Chigumbura ton lifts Zimbabwe

Nagpur - Skipper Elton Chigumbura slammed an unbeaten 103 to propel Zimbabwe to a healthy 244-8 in a World Cup warm-up game against Ireland on Tuesday.

Chigumbura, 24, hit eight fours and three sixes in his 81-ball knock to lift his side from a shaky 74-4 after they won the toss and elected to bat at the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium in Nagpur.

Former captain Tatenda Taibu chipped in with a valuable 45 up the order after the early dismissals of openers Brendan Taylor and Charles Coventry.

Ireland seamers Trent Johnston and Andre Botha picked up two wickets each in what was their last practice match ahead of the tournament beginning in Dhaka on Saturday.

Zimbabwe and Ireland have been placed in different groups for the mega-event which has 14 teams in fray.