress on the ball.

But the man in question here is actually Charly Alcaraz, who spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Goodison Park before a permanent clause was activated and he became a fixed resident in Liverpool, leaving Brazilian side Flamengo for £13m.

A shrewd buy. So far, the one-time Southampton prospect has made 20 appearances for Everton, and he has scored three goals and provided three assists.

This season in the Premier League, the Argentina international has only started once. But then he made an impression on that opening-day defeat by Leeds United, completing both of his dribbles, winning six duels and completing 83% of his passes. Defensively, it must be said, he left something to be desired.

But no one could deny that the 22-year-old is a “special” talent, as was remarked by youth scout Antonio Mango back in 2023. Already, he is demonstrating an aptitude for creating chances, ranking among attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe in the top 16% for assists, the top 17% for goal-creating actions and the top 3% for take-on success rate, data courtesy of FBref.

That latter metric is curious. Alcaraz might not play with the same kind of relentlessness on the ball as Grealish, but he’s extremely effective when he opts to lunge forward and beat his man.

Charly Alcaraz

1.0

100%

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

1.0

100%

Michael Keane

0.3

100%

Jack Grealish

2.0

50%

Iliman Ndiaye

2.0

44%

Alcaraz hasn’t yet nailed down a starting spot in Moyes’ Everton team, not with consistency, but he’s viewed as a player who can inspire chances and put paid to inattentive defenders, boasting quick feet and combative physical traits and a desire to attack.

He’s got everything that he needs to succeed in the Premier League, and has already demonstrated his confidence and eagerness to step up when his team need him. He scored on his first league start for the Toffees, after all.

Dibling might have the higher ceiling, and that’s no discredit to Alcaraz’s skillset, but the South American is ready to make an impact for Moyes’ side and influence things from midfield. Tactically versatile, his ball-carrying ability and range of technical skills mean he can operate across a number of different berths.

Grealish has made an electric start to life at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, but the esteemed Premier League giant has never throughout his career been the most prolific, and thus it’s important that Everton have different players to create and attack on goal, easing his burden and indeed that of the strikers, who continue to play with question marks over their heads.

Keep a close eye on Alcaraz; he hasn’t announced himself yet in 2025/26, but the talent is undeniable, and his chance to showcase his quality will come.

Big Beto upgrade: Everton have already sold "the new Lukaku"

This centre-forward would thrive at the front of David Moyes’ Everton system.

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RCB batter also touches upon his role as a top-order batter after making his 67th IPL fifty

Shashank Kishore20-Apr-20257:26

Pujara: Kohli is the best when it comes to chases

“I thought this award, as much as… I mean, I don’t know why I’ve been given this to be honest.”That was Virat Kohli after his unbeaten 73 off 54 – his record 67th IPL fifty – powered RCB to a fifth straight away win in New Chandigarh, just 36 hours after a third consecutive home loss to the same Punjab Kings.Kohli said he’d have given the award to “Dev” – Devdutt Padikkal – who, after two quiet seasons with Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, has found form and stability at No. 3 since returning to RCB.After Phil Salt fell in the first over of RCB’s 158 chase, Kohli and Padikkal steered them towards victory with a 103-run stand. Padikkal, the aggressor, smashed 61 off 35 – his first fifty of the season – building on from his intent-laden knocks like 37 vs Mumbai Indians and 27 vs Chennai Super Kings, where he eased pressure on Kohli after Salt’s dismissals.”There have been occasions where I felt like I wanted to accelerate more and more,” Kohli said while crediting Padikkal for his aggression. “But I think it was understanding that if Salty doesn’t get off to a start, my role then becomes to let the others around me to play the way they do.Related

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“I utilised my experience, yes, to finish the game, but Dev could play like that around me, maybe Rajat [Patidar] can play like that around me. So I try to stay in there long enough for the others to know that I’m holding one end and if need be, I can accelerate.”On Sunday afternoon, RCB cruised home with seven balls to spare; it seemed at different times that they could’ve finished the game earlier. Kohli explained the surface and conditions dictated their slightly tempered approach.”Look, there’s always a temptation to keep going the same way,” he said. “I think you need to understand the conditions which we honestly haven’t done back home. So, the first two games [in Bengaluru] we had the learnings, last game was a shortened game, so we had to go hard again. But I think when you come to a new place like in Rajasthan, we had to analyse the pitch, go and have a look at the conditions and then try to build up a good partnership.2:05

