IRELAND has gotten its multi format series against Zimbabwe off to the perfect start, downing the hosts by 10 wickets in a rain affected first One Day International clash in Harare.

The match was initially restricted to a 46-over match, but Zimbabwe was bowled out for 170 in the 43rd over of its innings.

After moving along at about three runs an over for the early part of the innings, the wickets then started to come pretty consistently and big partnerships were hard to come by for the hosts. A 43-run fourth wicket partnership was the pick of the bunch.

Ashley Ndiraya was the pick of the Zimbabwean batters with 47, in an innings that included six fours, while Precious Marange made 29.

Meanwhile for the tourists Freya Sargent and Cara Murray were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets each, while Ava Canning picked up two wickets. Arlene Kelly and Jane Maguire also chipped in with one wicket each to their name.

Further rain delays saw Ireland’s target reduced to a mere 109 from 21 overs, but all they needed was just over 13 of those overs to get the job done.

Openers Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter went to work, smashing 15 boundaries and going at almost eight and a half runs an over to get the job easily done.

Lewis was the main provider of the runs, smashing 11 fours and a six on her way to 65 not out from just 41 balls.

Zimbabwe could not even blame bad bowling as the hosts only conceded nine extras, most of which were byes.

Zimbabwe do not have long to wait to turn things around and get its first win of the series on the board. The teams meet in the second One Day International on Sunday.