Draw declared

RAIN prevented all but the continuing war of words as the second and final test between Zimbabwe and England was abandoned as a draw yesterday after a heavy storm the previous evening had left the outfield soaked.

The rain denied England pursuing the slim chance of victory set up by Alec Stewart's unbeaten 101 as England took their second innings to 195 for three on Sunday, an overall lead of 136.

It was the first test in history to end in a draw with the scores level.

Mindful of the comments of England coach, David Lloyd, that they had dominated the opening test, Zimbabwe captain, Alistair Campbell, said yesterday he was sick and tired of England's superiority complex.

"We keep hearing these quotes about how England murdered us and we know it. Well I'm afraid to say we don't know it," he said.

"I just wish they could see through their superiority complex and admit that this was a well fought test series between two evenly matched sides."

England captain Mike Atherton disagreed.

"We were a ball away from winning in Bulawayo. If we hadn't lost two hours to rain I think we would have won easily and if we had five clear days it would have been the same story here," he said.

But Campbell retorted: "They are clutching at thin air trying to con themselves into thinking that they played well. They batted poorly on the first day and although they fought their way back I don't think they were clearly the better side.

"The fact of the matter is that, both games could have gone either way and why they can't just admit that is beyond me."

Campbell said that the bottom rung in test cricket rankings was now a close fought thing between England, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.