Finch: Krunal was accurate and varied his pace

“In a good run-chase in T20 cricket, one partnership is good enough mostly. I try to use my experience in those situations to stay there long enough to string those partnerships and if need be, I can accelerate. But for me, it’s understanding the strengths of the other players around me as well and allowing them to take the game away from the opposition, knowing that I’m still holding one end, which seems to be working for us.”The win puts RCB in third place, as they join four other teams on 10 points – eliciting talks of “IPL being special for No. 18 [Kohli’s jersey number]. Asked whether it feels different this year as compared to earlier, Kohli underlined a “very good auction” and lower-order batting depth have been helping the side do better.”We got the team that we wanted,” he said. “I think on day one everyone was panicking, but these guys [team management] were very composed. They knew exactly who they wanted. And if you look at guys like Tim David, Jitesh Sharma, Rajat obviously playing the way he does, [Liam] Livingstone coming in, Salty playing the way he is. Dev playing this amazing role for us at No. 3.”It’s coming together nicely and now with the addition of Romario [Shepherd], it gives us even more firepower at the back. You have two guys who can hit 10 sixes in 18 balls. So that was missing in all the other seasons.”If you look at the top order in the last few seasons, we had to do bulk of the scoring. But this time around, it feels like even if someone gets out, like in Chennai, guys can still keep carrying on with that momentum and keep counterattacking, like in Mumbai as well.”It feels very balanced. The guys are very hungry to perform for the team. You can see that intensity in the field. You can see that feistiness as well, just in the body language, just the way they throw themselves around on the field.”Two of RCB’s next three games are at home, where they’re yet to win. They play Rajasthan Royals next on April 24.

Should Seifert start, it will be his first ODI appearance in more than five years

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Apr-2025New Zealand batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out of New Zealand’s second ODI in Hamilton against Pakistan after scans revealed a grade-one hamstring tear. Chapman had picked up the injury while fielding in the first ODI, with Tim Seifert getting a call-up as his replacement.Chapman, who struck a career-best 132 in the series opener in Napier, has flown to Auckland for rehabilitation, but is expected to join the squad for the third and final ODI of the series on April 5 in Mount Maunganui. That will also be the last men’s international of the New Zealand summer.While New Zealand have a policy of giving selection preferences to players with full national or domestic contracts, head coach Gary Stead said Seifert was called up because of his form. He had turned down a contract with Northern Districts in July 2024, but top-scored in New Zealand’s 4-1 T20I series win in March against Pakistan with 249 runs. He was also the Player of the Series.Related

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Should Seifert start, it will be his first ODI appearance in more than five years, last playing in January 2019 against Sri Lanka in Nelson. He’s had a short ODI career so far, playing only three matches with a top score of 22 in two innings.”It’s obviously disappointing news for Mark, after a really special innings in the opening ODI in Napier,” Stead said. “We’re thankful that the hamstring injury is only minor so we’re hopeful that Mark will be able to complete his rehabilitation and be available for the final match of the summer in the Mount.”With several new faces in this squad it’s great to be able to call on a player of Tim’s experience. He’s in good form after a great T20 series and he provides another strong top-order batting option heading into an important match tomorrow.”Another victory in the second ODI will seal the series for New Zealand. If they win, it would be their third ODI series win in the 2024/25 season after the 2-1 win at home against Sri Lanka and the tri-series win in Pakistan.

