Pietersen, Jones lead England to big victory

A record stand between Kevin Pietersen and Geraint Jones led England to an emphatic 161-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second one-day inte...

A record stand between Kevin Pietersen and Geraint Jones led England to an emphatic 161-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second one-day international on Wednesday.

Pietersen and Jones, who came together with the touring side struggling on 121 for five, added 120 to guide England to a total of 263 before Zimbabwe were dismissed for just 102 in 36 overs. Zimbabwe’s second-biggest one-day international defeat in terms of runs left England 2-0 up in the four-match series. Pietersen, playing his second limited-overs international, stroked 77 not out off 76 balls including four fours and three sixes, while Jones clubbed 66 off 46 deliveries in an England record sixth-wicket partnership.

Zimbabwe fast bowlers Tinashe Panyangara and Christopher Mpofu used early life in the pitch to keep the England top order under pressure, with Panyangara removing Ian Bell and captain Michael Vaughan for five and 11 respectively. Pietersen and Jones, however, hammered booming drives and meaty pulls to all parts of the ground for the next 13 overs as both passed fifty for the first time in one-day internationals.

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Darren Gough and James Anderson wasted England’s new ball and Matsikenyeri, who was dropped on one by Paul Collingwood at backward point off Gough, and Brendan Taylor took advantage to share a 40-run first-wicket partnership.

BRIEF SCORES

England: 263 for 6 (K Pietersen 77 no, G Jones 66 no, V Solanki 42; T Panyangara 3/61) beat Zimbabwe: 102 all out (T Taibu 32; A Wharf 4/24, P Collingwood 3/16)