Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie forced out of rest of Zimbabwe ODI series

Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie has been forced out of the remainder of the men's ODI series in Zimbabwe due to injury.

The Irish team lost to their hosts by three wickets in Harare on Wednesday.

During the 45th over the match and having just notched his eighth ODI century for Ireland, Balbirnie top-edged a full toss from Brad Evans into the grill of his helmet which forced his withdrawal from the field of play.

The injury has ultimately forced him to leave the squad and he will be replaced by Munster Reds' Murray Commins who receives his first senior international call-up and flies in from South Africa to link up with the Irish team.

"Andrew Balbirnie sustained a suspected mild concussive episode after being struck on the helmet while batting in yesterday's match against Zimbabwe," said Cricket Ireland's Head of Physiotherapy and Medical Services Mark Rausa.

"He retired hurt and did not take the field in the second innings in line with concussion protocols. He was reassessed this morning, but the decision has been made to withdraw him from the remaining two matches of this series as a precaution."

The second of Ireland's three one-day internationals against Zimbabwe takes place on Friday before the third fixture next Monday.

Elsewhere, the Ireland Under-19s are into the Super Six stage of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup after beating Indonesia by 49 runs at the JB Marks Oval in South Africa.

Georgina Dempsey and Zara Craig both contributed half centuries in what was a must-win match for the Irish side.