Mark Adair returned to Irish colours with a rapid half-century in Harare yesterday as a very strong Wolves side began the first-class leg of their tour by reaching 420-9 on the opening day of a clash with Zimbabwe A.

‘Sparky’ was with the full Ireland squad in Windhoek but didn’t appear in any of the five one-day internationals against Namibia, reportedly for disciplinary reasons following a spat with new coach Gary Wilson in August.

Given the No 6 slot that his burgeoning status as a genuine all-rounder merits, Adair wasted no time in showing what the Boys in Green missed last month with a lively 51 from 44 balls, including three sixes.

The 30-year-old was one of six Wolves to pass 40 but none reached three figures on a blameless pitch at the Harare Sports Club.

Making the best of good starts and batting for long periods in the two four-day matches scheduled is almost as important as beating their Zimbabwean counterparts and every Wolves batter bar birthday boy Gavin Hoey failed at one or the other.

Jake Egan, Cade Carmichael and Chris DeFreitas, the three overseas-born players in the top four, were all out in the 40s and while Ben Calitz cleared the ropes seven times to top score with 80 from 79 balls he failed to claim the gift-wrapped century.

Leg-spinner Hoey, who turned 25 yesterday, walked off at stumps on a far more measured 74 not out from 124 balls. What a useful player he is going to be for Ireland over the next decade.