Opener Marcus Trescothick hit a blazing 119 as England scored a commanding 298 for eight in their stipulated 50 overs in a Group B league match against Zimbabwe in the Champions Trophy cricket tournament here today. Completely dominating the Zimbabwean bowling attack, Trescothick struck 11 fours and two sixes to compile his runs in just 102 deliveries.

England, playing their first match of the tournament, elected to bat after captain Nasser Hussain won the toss. After opener Nick Knight was out cheaply for eight, Hussain and Trescothick put on 141 runs for the second wicket in a little over 25 overs to lay the foundation for a big total. Hussain made a solid 75 off 97 deliveries with six boundaries before being out at the total of 187.

England also benefited from useful contributions from Owais Shah, who made 25 off 24 balls, and veteran wicketkeeper batsman Alec Stewart who remained unbeaten on 23 off just 18 deliveries. Douglas Hondo, who had claimed four wickets for 62 runs in Zimbabwe's first game against India on Saturday, returned another four-wicket haul. But once again, he was very expensive conceding 44 runs from just six overs. Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak and Grant Flower claimed two wickets each.

This was England's highest total against Zimbabwe, improving on their previous best of 280 for nine at Bulawayo in 2001. Trescothick took charge right from the start and scored heavily against both Streak and Hondo, who opened the bowling for Zimbabwe.

England had scored 46 runs in just 5.3 overs before Knight was clean bowled by Hondo. Zimbabwe had to labour hard for their second success as Tresocthick and Hussain batted comfortably and scored at a brisk pace. Till they were at the crease, England looked heading for a total in excess of 300. But the fall of Hussain, and sometime later of Trescothick, saw Zimbabwe pulling themselves back a bit.

Hussain was clean bowled by Heath Streak while trying to pull a delivery that was not short enough. Ronnie Irani (4) swept Grant Flower straight into the hands of Alistair Campbell at backward short leg three overs later as England slipped to 200 for three.

Trescothick completed his 100 off just 89 balls with 11 fours and a six and later lofted Grant Flower for his second six. But the very next ball, he was clean bowled while attempting a similar shot. Zimbabwe were docked two overs for slow over rate and they will now have to score at 6.23 runs an over in 48 overs for a victory.

Scorecard