Zimbabwe v England

At Harare, December 1, 2004. England won by 161 runs. Toss: England. One-day international debut: G. M. Ewing.

An unchanged England shook off the torpor and nerves that tainted their opening display to hand out the second-heaviest defeat in Zimbabwe's one-day international history. On a livelier surface than that used for the opening game, Pietersen and Jones hit maiden one-day international half-centuries in a rollicking stand of 120 off 80 balls, which stood for four days as an England record for the sixth wicket against any opposition. Pietersen's innings had the air of an announcement. Arriving in the 26th over with England stuttering on 94 for three, he was initially studious, taking 40 balls over his first 16 runs, before opening up to finish with 77 from 76, including four fours and three sixes. In all, England thrashed 104 runs off the last ten overs, with Jones whacking 66 off only 46 deliveries, with six fours and two sixes. The hosts collapsed naively in pursuit of 264, losing all ten wickets for 62 after a promising opening stand of 40. Wharf, with four wickets, and Collingwood, with three, were the principal beneficiaries. Zimbabwe included Gavin Ewing, one of the less experienced of the group of rebel players, who had broken ranks in August and agreed to play for the country again.

Man of the Match: K. P. Pietersen.