Hussain hails 'complete display'

Zimbabwe had no answer to England's bowlers

England captain Nasser Hussain could not disguise his delight as his side wrapped up a thumping victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test at Lord's.

Despite heavy rain that caused so many overs to be lost, the home side were in such control that they won the match with almost a day-and-a-half remaining.

Thankfully for Hussain, the rain held off for long enough

Hussain, who has seen his side suffer their share of humiliating defeats, praised England's team play this time around.

In particular he highlighted his bowlers' first-innings display, Graeme Hick and Alec Stewart's centuries, Darren Gough's spell on Saturday evening and the fielders' catching.

"I'm delighted," Hussain said. "We had to be professional against them. We kept our concentration and we had some class players, like Hick, Stewart and Gough. I thought we showed both class and professionalism.

We kept our concentration and we had some class players

Nasser Hussain

"Winning is very important. We've got some harder tasks ahead of us - six more Test matches this summer - and we've got to keep our eye on the ball and can't get carried away by this win."

And he warned: "I'm sure Zimbabwe will be disappointed with the way they played and I'm also sure they'll come back at us at Trent Bridge, so we'll have to really be up for it."

Giddins gets it

The man of the match award was claimed by Ed Giddins, after the Warwickshire paceman set the tone of the match with a five-wicket haul in Zimbabwe's first innings.

Ed Giddins: Man of the match in second Test

But Giddins, in only his second Test match, refused to accept the individual plaudits for the victory.

"It was a great all-round performance and we're thoroughly pleased to get it over and done with today," he said.

Zimbabwe skipper Andy Flower admitted his players had a lot of work to do following their humbling experience in their first ever Test match in England.

"We're all disappointed with the way we played," he said. "But if we can come back stronger mentally and technically then something positive will have come out of it.

"We missed Henry Olonga, but it was more our batting than our bowling that let us down.

"Some of the tailenders showed at the end what a bit of guts and commitment can do. The batters have now got to show that sort of stuff up front."