Solanki steers England home

Vikram Solanki smashed a brilliant century to lead England to an eight-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third One-Day International in Bulawayo on Saturday.

England overhauled Zimbabwe's 238 for seven in the 44th over to claim the four-match series 3-0.

Solanki scored an imperious 100 off 91 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.

Solanki and Ian Bell, who scored 53, put on 138 for the first wicket, an England record against Zimbabwe.

The last match in the series will be played at the same venue on Sunday.

Earlier, Stuart Matsikenyeri and Dion Ebrahim scored half-centuries to lead Zimbabwe to a competitive 238 for seven.

The Bulawayo total was their highest in the four-match series after losing the opening two games.

Matsikenyeri scored his maiden half-century in his 36th One-Day International, making 73 off 97 balls with seven fours and a six, after Zimbabwe opted to bat.

His best shot was a memorable cut over point off quick bowler Simon Jones.

Ebrahim, in his 77th One-Day International, scored 65 off 94 balls, with four fours.

Brendan Taylor and Matsikenyeri made a subdued start, putting on 45 in the first 15 overs, and they were separated with the first ball of the 16th which Taylor edged to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones off Jones to be dismissed for 25.

Matsikenyeri and Ebrahim picked up the scoring to add 98 runs in the next 20 overs before Matsikenyeri attempted a sweep off part-time spinner Michael Vaughan and sent a looping catch to James Anderson at backward point.

Zimbabwe suffered the rarity of run-outs from consecutive deliveries in the 40th over as they reached to 165 for four.

Mark Vermeulen pushed a ball from Jones to point and was removed by Paul Collingwood's direct hit at the non-striker's end from point.

Ebrahim drove the next ball to midwicket where substitute fielder Gareth Batty swooped, and Elton Chigumbura was run out without facing a ball in attempting to complete a second run.

Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles bowled a slogging Hamilton Masakadza in the 46th over and Ebrahim holed out to Collingwood at long on off medium pacer Alex Wharf in the 49th over.

Skipper Tatenda Taibu clipped 24 off 18 balls before being caught by Anderson at long on off Jones with the penultimate ball of the innings.

Scoreboard

Zimbabwe:
B.Taylor c G.Jones b S.Jones 25
S.Matsikenyeri c Anderson b Vaughan 73
D.Ebrahim c Collingwood b Wharf 65
M.Vermeulen run out 12
E.Chigumbura run out 0
H.Masakadza b Giles 21
T.Taibu c Anderson b S.Jones 24
P.Utseya not out 4
T.Panyangara not out 0.

Extras: (b-1, lb-3, nb-1, w-9) 14.

Total: (for seven wickets, 50 overs) 238

Fall of wickets: 1-45, 2-143, 3-164, 4-165, 5-203, 6-227.

Did not bat: C.Mpofu, D.Hondo

Bowling: Wharf 8-1-30-1 (w-1), Anderson 10-0-51-0 (nb-1 w-4), Collingwood 6-0-30-0, S.Jones 8-1-43-2 (w-2), Giles 10-0-44-1 (w-1), Vaughan 8-0-36-1 (w-1)

England:
V.Solanki c Hondo b Matsikenyeri 100
I.Bell c Taibu b Matsikenyeri 53
M.Vaughan not out 54
A.Strauss not out 22.

Extras: (w-4, nb-6) 10.

Total: (for two wickets, 43.1 overs) 239

Fall of wickets: 1-138, 2-191

Did not bat: K.Pietersen, P.Collingwood, G.Jones, A.Giles, A.Wharf, S.Jones, J.Anderson.

Bowling: Panyangara 5.1-0-37-0 (nb-4 w-1), Mpofu 6-0-46-0 (w-2), Hondo 7-0-44-0 (nb-2 w-1), Chigumbura 1-0-16-0, Matsikenyeri 10-0-43-2, Utseya 10-0-35-0, Taylor 4-0-18-0.