Hoggard bowls Zimbabwe opener Campbell

Hussain and Nick Knight launched some lusty blows during a third wicket partnership of 98, but Knight lobbed Zimbabwe captain Guy Whittall to mid-on for 50.

Hussain fell to a soft dismissal, bowled around his legs attempting to reverse sweep Grant Flower after making 73 from 77 balls including nine fours.

Graham Thorpe holed out to mid-off and Mark Ramprakash was bowled for 35 trying to sweep Dirk Viljoen.

It was left to Andrew Flintoff and Ben Hollioake to repair the damage and Flintoff condemned Zimbabwe to their eighth successive one-day defeat with a six over long on.

England's bowlers had earlier impressed as Zimbabwe opted to bat but were restricted to 206 following a spectacular batting collapse.

Part-time bowler Ramprakash took three rare wickets and fellow spinner Jeremy Snape claimed both Flower brothers to spark the collapse.

Matthew Hoggard got England off to an excellent start by bowling Campbell, who had been dropped earlier by Trescothick at slip, as he attempted to rush and slog the fast bowler.

Flower struck a fine half century

Hoggard then had Whittall caught brilliantly in the deep by Snape to leave the home side on 34-2.

Andy Flower and Carlisle fought back with a 77-run partnership for the third wicket, but things went wrong for Zimbabwe when Carlisle lobbed a Flintoff delivery to mid-off.

Andy Flower rushed Snape and was smartly stumped by wicketkeeper James Foster after making a composed 59.

Flower's brother Grant then had a rush of blood, charging Snape second ball, with the same result despite Foster's fumble.

Ramprakash followed up by snaring Craig Wishart with his second ball, then bowled Dirk Viljoen and added the wicket of Mluleki Nkala who holed out to deep mid-wicket, to finish with figures of 3-28.

He then caught Dion Ebrahim (42) off a slower ball by James Kirtley, who polished off the innings when Brent holed out to mid-off.

Zimbabwe: G Whittall (capt), G Brent, A Campbell, S Carlisle, D Ebrahim, A Flower, G Flower, D Hondo, M Nkala, D Viljoen, C Wishart.

England: N Hussain (capt), A Flintoff, J Foster, M Hoggard, B Hollioake, J Kirtley, N Knight, M Ramprakash, J Snape, G Thorpe, M Trescothick.