Tags:
Journalism of Courage
England signed off their troubled trip to Zimbabwe on Sunday by completing a 4-0 whitewash in their one-day international series.
England scored 261-6 and then dismissed Zimbabwe for 187 in 48.4 overs to win the fourth and final match of the rubber by 74 runs.
England had teetered on 104-5 before captain Michael Vaughan and Geraint Jones shared a record sixth-wicket stand of 150. England’s previous best sixth-wicket stand against all opposition was the 120 Kevin Pietersen and Jones put on in the second match of the series in Harare on Wednesday.
Both Vaughan, who was undefeated on 90 from 99 balls with two fours and two sixes, and Jones, whose 80 came off 75 deliveries and featured seven fours and two sixes, improved their career-best scores.
Vaughan and Jones batted efficiently rather than aggressively and the inexperienced Zimbabwe attack floundered in their attempts to stop the flow of runs.
The partnership remained intact until Jones holed out to Dion Ebrahim on the midwicket boundary.
England paceman Darren Gough knocked over the top three in the Zimbabwe order with only 22 runs scored and finished with 4-34 from his eight overs.
Zimbabwe never recovered, but Hamilton Masakadza showed impressive application to score 66, his maiden half-century.
The series had been in doubt up to 10 days ago as Zimbabwe authorities barred 13 media members. After much controversy it went ahead when the ban was lifted but only four games were played instead of five.
England now fly to Johannesburg for a major series with South Africa from December to February featuring five Tests and seven one-dayers. The first Test starts on December 17.
Brief scores
England: 261-6 in 50 overs (M.Prior 35, M.Vaughan not out 90, G.Jones 80, Rainsford 2-29, Matsikenyeri 2-35) bt Zimbabwe: 187 in 48.4 overs (H.Masakadza 66, Gough 4-34, Bell 3-9).
