Matthew Humphreys stars as Ireland beat Zimbabwe to win third successive Test

Bowler finished with second-innings figures of six for 57, while Andy McBrine completed the win

Ireland wrapped up their third Test win in a row as spinner Matthew Humphreys starred with a six-wicket haul against Zimbabwe. Photograph: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Ireland wrapped up their third Test win in a row as spinner Matthew Humphreys starred with a six-wicket haul against Zimbabwe. Photograph: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland wrapped up their third Test win in a row as spinner Matthew Humphreys starred with a six-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Left-armer Humphreys took two of the three wickets needed to finish things off on the final day, trapping Newman Nyamhuri lbw before bowling top-scorer Wessly Madhevere for 84.

Madhevere had been Zimbabwe’s best hope of pursuing a tricky target of 292 but his departure effectively ended their hopes of running things close, as they fell to a 63-run loss.

Humphreys finished with outstanding second-innings figures of six for 57, a new Test best for Ireland, but it fell to Andy McBrine to complete the win.

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McBrine, who previously held the Irish bowling record, cleaned up Richard Ngarava to complete an accomplished all-round display from the 31-year-old that included four wickets and 106 runs in the match.

Having waited until their eighth Test to experience a first victory at this level, Andy Balbirnie’s side have now racked up a hat-trick of wins having seen off the same opposition in Belfast last summer and Afghanistan in early 2024.