England comprehensively defeated Zimbabwe in their one-day match at Trent Bridge on May 25, in the ongoing World Cup cricket league matches. The victory gave to England the aggregate of six match points with one league match to go (against India on May 29).

With this defeat, Zimbabwe remains at its aggregate of four match points with just one to go (against South Africa on May 29).

The result was good news for India. If Zimbabwe Loses its match against South Africa, which is most likely given the strength of the South African squad, India may go into the super six on the strength of a victory over Sri Lanka on May 26.

England captain Alec Stewert won the toss and put Zimbabwe in to bat. The Zimbabwe batting was very slow and not at all like what a one-day batting should be. Even in the slog overs, the Zimbabwe batsmen did not go for their shots. Consequently, they made only 167 runs for 8 wickets in their full quota of 50 overs.

Helped by excellent half-centuries by Nasser Hussain and G Thorpe, England galloped to the victory target score of 168 in the 38th over.

Zimbabwe will now aim at defeating South Africa on May 29 to try and enter the super six, a tall ask indeed. For India, the defeat of Zimbabwe has made the chances of its entry into the super six that much brighter.

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