Zimbabwe take positives from win in Universities match

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has welcomed his side's win in its tour opener against the British Universities at Edgbaston.

"It's a very positive opening for us and gets the tour off to a good start," said Streak after Monday's 10-wicket win, achieved on day three of the scheduled four-day match.

"Our last international cricket was in Sharjah, so there is a great contrast in the conditions we played in over there compared to here, in an English spring. We only have three first-class games before the Lord's Test, so it was important to get off the mark with a win and to see good performances from a number of players throughout the team," said Streak.

Coach, Geoff Marsh, said it was an encouraging team performance, highlighted by a number of strong individual contributions.

"Having arrived in the country on Thursday, we have acclimatised quickly to play well and wrap up the match in three days. We'll be looking to build on that in our next game against Worcester on Friday, which will provide us with the sterner test we need as we approach the Test.

"Among the batsmen, several of the guys have spent valuable time in the middle. Grant Flower will be pleased to have started off with a solid hundred and Carlisle, Vermuelen, Streak and Blignaut backed him up with runs. Those that missed out here will be looking to make up with strong form at Worcester.

"Bowling wise, Hondo did very well for a player making his debut in England and is improving fast. It was a pretty flat wicket so we did well to bowl them out twice in three days," Marsh added.