Sussex skipper Ed Joyce led the Ireland charge for the World Cup quarter-finals with a tense five-run win over Zimbabwe in Hobart.

Joyce made 112, while Andy Balbirnie was run out three short of a maiden hundred as Ireland posted 331-8, their highest one-day international total.

Zimbabwe required the highest chase in World Cup history and Brendan Taylor hit four sixes in 121 from 91 balls.

Seven were needed from the final over but the last two wickets fell as the Zimbabweans bowed out of the event.

Ireland next face unbeaten India, who have already qualified, on Tuesday.

The Irish team's final match is the last of the group fixtures in the tournament, against Pakistan on 15 March, when West Indies face UAE, and is likely to determine which other three sides will advance to the quarter-finals from Pool B.

"I had a little luck, being dropped a couple of times, but I was really happy with how I hit the ball after a got to 50," said Joyce, who was named man of the match.

"I played well but I think Andrew Balbirnie probably had a better innings. 

"William Porterfield was the right man to be under that final catch and Alex Cusack was the right man to be bowling."