Zimbabwe clinched the One-Day International series against Ireland with a three-wicket win led by Brendan Taylor's 71 Tuesday to hold an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match to play. Taylor put on stands of 42 with Sean Williams (21) and 80 with Tatenda Taibu (41) to help Zimbabwe reach 239-7 in pursuit of Ireland's 238-9 at Harare Sports Club with seven balls remaining. Zimbabwe had a mini collapse after Taylor was out, losing 3-18, but Elton Chigumbura and Graeme Creamer steered the hosts home. Kevin O'Brien was the pick of Ireland's bowlers with 2-33. Earlier, O'Brien hit 73 not out and Paul Stirling made 52 in Ireland's total that was boosted by three last-over sixes. Prosper Utseya took 2-37 for Zimbabwe. Bopara to play in South Africa England batsman Ravi Bopara has signed to play for South African franchise the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Dolphins, the team said Tuesday. Bopara, 25, will play in two first-class matches and South Africa's domestic limited-overs series, which runs from Oct. 29 to Dec. 10. The right-handed Bopara was left out of England's squad for the Ashes tour but will hope to feature in the limited-overs matches against Australia after playing in the recent series against Pakistan. “We were looking for an experienced player who could add value to the changeroom,” chief executive of KZN cricket Jesse Chellan told Reuters. “Ravi was keen to play in South Africa and we knew he would want to prepare well ahead of the limited-overs leg of England's tour to Australia.” England batsman Kevin Pietersen will play two first-class matches for the Dolphins to get match practice before the Ashes series.
