England were mesmerised and then embarrassed by the speed and bronze dreadlocks of Henry Olonga in Cape Town last night. The first black cricketer to play for Zimbabwe effectively ended England's challenge by sending back the five top batsmen while giving away 18 runs in his first eight overs and a tricky target of 212 fast became an impossible one.

Olonga's final return settled at a crushing six for 19 when Chris Read, who top-scored with 23, holed out into the off side to end a match England will quickly want to forget as they were dismissed for 107.

The comprehensive defeat by 104 runs with 15.4 overs to spare leaves England with just one win in three matches - their outstanding nine-wicket victory over South Africa in Bloemfontein on Sunday - and they simply must beat Zimbabwe in Kimberley to return to form. Captain Nasser Hussain admitted last night: "We weren't very good today and we are very disappointed.

"The shot selection wasn't good, but we have to give Henry credit for the way he bowled. It was a good toss to win. We've just got to pick ourselves up and come back after this defeat."

Ironically Olonga, born in Zambia of a Kenyan father and originally tipped for stardom as a sprinter, would probably not have played had all-rounder Gary Brent not dislocated a wrist in a friendly match on Wednesday.

Olonga entered the international arena amid controversy and was called for throwing on his Test debut against Pakistan, but remodelled his bowling action under the direction of Dennis Lillee.

Olonga, also a fine opera singer who was offered a scholarship at the London School of Music, hit the right note in last summer's World Cup by taking three wickets in five balls to win the game against India at Leicester.