Muzarabani’s 67-run stand for the tenth wicket with Gwandu took Zimbabwe from a position of danger into the comforts of a slender lead

Ekanth07-Feb-2025Ireland and Zimbabwe continued to exchange upper hands yet again in Bulawayo but it was the visitors who were better placed at the end of the day. Barry McCarthy’s versatility combined with Andy McBrine’s consistency provided them with the hope of capturing a substantial lead.Blessing Muzarabani’s inspired 67-run stand for the tenth wicket with Trevor Gwandu took Zimbabwe from a position of danger into the comforts of a hard-fought if slender lead. But it was a sign of the pitch easing out, something Ireland’s top order took advantage of.Peter Moor, who used to play for Zimbabwe, dispatched Muzarabani, who didn’t bowl consistent lines, as Ireland raced to 42 for 0 in seven overs. Richard Ngarava got one to angle away to ensure Moor’s good work ended on 33, but his partner, Andy Balbirnie, joined Curtis Campher to ensure Ireland went to stumps without further damage.The signs were ominous for the bowlers on Friday as there was more brown than green on the Bulawayo pitch. And it took Welch just one over to reinforce that feeling as he smashed a full ball from Mark Adair over mid-off.McCarthy adapted to the challenge in front of him and toyed with his lengths, lines and release points to reap useful reward. He found seam movement to trap Takudzwanashe Kaitano lbw in the third over of the day. Zimbabwe’s batters used the crease to meddle with the bowlers’ lines. That didn’t matter to McCarthy who nipped one past Brian Bennett’s inside edge and hit the stumps.Welch, too, had a close call early on as he was cut in half by McCarthy. He marched through, otherwise, to a 78-ball fifty, much to the delight of his dad in the stands.Nick Welch’s dad celebrates his son’s fifty•Zimbabwe CricketWessly Madhevere, who got off to a quick start, hit one of the three sixes in the innings. It came off McBrine’s bowling but the offspinner had the last laugh, with some help from Lorcan Tucker who took a rebound catch – off square leg – to restrict him to 26. Zimbabwe were 143 for 4. Each of the partnerships for the first four wickets crossed 20. None of them, batting the opening stand, got past fifty.McBrine struck again to have Johnathan Campbell three balls later. It was a soft dismissal as the Zimbabwe captain, also on Test debut, punched a wide-ish ball to cover point.Nyasha Mayavo, the other debutant, hit a confident pull shot for six and a slashy drive for four on either side of tea. But an attempt at another big hit – a sweep off McBrine – trapped him lbw. McCarthy sent back Newman Nyamhuri for a golden duck as Zimbabwe slipped to 172 for 7.All the while, Welch was happy to play unhurriedly and that continued in the eighth-wicket stand with Ngarava. Welch faced 41 of the 59 balls as the duo put on 20. Chances were created when Ngarava looked for some quick runs. He got away with a chipped drive off an Adair slower ball in the 59th over, but holed out to mid-off, trying to do the same, in the 61st.Welch pumped Humphreys down the ground to get to 90 and retained strike for the next over. He got decent connection on the pull against Adair but was dismissed by a spectacular running catch by Harry Tector across the outfield at deep midwicket. Zimbabwe were 200 for 9, 60 runs behind, with Nos. 10 and 11 at the crease.Muzarabani hit two boundaries off McCarthy as the duo batted calmly against the old ball… for nearly 20 overs. The spin of McBrine and Humphreys gave away 23 runs between overs 67 and 80, but the batters were now more comfortable.Ireland took the new ball and Muzarabani hit Adair for two fours, one on either side of the wicket, in the 83rd over as Zimbabwe finished the second session just three runs in the deficit.Muzarabani took his team into the lead by pulling Craig Young in the 86th over, but with a maiden Test fifty in sight, he was knocked over trying to slog Humphreys across the line, and Zimbabwe were bowled out for 267.Ireland are looking well placed in the Bulawayo Test match•Zimbabwe CricketZimbabwe’s strike bowler batting for long may have been a blessing in disguise, pardon the pun, for Ireland as he batted for 97 minutes late in the afternoon before taking the new ball.Moor’s intent was clear from the very first ball, which he spanked through cover for four. He had a close call with a length ball, which kept low and was at the stumps but managed to stab it into the ground.The absence of swing led Zimbabwe to shorter lengths but that suited Moor and Balbirnie, who unfurled some excellent back-foot shots. The placid nature of the pitch was on show even after Moor’s dismissal as an outside edge induced by Ngarava, off Balbirnie in the 12th over, landed well in front of second slip.Gwandu, who was taken down earlier in the Test match, was more threatening here. In the 15th over, he had Balbirnie edge one in the cordon but the wicketkeeper Mayavo couldn’t collect. Other than that, Ireland cruised through to stumps with a healthy 76-run lead.