Hobart, Australia: Ed Joyce smashed a century at better than a-run-a-ball to help Ireland recover from a slow start and score 331-8 in the World Cup Pool B match against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Joyce clubbed 112 runs off just 103 balls with nine fours and three sixes at Bellerive Oval after Zimbabwe won the toss and sent Ireland in to bat.
He shared Ireland's biggest-ever third-wicket stand of 138 runs with Andy Balbirnie, who punished the Zimbabwe bowling to bring up 97 off 79 balls with seven fours and four sixes before he was run out in the final over.
Paceman Tendai Chatara had best figures of 3-61 and Sean Williams had 3-72.
Zimbabwe made a bright start as Tinashe Panyangara dismissed Paul Stirling in just the third over when the Ireland opener sent an easy catch to Williams at point.
Ireland captain William Porterfield steadied the innings in a 63-run partnership with Joyce before he was caught by Hamilton Masakadza at mid-off for 29 off Williams.
After Joyce became Chatara first victim, caught by Craig Ervine, the Zimbabwe attack began to make inroads and Chatara next claimed Kevin O'Brien, caught by Regis Chakabva for 24.
Williams dismissed Gary Wilson for 25 and Ireland then relinquished its next three wickets for just 18 runs.
Zimbabwe is playing without skipper Elton Chigumbura, who suffered a thigh injury when he tripped chasing a ball on Sunday against Pakistan.
Ireland can move ahead of the West Indies and Pakistan into third position in Pool B with a win, while Zimbabwe must win to join the mid-ranks of the pool.
