Stephen Doheny made light of his lack of international experience to top score with 84 as Ireland beat Zimbabwe by 46 runs on Saturday to level their one-day international series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After losing the toss and been put in to bat, Ireland made 294-7 in Harare with Doheny and Harry Tector (75) the chief contributors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In response, Zimbabwe never matched the tourists' run rate and despite half centuries from former England Test batsman Gary Ballance (52) and Innocent Kaia (51), they fell short.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Zimbabwe were all out for 248 in 47.3 overs, and now the stage is set for a series decider on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It was hard to know if it was going to be enough (runs)," said Doheny. "We knew it was a good total, but we got (almost) the same score in the last game and still lost.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Our top-order is really good, and we know if we bat throughout the innings, we will come out strong."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kaia said he is hopeful of a turnaround in the decider.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We did not play at our best today. But definitely we will come back a much improved side on Monday," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We are a Test nation and we have to find ways out of situations like we faced today. The dressing room is quite relaxed."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The result bucked a trend as the team winning the toss and opting to bat second won all four previous tour matches -- three in a Twenty20 series won 2-1 by Zimbabwe and the first ODI.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Doheny, 24, made his ODI debut in the series opener and scored just three runs as Zimbabwe won by three wickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But it was a different story in his second outing as he struck a six and seven fours before being caught at mid-off by Ballance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Opening partner Paul Stirling, deputising as captain for injured Andy Balbirnie, set a good example with 45 runs, including two sixes and four fours, before Ballance caught him at fine leg.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tector followed up a century three days ago with a brisk 75 off 61 deliveries, including one six and seven fours, before he was caught by Ryan Burl at deep mid-wicket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Tendai Chatara (3-51) and Burl (2-66) were the best Zimbabwe bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ballance was caught at long-off by Josh Little attempting an off drive having faced 67 balls and hit two fours.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stirling caught Kaia, who struck a six and three fours, at extra cover off a short delivery from Little (4-38), the most successful Irish bowler.<\/p>\r\n\r\n