England’s capability and confidence has surfaced so rapidly with their progress in this limited-overs series
Andy Jalil18-Jul-2000
Unsuccessful runs end Zimbabwe’s run of success
Photo © CricInfo
England’s capability and confidence has surfaced so rapidly with their progress in this limited-overs series. Their third victory on the trot came from yet another thoroughly efficient all-round performance which must put them in good stead for the final showdown this weekend. It should also have given them a bit of psychological advantage.But while that may possibly be so, Zimbabwe, regardless of this defeat, area side that have, in limited-overs cricket, performed against all odds and their record against England stood at seven victories each, until the matchtoday. Their never-say-die spirit was much in evidence only two days ago against West Indies when, facing a daunting total of 287, they achieved victory by six wickets after losing nearly half the side for 104.Entertainment with competitive edgeThis match may well have been regarded by many as only a dress rehersal forthe final of the NatWest Series on Saturday but it, nevertheless, providedmuch entertainment, bringing joy to an excellent crowd of thirteen thousand.Despite it being a ‘ dead ‘ match in terms of qualification for the final,it retained the competitive edge. After all, the little matter of ten thousandpounds in prize money for the winners was still in the minds of both sides.The day, however, belonged to England. Having decided to make first use of agood track, they showed the batting form that they seemed to have settledinto and which has taken them from strength to strength in this competition.Zimbabwe defiant successful run ended by unsuccessful runs</bThe competitiveness of Zimbabwe again came to the fore today. They had 263runs to aim for, for victory and having reached 87 for one they lost sixwickets for 46. But despite that the fight went on. Neil Johnson andAlistair Campbell both hit half-centuries and a defiant innings of 45 from 52 balls late in the order from Heath Streak carried Zimbabwe to 210 for nine.Zimbabwe had the misfortune seeing two of the leading batsmen, MurrayGoodwin and Grant Flower being run out. Had that not been so, this game would have undoubtedly been a much closer affair.Earlier, in the England innings, Alec Stewart was outstanding. Havingrelinquished his duties as acting captain, with a fit Nasser Hussainreturning to the side, Stewart, who did an admirable job in Hussain'sabsence, put his mind to the immediate task of opening the batting andproduced a splendid innings.It was around him that the England innings was built and in doing so theyreached their highest total in limited overs cricket against Zimbabwe.Man-of-the-match Stewart led the way in England's batting, reaching hisfirst hundred in one-dayers since hitting 116 against India in Sharjah two-and-ahalf years ago.Stewart – vital to England's causeHis innings today was, indeed, vital to the England cause and was a productmore of application than enterprise. He batted as the situation required.Having got off to a reasonable start with 41 before the first wicket fell,England then lost two wickets on 85. Stewart then helped to steady theinnings, first in partnership with Graham Thorpe he added 81 and then withNasser Hussain he put on 52. It was his second consecutive big innings,having hit an unbeaten 74 against West Indies last Saturday.Having made a recovery, Hussain contributing 34 from 37 balls England addedfurther quick runs. Craig White's was a brief and breezy knock. He hit astraight six and then sent the next ball over the long-off boundary. Thatover from Grant Flower conceded seventeen runs and White departed soon afterwith 21 from only eleven balls.Woolmer quips – My investment is well spentFormer England and Kent all-rounder and one of the most successful coachesof Warwickshire, Bob Woolmer gave his views on this series: "It's nice to seethat NatWest are doing something good with the money that I invest withthem," he said jokingly.He then added: "I think it is wonderful that they have taken on the mantlefor this. I think English cricket should have done this a lot earlier soit's nice to see NatWest and ECB are making it happen. The trend for this form of cricket is many years old in some places, England have now started it andI'm sure it will grow with the spectators as they get used to it."Even though there was a ban imposed by the Council on music because ofcomplaints for the noise by the local residents the spectators seemed toenjoy the day thoroughly.An evening's entertainmentWoolmer said: "The big thing about this for the crowd is to make an eveningout of this. But what you need is good weather which England hasn't had. Idon't think you need to start too early in the season, I think floodlitcricket should start in the middle of July. Earlier in the season you getquite often the cold, winterish type days like we saw this season so it'sdifficult to come and watch."He finally added: "All the fun stuff that you get with this cricket hasworked in other countries in creating the public's interest so I can't seewhy it shouldn't work here, I think it will."