AFTER a less than desired performance with a bat, Ireland turned things around with the ball in hand to defeat Zimbabwe in the third ODI between the countries, which saw it take the whole series.

The Irish can largely thank spinner Cara Murray for their turn around in fortune in the match.

Zimbabwe was starting to build something early in its innings, but in the space of a destructive almost six over spell from Murray things were flipped on their head and momentum took a turn in the Irish favour, which ultimately resulted in a tourists win.

When the destructive spell begun, Murray had bowled one over already and only conceded a run and Zimbabwe was 2/53 at the start of the 21st over.

After an expensive start to the over where five runs and a wide were conceded, the wicket was a much needed change in fortune for the Irish.

The wicket ball had a pretty straight line but skidded straight past Mary-Anne Musonda to see her clean bowled.

Murray’s next over brought with it wicket number two.

Zimbabwe was now up to 3/64 at the start of that over, and the beginning of the over was much leaner for the Irish than Murray’s previous over had been, with only three runs conceded.

The line of the ball of wicket two was pretty good to be stuck, but just like the first wicket it skidded straight past Kelis Ndhlovu and she was bowled.

Wicket three came in Murray’s next over, and this time it was a catch. Georgina Dempsey was at covers and took a bit of a jog in to take the catch.

Zimbabwe got a reprieve from Murray’s destructive spell the over after that, with no wickets falling in it.

Her dangerous spell continued in her next over though, with a double wicket over.

At the start of it the Zimbabweans were 6/89, and made a strong start of the over, earning five and an extra. The extra was an almost wicket attempt but the umpire determined it was in fact a no ball.

The first wicket of the over came on the very first ball of the over, where Precious Marange had left the ball, but the ball then curved back around and she was bowled.

The second wicket of the over came four balls later, and saw Nyasha Gwanzura swing, completely miss the ball and get clean bowled.

Murray’s final wicket came in her next over, and at the start of the over Zimbabwe found themselves at 8/97.

The start of the over was pretty good from an Irish perspective, with only two runs conceded, then the back end of the total got even better for them.

Ball four of the over saw Dempsey and Amy Hunter combine for a run out, before Murray struck again the next ball.

Lindokuhle Mabhero stepped out to meet the ball, but she missed the ball and was subsequently stumped.