Tour match, Worcester, day two: Worcestershire 262; Zimbabwe 296-8 (at close)

Carlisle gave himself the perfect 31st birthday present

Stuart Carlisle compiled the fifth first-class century of his career as Zimbabwe proved there is life after Andy Flower at New Road.

The selection of an inexperienced squad, with star batsman Flower having retired from international cricket, prompted most observers to rate them as no-hopers for the Tests against England.

But former skipper Carlisle showed the necessary resolve and concentration needed for Test cricket as he batted for over seven and a half hours to reach 139 not out before rain ended play a few minutes before the scheduled close.

His innings included two sixes and 20 fours, and he shared a fifth wicket stand of 105 with vice-captain Tatenda Taibu.

The morning session was restricted to 23 overs because of weather interruptions as Zimbabwe advanced their total to 136 for the loss of Barney Rogers.

He made only four before left-arm paceman Mark Harrity found the outside edge and Stephen Peters accepted the chance at third slip.

Taibu plays a textbook cover drive

Taibu opened his account with a four through the covers off Kabir Ali, and was the more aggressive batsman as he and Carlisle set about rebuilding the innings.

They took the score to 178 before Taibu was caught behind off Kabir for 57 and Andy Blignaut followed three balls later, edging a catch to Andrew Hall at slip after making only two.

Zimbabwe's batting does not lack depth, however, and Travis Friend atoned for his wayward bowling on the opening day by helping Carlisle add 87.

Friend was finally caught by Hall off spinner Gareth Batty for 39 and Ray Price fell cheaply to Kabir, but Doug Hondo joined Carlisle to extend Zimbabwe's lead to 34.

Worcestershire: S D Peters, A Singh, V S Solanki, B F Smith (Capt), Kadeer Ali, A J Hall, G J Batty, D J Pipe (Wkt), Kabir Ali, M S Mason, M A Harrity.

Zimbabwe: M A Vermeulen, D D Ebrahim, S V Carlisle, G W Flower, B G Rogers, T Taibu (Wkt), A M Blignaut, H H Streak (Capt), T J Friend, D T Hondo, R W Price.