Ireland’s victory hopes evaporated as their bowlers were made to toil on the third day of their Intercontinental Cup match against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.

Ireland seamer Trent Johnston claimed three wickets but his side’s progress was slowed by Zimbabwe’s top order on day two of their Intercontinental Cup encounter at Harare Sports Club.

Damien Martyn, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz paid the price for Australia’s Ashes failure Tuesday when they were axed from the Test squad to face a World XI next month.