Flowers bloom in Chelmsford

Zimbabwe put the trials and tribulations of recent weeks behind them and warmed up nicely for the Tri-Nation NatWest Series with an emphatic victory over Essex at Chelmsford today.

Zimbabwe won the toss and asked the home side to take first knock and for an hour, they might well have had misgivings as England test skipper Nasser Hussain and Darren Robinson moved the score past fifty.

The normally profligate Zimbabwean seam attack were much tighter in line and length today, and gradually the pressure began to tell. Nasser Hussain was the first to depart, run out after some decidedly dodgy calling, then the miserly Ray Price took a hand in proceedings with three quick wickets to reduce Essex to 70-4.

That Essex were able to set any target of merit is largely down to former Zimbabwe star Andy Flower and James Middlebrook. Flower scored a rapid half-century before he, too, was run out - one of four Essex batsmen to depart in similar fashion.

Throughout the confusion which seemed endemic in the Essex ranks, James Middlebrook kept his head, finishing undefeated on 42 as the hosts ended on 189-9.

Zimbabwe lost Dion Ebrahim early, then a rapid 64 run partnership between Douglas Marillier and Travis Friend ensured a solid base to launch an assault on the target.

The departure of Marillier brought Grant Flower to the wicket, and he proceeded to bat quietly and sensibly, and in the process emulated his brother in posting the second half-century of the match.

Friend went for 44 which included ten boundaries, and he was followed back to the pavilion shortly afterwards by Richard Sims and Stuart Matsikenyeri to leave Zimbabwe a little vulnerable on 138-5, still 52 short of the victory target.

It was left to Zimbabwe's 'mister reliable', Tatenda Taibu, to stay with Flower as the tourists eventually cruised home with all of 11 overs to spare. Joe Grant and teenager Antonio Palladino were the pick of the home attack, both picking up a brace of prestigious international scalps.

Zimbabwe 193-5 (G Flower 60*, Friend 44, Grant 2-36, Palladino 2-45)
beat
Essex 189-9 (A Flower 52, Middlebrook 42*, Price 3-20)
by 5 wickets

Posted by Eddie