Seven-wkt. win for Zimbabwe

By P. Subramanyam

LONDON, MAY 10. Zimbabwe beat Essex County Cricket Club by seven wickets in a one-day match at the County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford here on Tuesday.

Essex, after winning the toss and electing to bat, put up a dismal show losing the first four wickets for only 43 runs. However, D. Law, with some lucky escapes, hit a defiant 41 (4x4s, 70b) and with some rearguard action by the tail-enders, helped Essex post a moderate total of 172 all out in 47.2 overs. For the visitor, Bryan Strang (four for 22) and Dirk Viljoen (three for 36) took the bowling honours.

In reply, Zimbabwe hit off the required runs in 34.4 overs losing three wickets in the process. Opener Neil Johnson made a fine 41 off 63 balls to give the tourist a flying start.

His confident knock contained some fine off-drives and included seven fours. Murray Goodwin (50, 78b, 5x4s) and skipper Andrew Flower (41 n.o., 52b, 5x4s) added 60 runs for the third wicket to ensure Zimbabwe's victory.

The scores:

Essex: 172 all out in 47.2 overs (D. Law 41, G.R. Napier 35, B. Strang four for 22, D. Viljoen three for 36) lost to Zimbabwe: 175 for three in 34.4 overs (M. Goodwin 50, A. Flower 41 not out, N. Johnson 41).

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Section  : Sport
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