Zimbabwe v England 1999-2000

At Bulawayo, February 16. England won by five wickets (D/L method). Toss: Zimbabwe.

This was an important match both for Hick and his adopted country. In six innings against his former compatriots, he had managed just 78 runs; England on their one previous visit to Zimbabwe had lost all three one-day internationals and drawn both Tests. But now Hick, playing his first one-day international there, more than doubled his personal aggregate and brought a morale-boosting win when he drove Olonga for six. Batting first, Zimbabwe initially made light of a slow pitch and sodden outfield, with 50 coming up in the 11th over. Against tighter bowling, though, the second 50 did not arrive until the 31st, so Grant Flower's unbeaten half-century was welcome. Chasing 199 - a first-innings shower docked two overs; Duckworth/Lewis increased the target by four - England reached 116 for five as storm clouds gathered. With 14 overs left, Hick consulted the tables he had prudently taken with him and discovered England were behind on the Duckworth/Lewis reckoning. He and Ealham promptly clubbed 15 from Viljoen's next over and soon ensured that, whenever the game finished, England would have their noses in front. Their only mistake after that was returning to the wrong ends after a drinks break.

Man of the Match: G. A. Hick.