Hollioake bows out in style

Ben Hollioake hit 59 not out at Southampton yesterday, reaching his 50 by driving one ball clean out of the ground.

Yet Hollioake was still overshadowed by his captain Andrew Flintoff, as England charged to eight-wicket Under-19 victory against Zimbabwe - and a 2-0 win in the NatWest one-day international series.

While Hollioake warmed up for his probable Test debut against Australia on Thursday, Lancashire's Flintoff smashed 72 not out from just 43 balls, as England overhauled Zimbabwe's 156 for nine with 21 deliveries to spare in a match reduced to a 25-over thrash by rain.

Flintoff and Hollioake, who came together at 17 for 2 in the sixth over, put on 140 in just 16 overs.

Hollioake, who earlier took 1 for 28 from five overs, must now try to step up to the big boy stuff - and the gulf between the Aussies, the best team in the world, and the inexperienced and under-strength Zimbabwean side could not be more stark.

But Surrey's 19-year old all-rounder said: "Given the choice of sitting around today, or playing in a match situation, I would obviously have chosen some match practice It's a great feeling to know I'm going to Trent Bridge for my first Test, and I have positive thoughts after doing well against Australia in the Texaco Trophy."