Flower inspires a major upset

It was a major upset, and all thanks to the magnificence of Grant Flower, who finally donned the mantle of his brother Andy to lead Zimbabwe to a totally unexpected victory over England on a deceitful pitch at Trent Bridge.

Were England over-confident? Quite possibly, although it was certainly Zimbabwe's best performance of what has been a deeply disappointing tour. But there was some superb cricket from Zimbabwe as well: probably their best allround bowling performance of the tour, much excellent fielding, and that innings by Flower.

Coincidentally, his 96 not out equalled his score when Zimbabwe made over 300 to beat West Indies at the Riverside in the NatWest Series three years ago. That time they had also lost four early wickets, although Flower had Murray Goodwin to support him all the way. This time he had valuable help from Stuart Matsikenyeri, but had to play all the time with the knowledge that if he got out, Zimbabwe were surely doomed. But his tried-and-tested temperament and technique never cracked, and finally a handsome boundary through extra cover sealed the victory, though just short of the century he so richly deserved.

After electing to field, Zimbabwe were given an early boost by a fine opening spell from Heath Streak, probing accurately around off stump, moving the ball away from the right-hander and claiming the wicket of Vikram Solanki, who cut him directly to backward-point.

Streak was less effective against the left-handed Marcus Trescothick, though, although keeping him comparatively quiet. Trescothick proved almost impossible to bowl to at times, hammering anything marginally off line and hitting 18 in an over from Andy Blignaut, although during that over he narrowly avoided chopping a ball on to his stumps.

Later Streak became the 17th bowler, and naturally the first from Zimbabwe, to take 200 ODI wickets, (nobody else has yet reached 100), as Grant Flower held on to a typically superb low catch at second slip to dismiss the rampaging Trescothick. Zimbabwe now had England at 57 for 3, but could they keep up the pressure with Streak nearing the end of his opening spell?

There was the odd big over, but this was exception rather than the rule. The spinners Raymond Price (1 for 20 in his 10 overs) and Douglas Marillier (1 for 30) did a fine job again, and even Flintoff was restricted to a fifty off 84 balls. Then when he skyed a catch and England were 144 for 6, Zimbabwean hopes of a major upset were strengthened. For once they were able by and large to exert pressure and then maintain it when Streak had to come off.

Even though Rikki Clarke and Chris Read shared a useful stand, the England batting never dominated and nobody came through for them. And remarkably Gary Brent, one of Zimbabwe's most accurate bowlers, was not even given a single over. At least he took a good boundary catch at the end to remove Read.

It was perhaps naïve to think that, after Zimbabwe had bowled and fielded so well, the fragile and inexperienced batting would do the same. With only three runs on the board, both openers had gone, Marillier to a controversial catch in the gully by Clarke, and Friend followed on 8. Darren Gough and Richard Johnson beat the bat time and again, and it was all too clear that Zimbabwe would never come within a shout of their target of 192. The match as a real contest was over.

Or was it? From 15 for 4 at least there came a fightback, and it was good to see the young Matsikenyeri, a contemporary of Tatenda Taibu and Hamilton Masakadza, leading the way. He had a brief but dismal record against international opposition behind him, leading some to question his temperament, but now, in partnership with the dour Flower, he played some fine strokes and fought well. Both enjoyed some luck, but the bowlers tied down Matsikenyeri and eventually dismissed him for a creditable 44.

Zimbabwe might have faltered then, and again when Streak was run out in a mix-up with Flower. But then Sean Ervine stood firm, got away with a few risky strokes, and kept Flower company to the end.

For many, the promotion of the match left a little to be desired at times, with obtrusive jazzy music and an announcer who seemed to think he was conducting an all-American wrestling tournament or something similar. If the cricket is good, as it was this time despite a dodgy pitch, that sort of presentation is totally unnecessary; if the cricket is poor, perhaps it gives the spectators something else to ridicule.

The onus is now on Zimbabwe to build on this victory and play with lasting confidence. Grant Flower will not do it every time; not even Andy could do that. It will not be easy.