Brendan Taylor apologises to Ireland's John Mooney after Zimbabwe newspaper calls him an 'alcoholic' after Cricket World Cup elimination

Moody claimed a match-changing catch near the boundary but the Zimbabwe Herald ran a story under the headline 'Alcoholic dumps Zim out of WC'

Ireland cricketer John Mooney (Getty Images)

Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor has apologised to Ireland all-round John Mooney after a newspaper article in the African country labelled him an "alcoholic" after his match-changing catch during their recent match at the Cricket World Cup.

Mooney took a catch right on the boundary to dismiss Sean Williams when he was on 96, despite questions arising over whether he had touched the boundary rope before touching the ball.

However, a story in the Zimbabwe Herald written by journalist Robson Sharuko was published under the headline "Alcoholic dumps Zim out of WC", and questioned Mooney's honesty during and after the dismissal.

Ireland went on to win the game in Hobart by just five runs after taking the final Zimbabwe wicket with three balls to spare, which kept alive their own ambitions of reaching the quarter-finals and eliminated Zimbabwe in the process.

Cricket Ireland (CI) is considering legal action over the article and has reported the Sharuko's remarks to the International Cricket Council.

CI chief executive officer Warren Deutrom has also condemned the Zimbabwe Herald's "breath-taking crassness and a gross error of editorial judgement".

The article was still on the newspaper's website on Wednesday and Taylor, who stood in as Zimbabwe's captain against Ireland, has felt obliged to apologise.

"On behalf of the Zimbabwe cricket team. We just want to express our apologies to Irelandcricket and John Mooney for the unacceptable article," he wrote on Twitter.

William Porterfield celebrates taking the catch to win the game for Ireland (Getty Images)

Sharuko's article has drawn strong condemnation, especially on social media, after he linked the catch to Mooney's battle with depression and alcoholism.

Mooney had previously made the honest revelations on a radio station in a bid to raise mental health issues.

"In relation to the story that has appeared in the Zimbabwe Herald, it would be easy to dismiss it as a childish diatribe if it wasn't for the vicious personal attack on John which cannot pass without comment, and possible action," Deutrom said in the CI statement.

"John represents his country with honour, distinction and integrity. That he does in the face of personal challenges about which he has spoken openly and movingly demonstrates incredible hard work and great courage.

"We understand, as does John, that public figures may occasionally be subject to negative comment, but in mocking John in such a contemptuous fashion, and using his personal difficulties as a mere punchline, the Zimbabwe Herald has demonstrated breath-taking crassness and a gross error of editorial judgement.

"We have made contact with ICC to understand what remedies might be available to us."

Additional reporting by PA