INTERCONTINENTAL CUP:IRELAND SAW their outside chance of defending their Intercontinental Cup title evaporate in the Harare heat yesterday as Zimbabwe's batsmen piled on the runs to close on 506 for six at the end of the third day's play.

That pushed them 41 runs ahead of Ireland’s first knock and earned them the six bonus points on offer for a lead after the first innings.

Those points were vital if Ireland were to have any chance of making it to a fourth-straight final in what may be the final staging of the first-class competition.

To add to their disappointment, it was also the highest score Ireland have conceded in a first-class game, going past the 489 Scotland scored at Paisley in 1954.

After starting the day on 88, Sean Williams went on to record a career-high knock of 178, sharing in a 237-run fourth-wicket stand with Keith Dabengwa.

John Mooney finally ended the stand in his first over of the day, but the pair had already added 173 runs to bring Zimbabwe past the follow-on target.

Dabengwa (140) was then joined in a 104-run partnership with Regis Chakabva (54) for the fifth wicket.

Kevin O’Brien then brought a little cheer to the tourists by removing both in the space of seven balls to leave Zimbabwe on 457 for six.

Forster Mutizwa and Shingirai Masakadza helped their side past Ireland’s total and had added 49 runs by the end of the day’s play.