Trescothick's swift century paves way for England

England 298-8 Zimbabwe 190-9 England win by 108 runs

Anybody who was concerned for England's mental state in the ICC Champions Trophy clearly needs their head examined. Instead of succumbing in their opening match because of fatigue, inexperience and unfamiliarity with the conditions, as was widely feared, they dismantled Zimbabwe in the Premadasa Stadium yesterday as if they had played here every day for years, in between long holidays.

The progress to this unlikely state of Nirvana was engineered largely by Marcus Trescothick, who batted with typically destructive ebullience and ensured that England controlled proceedings throughout. The surprising element was that the left-handed opener's innings (from 102 balls with 11 fours and two sixes) also led to victory. His previous three international one-day hundreds had all been in losing causes and the thought occurred that he might profitably start rehearsing methods for getting out on 99.

England won by 108 runs which make nonsense of doom sayers. The sides might have been back in the dressing room earlier but for the number of referrals to the third umpire for confirmation about lbw decisions or catches behind under the terms of the trial being conducted in this tournament.

There was more consultation than in a GP's surgery, not all of which seemed to stick specifically to guidelines issued by the International Cricket Council, stipulating the questions can and cannot be asked. For the record, the first English bowler to be awarded a wicket after a referral was Ronnie Irani, whose persuasive shout against Guy Whittall alone made it worthy of consideration.

Trescothick's excellence was merely business as usual. He has never been a slouch but this year he has entered new territory. From the start of the one-day series against India last January, he has scored three centuries in a total of 846 runs at an average of nearly 45. Crucially, his strike rate is 103.4 and, while that is below Shahid Afridi's 107.7, the Pakistani's average is little more than 26.

That makes Trescothick the world's most proficient batsman in the short form of the game. Zimbabwe's captain, Heath Streak, said: "He's definitely up there with the Indian openers and the Australians. It's difficult to find an area to bowl to him, he's hitting the ball so cleanly and you're happy just to give him a single and bowl at the other guy.''

Trescothick batted in his usual deceptively straightforward fashion, standing erect and attacking with venomous power. His certainty of contact sets him apart from everybody else in the side. His previous one-day innings for England had been 109 in the NatWest series final in July and the broken thumb which enforced a subsequent six-week absence has affected him not a jot.

There were still 11 overs left when he was bowled by Grant Flower, one ball after thumping a six into the seventh row of seating, which first required the clearing of the moat around the ground. Had he stayed England's total would have been well above 300, but they had to settle for 298.

The other main contributor to England's innings was Nasser Hussain. The captain often appears to be suffering from a form of torture in one-day games and some of his attempts to improvise shots involve the sort of contortions which enabled Harry Houdini to escape from so many odd places. Somehow, Hussain gets away with it, too, and while his 75 from 97 balls was hardly quick-fire it lent England solidity.

Having had two overs of the innings docked for failing to complete England's 50 overs in the allotted time, Zimbabwe's chances moved from slender to none. When Matthew Hoggard supplied an incisive, accurate opening spell, they lessened further.

Zimbabwe's peerless wicketkeeper batsman, Andy Flower, followed his 145 against India with a busy 44 and Streak prolonged the game with an unbeaten 50. Irani, who announced earlier this week that he took 20 vitamin pills a day, had 4 for 37. A little bit of what you fancy does you good.

England play India on Sunday in what is now a straight knock-out for a semi-final place. Given the opposition's illustrious batting, it would be foolhardy to talk up England's chances. But if Hussain and some of his men were tired, they have woken up in a hurry.

* Shane Warne is to return to Hampshire next summer as captain for two years. He played for Hampshire in 2000, taking 70 Championship wickets.