Cricket: Gough Revels in Role of Bully

The details of England's one-day series in Zimbabwe have been revealed. If the ICC's racism hearing, which commences on 29 September, finds nothing untoward, there will be five one-day matches in 10 days from 26 November. Chairman of selectors David Graveney has said that he intends to pick the best team. I am not sure why.

In bright, autumnal sunshine, England completed a routine victory over Zimbabwe that was only ever in doubt when the rain clouds were hovering overhead on Friday. During that abbreviated first day, England performed moderately, yet they ended up winning the match yesterday by 152 runs. What if England had played well?

Zimbabwe were earnest in the field. Vusimuzi Sibanda, Elton Chigumbura and that 21-year-old veteran Tatenda Taibu batted with defiance and some skill. But Zimbabwe are so raw, so far from being able to provide challenging opposition, that it makes no sense to wheel out the heavy artillery in Harare and Bulawayo in November. Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Marcus Trescothick would benefit from a break rather than further drab confrontations with Taibu and his team of novices. Moreover it would do England good to win a few matches without their key triumvirate of one-day players.

England were not as lacklustre yesterday as they had been on Friday, although they did drop a couple of catches in the slips (the culprits could not claim that their vision was obscured by the crowd - there was hardly anyone here).

Without too many elaborations, England added a further 101 runs from the 12 overs left in their innings. Geraint Jones squeezed a yorker from Douglas Hondo on to his stumps, but Paul Collingwood remained a model of pragmatism, although he did hit two consecutive sixes from full tosses by Hondo. Otherwise, he scurried diligently in another intelligent innings.

The bowling was not taxing, but when Collingwood came to the wicket on Friday, England were wobbling at 123 for four. There was just the chance that they could make a Horlicks of it all. With no frills, Collingwood made sure that he was there at the end. He offers some security at number six and should never be required to bat at four in the one-day team, which was often the case last winter.

In the field, England were fairly ruthless - apart from the drops by Flintoff and Vikram Solanki - and Darren Gough took the chance to bully the young pups. He discovered that his bouncer was too quick for them, so he used it liberally. In the meantime, he picked up two cheap wickets, Brendan Taylor patently lbw and Stuart Matsikenyeri acrobatically caught by Collingwood at backward point. Harmison was too good and too fast for most of the Zimbabweans.

England's only concern was the bowling of Alex Wharf. Maybe he was too keen to imitate his fellow Tyke, but every time Wharf banged the ball into the pitch it ended up in the stands at long leg. Wharf was hit for three sixes - against Zimbabwe. You do not have to be Troy Cooley to suggest that he bowled a little short. England might consider playing James Anderson in his place when they meet Sri Lanka on Friday, but the hierarchy are attracted by Wharf's ability to belt a few runs down the order.

Flintoff could not quite let the match pass without a contribution. After scoring six and spilling a catch, he did manage to produce a modest three-wicket haul, one of which was as a result of a stunning catch at first slip by Trescothick, leaping high and clutching the ball in an outstretched right hand. But, for a change, Flintoff was denied the man-of-the-match award. Deservedly, it went to Collingwood for his unbeaten 80.

As ever, Taibu played the innings of class for Zimbabwe. He is an irrepressible young man, although all his qualities will be severely tested over the next couple of years. His dismissal was quirky, to say the least. He attempted to sweep a ball from Ashley Giles, lost his balance and toppled on to his stumps. This year, literally, they are falling over to get out to Giles.

So the Champions Trophy is stuttering into life. If the tournament is going to be interrupted by rain, it is better that it happens in the first week, which, in reality, is set aside for the disposal of the minnows. At least no match has been rained off yet.

Today at Edgbaston Bangladesh are scheduled to play South Africa. If there is to be an upset, this fixture could provide it - Bangladesh are now the best of the minnows, South Africa have lost 10 matches in a row. However, the real games take place from Thursday onwards, beginning with Australia against New Zealand at The Oval. That is when we hope for sunshine and expect crowds worthy of cricket's mini world cup.