You could be churlish, or Bob Willisish, and say that England should really have reached 350 when they batted, after the flying start that Marcus Trescothick gave them. But that would be just about the only possible criticism on a stifling day, and after a crushing victory that extended England's run of success over Zimbabwe to nine in a row. Trescothick was tremendous, continuing his heart-warming policy of hitting the ground running in almost every series he's played in. There is a reassuring solidity about him at the crease, and with his economical bat movements and slightly pigeon-toed running he's turning into a clean-shaven mirror image of Graham Gooch. And for once a Trescothick ton meant victory for England, rather than defeat at the death.

Nasser Hussain batted well too, although churls and Bobs would suggest - out of Nasser's earshot, if they know what's good for them - that he might have rotated the strike better during his long partnership with Trescothick. But with an inexperienced middle order to follow, it was imperative that the early wicket of Nick Knight wasn't followed by a collapse. After a season when he averaged a shade under 100 in first-class cricket, it seems unthinkable that Knight's World Cup place is in jeopardy, but unless he makes some runs soon, the fit-again Michael Vaughan will be elbowing him aside. Knight didn't play in the 1999 World Cup either, thanks to some peculiar selection ideas, and the thought of another near-miss will be haunting him now.

England's middle order unsurprisingly slowed down a little, but the bowling was less predictable: Zimbabwe took India close to the wire, but England didn't let them anywhere near the fence. Matthew Hoggard started the rot, arcing the ball away impressively, and Ronnie Irani chipped in with four handy wickets. You do have to possess a fairly vivid imagination to see Irani, Jeremy Snape and Ian Blackwell rolling the big boys over during the World Cup - but we have already agreed not to be churlish.

Even the local insects were on England's side. Dion Ebrahim was buzzed by a mass of midges, which generously left England alone. Maybe Ebrahim needs to change his after-shave.

So England have the Indian sign over the Zimbos ... but the signs are that India themselves are on a roll against England. The match on Sunday, which will decide who progresses from this group, could be a cracker.

Steven Lynch is editor of Wisden.com.

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