Hussain steers England to long-awaited win

England, inspired by captain Nasser Hussain, ended an 11-game losing streak by beating Zimbabwe by five wickets in their first…

England, inspired by captain Nasser Hussain, ended an 11-game losing streak by beating Zimbabwe by five wickets in their first one-day international today.

Hussain, absent for most of his team's recent run of defeats, scored 73 from 77 deliveries as the tourists, chasing Zimbabwe's 206 all out, won with 3.2 overs to spare.

Opener Nick Knight scored 50 after putting on 98 runs for the second wicket with his skipper.

Earlier, occasional off-spinner Mark Ramprakash claimed three for 28 in seven overs, while debutants Matthew Hoggard, Jeremy Snape and James Kirtley took two wickets each to dismiss Zimbabwe in 49.1 overs.

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Ramprakash also chipped in with 35 runs, while Andy Flintoff ended the game with a six.

Andy Flower had top-scored for the home team with 59, his 45th one-day international half century, before he fell to off-spinner Snape, who removed both Flower brothers in the space of three balls to turn the game.

Zimbabwe have now lost eight successive one-dayers, including a recent 3-0 whitewash against South Africa. The two teams next meet on Saturday at the same venue in their five-match series.