Zimbabwe Shock England

A superb unbeaten 96 from Grant Flower guided Zimbabwe to a shock 4 wicket win over England at Trent Bridge. The innings was even more significant given that at one point, the visitors were 15-4, and another potential humiliation was on the cards. However showing a fighting spirit, not shown in either test match, the Africans were able to reach their target with 2 overs to spare.

On a slow looking pitch, Zimbabwean captain Heath Streak had no hesitation in putting England into bat after winning the toss. England fielded two changes from the side that beat Pakistan with James Troughton and James Anderson replaced by Robert Key and Richard Johnson, both making their ODI debuts. Again the English batting didn't really fire, even in a winning series against Pakistan it had never looked assured, and a score of 191 was always going to be achievable. Man of the moment Marcus Treshcothick made a brisk 38, but the rest of the top 4 all failed to contribute. Michael Vaughan in particular seems to be suffering a hangover after his wonderful performances of the last year, and only made 13 today. A big score is needed, to prove that the captaincy hasn't affected his batting. Robert Key continued to leave everyone wondering as to how he got near the England side with 11 off 37 balls. Only Andy Flintoff of the rest of the English batsman showed any application and his 53 off 94 balls was unusually sedate for him. However he anchored the innings and yet there was no one capable of playing an innings around him. However decent runs were added at the end by Chris Read and Ricki Clarke but England eventually finished on 191-8 from 50 overs.

Huge credit must go to the Zimbabwean bowlers, who on a slow pitch kept their discipline, and bowled a good line and length. Heath Streak bowled well as did the spinners, Ray Price and Douglas Marillier, who’s combined 20 overs had figures of 20-2-50-2.

In reply however the Zimbabwean innings started in terrible fashion with a superb new ball spell from Richard Johnson and Darren Gough saw them reeling at 15-4. However that brought Stuart Matsikenyeri, who’s previous ODI average was just 1, to join Grant Flower at the crease. Flower played very conservatively at the start, content to simply survive, allowing his junior partner to accelerate the scoring slightly. Once Flower deemed it safe to join Matsikenyeri on the attack, England's low total looked in sight. However once Matsikenyeri fell, followed soon after by skipper Heath Streak, the match was once again in the balance at 143-6. Sean Irvine then joined Flower and was able to take advantage of some poor England bowling to score a run a ball 26 to see his side home. Flower had finished the game superbly, although he was unable to claim a deserved century. England's selection policy went terribly wrong in the game, as apart from Gough, Flintoff and Johnson's efforts, the support bowlers were ineffective. Giles went for 50 in 9 overs, the same amount as the Zimbabwean spinners conceded in 20 overs and the 5th bowler made up of Ricki Clarke and Anthony McGrath looked very ineffective.

Perhaps in the circumstances of the series this win was a major boost, as the England-South Africa final everyone was expecting might not look so straightforward now. However young players need time to find their feet and this is not a time for wide scale panic, in the England camp. Zimbabwe however have stirred for the first time on this tour and we might well have a cracking series on our hands.

Scores:
England 191/8 from 50 overs. (Flintoff 53, Streak 2/30, Price 1/20)
Zimbabwe 192/6 from 48 overs. (Flower 96*, Matsinkenyeri 44, Johnson 3/32)

Posted by ChrisS