Murtagh gets Ireland over the line

Tim Murtagh shone with bat and ball as Ireland secured a consolation win in the third one-day international against Zimbabwe in Harare.

After losing the previous two games in the three-match series, Ireland pulled the score back to 2-1 with a nervy two-wicket win with Andy McBrine edging the winning runs.

It appeared to be a straightforward chase for the tourists after Murtagh took a career-best four for 32 with the ball to dismiss Zimbabwe for just 187 — Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza both making half-centuries — but they were made to work hard with the bat.

After losing early partners, Middlesex all-rounder Paul Stirling looked to be taking Ireland to a comfortable win but he fell for 50, before Gary Wilson and Kevin O'Brien also followed cheaply.

However, after falling to 160 for eight, Murtagh came in with a couple of lusty blows to take Ireland over the line alongside McBrine to round off the series.