In a historic one-off Test in Belfast, Andy McBrine excelled with both bat and ball, leading Ireland to a four-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on July 28, 2024. The match, held at Stormont Castle, marked the first Test played in Northern Ireland.
Chasing a modest target of 158, Ireland found themselves in trouble, collapsing to 33-5 by the end of the third day. Zimbabwe's left-arm pacer Richard Ngarava had triggered the collapse with a remarkable spell, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs in just four overs.
However, on the final day, Ireland lost only one more wicket. Lorcan Tucker, who scored 56, and McBrine, who remained unbeaten on 55, rescued the team from a precarious position at 21-5. The duo added a crucial 96 runs for the sixth wicket. Tucker was eventually dismissed, leaving Ireland needing 41 more runs. Mark Adair, a local from Holywood, contributed 24 and hit the winning boundary, helping Ireland reach 158-6 with over a day to spare.
McBrine's performance, which included taking 7 wickets for 75 runs across Zimbabwe's two innings, earned him the Man of the Match award. Ireland's captain, Andy Balbirnie, praised McBrine, calling him an invaluable asset to the team.
This victory was Ireland's first home win in Test cricket and came after their maiden Test win against Afghanistan in March. Balbirnie expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, particularly highlighting the significant partnership between Tucker and McBrine.
Stormont's debut as a Test venue made it the second Test location in Ireland, following Malahide, and the 123rd in Test cricket history. McBrine, reflecting on the significance of the match, mentioned his surprise at seeing a Test held in his home region and credited the teamwork for their success.
Zimbabwe's captain, Craig Ervine, lamented missed opportunities, particularly the inability to continue bowling on Saturday when Ireland was struggling. He acknowledged the competitive nature of their matches against Ireland and looked forward to future encounters.