JULIAN GUYER, London | Thursday 7.00pm.
ENGLAND were 29 for one in reply to Zimbabwe’s 83 all out, the lowest at Lord’s since New Zealand were dismissed for 67 in 1978, when play was abandoned for the day in the first of two Tests at Lord’s on Thursday.
Heavy rain prevented any play after tea and the match was abandoned for the day at 6pm GMT.
New opener Mark Ramprakash was granted a reprieve when on seven he edged Heath Streak straight to wicketkeeper Andy Flower. But the Zimbabwe captain dropped the routine chance. However, Ramprakash fell lbw to Streak for 15. Michael Atherton was 13 not out.
Earlier recalled English paceman Ed Giddins ensured the tourists had a miserable start to their first Test in England taking five for 15 in seven overs – the Warwickshire bowler’s best Test return.
Somerset’s Andy Caddick made the initial breakthrough taking three for 28 in eight overs. But from then on it was all Giddins.
At lunch Zimbabwe were already in desperate trouble at 67 for six after losing the toss.
Rain came briefly to their aid 11 balls after the interval, forcing the players off for 58 minutes. But two balls after the resumption Giddins had Streak caught by Michael Atherton at first slip for four.
Then Bryan Strang fell for a duck to a brilliant reflex catch by Ramprakash at short leg to give Giddins another wicket and leave Zimbabwe 79 for eight.
Neil Johnson was Giddins fifth wicket, caught at the second attempt by Darren Gough for 14 after the batsman skied the ball to mid-off.
Gough wrapped up the innings, Brian Murphy caught behind for Zimbabwe’s third duck.
It was the first time England had dismissed a side for less than 100 since India were bowled out for 96 at Lord’s in 1979.
Earlier with the fourth ball of his second over Caddick had Grant Flower with a slow, low full toss.
Then fellow opener Trevor Gripper, on one, pushed forward to a well-pitched up outswinger from Caddick and was adjudged caught behind by Alec Stewart.
Five balls later, they were eight for three as former captain Alistair Campbell was caught by wicketkeeper Alec Stewart off the inside edge for a duck.
Andy Flower and Murray Goodwin repaired some of the damage with a stand of 38 in 70 balls but Giddins’ fourth ball saw Flower, on 24, edge to second slip where Atherton held a comfortable catch.
Before they reached 50, Zimbabwe lost another wicket.
Darren Gough with the fourth ball of his second spell had Goodwin on 18 well-caught by Nick Knight going away to his left at second slip to leave the tourists 48 for five in the 19th over before Guy Whittall played on to Giddins. — AFP