England seek some solace

On the face of it, defeat by an innings and 21 runs is a thumping. Yet the England performance in the first Test has attracted much sympathy. They lost yet another crucial toss and were condemned to bat in disgraceful conditions for the start of a Test; and their bold approach in the second innings proved this is a competitive side, most of them emerging with credit.

But the coach Duncan Fletcher has obvious areas to work on over the 10 days before the second Test. In assessing the performance at the Wanderers, here are my marks out of 10.

Mike Atherton: 3 - Gets points simply for being a totem. Received possibly the two best deliveries of his career from Donald and Pollock.

Mark Butcher: 7 - As last winter in Australia, he came into the first Test with no form, and was squared up by a nasty delivery from Donald in the first innings. Set himself to occupy the crease in the second and did it exceptionally well for more than three hours before a shocking lbw decision cut him down.

Nasser Hussain: 6 - An evil delivery did for him in the first innings and he stoked himself up so much in the second that the opening scoring shot was a six hooked off Pollock. He was bowled by a ball that hit halfway up his stumps from short of a length and he might have done better being forward. Captained competently and has established himself as a figure of authority. He might have made more use of short bursts from his two best strike bowlers, Darren Gough and Andy Caddick.

Michael Vaughan: 7 - Arrived to play his debut innings in the second over with the board reading two for two, and saw two more fall before he got off the mark. So to bat for almost two hours showed remarkable temperament and excellent technique. Looks a Test cricketer. His bowling was tidy without looking menacing.

Alec Stewart: 7 - A first-ball duck in the first innings, but it was a poor lbw decision. In making 86 in the second he did what he does best when the ball comes through with pace and bounce, standing inside the line, forcing off the back foot and providing an attacking counterpoint to Butcher.

Chris Adams: 4 - He was encouraged to be true to his instinctive attacking game and insists he is not going to abandon his prolific back-foot forcing shot outside off stump simply because this is Test cricket. It got him out fourth ball in the second innings, however, and Cronje's bowlers are certain to probe away at this in future.

Andrew Flintoff: 7 - Had a good all-round game, top-scoring in the first innings with 38 and playing forcefully in the second for 36. But his first innings ended tamely when he hung his bat out and was caught at the wicket. Needs work with his bowling action.

Gavin Hamilton: 1 - A single point because he so much wants to play and do well, but this was a humiliating debut with a pair and no wicket from his 15 overs, the runs conceded at the rate of four an over - when the batsmen could reach the ball.

Andy Caddick: 7 - A more responsible England cricketer now. Batted gutsily but it should not mask his bowling performance which ought to have been more effective. Could bowl a fuller length and straighter.

Darren Gough: 7 - Bowled with habitual gusto and real pace at times, although still looking short of full fitness. He needs to make the batsman play more.

Alan Mullally: 4 - Lacklustre bowling needs more aggression and accuracy to retain his place.

Zimbabwe skipper Andy Flower delayed Sri Lanka's almost inevitable pursuit of victory by scoring an unbeaten century yesterday to send the second Test into a final day in Harare. The hosts ended the fourth day on 235 for six, still needing another 23 runs to make the Sri Lankans bat again.