CHESTER-LE-STREET, 6 June 2003 — An unbroken century stand between veteran Alec Stewart and newcomer Anthony McGrath rescued England after Zimbabwe quick Douglas Hondo took three quick wickets in the second Test at the Riverside here yesterday.
At stumps on the first day England were 298 for five, with wicketkeeper 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 were once again left rueing dropped catches and a costly extras total of 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.
Hondo, 23, whose previous best Test return was one for 87 against South Africa in Harare in 2001-02, finished the day with three for 66. His successful spell began when he had left-hander Mark Butcher - whose century set up England’s victory at Lord’s - playing on for 47.
Robert Key (four) fell next when he flicked Hondo to Grant Flower at square leg. Key stood his ground and the decision was eventually referred to third umpire Peter Willey who gave him out despite seemingly inconclusive pictures.
But there was no doubt about the outside edge Hondo got England captain Nasser Hussain (18) to nick through to wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu to leave England on 156 for five.
Earlier opener Marcus Trescothick fell for 43 when a gloved sweep off left-arm spinner Price was caught down the legside by Taibu.
After Hussain won the toss, the only wicket to fall in the morning session was Michael Vaughan, caught at first slip by Ervine off fast bowler Streak for an all-boundary 20.
Before play began Somerset seamer Richard Johnson was handed his Test debut, replacing injured Yorkshire swing bowler Matthew Hoggard.
Johnson, 28, was England’s only change to their team at Lord’s as they searched for a first series win since defeating Sri Lanka 2-0 last year.
This match marked the Riverside’s debut as a Test ground. The home of north-east county Durham became the first new Test venue in England for 101 years.
Karachi Safe for South Africa
to Play Cricket: PCB Aide
In Karachi, Pakistan’s port city of Karachi, last year hit by terror attacks, will stage a One-Day International and a Test match when South Africa’s cricket team tours the country in September, officials said yesterday.
“South Africa agreed to playing in Karachi straight away and we see no problems in staging international matches in the city,” Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Ramiz Raja said. South Africa will play three Tests and as many one-day games on their tour to Pakistan from Sept. 22 to Oct. 28.
