Zimbabwe v England 1996-97

At Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, December 15. Zimbabwe won by two wickets. Toss: Zimbabwe. International debut: C. E. W. Silverwood. Zimbabwe overcame their own attack of nerves and the tourists' spirited fightback to record their eighth one-day international victory in their 64th match - and their third in four against England. While no one made batting look enjoyable on a slow but springy pitch, England's performance was woeful: they failed to survive into their final four overs. Only Hussain, whose 49 included 40 singles, showed sufficient patience as Rennie, a bespectacled medium-pacer, shared the honours with Streak. Chasing only three an over, Zimbabwe should have won more comfortably. But Silverwood, on his international debut, Gough and Mullally gnawed away at home confidence, and, at 106 for seven, with 47 still needed, it was anyone's match. Campbell, batting down the order because of a hand injury, provided the common sense necessary to pass the winning post.