England thrash Zimbabwe

England sewed up an emphatic victory over a sorry looking Zimbabwe outfit, needing less than three days to rack up a big total in bowler friendly conditions, before twice skittling the inexperienced tourists for less than impressive scores.

19 wickets fell on the second day, England's two debutants both making a name for themselves with impressive performances with the ball.

Play resumed with Zimbabwe 48-1 in reply to England's 472, and it wasn't long before Stuart Carlisle edged one to slip. Zimbabwe's great hope Grant Flower, the only player in the side with a test century to his name yet still a modest average of 30, was soon caught at short leg, a bit of glove on the way through also off Hoggard.

Dion Ebrahim passed 50 though, and eyebrows were raised when England captain Nasser Hussain brought Mark Butcher into the attack (before Giles or would-be allrounder McGrath). Hussain's nous is well known and was proven further however when Butcher enticed Ebrahim to drive at a full, swinging delivery and McGrath snaffled the catch at gully.

Young wicketkeeper Taibu battled away for an hour and a half before more good captaincy from Hussain saw him caught at short third man by Hoggard, a short ball from Harmison getting big on him. The tail was then devastated by Lancashire's 20-year-old tearaway James Anderson.

Much hype surrounded this youngster after impressive performances through the winter in the one day game. And it looks well fuonded after this performance. Anderson bowled Mark Vermeulen late on day two, and his pace and movement combined with a full length was easily too much for Zimbabwe's lower order.

Heath Streak and Travis Friend departed to consecutive, near identical deliveries, and it wasn't long before Blignaut edged one to Butcher at second slip. Only the inept Hondo remained and his stumps were rearranged with his second delivery, Zimbabwe losing their last five wickets for just 18 runs.

It was no surprise to see Hussain enforce the follow on, and although Ebrahim departed early, Zimbabwe were to put up more of a fight, though it would have been hard not to. Vermeulen, fresh from a career best score of 198 against Sussex last week, completed his maiden test 50 in a second wicket stand of 80 with Carlisle.

But it was not to last long. Butcher had Vermeulen caught at slip, then returned in his next over to decieve Carlisle, trapped lbw with the inswinger.

Next it was the turn of England's other debutant, Anthony McGrath of Yorkshire, to be thrown the ball. And he didn't take long to make an impact. Taibu, Streak and Ervine were all back in the pavilion by the time McGrath was forced off through injury. A great allround debut for McGrath and with Anderson's strike bowling almost reminiscent of Darren Gough, England look to have found a couple of very talented cricketers.

There was still a job to do however, and as Friend and Price started landing some blows (adding 51 for the ninth wicket in the process), Butcher was called back into the attack to finish the job.

With 5 wickets in the match to accompany his century (not to mention two good catches), Butcher was hard pressed to be overshadowed, yet it is probably the now further increased hype surrounding the debutants which will get the most attention in the aftermath of this performance.

Posted by Barrie