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Olonga wrecks England

A sensational opening spell by Zimbabwe fast bowler Henry Olonga sent England crashing to a 104-run defeat in the triangular limited overs tournament at Newlands on Friday.

Olonga took the first five wickets for 18 runs in a devastating eight-over burst to enable Zimbabwe to gain their first win in the tournament. He finished with six for 19, the best figures in one-day internationals by a Zimbabwean, as England crashed to 107 all out. It was Zimbabwe's sixth win in eight matches against England.

Zimbabwe's total of 211 for seven was built around an innings of 97 by opening batsman Neil Johnson, the highest individual score in matches between the two countries. The total was seven runs more than that successfully defended by South Africa against England at the same ground two days earlier.

But whereas South Africa won by one run in a thrilling finish, the dreadlocked Olonga consigned England to defeat before the sun had set behind Table Mountain.

Olonga's first victim was Nick Knight, trapped lbw for five in the fifth over of the innings by a delivery which swung in to the left-hander. Two balls later Graeme Hick edged a drive to wicketkeeper Andy Flower. Vikram Solanki played some classy shots in making 14 before he slashed Olonga hard to backward point where Murray Goodwin held a stinging catch above his head.

England's fate was virtually sealed when skipper Nasser Hussain, who had opened the innings, edged a full-length delivery into his stumps for 14, to be followed by Chris Adams, who edged to second slip Johnson after scoring a single.

England were 47 for five and they lost another wicket at the same total when John Rennie had Mark Alleyne caught behind for four.

Earlier, the left-handed Johnson seemed set for his fifth limited overs international century until he became stuck in the 90s against accurate English bowling. Then he hooked medium-pacer Mark Ealham straight to Hick on the backward square leg boundary. He made his 97 off 134 balls, hitting only five fours over a slow outfield and a six off Alleyne.

Johnson and Grant Flower gave the innings a flying start, with 11 runs scored off Darren Gough's first over. The total was 26 after four overs and it reached 56 in the 11th over before Flower top-edged a pull to fine leg off Alleyne. Alistair Campbell was run out without scoring but Johnson and Murray Goodwin put on 55 for the third wicket.