OWN CORRESPONDENT, Bulawayo | Wednesday 6.00pm.
GRAEME Hick, playing for England in the country of his birth, led the touring side to a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 87 in the first one-day international on Wednesday.
Hick and all-rounder Mark Ealham saw England home with an unbroken sixth wicket partnership of 90. England were at one stage been reduced to 109 for five but reached their victory target of 199 in 46,3 overs.
England were chasing a victory target revised up by five runs to 199 according to the Duckworth-Lewis system after rain interrupted the Zimbabwe innings, forcing it to be reduced by two overs from the allotted 50.
Earlier, the Zimbabwean batting didn’t really come to the party, and they lost four wickets before their century was on the board.
The most successful of England’s bowlers were Alan Mullally and Craig White, who both took three wickets. White finished marginally on top with three for 29 in nine overs, while Gough picked up three for 37 in 10 overs.
Flower top-scored for the home-side with 55 not-out, while Neil Johnson failed to put up much resistance and scored only 21 runs before being bowled by Mullally.
Earlier, Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.
England:
N.Hussain b Olonga 3
N.Knight b Streak 20
G.Hick not out 87
D.Maddy c Streak b G.Flower 24
V.Solankib G.Flower 11
C.White c Olonga b G.Flower 0
M.Ealham not out 36
Extras (b-1 lb-6 w-11) 18
Total (for five wickets, 46.3 overs) 199