Staff Writer 
England – 565-6 declared in 96.3 overs (Ollie Pope 171, Ben Duckett 140, Zak Crawley 124; Blessing Muzarabani 3/143, Wessly Madhevere 1/34, Sikandar Raza 1/93)
Zimbabwe – 265 and (following on) 255 all out in 59 overs (Sean Williams 88, Sikandar Raza 60, Ben Curran 37; Shoaib Bashir 6/81, Gus Atkinson 1/17, Ben Stokes 1/41)
England won by an innings and 45 runs
Despite spirited half-centuries from Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe lost their one-off Test match against England by an innings and 45 runs at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday, dismissed for 255 in their second innings.
Forced to follow on after trailing by 300 runs, the tourists started the day on 30 for two, with Ben Curran on four and Williams on 11.
The pair showed admirable resolve and skill in the morning session, putting together a composed and enterprising 122-run stand for the third wicket.
Williams played the aggressor, counter-attacking with flair, while Curran anchored the innings with determination.
Williams appeared poised to break Brian Bennett’s record for Zimbabwe’s fastest Test century when he misjudged a sweep off Shoaib Bashir and was trapped lbw for a superb 88 off just 82 balls, including 16 boundaries.
His departure, just before lunch with the score on 129 for three, was a crucial blow. After the interval, Curran became Bashir’s next victim, checking a drive that was well caught at cover for a gritty 37 off 104 balls.
At 142 for four, Zimbabwe needed another partnership – and they found it. Wessly Madhevere joined Raza in a brisk 65-run stand, both batters showing positive intent to keep Zimbabwe in the contest.
Madhevere looked set before Ben Stokes once again broke through, drawing an edge off a rising delivery that was brilliantly taken by Harry Brook at second slip.
He fell for a lively 31 off 36 balls, and Zimbabwe were 207 for five.
Tafadzwa Tsiga scored four before he was bowled by a beauty from Bashir that spun sharply to hit leg stump and, with the score at 218 for six, Raza was running out of partners. He reached his half-century from just 57 balls and continued to play his shots, refusing to go down without a fight.
However, the lower order could not provide lasting support. Blessing Muzarabani fell early, top-edging a slog to deep midwicket.
Victor Nyauchi briefly entertained with two consecutive fours off Stokes. Unfortunately Raza, the last recognised batter, was caught in the slips off a well-flighted Bashir delivery, departing for a defiant 60 off 68 balls, including 10 boundaries.
Tanaka Chivanga made 10 before he was out lbw to Bashir and, with Richard Ngarava unable to bat due to injury, Zimbabwe’s innings ended at 255, with Nyauchi remaining unbeaten on 13, as England sealed victory.
Bashir finished with career-best figures of six for 81 in the innings and an impressive match haul of nine for 143.
Despite the result, Zimbabwe can take pride in their performance.
Playing in unfamiliar English conditions with a Dukes ball – so different from what they are accustomed to back home – they showed grit, skill and fighting spirit throughout the match.
Equally heartening was the massive turnout by Zimbabwean fans – draped in red, green, yellow and black – who filled the stands with song and cheer from start to finish.
Their unwavering support added colour and energy to the contest, reminding the cricketing world of Zimbabwe’s passionate following and growing potential on the international stage.
