Hutchison's spell helps England overcome hurdles

Cricket

England overcame two major hurdles to beat Zimbabwe by 25 runs in the opening Under-19 one-day international in Bulawayo yesterday.

The tourists' first blow came when they lost both openers for ducks to catches off Aubrey Steyn before recovering to 209 all out, Nottinghamshire's Noel Gie top-scoring with 36.

Then brothers David and Brian Murphy threatened to carry Zimbabwe to a comfortable win before the Yorkshire pace bowler Paul Hutchison rescued England with 5 for 33.

David Murphy shared an opening stand of 58 with Dirk Viljoen before putting on 63 with his brother for the third wicket. But Hutchison had him caught by the wicketkeeper David Nash, of Middlesex, for 58.

Brian Murphy was finally dismissed for 67 as Zimbabwe slumped from 122 for 2 to 184 all out with the lower order unable to maintain the momentum against Hutchison and Matthew Hoggard, who took 3 for 25.

England, who won the three-Test series 2-0, face two further one-day internationals as they attempt to finish the tour unbeaten.