Chester-le-Street (England), June 05: An unbroken century stand between veteran Alec Stewart and newcomer Anthony Mcgrath rescued England after Zimbabwe’s Douglas Hondo took three quick wickets in the second test at the Riverside here today. At stumps on the first day England were 298 for five, with wicket-keeper Stewart making 67 not out off 124 balls including 11 fours.
Mcgrath, who made 69 on his test debut during England's innings and 92 run first test over the tourists, was 68 not out. The Yorkshire captain faced 121 balls and hit one six and eight fours while his sixth-wicket stand with Stewart was worth 142 come the close. Stewart, 40, extending his England appearance record to 127 tests, moved up to second place in his country's list of all-time test run scorers, going past David Gower's tally of 8,231 runs.

More importantly for England, the Surrey stalwart's innings helped his team recover from 156 for five after Hondo had taken three wickets for eight runs in 11 balls.

But, as at Lord's, Zimbabwe once again dropped catches and gave costly extras totalling 31 which included 19 no-balls.

Mcgrath top-edged a pull against Andy Blignaut on 32 only to see Raymond Price at long leg floor the chance.

And Stewart, on 54, was put down by Sean Ervine at first slip off captain Heath Streak with England 270 for five.

It was not the kind of fielding Zimbabwe needed as they tried to end a run of eight successive test defeats.

Bureau Report