Molins makes an impression

Jason Molins etched his name alongside the heroes of Sion Mills as Ireland recorded another famous win over top-class international opposition.

Zimbabwe might not favourably compare to the West Indian tourists of 1969 but the Ireland captain will not care after his unbeaten 107 guided the hosts to a famous 10-wicket win.

Molins and Phoenix club team-mate Jeremy Bray helped rattle off the 182 target Zimbabwe had set after losing the toss and being made to bat.

Molins, who works in London and travels home every weekend to play at his Dublin-based club, said: “This is right up there with our best ever wins - alongside the victories over the West Indies and Middlesex.

“It’s a fantastic feeling beating a Test Match nation and rewards a lot of people for their hard work and faith in us.

“I felt confident being I went out to bat because I’ve been in good nick this year. I knew I could make some runs – but perhaps not this many...

“It’s a fantastic win but we still have another game on Sunday and we are playing South Africa next Wednesday. We need to keep concentrating on what we do best – a wounded animal is always dangerous and we’ll be on our guard.”

Molins believes this win underlines Irish claims to join fellow Celts the Scottish Saltires in the National Cricket League.

The Saltires have lost just one match since their promotion to the first class scene and have recorded wins over one-day specialists Lancashire and Durham.

“Zimbabwe have been struggling against England but their record against the county sides during this tour is not bad,” he added.

“For us to win with more than 15 overs to spare, and by 10 wickets, certainly puts a marker down that Ireland should be seriously considered by county sides.

“We want to test ourselves week-in, week-out and to do that we need to be playing National League Cricket, just like Scotland.

“We are an amateur side and this is our first match all year – that puts things into context.”

Stand-in Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu did his best to revive another woeful batting display by the tourists with a determined 35 but he could make no excuses for the performance.

“There is very little I can say,” he said. “We are obviously disappointed not to have made a fight of this match. Thankfully we have another game against Ireland to put things right now.”

While the batting display was the root cause of this defeat Zimbabwe coach Geoff Marsh will be far from happy with the manner his bowlers expensively helped Ireland reach the winning total without surrendering a wicket.

Waddington Mwayenga was particularly expensive with the new ball, conceding 22 from four overs, while Douglas Hondo, Travis Friend and Doug Marillier will also rather forget the day.